Addressing the rally, Congress Maharashtra in-charge Dr Sirivella Prasad questioned why the government could not waive farm loans of Rs 2 lakh when, he alleged, loans worth Rs 20 lakh crore owed by industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani had been waived.
“Why can loans worth Rs 20 lakh crore owed by Adani and Ambani be waived, but the government cannot waive Rs 2 lakh in farm loans?” Prasad asked, criticising the BJP-led Mahayuti government over its handling of the drought crisis.
The protest march was led by Prasad and Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal. Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat, MPs Dr Kalyan Kale, Dr Shivajirao Kalge and Prof Ravindra Chavan, along with other party leaders, office-bearers and citizens from across the Marathwada region, participated in the march.
Sapkal criticised the state government's decision to provide Rs 5,000 to farmers for Diwali, calling it an insult to farmers struggling with drought and crop losses.
He said farmers were facing both natural calamities and difficulties caused by the government's response, adding that the kharif crop had been severely affected and farmers were uncertain about their next source of income.
“The decision to provide Rs 5,000 to farmers for Diwali is like rubbing salt into their wounds. It is a cruel joke on farmers suffering due to drought,” Sapkal said.
He alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti government had sufficient funds for political purposes and industrialists but was unwilling to provide adequate assistance to farmers.
Sapkal demanded a blanket financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers, without waiting for surveys, inspections or assessments. He also called for a complete farm loan waiver.
The party also called for an ex-gratia grant for agricultural labourers, the immediate commencement of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and a waiver of educational fees for farmers' children.
Other demands included free state transport bus passes for students, the opening of cattle fodder camps, tanker-based drinking water supply in areas facing shortages, and an end to harassment by moneylenders.
Senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee member Balasaheb Thorat said the drought situation was particularly severe in the Marathwada region, where the kharif season had been devastated and prospects for the rabi crop remained uncertain.
He said agricultural labourers were also facing hardship, with shortages of fodder and drinking water adding to the crisis.
Thorat described the Rs 5,000 Diwali assistance as inadequate and accused the state government of relying on announcements rather than taking effective action.
He demanded clarity on the financial assistance proposed for rain-fed and irrigated farmland, and urged the government to immediately stop recovery pressure from banks, finance companies and moneylenders.
“The government treasury is meant for ordinary citizens and farmers, not a handful of industrialists. Open the treasury for farmers,” Thorat said, calling for urgent intervention to address the drought crisis.
]]>Native exclusively to the Chel River basin in northern West Bengal, the species was first described in 1845 before virtually disappearing from scientific records for more than 80 years. Its rediscovery by the TWF team in 2025 marked a major milestone for Indian conservation. However, the initial excitement has quickly turned to concern.
According to the TWF, virtually all specimens currently circulating in the global private pet trade are wild-caught from the Chel River. Given the snakehead’s extremely limited geographic range, conservationists warn that unregulated harvesting could push the newly rediscovered populations towards local extinction.
Although the species is currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List, the foundation argues that this classification is outdated and urgently needs to be reassessed. Its limited distribution, it says, makes the species particularly vulnerable to overexploitation.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, TWF president Tejas Udhav Thackeray outlined four key interventions needed to protect the species:
Legal protection: Include Channa amphibeus in the highest protection category under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to strengthen legal safeguards against unauthorised capture, transit and commercial trade.
On-ground enforcement: Deploy targeted anti-poaching patrols and monitoring networks across the Chel River basin to intercept illegal collection networks.
Habitat protection: Establish protected aquatic reserves along critical stretches of the river to safeguard sensitive habitats, including riverbank burrows, from siltation and destruction.
Community stewardship: Work with local riverine and fishing communities, empowering residents to act as frontline guardians against external poachers.
With commercial listings for the rare fish reportedly already active on international online platforms, the foundation has submitted supporting evidence to the ministry, urging swift administrative and on-ground action to protect the fragile ecology of the Chel River system.
]]>Built by Larsen & Toubro Ltd under the Government of India's Make in India initiative, Samarthak is the first of four multi-purpose vessels being inducted into the Indian Navy.
The commissioning marks another milestone in India's efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The vessel is expected to play an important role in the Navy's future operations, serving as a versatile platform for a range of strategically significant maritime missions.
Designed primarily for maritime surveillance and patrol, Samarthak can also undertake Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), serve as a target deployment and trials platform, and function as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems.
The vessel is also equipped for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. It can be converted into a limited-capability hospital ship and deployed for salvage operations.
Its integrated combat suite combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems designed to operate in challenging maritime environments.
The crest of Samarthak features an Indian elephant emerging from the waves, symbolising strength, intelligence and agility.
The ship's motto, 'Vijayartham Eknishthata' (Victory is Our Sole Aim), reflects its mission-oriented approach and commitment to operational excellence.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol, its third anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC), in Mumbai on Monday, strengthening its capability to detect and counter submarine threats in coastal waters where larger warships face operational limitations. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, the indigenous warship is designed to protect ports, harbours and coastal approaches while supporting wider fleet operations.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, presided over the commissioning ceremony. He said the induction of INS Mangrol assumes particular significance amid rising geopolitical tensions and an increasingly contested maritime environment, reported news agency PTI.
"The seas are no longer merely avenues for trade and connectivity but also arenas of strategic competition, technological change and emerging security challenges," he said.
For India, with its extensive coastline, islands and vital maritime trade routes, maintaining a credible, responsive and combat-ready Navy is indispensable, Vatsayan added.
]]>The deceased, identified as Rajveer Khanderao Kale, was playing on a cement bench installed for seating within the police quarters’ premises at around 9.30 pm when it collapsed, leaving him seriously injured.
Local residents and police personnel rushed the boy to Trauma Care Hospital for treatment. However, Dr Siraj declared him dead on arrival.
The Vanrai police have registered an accidental death report (ADR No. 60/2026) in connection with the incident. Police have recorded witness statements and conducted a panchnama at the spot.
A forensic team was also called to the scene, where blood samples and other important evidence were collected as part of the investigation.
Further investigation into the incident is underway, police said.
]]>Bawankule, who chairs the Cabinet subcommittee on drought mitigation measures, issued the directives during a high-level meeting at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on Wednesday. All 11 members of the subcommittee and senior administrative officials attended the meeting.
Reviewing the state's water supply situation, Bawankule directed district collectors to ensure that stalled and defunct water supply schemes are made operational within 15 days. The government will also issue a new government resolution under the Jal Jeevan Mission to facilitate the revival of these schemes.
The meeting noted that water supply schemes across the state have outstanding dues of around Rs 3,000 crore. Officials were asked to explore a one-time settlement scheme under which penalties and interest could be waived, while the principal amount would be paid in instalments.
The minister also directed officials to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to water projects and expedite the completion of schemes held up due to a lack of funds. The use of funds available under the 15th and 16th Finance Commissions was suggested to pay current electricity bills and keep water supply schemes operational.
The government has emphasised that water tankers should be deployed only after other options to ensure drinking water availability have been exhausted. Tanker deployment and planning will be handled through government departments, according to the decisions taken at the meeting.
Officials were also directed to review water levels in major reservoirs and lakes across Maharashtra. Around 450 distribution transformers at locations where electricity bills have been paid will be restored to operation on priority to support water supply.
To prevent fodder shortages amid drought conditions, district collectors have been instructed to prepare special SOPs and plans for fodder banks in coordination with the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments.
Districts with surplus fodder will supply it to neighbouring areas facing shortages. The government will also provide fodder seeds through a fund of Rs 62 crore, prioritising farmers with access to a reliable water supply to encourage fodder cultivation.
Government agencies will procure fodder at a guaranteed price, officials said during the meeting.
The subcommittee also discussed encouraging local farmers to cultivate fodder on exposed reservoir beds. Revenue department wasteland may be made available to women's self-help groups for fodder production.
The administration informed the meeting that the third phase of drought mitigation measures was being implemented across 305 talukas in Maharashtra.
Around 70 per cent of crop damage assessments have been completed so far. The remaining assessments are expected to be completed by October 31, after which the administration will have a clearer picture of the drought situation across the state.
Public representatives suggested using corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from large companies and funds available with District Planning and Development Committees (DPDCs) for drought mitigation.
Officials also discussed creating water bodies and developing water sources while undertaking road construction projects. The Revenue, Rural Development and Public Works departments will coordinate on water conservation and water scarcity-related works.
The measures are aimed at restoring drinking water supply, improving water management and ensuring fodder availability in drought-affected areas.
]]>In a post on X, Dipke wrote, “Lehra do Tiranga,” and appealed to patriots and people who love the Tricolour to assemble at the park at 5 pm on October 16 and hoist the national flag.
“As you all know, Saurabh and Aashu have been jailed simply for hoisting the Tricolour. So, I appeal to all patriots, to everyone who loves the Tricolour, to gather at Central Park, Connaught Place, on October 16 at 5 pm with the flag. We will hoist it there and demonstrate that waving the Tricolour is not a crime,” he said.
Dipke also urged people who could not travel to Delhi to organise a “Tiranga March” in their respective cities in the evening.
Calling the Tricolour a matter of national pride, he said, “Let these people, these autocrats, know that our Tricolour is our pride and hoisting it is not a crime.”
Dipke further said he was not worried about the possibility of being jailed after making the appeal, reiterating that he would hoist the national flag.
“I might be jailed after this, but I am not worried about that. The Tricolour is my pride, and I will certainly hoist it,” Dipke said.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Delhi Police detained CJP activists Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya Shinde after they allegedly attempted to breach the security cordon and enter Jantar Mantar, which had been denotified as a protest site.
“Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya, along with other team members, have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi,” Dipke posted on X.
Ranka wrote in a separate post, “Hands Off Jantar Mantar.”
The group had gathered at the protest site in the early hours of Tuesday. According to reports, security personnel arrived shortly after the protesters began their demonstration and took them into custody, removing them from the venue.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Maharashtra Cyber helped rescue an elderly woman in Delhi from an ongoing ‘digital arrest’ scam after tracing a suspicious Rs 14 lakh bank transfer while investigating a separate cyber fraud worth about Rs 3 crore in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The woman had already transferred around Rs 27 lakh to the fraudsters. Timely intervention by Maharashtra Cyber and coordinated action with Delhi Police prevented further financial losses, according to a press note issued by the Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber, on Wednesday.
The investigation began after a 74-year-old woman from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar lost approximately Rs 3 crore in a digital arrest scam. Maharashtra Cyber’s technical team joined the local police to examine the financial transactions and trace the movement of the defrauded money.
During the analysis, investigators identified a Layer-1 mule account through which around Rs 89 lakh of the defrauded funds had been traced. The account showed a fresh Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) credit of Rs 14 lakh from another individual through UCO Bank.
The transaction raised suspicions that another person could be falling victim to the same fraudulent operation.
Maharashtra Cyber traced the transaction and examined the associated financial links. It issued an urgent notice to UCO Bank seeking the sender’s Know Your Customer (KYC) details.
The information established that the sender was a woman residing in New Delhi. Further analysis indicated that she was potentially being targeted in an ongoing digital arrest scam and faced the risk of transferring more money to the fraudsters.
Maharashtra Cyber alerted Delhi Police on October 13 and shared transaction details and technical intelligence to facilitate immediate intervention.
Acting on the information, Delhi Police traced and rescued the woman. The police are in the process of registering a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the case.
According to Maharashtra Cyber, the woman had already transferred around Rs 27 lakh to the fraudsters before authorities intervened. The real-time analysis and coordination between the agencies helped stop further transfers and protect her remaining savings.
The department said the case demonstrates how financial transaction analysis can help identify victims beyond the scope of an ongoing investigation. What began as a probe into a Rs 3 crore fraud in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar led investigators to an active scam targeting another elderly woman in Delhi.
Maharashtra Cyber has urged citizens, particularly senior citizens, to remain alert to digital arrest scams in which fraudsters impersonate police officers, investigating agencies or other government authorities. They threaten victims with arrest or legal action to extort money.
The department reiterated that there is no legal procedure called ‘digital arrest’ in India. Law enforcement agencies do not arrest people through video calls or demand money to prevent arrest or legal proceedings.
Citizens have been advised not to panic, share sensitive banking details or transfer money in response to such threats. Anyone suspecting a cyber fraud should immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
]]>Sanju Samson scored a quickfire half-century to give India a flying start in their chase against West Indies. The Indian opener smashed 56 runs in 23 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes. He was dismissed by Keemo Paul, who struck again to dismiss Ishan Kishan.
West Indies score 247 after a Hope masterclass
Earlier, West Indies scored a mammoth 247 runs for the loss of 3 wickets against India in the fourth T20I between the sides. Captain Shai Hope was the star for the visitors again as he smashed an unbeaten 102 runs off 50 balls. His innings included 4 fours and 9 massive sixes.
Hope was well supported by Shimron Hetmyer, who scored a quickfire 33 off 12 balls and Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 49 runs off 26 balls.
For India, Prince Yadav was the best bowler with figures of 1/36 in his four overs. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with a wicket each in what was a tough outing for the bowlers.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Shreyas Iyer was happy to bowl first. The Indian skipper said that his players are confident going into the game before confirming that the hosts will play with the same team.
"We are going to bowl first. We have a fair idea about how it's playing in the first innings. So based on that, we took this decision. This is going to be a decisive game for us, and we have to be in that frame of mind where we can't get complacent because we know how disruptive the West Indies team are. They've got a power-packed lineup until number nine. So putting these thoughts all in mind and going forward, I feel that we need to be in a strong headspace and see to it that we are winning each session. We're going with the same team." Iyer said.
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav
]]>The inspections were conducted under the BMC ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign and its drive to eliminate garbage-vulnerable points. Bhide reviewed footpath conditions, waste collection arrangements and road maintenance in Worli and Santacruz, along with facilities at Dr VN Shirodkar Maternity Hospital.
The inspection covered GL Loader Chowky on Senapati Bapat Marg, Adarsh Nagar Road in Worli, Tilak Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road in Santacruz West, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Vile Parle station road.
During her visit to Tilak Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road in Santacruz West, Bhide directed officials to remove encroachments and clear footpaths to ensure unobstructed movement for pedestrians.
She also instructed officials to remove cables hanging from the skywalk and maintain road dividers through regular cleaning. The removal of encroachments is to be carried out in phases.
The civic chief further directed officials to expedite the relocation of authorised shops at several locations in the H West Ward. These include 86 shops on Kanhubai Desai Road, 82 shops on Mahatma Gandhi Road, shops occupied by 50 vegetable vendors and 14 shops on Lokmanya Tilak Road.
The BMC plans to develop the stretch between Vakola Junction and Santacruz railway station along Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Road in the H East Ward in accordance with the approved road line width of 36.60 metres (120 feet).
The ward office has issued 28 notices to acquire open spaces on adjoining properties for the proposed road widening. Meanwhile, 89 authorised shops near the railway station are to be relocated to nearby areas, while 21 unauthorised shops have already been removed.
At Adarsh Nagar Road in Worli, Bhide inspected footpath conditions and ongoing repair work. She directed officials to carry out necessary improvements to make the footpaths safer and easier for pedestrians to use.
She also instructed civic staff to ensure regular removal of garbage accumulating beneath vehicles parked along roadsides.
At GL Loader Chowky on Senapati Bapat Marg, Bhide inspected large, medium and small vehicles used for garbage collection. She reviewed arrangements for covering waste during transportation and examined equipment, including brushes, used to remove dust from roads.
The inspection was part of the BMC’s efforts to improve waste management and maintain cleaner roads.
Bhide visited Dr VN Shirodkar Maternity Hospital to assess the availability of medicines and facilities for women visiting the hospital for childbirth.
She also inspected the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which is expected to become operational soon. Medical officers briefed her on the computerised system used to maintain patient treatment records and manage medicine stocks.
]]>“Since this PR has come, there are some people who pay the PR for their sighting or whatever that is called. Airport look, etc. There are some who want to do that stuff. I was not speaking about those kinds of people. I was speaking for those people who don't want it. There are really bad angles, and girls are uncomfortable.”
“Jisne yeh phone banaya hai na, aur phone mein camera lagaya, voh agar kahi mujhe mil gaya na! Hum sabki zindagi barbaad kar di hai” (Whoever invented this phone and put a camera in it, if I ever run into them, I swear! They have ruined all our lives). “This always used to bother me. ‘Guess who?’ From what should be guess?” he asked.
KJo also recalled Salman angrily removing his T-shirt during Bigg Boss as people commented on his appearance and trolled. When asked how Salman stays fit at 61, the Sikandar actor replied, “A lot of hard work. A lot of sacrifices. I just added a lot of good things to my life and reduced every bad thing. For the people who have been die-hard fans of shirtless me, okay, there was a phase in my life because of a lot of injuries and stuff like that. It was unfair on them. No matter how old you are, it is unfair on them to see me like that. My head was broken, some hernia stuff was there. My shoulder was messed up. And all this came from Sultan. Knee and back, and then trigeminal neuralgia, then the aneurysm. That is not any justification for how I was looking. I should not have let go for that time.”
Workwise, Salman will next be seen in Monster with Nayanthara. The film is all set to release on Eid 2027. He also has Maatrubhumi in his pipeline, which is in limbo due to a delay in CBFC certification.
Talking about Koffee With Karan, it premieres on The Peacock Hub on JioHotstar.
]]>On Koffee With Karan season 9, Karisma recalled how Salman once pulled a prank on her that left her crying. The actress revealed that while they were shooting for Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Salman told her that Biwi No.1 had recieved a poor opening at the box office. Believing that the film had failed as it was released alongside the World Cup cricket match, Karisma broke down in tears. However, Salman soon revealed that the film had become a blockbuster, leaving Karisma shocked and in disbelief at his prank.
Karisma said, "We were shooting for the song Oh Mr Raja from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge in Switzerland. At the time, Biwi No. 1 had been released alongside the World Cup cricket match. During a break, Salman called me over and asked me to sit down. I asked him what had happened, and he said, “Are you okay? I need to tell you something. Biwi No.1 released today, and it hasn’t even had an opening!"
"I started crying, and he just kept going on and on. He even got David ji and writer Rumi Jaffery to act along with him. I was in tears watching them, when suddenly, Salman burst out laughing and said, "Oh my God, it has become a blockbuster! I was like, “What the hell! How can you do this to me?” He was just pulling my leg!" she added.
Directed by David Dhawan and backed by Vashu Bhagnani under the Puja Films banner, Biwi No.1 remains one of the most popular comedy entertainers of the late 1990s. The film featured an ensemble cast including Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Sushmita Sen, Anil Kapoor and Tabu.
Meanwhile, Salman Khan appeared as the first guest on the ninth and final season of Koffee With Karan. The Sultan actor was not only a familiar face on the couch. Karisma Kapoor also made a surprise appearance in the show, adding fun and an unexpected twist to the premiere episode centred on Khan's conversation with host Karan Johar.
The new season premiered on October 14, 2026, on JioHotstar in collaboration with The Peacock Hub.
]]>The decisions follow a protest by more than 1,700 outsourced health workers at Azad Maidan over pending demands, including the implementation of revised minimum wages and timely payment of salaries.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met a delegation of protesting workers at her official residence on Wednesday and informed them about the steps taken by the civic administration following her intervention.
The proposal to provide 180 days of paid maternity leave to outsourced women employees has received approval from the municipal commissioner, according to the BMC.
Administrative procedures are underway to issue a circular to the outsourced agency concerned to implement the provision. The move is intended to provide women workers with financial security during maternity.
The BMC has taken penal action against M/s DS Enterprises, the contractor agency responsible for the workers, over delays in salary payments. The agency has also been issued strict instructions, the civic body said.
To address salary irregularities and other complaints, the administration plans to establish a committee headed by the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Public Health). The committee will oversee grievance redressal, and appropriate action will be taken against the contractor where required.
The proposal to implement revised minimum wages for outsourced health workers is being submitted to the Finance Department along with the remarks of the Chief Labour Officer.
The implementation of revised wages remains among the workers' pending demands, along with measures to ensure timely salary payments and address other workplace grievances.
The outsourced health workers have been protesting at Azad Maidan for the past few days over their pending demands. On October 5, Tawde visited the protest site and spoke to the workers to understand their concerns.
She subsequently wrote to the administration, seeking concrete measures to resolve the issues raised by the workers, who served Mumbai residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Public Health Department later submitted an action-taken report to the mayor.
Speaking to the delegation on Wednesday, Tawde said the BMC stood firmly with the outsourced health workers who had served Mumbaikars during the pandemic. She described the approval of 180 days of paid maternity leave as a significant relief and said the administration and state government were also positive about the remaining demands.
]]>Currently, around 17.33 lakh students from 30,000 schools receive Scout-Guide training. The state plans to extend the initiative to all schools as part of the School Education Department’s ‘Nation First’ approach.
Bhuse directed officials to make Scout-Guide activities available in all schools and include parades, marches and drills performed to patriotic songs as part of the initiative.
Schools will also be required to allocate two periods every week for these activities under the ‘Ananddayi Shanivar’ (Joyful Saturday) programme.
To facilitate the expansion, teachers will receive seven days of training at the taluka level to implement the Scout-Guide programme.
The School Education Department will cover students’ fees and trainers’ honorariums for the programme in Zilla Parishad schools, Bhuse said.
The minister also directed officials to prepare a proposal to increase the marks awarded to students who receive Scout-Guide distinctions.
Currently, students who receive the State Award are awarded three marks, while those who receive the President’s Award receive 10 marks. The proposed revision aims to increase the marks given to students who achieve these honours.
The review meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol, School Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Mangesh Joshi, who joined online. Deputy Secretary Tushar Mahajan, Scout-Guide Assistant State Secretary Ramesh Jadhav and other officials from the School Education and Sports Department were also present.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has directed universities and colleges to waive examination fees for students from drought-affected talukas and refund any fees already collected, warning of strict action against institutions that fail to comply.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil issued the directives during an online meeting in Mumbai with vice-chancellors of public universities in the state on Wednesday. The decision aims to ease the financial burden on students affected by drought.
]]>Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region soon.
Bi-Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (October 14, 2026) https://t.co/ixVerE6g3n
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 14, 2026
When asked about the situation in Saudi Arabia and its impact on Indian nationals, Jaiswal responded, "There have been a string of attacks in Saudi Arabia and we have condemned those attacks. Yesterday also, there was attack on Aramco headquarters. We condemn all such attacks on civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and we feel that such attacks need to cease immediately, they are totally unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty and we hope that there is return to peace and normalcy in the region soon."
The MEA spokesperson said that the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has remained in regular touch with the Indian community and also issued advisories. He noted that some of the people travelling between India and Saudi Arabia have been affected by the disruption in flight operations after the attack on airports in Saudi Arabia.
"In so far as the situation of our people, we have a large diaspora there. We've also, our Embassy in Saudi Arabia, they have been in regular touch with our community members for their welfare. At the same time, they've issued advisories. We also have a lot of travellers between Saudi Arabia and India. Some of them have been impacted because there have been disruptions in the flight schedule after the attack on the Riyadh International Airport and other airport that happened in Saudi Arabia. Indian carriers have been impacted. There have been disruptions. But, Saudi Arabian Airlines several flight operations are happening. Those flights are moving between India and Saudi Arabia.
"The ones which have been disrupted, the airlines connections, are those originating or going to Riyadh, to Dammam, to Medina and to one or two more airports, Jeddah for example. We have a lot of travellers there but our Embassy is in touch with our people there and hopefully, as things settle down or as they are, continue to provide updated information to our travellers or people who are stuck there," he added.
Jaiswal also spoke about the attack in Saudi Arabia that took place on October 10, which claimed the life of one Indian and injured 11 others. He said that the Embassy provided assistance to the family of the deceased person in performing the last rites, as they wished to hold it in Riyadh. He mentioned that Indian Embassy officials have been regularly visiting injured Indian nationals in the hospital.
"The attack that had happened on 10th of October, 12 people, as I had informed you earlier, had been injured. One of them unfortunately passed away. His last rites as per the wishes of the family, were performed in Riyadh and the Embassy assisted... Our Ambassador was also there," Jaiswal said.
"There are three people who have been discharged of the 11 and eight people continue to be in the hospital, four of them in ICU. Our Embassy officials are regularly visiting them in the hospital. At the same time, they are also in touch with their family members. We remain committed to doing our best for the welfare and well-being of our nationals abroad," he added.
Amid the escalating attacks, the Indian Embassy has advised the Indian community in Saudi Arabia to remain calm, vigilant and stay indoors in case of an aerial attack and follow the instructions issued by local authorities. It also "strongly advised" Indian nationals to refrain from circulating or reposting any videos or news related to the ongoing events.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Mumbai also recorded elevated daytime temperatures, with the Santacruz observatory registering 37.8 degrees Celsius, 4.1 degrees above normal.
The Colaba observatory recorded a maximum of 36.4 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees above normal. No rainfall was reported at any of the weather stations listed in the report.
Vidarbha remained among the hottest regions in Maharashtra, with Yavatmal topping the state’s maximum temperature readings at 38.4 degrees Celsius. Amravati recorded 36.6 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees above normal, while Akola reached 35.7 degrees Celsius.
Chandrapur recorded a maximum of 35.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Wardha at 34.6 degrees Celsius and Buldhana at 34.5 degrees Celsius. Nagpur registered 33.6 degrees Celsius, marginally above normal, while Gondia was the only listed station in the region to record a maximum below normal, at 33 degrees Celsius.
Night-time temperatures also remained above normal at several locations. Brahmapuri recorded a minimum of 23.8 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees above normal, while Akola registered 23.7 degrees Celsius, 2.4 degrees above normal.
In contrast, Gondia recorded a minimum of 18.8 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees below normal, while Washim registered 19 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal.
Mumbai and the Konkan region recorded above-normal maximum temperatures on Wednesday. Santacruz registered 37.8 degrees Celsius, while Colaba recorded 36.4 degrees Celsius.
Ratnagiri recorded 38.1 degrees Celsius, making it the second-hottest location in the state after Yavatmal. Alibag and Dahanu both recorded maximum temperatures of 35.1 degrees Celsius, with readings 2.1 degrees and 1.4 degrees above normal, respectively.
Minimum temperatures in Mumbai stood at 23.7 degrees Celsius in Santacruz, 0.6 degrees below normal, and 26 degrees Celsius in Colaba, 0.6 degrees above normal.
Pune’s Shivajinagar observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 34.3 degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature stood at 19.4 degrees Celsius, marginally below normal.
The city’s seasonal rainfall so far stood at 1.4 mm against the normal of 52.8 mm, leaving a deficit of 51.4 mm.
For Thursday, October 15, Pune is forecast to experience mainly clear skies, becoming partly cloudy towards the afternoon or evening. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 36 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Other parts of Madhya Maharashtra also recorded elevated daytime temperatures. Solapur reached 36.9 degrees Celsius, 4.1 degrees above normal, followed by Jalgaon at 36.3 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees above normal. Sangli recorded 35.5 degrees Celsius, Lohgaon 35.4 degrees Celsius and Ahilyanagar 35.2 degrees Celsius.
In Marathwada, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.5 degrees Celsius, 3.6 degrees above normal. Dharashiv registered 34.2 degrees Celsius, while Parbhani recorded 34.1 degrees Celsius.
Minimum temperatures stood at 20.7 degrees Celsius in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and 19.9 degrees Celsius in Dharashiv. Beed recorded a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal.
Across the state, Jalgaon recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 17.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees below normal. Ahilyanagar recorded a minimum of 24.1 degrees Celsius, 5.9 degrees above normal, marking the highest departure from normal among the reported night-time temperatures.
With no rainfall reported at the listed weather stations, Maharashtra continued to experience dry conditions and above-normal daytime temperatures across several regions.
]]>Hope was well supported by Shimron Hetmyer, who scored a quickfire 33 off 12 balls and Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 49 runs off 26 balls.
For India, Prince Yadav was the best bowler with figures of 1/36 in his four overs. Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh chipped in with a wicket each in what was a tough outing for the bowlers.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Shreyas Iyer was happy to bowl first. The Indian skipper said that his players are confident going into the game before confirming that the hosts will play with the same team.
"We are going to bowl first. We have a fair idea about how it's playing in the first innings. So based on that, we took this decision. This is going to be a decisive game for us, and we have to be in that frame of mind where we can't get complacent because we know how disruptive the West Indies team are. They've got a power-packed lineup until number nine. So putting these thoughts all in mind and going forward, I feel that we need to be in a strong headspace and see to it that we are winning each session. We're going with the same team." Iyer said.
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted that he would have bowled first too had he won the toss. Hope further added that his team were looking forward to the challenge to tie the series 2-2 going into the final match.
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav
]]>The packages, launched under the name ‘VANDARSHAN - Explore Nature. Discover Wildlife!’, will commence on November 19, 2026.
Each itinerary is designed as a four-night, five-day tour combining train travel, accommodation, local transportation and wildlife safari arrangements.
The initiative aims to make wildlife tourism more accessible by bringing together rail connectivity and planned safari experiences, while showcasing Maharashtra’s biodiversity and forest landscapes.
Under the first phase, IRCTC has planned five itineraries covering popular wildlife destinations in Maharashtra and adjoining areas. These include:
Tadoba with Navegaon - Nagzira Tiger Reserve
Pench with Umred - Paoni - Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
Tadoba with Umred - Paoni - Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary
The tours will use the Vidarbha Express for onward and return journeys. Train No. 12105 will depart from Mumbai every Thursday, while Train No. 12106 will depart from Gondia every Sunday. Boarding and return stations will depend on the selected package itinerary.
The tours are aimed at wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers, families and travellers seeking organised trips to forest and wildlife destinations.
A key feature of the VANDARSHAN packages is the inclusion of confirmed train tickets and wildlife safari permits, as specified in the respective package arrangements.
IRCTC said the packages would combine transport, accommodation and local travel with safari arrangements to simplify planning for visitors. However, the availability of berths and safari permits will depend on the terms of the selected package.
Each departure will have a limited allocation of six berths in air-conditioned three-tier (3AC) and six berths in air-conditioned two-tier (2AC) accommodation, according to IRCTC.
The initiative brings together IRCTC’s tourism services and the Maharashtra Forest Department’s role in forest management and wildlife conservation. It is also intended to encourage visitors to explore the state’s natural heritage through organised tourism.
Travellers can check package details and make bookings through IRCTC Tourism’s official website, www.irctctourism.com.
For package-related enquiries and counter bookings, travellers can contact 8287931886.
The launch expands IRCTC West Zone’s tourism offerings by combining rail travel with planned wildlife experiences across Maharashtra’s tiger reserves and sanctuaries.
]]>Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil issued the directives during an online meeting in Mumbai with vice-chancellors of public universities in the state on Wednesday. The decision aims to ease the financial burden on students affected by drought.
राज्यातील सर्व सार्वजनिक विद्यापीठांच्या कुलगुरूंसोबत सह्याद्री अतिथिगृह येथे ऑनलाइन बैठक घेऊन परीक्षा शुल्क, पेपरफुटी रोखणे, शैक्षणिक वेळापत्रक आणि विद्यार्थी हिताच्या विविध विषयांचा आढावा घेतला. दुष्काळग्रस्त तालुक्यांतील विद्यार्थ्यांकडून परीक्षा शुल्क आकारू नये. यापूर्वी शुल्क घेतले असल्यास ते परत करावे. विद्यार्थ्यांकडून शुल्क वसूल केल्याचे आढळल्यास संबंधित महाविद्यालयांवर कठोर कारवाई करण्यात येईल, असे स्पष्ट निर्देश दिले. तसेच, शैक्षणिक वर्ष २०२६-२७ पासून सर्व सार्वजनिक विद्यापीठांसाठी एकसमान शैक्षणिक वेळापत्रक लागू करणे आणि पुढील शैक्षणिक वर्षापासून पदवी प्रमाणपत्रे डिजिलॉकरमध्ये उपलब्ध करून देण्याच्या सूचना दिल्या. विद्यार्थ्यांचे शैक्षणिक हित जपणे आणि उच्च शिक्षण व्यवस्था अधिक पारदर्शक व सक्षम करणे, यासाठी आम्ही कटिबद्ध आहोत. 📍१४ ऑक्टोबर २०२६ | मुंबई #HigherEducation #StudentWelfare #Maharashtra #परीक्षाशुल्कमाफी #दुष्काळग्रस्तविद्यार्थी #उच्चशिक्षण @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis @mieknathshinde @SunetraA_Pawar @BJP4Maharashtra
— Chandrakant Patil (@ChDadaPatil) October 14, 2026
Patil instructed all colleges under the Higher and Technical Education Department, including engineering and arts colleges, to accept examination forms without charging fees from eligible students. Institutions that have already collected examination fees must return the amount to the students immediately.
The minister said the waiver was intended to provide educational relief to students amid drought conditions in the state.
He directed vice-chancellors and officials concerned to ensure that universities and colleges strictly follow the instructions.
The meeting, held under Patil's chairmanship, also reviewed university examination procedures, measures to prevent question paper leaks, uniformity in results, academic calendars, implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) and student elections.
Patil stressed the need for transparency in university examinations and effective measures to prevent malpractice, including question paper leaks.
The meeting discussed steps to implement relevant provisions of the Central Government's law aimed at curbing examination malpractice and paper leaks in Maharashtra.
Under the provisions discussed, those found guilty of examination-related offences could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 10 crore. Patil directed universities to strengthen safeguards and take effective steps to prevent irregularities.
The minister also directed universities to make students' degree certificates available on DigiLocker immediately after the declaration of results, starting from the next academic year.
The move is expected to benefit students applying for higher education abroad and those requiring degree certificates for admissions and other official purposes. Digital access would also reduce the need for students to repeatedly visit universities to obtain their documents.
Patil directed all public universities in Maharashtra to implement a uniform academic calendar from the 2026-27 academic year to bring greater consistency to academic activities across institutions.
He also called for the effective implementation of the NEP, including the appropriate structuring of four-year honours degree programmes.
The minister further stressed the need for a uniform policy on re-examinations and the Allowed To Keep Terms (ATKT) system across universities to provide students with greater clarity on examination and result-related rules.
To understand students' concerns and assess facilities on university campuses, Patil will visit universities across Maharashtra between December 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
During the visits, he will review academic and administrative functioning and stay overnight in student hostels to inspect accommodation, food, sanitation, drinking water and other basic amenities. He will also interact directly with students to understand their difficulties, expectations and suggestions.
The visits are intended to help the government assess students' problems firsthand and take appropriate corrective measures.
The meeting also discussed moving forward with the process of conducting student elections in universities after Diwali.
Patil directed the officials concerned to examine possible methods of conducting the elections and submit a comprehensive final report.
He said the state government was committed to safeguarding students' academic interests, improving transparency in examinations, expanding digital facilities, implementing the NEP effectively and ensuring greater uniformity in university administration.
Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol, Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education Director Dr Pramod Naik, senior department officials and vice-chancellors of public universities attended the meeting online.
]]>The civic body also took action against a warehouse spread across 750 square feet.
The demolition drive was carried out by the BMC’s Maintenance and Encroachment Removal Department under the civic body’s ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign.
During the drive, civic officials demolished unauthorised stalls and structures made using tarpaulin sheets, bamboo, iron pipes and metal sheets. Permanent iron stalls and other unauthorised constructions were also removed from the area.
The operation was carried out by A Ward officials and workers on the orders of Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma Lavangare and under the guidance of Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 1) Chanda Jadhav.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Chanda Jadhav said she had inspected Sabu Siddik Road and the Musafirkhana area on Tuesday, October 13, along with elected public representatives.
A Ward Assistant Commissioner, Ujwal Ingole, and officials from the Maintenance, Licensing and Encroachment Removal departments were also present during the inspection.
Following directions issued by the public representatives during the visit, the BMC launched the demolition drive on Wednesday under the BMC ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign envisioned by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
To maintain law and order during the operation, the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station deployed three police inspectors, three sub-inspectors and 30 police personnel.
The action forms part of the civic body’s efforts to remove unauthorised structures and clear encroachments from public spaces.
Meanwhile, the civic body has been working to clear footpaths adjoining civic school buildings as part of the BMC ‘Pedestrian First’ campaign.
Over the past month and a half, the education department has been coordinating with ward offices to address encroachments. The department asked officials to survey 436 school buildings across the western suburbs, eastern suburbs, and the city for footpath encroachments, according to building in-charge and administrative officers. Of these, 184 schools reported that the concerns had been resolved, while 123 reported unresolved issues. Another 129 schools have not provided information on footpath concerns.
]]>Salman recollected, "In that room, I never stayed there alone. I stayed there with somebody jisko maine kabhi dekha nahi, sirf suna hai, sirf mehsoos kiya hai peeche." Karan asked, "Who?"
The superstar added, "Every time I came out, the lights used to go on and off. The cupboards used to open up, the music used to come on. In the bathroom, I could feel somebody outside fidgeting with the cupboards. Then I figured out that there was somebody there, someone there."
Karan asked, "It was haunted?" Salman further said, "Not haunted, I mean there was a presence felt behind me. So, every time I put on some music, and I could feel it right behind me, and I used to say that, 'Kya music sunna pasand karenge aap?' I used to just press the button and walk out."
He added, "There was a billiard table outside earlier. When we used to play billiards, we could hear somebody inside, cupboard khul gaya, music on hogaya." When Karan asked if it freaked him out, Salman said, "Nah! It didn't do anything. My only request was that if you are, like, a really, really beautiful woman, then you show yourself to me." The show is presented by The Peacock Hub on JioHotstar.
To note, Salman and Karan Johar collaborated on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, where the actor’s cameo won hearts.
During the episode, Salman told host Karan Johar, "Yes, I am a virgin," adding that he was saving himself for marriage. The statement soon became one of the most talked-about moments from the show.
However, the upcoming edition will also mark the end of an era, as Karan has decided to conclude Koffee With Karan after nine seasons to focus more on directing films. "This will be the last time I will be on a couch that has been synonymous with conversations, candour, and well... controversies... The decision is emotional and personal to me... But I am hoping the legacy of love the show has given me continues to brew in people's hearts," Karan said. To note, Karan Johar plans to return with new gossipy chat show after Koffee with Karan 9.
]]>The proposed service will replace manual handling with a mechanised system supported by battery-operated platform trucks. The initiative aims to speed up the loading and unloading of railway-booked parcels and luggage, reduce congestion in parcel areas and improve operational efficiency at the three locations.
Under the proposed contract, the selected licensee will use battery-operated platform trucks, along with manual labour, for handling and transhipment activities at the stations and yards. The service will cover parcels and luggage booked through railway receipts and luggage tickets, excluding leased consignments.
The licensee will be responsible for sorting, weighing, marking, stacking and positioning outgoing parcels for loading.
For incoming parcels, the responsibilities will include unloading, weighing, safeguarding, transporting consignments to godowns and arranging delivery.
The contract will also require the service provider to ensure that parcels are protected from exposure to sunlight, rain and other potential sources of damage.
Central Railway said the mechanised system is expected to improve the speed and safety of parcel handling while reducing manual movement and congestion on platforms and in parcel areas.
Timely loading and unloading could also help reduce detention at terminal stations and support train punctuality. The use of battery-operated vehicles is intended to make the movement of parcels and luggage more organised and efficient.
The selected service provider will be required to deploy qualified drivers with valid licences to operate four-wheeled vehicles for handling and transhipment work.
Meanwhile, Central Railway said that it reported a strong performance in parcel transportation during the Financial Year 2025-26.
Up to November 2025, the zone earned Rs 183.80 crore from parcel and luggage services, registering a growth of more than 37 per cent compared to the same period last year, Central Railway said.
In the previous financial year, Central Railway earned Rs. 133.70 crore, showing a significant rise in revenue due to focused marketing efforts and innovative transport initiatives.
]]>The directions were issued by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar during an inspection of the project site on Wednesday, where he reviewed the progress of civil, mechanical and electrical works. He instructed officials to expedite construction and ensure that all project components progress simultaneously, without compromising on quality and safety.
The BMC aims to complete the liquid line required for secondary sewage treatment by December 31, 2026, followed by the completion of the entire project by March 31, 2027.
Around 340 workers are currently deployed at the site daily. Bangar directed the contractor to increase the workforce to 500 by the end of October and maintain additional manpower until the project is completed. He also called for work to continue in three shifts to accelerate construction and ensure adherence to the stipulated timelines.
During the inspection, Bangar reviewed the progress of process tanks, inlet and outlet systems, pump houses, sludge treatment units, internal pipelines and other civil works. He also assessed the installation of pumps, aeration blowers, screening systems, sludge treatment equipment and associated piping.
The sewage treatment plant is being constructed at the existing lagoon site in Versova and will have a treatment capacity of 180 million litres per day (MLD). The BMC said the structural work has been completed, while the remaining work includes the installation and integration of various mechanical and electrical systems.
The facility will use Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology to remove harmful substances and pollutants from sewage before it is discharged.
The project is expected to benefit residents of Versova, Andheri West, Andheri East, Juhu and Vile Parle. It is also expected to improve the quality of coastal waters in and around Versova and neighbouring areas of Mumbai's western suburbs.
Bangar directed the officials concerned to ensure that all activities are carried out in parallel and at an accelerated pace.
He stressed that quality, safety and efficiency must remain the top priorities throughout the remaining construction period.
The civic official reiterated that the contractor would face penal action if the project fails to meet the March 31, 2027, completion deadline.
Rajendra Parab, Chief Engineer of the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, and other officials concerned were present during the inspection.
]]>They wrote, “We would like to address the ongoing situation concerning Neha Swami Bijlani and the T-shirt she was recently spotted wearing, which featured words in Urdu referring to the Prophet. Neha was completely unaware of the meaning and significance of the writing on the T-shirt when she wore it. There was absolutely no intention to hurt, disrespect or offend the religious sentiments of any individual or community. We sincerely respect all religions, faiths and beliefs, and would never knowingly do anything to halt the sentiments of others. While we understand that people may have strong feelings about matters of religious significance, the trolling, abusive language, curses and threats directed at Neha are deeply distressing and unacceptable”.
They further mentioned that they have been subjected to online abuse and intimidation, and have urged that better sense prevails. They added, “A situation arising from a lack of awareness should not become a reason to subject an individual to online harassment or threats. It was a t-shirt gifted by a fan in Bangkok at a mall and we didn't know the meaning of what was written, we celebrate all festivals and we will never hurt anyone's sentiments in any way”.
“We are sorry for what happened unintentionally and we will always be careful in future with regards to the gifts received. We request everyone to approach this matter with understanding, sensitivity and compassion, and to refrain from spreading hate or targeting Neha and her family. We believe that mutual respect and dialogue are far more constructive than abuse and intimidation. We Hope and a clarification helps put the matter into perspective”, they concluded.
On Friendship Day, Arjun Bijlani reflected on the importance of genuine friendships, crediting wife Neha and his mother for supporting him through difficult times. He said trust, respect and consistent effort are the keys to lasting relationships.
]]>For India, Axar Patel was the best bowler as he got the only wicket of the innings so far. He finished his only over by conceding 8 runs and taking a wicket.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Shreyas Iyer was happy to bowl first. The Indian skipper said that his players are confident going into the game before confirming that the hosts will play with the same team.
"We are going to bowl first. We have a fair idea about how it's playing in the first innings. So based on that, we took this decision. This is going to be a decisive game for us, and we have to be in that frame of mind where we can't get complacent because we know how disruptive the West Indies team are. They've got a power-packed lineup until number nine. So putting these thoughts all in mind and going forward, I feel that we need to be in a strong headspace and see to it that we are winning each session. We're going with the same team." Iyer said.
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted that he would have bowled first too had he won the toss. Hope further added that his team were looking forward to the challenge to tie the series 2-2 going into the final match.
"We would have fielded as well. It's a must-win game, so we need to pull this one back. We need to give a foundation, just being clear about how we want to go. We have to wait and see; it looks good. Needs to be open-minded. Two changes for us - Pooran is out. Jewel Andrew comes in for his first game on the tour and (Romario) Shepherd comes back for (Quentin) Sampson." Hope said.
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav
]]>In September 2026, the railway zone awarded 39 contracts through e-auctions, generating a total annual licence fee (ALF) of Rs 4.60 crore. The contracts span advertising on trains and railway premises, warehousing, passenger amenities, vending facilities and other commercial activities.
Under mobile asset advertising, Central Railway awarded contracts worth Rs 94.57 lakh. These include an annual licence fee of Rs 34.28 lakh for advertising inside electric multiple unit (EMU) coaches, Rs 15.38 lakh for advertising on air-conditioned EMU rakes and Rs 22.91 lakh for advertising on Vande Bharat trains.
Contracts worth Rs 69.52 lakh were awarded under the out-of-home (OOH) advertising category. These include an annual licence fee of Rs 42.40 lakh for hoardings near Parel Sports Ground under the Mumbai division and Rs 25.62 lakh for hoardings at Chandrapur under the Nagpur division, among other locations.
Under the other non-fare revenue category, the Mumbai division awarded contracts worth Rs 121.65 lakh. These primarily include an annual licence fee of Rs 89.83 lakh for warehousing facilities at Dockyard station.
Other contracts cover a waiting room-cum-canteen at Central Railway Hospital in Byculla, a grocery and photocopier store at Kalyan, a mobile accessories kiosk at Byculla and relaxation massage chairs at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT).
The Bhusawal division awarded contracts worth Rs 99.46 lakh, including an annual licence fee of Rs 61.17 lakh for vending miscellaneous items on trains operating on the Bhusawal–Khandwa section. Other facilities include an air-conditioned passenger lounge at Bhusawal, two-wheeler facilities at Bhusawal and Amravati, storage facilities at Bhusawal, a grocery kiosk at Chalisgaon and medical stores at Bhusawal, Badnera and Chalisgaon.
In the Nagpur division, contracts worth Rs 53.66 lakh were awarded. These include Rs 52.16 lakh for cleaning empty BOXN freight rakes at New Ballarshah Goods Shed and Rs 1.50 lakh for digital locker facilities at Betul and Wardha stations.
The Solapur division awarded contracts worth Rs 20.89 lakh. These include an annual licence fee of Rs 10.77 lakh for onboard vending of miscellaneous items on eligible trains operating on the Solapur–Daund section. Other contracts cover a game zone at Pandharpur, a textile store at Kalaburagi and a grocery kiosk at Railway Ground in Solapur.
Central Railway said it would continue to focus on increasing non-fare revenue through transparent e-auctions, better utilisation of railway assets, advertising opportunities and passenger-oriented commercial facilities.
The initiatives are aimed at generating additional revenue while making greater use of available railway infrastructure.
]]>Of the 19 establishments, 17 are in Mumbai, while two are edible oil repacking units in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The FDA also imposed a combined compounding penalty of Rs 1.30 lakh on four Mumbai establishments. Separately, officials seized prohibited food items worth approximately Rs 1.17 lakh in the Konkan and Greater Mumbai divisions, registered four first information reports (FIRs) and arrested four people.
The 17 establishments include three Domino’s Pizza outlets, restaurants, sweet shops, a supermarket, a canteen and other food businesses. The FDA’s inspection findings included inadequate pest control, improper food storage, missing records and other hygiene deficiencies. The press note does not specify which general finding applied to each individual establishment.
1. Amina Hotel, Govandi
2. Aashirwad Super Store, Kandivali West
3. Domino’s Pizza, Parel
4. Domino’s Pizza, Marol
5. Domino’s Pizza, Borivali West
6. Thanksgiving Patisserie and Confectionery, Sewri
7. Sweet Knife Resto Pvt Ltd, Malad West
8. Jay Kalyan Canteen, Juhu
9. Carnival by Tresind, Santacruz West
10. Rajasthan Restaurant, Khar West
11. Darjeeling Lepcha Momos, Andheri West
12. Hundo Pizza, Khar West
13. Sahil Hotel, Versova
14. The Penang Table, Bandra West
15. Trupti Farsan and Sweets, Andheri West
16. Hotel Theresa, Dharavi
17. Instakart Services Pvt Ltd, Lower Parel
The FDA’s general inspection findings across the establishments included:
Food business operators failing to display their FSSAI licences.
Raw materials stored at premises not covered by the licence.
Purchase bills, pest-control reports, staff training certificates and other records not available.
Deficiencies identified in earlier improvement notices remaining unrectified.
Cockroach and insect infestation, food packets gnawed by rats and ineffective pest control.
Spoiled food and burnt or overused cooking oil.
Raw and cooked food, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and food and non-food items stored together.
Unclean refrigerators, missing temperature indicators and absent temperature records.
Dirty or damaged floors, stagnant water and open dustbins.
Use of iron knives.
Workers without aprons, headgear or other protective equipment.
Missing laboratory reports for food and drinking water.
The FDA imposed a combined compounding penalty of Rs 1.30 lakh on Banarasi Hindu Hotel, Kavita Caterers, Atharva University Canteen and Zaika King Shawarma following festive-season inspections in Kandivali East and Kandivali West.
On Tuesday night, FDA officials carried out an operation in Rohidas Nagar, Kasambag, Malad East, against the alleged storage and sale of prohibited food items by Ashok Bhadu Ahire.
The FDA seized stock worth Rs 9,930 and collected eight informal samples. The operation was conducted by Food Safety Officer Akash Mandle with the Malad Police.
An FIR was registered at Malad Police Station under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act. The complaint also sought an investigation under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
On Tuesday, inspections of three establishments in the Konkan division led to the seizure of prohibited food items worth Rs 1,07,391. Three FIRs were registered and four people were arrested.
Together with the separate seizure in Greater Mumbai, the prohibited-food action accounted for stock worth approximately Rs 1.17 lakh.
The FDA suspended the licences of two edible oil repacking units in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division and seized 17,784 kg of oil worth Rs 39.15 lakh.
Orgisattva Foods Pvt Ltd: 4,073 kg of oil seized
The FDA inspected Orgisattva Foods Pvt Ltd in Chikalthana MIDC on Tuesday. The inspection found that the unit did not have an in-house laboratory or technical supervisor. Its food safety management system and recall plan were unavailable, insect-proof mesh was missing, weighing scales were uncertified, staff had not received food safety training, stock and sales registers were unavailable, and the licence was not displayed, FDA said.
Officials seized 4,073 kg of groundnut, safflower and sunflower oils sold under the brands Nisargsanchit, Orgsattva, Orgonisattva and Mangalam Prabhat. The stock was valued at Rs 12,36,400.
Jyotirling Foods Pvt Ltd: 13,711 kg of oil seized
Jyotirling Foods Pvt Ltd, located at Wadgaon Kolhati in Waluj, was also inspected on Tuesday. The unit scored 28 out of 80, or 35 per cent, and was classified as non-compliant.
The inspection identified iron oil-storage tanks, missing food and water test reports, non-food-grade packaging, a lack of insect-proof mesh and an effective pest-control programme, and workers without aprons, gloves and headgear.
The FDA seized 13,711 kg of safflower, groundnut, palmolein and soybean oils sold under the Supak and Radhika Gold brands. The stock was valued at Rs 26,78,420.
Joint Commissioner Shrikant Karkale said strict action would continue against food businesses found violating food safety requirements.
The Pune division reported seizures of sweets, wafers, chakli, bhagar and sabudana worth approximately Rs 4.46 lakh on Monday and Tuesday.
Shri Balaji Sweet Mart, Vita
During an inspection, officials seized 6 kg of jalebi and Mysore Pak worth Rs 1,680. The establishment was operating without registration, and the products were suspected to be substandard and to contain excessive food colour.
Sirvi Bandhu Mithai Wale, Vita
Officials seized 27 kg of boondi laddu and Mysore Pak worth Rs 9,000. The sweets were suspected of containing excessive food colour.
Ruchira Sweets, Kavathepiran
An inspection led to the seizure of 72 kg of coconut barfi and Mysore Pak worth Rs 18,000. The reported deficiencies included an incorrect registration category, missing production and laboratory records, and labelling violations.
Aashish Foods, Bibwewadi, Pune
The FDA seized 210 kg of banana wafers worth Rs 27,300. The reported deficiencies included an incorrect business type or category, missing laboratory records and labelling violations.
Reddy Sweet House, Bibwewadi, Pune
Officials seized 75.6 kg of chakli worth Rs 25,200. The establishment was found to have an incorrect category, missing laboratory records and labelling violations.
Samir Sales, Market Yard, Pune
The FDA seized 1,298 kg of bhagar and 2,998 kg of sabudana, amounting to 4,296 kg of stock worth Rs 3,64,588. The products were suspected to be substandard or unsafe, and labelling violations were reported.
The Nashik division reported the seizure of 940 kg of halwa and bhagar stock valued at approximately Rs 2.64 lakh.
Jay Maa Saptashrungi Peda and Sweet Center, Kalwan
During an inspection, officials seized 379 kg of sweet halwa and loose sweet halwa worth Rs 1,51,600. The stock was suspected to be substandard and stored in unhygienic conditions.
Vane Kirana Stores, Rahuri
The FDA seized 25 kg of bhagar sold under the Blue Pearl brand, worth Rs 2,500. The product was suspected to be substandard, with a labelling violation also reported.
Manojkumar Madanlal Shetiya, Ahilyanagar
Officials seized 536 kg of bhagar sold under the Good Luck and Lajawab brands, worth Rs 1,09,520. The stock was suspected to be substandard and misbranded.
The FDA seized 978 kg of arecanut pieces worth Rs 3,91,200 from AR Traders in Shantinagar, Nagpur. The stock was suspected to be substandard and unsafe.
The FDA collected samples of kuttu, or buckwheat, flour from Balaji Dhanya Bhandar in Kandivali. Officials seized the remaining 17.5 kg of stock, valued at Rs 3,150.
The department also conducted food safety training for 10 major Navratri mandals in Kandivali West. The training covered safe drinking water, maintaining food at appropriate temperatures, covering food, waste disposal, hygiene and health checks for volunteers involved in preparing and serving mahaprasad.
Consumers can register complaints with the Maharashtra FDA through its toll-free helpline, 1800 222 365, or its online portal: https://complaints.mahafda.in.
]]>A committee constituted to formulate the proposed Educational Support, Protection and Empowerment Policy 2026 for such students has submitted its report, Patil stated on Wednesday.
A review meeting was held at the state secretariat in Mumbai to discuss the report prepared by the committee chaired by Dr Hemlata Bagla, Vice-Chancellor of HSNC University. The report was submitted to Director of Higher Education Dr Shailendra Deolankar and Joint Director Dr Archana Borhade.
Patil said a nine-member committee had been constituted under Bagla’s chairpersonship. The panel included college principals, legal experts and social workers.
With the report now submitted, the government has an important basis for taking forward the proposed policy, the minister said.
The meeting also discussed how educational assistance, facilities and protection could be extended to students from single-mother families. The issue of obtaining the consent of students before extending benefits under the proposed policy was also deliberated upon.
The policy aims to ensure that students from single-mother families do not face financial, social or educational hurdles while pursuing higher education and receive the necessary support and protection.
The government is committed to making their higher education journey easier, safer and more empowering by taking their needs and circumstances into account, Patil said.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary of the Higher and Technical Education Department B Venugopal Reddy, State Common Entrance Test Cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai, Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education Director Dr Pramod Naik, and other officials and university representatives.
In a separate development, Patil said that students from drought-affected talukas should not be charged examination fees. Any fees already collected from them must be refunded, he said, adding that strict action would be taken against colleges found violating the instructions.
राज्यातील सर्व सार्वजनिक विद्यापीठांच्या कुलगुरूंसोबत सह्याद्री अतिथिगृह येथे ऑनलाइन बैठक घेऊन परीक्षा शुल्क, पेपरफुटी रोखणे, शैक्षणिक वेळापत्रक आणि विद्यार्थी हिताच्या विविध विषयांचा आढावा घेतला. दुष्काळग्रस्त तालुक्यांतील विद्यार्थ्यांकडून परीक्षा शुल्क आकारू नये. यापूर्वी शुल्क घेतले असल्यास ते परत करावे. विद्यार्थ्यांकडून शुल्क वसूल केल्याचे आढळल्यास संबंधित महाविद्यालयांवर कठोर कारवाई करण्यात येईल, असे स्पष्ट निर्देश दिले. तसेच, शैक्षणिक वर्ष २०२६-२७ पासून सर्व सार्वजनिक विद्यापीठांसाठी एकसमान शैक्षणिक वेळापत्रक लागू करणे आणि पुढील शैक्षणिक वर्षापासून पदवी प्रमाणपत्रे डिजिलॉकरमध्ये उपलब्ध करून देण्याच्या सूचना दिल्या. विद्यार्थ्यांचे शैक्षणिक हित जपणे आणि उच्च शिक्षण व्यवस्था अधिक पारदर्शक व सक्षम करणे, यासाठी आम्ही कटिबद्ध आहोत. 📍१४ ऑक्टोबर २०२६ | मुंबई #HigherEducation #StudentWelfare #Maharashtra #परीक्षाशुल्कमाफी #दुष्काळग्रस्तविद्यार्थी #उच्चशिक्षण @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis @mieknathshinde @SunetraA_Pawar @BJP4Maharashtra
— Chandrakant Patil (@ChDadaPatil) October 14, 2026
In a post on X, Patil said a meeting was held with vice-chancellors of public universities to review examination fees, measures to prevent question paper leaks, academic schedules and student welfare.
He also said public universities had been instructed to follow a uniform academic schedule from the 2026–27 academic year and make degree certificates available on DigiLocker from the following academic year.
]]>The actor revealed that he had taken a break from TV to explore the web space and realised that he missed working on the small screen.
Opening up about his return, Paras said: “Returning to Star Plus after almost three to four years feels like coming back home. ‘Anupamaa’ gave me a big break and was a turning point in my career, so this channel will always be special to me.”
“I had taken a break from television to explore the web space, but somewhere along the way, I realised how much I missed doing TV shows. Television has been such a big part of my life, and just around that time, I got the call for ‘Apsara’.”
Paras will be sporting a new look for the show.
“In terms of my look, I’m trying a slightly rugged appearance on screen for the first time. Over the past year and a half, I’ve lost around 15–18 kilos and worked on building a leaner, more muscular physique. ‘Apsara’ will be the first time audiences see me in this look, and I’m excited about that,” he shared.
Produced by Mukta Dhond, the show draws inspiration from Samudra Manthan, weaving a story where the responsibility of safeguarding the Amrit from evil forces collides with the need to protect loved ones. For Paras, the show also marks a special return to Star Plus, nearly four years after Anupamaa.
Excited about the collaboration, he adds, “I’ve wanted to work with Mukta ma’am for a very long time, so I’m happy that it’s finally happening. Working with Samiksha and Anushka has also been lovely.”
Apsara premieres on October 21 on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>After winning the toss, Shreyas Iyer was happy to bowl first. The Indian skipper said that his players are confident going into the game before confirming that the hosts will play with the same team.
"We are going to bowl first. We have a fair idea about how it's playing in the first innings. So based on that, we took this decision. This is going to be a decisive game for us, and we have to be in that frame of mind where we can't get complacent because we know how disruptive the West Indies team are. They've got a power-packed lineup until number nine. So putting these thoughts all in mind and going forward, I feel that we need to be in a strong headspace and see to it that we are winning each session. We're going with the same team." Iyer said.
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted that he would have bowled first too had he won the toss. Hope further added that his team were looking forward to the challenge to tie the series 2-2 going into the final match.
"We would have fielded as well. It's a must-win game, so we need to pull this one back. We need to give a foundation, just being clear about how we want to go. We have to wait and see, looks good. Needs to be open-minded. Two changes for us - Pooran is out. Jewel Andrew comes in for his first game on the tour and (Romario) Shepherd comes back for (Quentin) Sampson." Hope said.
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Jewel Andrew, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav
]]>A senior Maharashtra Cyber official confirmed that Singh has been summoned for questioning in connection with allegations that he made objectionable remarks during a performance.
Following the alleged remarks, a complainant approached Maharashtra Cyber and lodged a complaint against the singer.
Singh failed to appear before the investigating officer despite being summoned three times earlier. He had cited his inability to attend, claiming he was abroad, sources said.
In an earlier development, Singh had skipped questioning scheduled for October 5 and sought more time to appear before Maharashtra Cyber. The agency had directed him to appear before the investigating officer and record his statement.
The case stems from an FIR registered at Mumbai’s Nodal Cyber Police Station and a complaint concerning remarks allegedly made by Singh during a concert in Delhi earlier this year.
Sources said a fresh summons has now been issued, directing Singh to appear for questioning on October 16.
More details are awaited.
]]>The actress stated that according to her, Salman Khan’s support for him may have gone to his head. The actress took to social media to call out Qazi for spitting in Scout’s ear and making unnecessary remarks, expressing hope that Salman would address his behaviour during the upcoming weekend episode.
Sharing her views, Gauahar said, “What happens is, when you are praised a lot, then many times, the fear is that you might get hit on the head. Right? And in my first week, I said that I really hope that Kazi doesn't do something wrong or he doesn't go the wrong way. And, he did.”
“According to me, spitting in his ear or boasting about him was very wrong. And, I really hope, for Qazi's sake, that on this weekend, Salman, definitely, definitely, tells him that somewhere or the other, his joke is going a little over the top. And, it will start getting monotonous and a little irritating. So, it's not cool what he did with Scout.”
In another social media post, Gauahar praised Mahhi Vij for standing up for her friend Gullu during a heated confrontation with Nakuul.
The altercation reportedly began after Nakul told Scout about Qazi allegedly boasting about spitting in his ear and making remarks about him.
Scout and Yung reacted to the information, while Nakuul later explained that he had overheard Qazi’s comments.
When Gullu asked Nakuul not to fuel the situation, the exchange escalated, with Nakul allegedly charging towards Gullu and the two getting into a physical scuffle.
Mahhi intervened in defence of her friend and was seen confronting Nakul, raising her voice and hitting him on the back as he moved towards Gullu.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The protest was organised on behalf of Swapnil Mahindrakar, Thane city president of the MNS's Public Interest and Legal Department. Using the slogan “A drought of transparency in the temple of democracy”, the party sought to draw attention to the Election Commission's functioning and the need for greater transparency in the electoral process.
Through the cartoon, the MNS highlighted concerns over alleged errors in voter lists, the redressal of complaints and the accountability of authorities responsible for conducting elections.
The party said accurate voter lists and timely action on complaints were essential to ensure that every eligible citizen could exercise their right to vote and maintain public trust in the electoral process.
The MNS also called on the concerned authorities to address voters' grievances and clarify doubts surrounding the election process.
Speaking on the issue, Mahindrakar said the Election Commission must ensure that elections are conducted transparently and that every eligible voter can exercise their democratic right.
]]>The director-producer has worked with Prashant Narayanan in ‘Murder 2’, where he keenly observed his traits as an artiste. Prashant Narayanan has been announced as the recent addition to the cast of ‘Naam: To Live Is War’ along with Shefali Bagga. The director-producer is spearheading the entire project creatively.
Speaking about the vision behind the film's ensemble, Mahesh Bhatt said, “What excites me about the film Naam: To Live Is War is the opportunity to bring together actors with different sensibilities and strengths".
He told IANS, "Prashant Narayanan has a certain rawness and conviction in his performances that make his characters memorable. I experienced that firsthand while working with him on Murder 2, and I have always appreciated the honesty he brings to his roles”.
He further mentioned, “Shefali Bagga is a welcome addition to the film, bringing her own personality and screen presence to the cast. Both actors bring something different to the table, and that diversity is important when you are telling a story with multiple characters and layers”.
The film also stars Veer Pahariya, Varun Sharma and Vijyant Kohli.
Producers Riddhi Chawda and Utsav Upadhyay said in a joint statement, “Collaborating with a visionary like Mahesh Bhatt is an incredible journey. For ‘Naam: To Live Is War’, we wanted an ensemble that doesn't just play characters, but lives them. Bringing together unique talents like Veer, Varun, Prashant, Vijayant and Shefali has created a magical synergy on screen. We are thrilled to present a film that is as powerful in its performances as it is in its storytelling”.
The film is produced by Riddhi Chawda and Utsav Upadhyay under Utsav Entertainment and Productions, directed by Sidhaant Sachdev with Alphaneon Studioz on board as the studio partner.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Taking to Instagram, Namah shared photographs and videos from the shoot, including a selfie featuring Aishwarya and his mother. Reflecting on the experience, he praised the actress for her warmth and personality. “Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ji is not only the most beautiful woman in the world, but also an absolutely wonderful human being. She is the embodiment of love, kindness, and grace,” he wrote in his post.
View this post on Instagram
The young performer added that meeting and interacting with Aishwarya was an unforgettable experience. According to India Forums, Namah has also appeared in advertisements featuring cricket star Virat Kohli and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan.
The collaboration comes after Aishwarya was named JW Marriott’s global brand ambassador in June 2026. The hotel brand’s new ‘Stay in the Moment’ campaign centres on being present and finding meaning in everyday experiences. As reported by Impact, the campaign film was shot at JW Marriott Juhu in Mumbai. It follows Aishwarya through moments including sharing a meal, raising a toast, discovering something new and celebrating at a wedding with family and friends.
View this post on Instagram
The film ends with the thought, “What makes a moment a moment is when you stay in it.” By placing connection and shared experiences at the heart of the campaign, JW Marriott presents luxury as more than a destination or a lavish stay. For Namah, meanwhile, the shoot appears to have offered a memorable opportunity to work alongside one of Indian cinema’s most recognised stars.
]]>The action was taken against the Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre, the Dean Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals Blood Centre in Byculla, and the BYL Nair Charitable Hospital Blood Centre in Mumbai Central.
According to the FDA, the licences of the Indian Red Cross Society Blood Centre have been suspended for five days, while those of the Sir JJ Group of Hospitals Blood Centre and the Nair Hospital Blood Centre have been suspended for three days each under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
However, the Sir JJ Group of Hospitals Blood Centre and the Nair Hospital Blood Centre have appealed against the suspension orders and secured temporary stays on their implementation, the FDA said.
The blood donation camp was organised by the Yantra Star Committee on Altamount Road around April.
Advertisements for the camp stated that donors would receive Titan watches as gifts.
The FDA said such gifts are prohibited under the National Blood Transfusion Council’s (NBTC) guidelines for voluntary blood donation.
Initially, the organisers and the participating blood banks claimed they were unaware of the distribution of gifts.
However, during the investigation, FDA officials contacted some donors, who confirmed that they had received watches.
The blood centres were inspected on August 22, following which show-cause notices were issued on September 2 over deficiencies identified during the inspection. The centres were subsequently given a personal hearing on September 22.
The FDA said the explanations submitted by the blood centres were unsatisfactory, prompting the department to suspend their licences.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said blood donation was a social responsibility and an important act of service to humanity.
“The Food and Drug Administration is committed to ensuring that no gifts or inducements of any kind are used for blood donation, and that the relevant guidelines are followed,” Mundhe said, adding that blood centres must strictly comply with applicable laws and guidelines.
]]>Meanwhile, in football, Lisandro Martinez launched an astonishing attack on the Manchester United board after defeat against Atletico Madrid.
Swiatek defeats Frech 6-2, 6-1 to reach the final 16 at the WTA's Wuhan Open
Iga Swiatek advanced to the round of 16 at the Wuhan Open with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Magdalena Frech on Wednesday.
The six-time major winner started slowly against her Polish compatriot, dropping an early service game and falling behind 2-0 before winning six straight games to take the first set.
Suryansh Shedge in line for New Zealand ODI call-up
Mumbai seam-bowling all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has emerged as a strong contender to earn his maiden ODI call-up for India's tour of New Zealand following a string of impressive performances in the recently-concluded List A series against Australia A.
The 23-year-old Shedge, who played three T20Is for India in England, recently returned to competitive cricket after recovering from a hamstring injury and impressed with both bat and ball in the unofficial one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry.
Shreyas Iyer moves up three places to career-high fourth in ICC T20I rankings for batsmen
Team India's captain Shreyas Iyer jumped three places to a career-high fourth spot in the ICC's latest T20 International rankings for batters after making a blistering start in the ongoing five-match home series against the West Indies.
He smashed his maiden T20I century during the series-opener in Lucknow and his rise to fourth means India have four players inside the top quartet of the rankings for T20I batters.
“I expect more from our technical director”: Martinez criticises United’s hierarchy after defeat to Atleti
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club's hierarchy and said he expects more from the team’s technical director following their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, calling for greater investment in the squad to compete with rival teams.
"His name will be remembered for a long time": Pujara on Abhishek Sharma's T20I heroics
Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara hailed Abhishek Sharma for becoming the fastest batter to reach 2,000 T20I runs, comparing his ability in the format to West Indies titan Chris Gayle and hailing his maturity while scoring 30-ball 69 during the second T20I against West Indies at Indore
]]>Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar reviewed the progress of the project, traffic management measures and construction timelines during an inspection. He directed officials to expedite the work and open the flyover to traffic by December 31, 2027, ahead of the scheduled deadline of March 31, 2028.
The 1.75-km-long flyover, which will be 15.10 metres wide, is being constructed from the end of the CD Barfiwala flyover in Andheri West to the Juhu-Versova Link Road.
Shifting existing utilities and coordinating construction with the ongoing Mumbai Metro project are among the key challenges facing the flyover project.
The work includes shifting 400 metres of water pipelines measuring 600 mm and 900 mm in diameter, relocating a 1,200-mm-diameter sewer line using microtunnelling technology, and shifting and relaying a 300-mm-diameter sewer line.
The construction will also require coordination with Mumbai Metro Line-2B (DN Nagar-Mandale).
Other major engineering challenges include using a specialised horizontal launching technique to install girders beneath a Metro station, constructing a 72-metre-long arch bridge at the 90 Feet Junction, and building long-span sections with fewer pillars near Juhu Circle.
Bangar directed officials to divide the project into three phases and appoint separate teams for each phase. The work should be carried out simultaneously wherever possible to accelerate construction and meet the revised target, he said.
Bangar said the flyover aims to improve road connectivity across the western suburbs and reduce traffic pressure at major junctions. It will also be important for vehicles travelling towards the proposed Versova-Bandra Sea Link and the Mumbai Coastal Road (North).
The flyover is expected to help motorists bypass five major traffic junctions, making journeys faster and smoother during peak hours.
At present, a journey along the route takes around 45 minutes during peak hours. Once the flyover is completed, the travel time is expected to come down to approximately 20 minutes.
The project is expected to provide relief to commuters travelling through Juhu, Vile Parle West, Andheri West and Versova, while improving traffic movement across Mumbai’s western suburbs.
Chief Engineer (Bridges) Rajesh Mule, along with other engineers, officials and consultants, was present during the inspection.
]]>In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the civic body appealed to citizens to avoid stepping out during peak sunlight hours, stay hydrated and take extra care of vulnerable groups, particularly young children, senior citizens and people working outdoors.
Dr Anand Gosavi, Chief Medical Officer of the Panvel Municipal Corporation, advised residents to carry water while travelling, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cotton clothes and use hats, umbrellas or sunglasses when venturing outdoors.
“Residents should avoid going out in the scorching sun as far as possible. If stepping out is necessary, they should take adequate precautions and drink sufficient water at regular intervals to prevent dehydration,” Dr Gosavi said.
The civic body also advised residents to include fruits, leafy vegetables and water-rich foods in their daily diet. It recommended avoiding excessive consumption of tea, coffee and other caffeinated beverages, along with stale and heavily fried food.
According to the advisory, symptoms of heat-related illnesses may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, muscle cramps, an increased heart rate and confusion. A body temperature approaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit can indicate a medical emergency.
In children, warning signs may include irritability, reduced appetite, decreased urination and dryness of the mouth and eyes.
The civic body has advised residents to move anyone experiencing heat-related discomfort to a shaded or cool place and use a cloth soaked in cool water to help lower their body temperature.
Water should be offered only if the person is fully conscious and able to swallow safely. Nothing should be given by mouth to an unconscious or confused person.
The advisory stresses that suspected heatstroke requires immediate medical attention and that treatment should not be delayed. Residents experiencing symptoms have been urged to visit the nearest Urban Primary Health Centre for medical evaluation.
The civic body has also recommended scheduling outdoor work during cooler hours and taking regular breaks to minimise exposure to excessive heat.
]]>Ahead of the fourth T20I at Hyderabad's Uppal Stadium on Wednesday, Abhishek Sharma has scored 110 runs across three matches in the ongoing series. His impressive knock in Indore allowed him to break the record by reaching the 2,000-run milestone in just 1,024 deliveries.
Sharing his thoughts on JioHotstar’s 'Game Plan', Pujara hailed Abhishek's quick rise in the T20 format.
"Nobody thought that he would cross such a big milestone so quickly. But the way Abhishek has performed, I think he is probably one of the best T20 players the Indian team has had so far. His name will be remembered for a long time." Pujara said.
"When we talk about the T20 format, we immediately think of Chris Gayle from the West Indies. Abhishek has that kind of ability. The way he showed maturity, especially in Indore, by taking a little time, even though five-six balls is a lot of time for him, shows that he is understanding his game a little better, recognising the opposition's strengths, and batting accordingly," he added.
Across 65 T20Is and 64 innings, Abhishek has amassed 2,036 runs at an average of 32.83 and an incredible strike rate of 195.95, featuring three centuries and 14 fifties. His ongoing calendar year has also been stellar, yielding 921 runs in 32 matches at a strike rate of 206.50, highlighted by a 108-run knock that stands as the fastest T20I hundred by a player from a Test-playing nation.
Shifting focus to Ishan Kishan’s remarkable resurgence in the shortest format this year, Pujara emphasised that the left-hander provides the 'Indian team what they need' at number three by effectively maximising the powerplay restrictions.
"Coming in at number 3, Ishan Kishan is giving the Indian team what they need. I don't think you will see a big score every time because everyone in the top order is an explosive player. Their role is only to give the team a good start and to utilise the powerplay to the maximum."
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The clarification came after Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Spokesperson Anish Gawande claimed in a post on X that Mumbai Police had detained Wakode’s father to stop him from visiting IIT-Bombay and submitting a memorandum to Director Shireesh Kedare.
“Sahil Wakode's father has been detained at Azad Maidan by the Mumbai Police to prevent him from going to IIT Bombay to submit a memorandum to Director Shireesh Kedare. The cowardice of BJP governments is on full display across India today,” Gawande wrote.
Sahil Wakode's father has been detained at Azad Maidan by the Mumbai Police to prevent him from going to IIT Bombay to submit a memorandum to Director Shireesh Kedare. The cowardice of BJP governments is on full display across India today.
— Anish Gawande (@anishgawande) October 14, 2026
Responding to the claim, the DCP (Zone 1) said, “No, he is sitting on protest as usual in Azad Maidan.”
Wakode’s parents have been protesting at Azad Maidan for 13 days, demanding an independent probe into their son’s death and accountability from IIT-Bombay.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch, which is investigating Wakode’s death, has recorded statements from more than 40 people, including Kedare and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, an official told news agency PTI on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old second-year BTech student was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
According to the police official, Wakode submitted a written statement to the institute after being caught allegedly cheating in the examination. In the statement, he said he had not prepared well for the paper, acknowledged his mistake and sought a second chance.
A first information report (FIR) was registered by Powai police against Professor Doolla following a complaint lodged by Wakode’s father. The professor, who has been named an accused in the abetment-to-suicide case, has denied the allegations of harassment levelled against him by the student’s parents in his statement to the police.
Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, began their hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on September 24, alleging caste discrimination at the institute and seeking justice for their son.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>She split from Tristan Thompson, the father of her two children, in 2022, and shared in an episode of her family's TV show 'The Kardashians' that she hasn't been intimate with anyone since then.
Khloe's sister Kim was talking to hair stylist Chris Appleton about her love life, and her fledgling relationship with Lewis Hamilton, when the pro turned to Khloe with questions about her romantic pursuits. Chris said, "Oh come on, it's been ages. What is this, Khloe? How long has it been? Just tell me you've had sex".
Khloe said, "Nope. December four years".
Speaking to the camera in a confessional clip, Khloe said, "Chris Appleton, he literally gets stunned every time he hears that I am still not sexually active. It's crazy. He talks about this like I have leprosy".
Kim could then be seen telling Khloe that she should just hook up with an ex, adding, "After like 7 months I'll recycle".
Khloe replied, "My recycle list is such a gutter. No one wants me to recycle my list. They are the bottom of the barrel"..
When Chris admitted he "worries" about Khloe, her mum Kris Jenner suggested that he should sleep with her, to which he readily agreed.
However, Khloe wasn't convinced, as she said, "That's not what I am talking about. Listen once you get past a certain point of not being sexually active, you do not think about it".
Chris then suggested to Kris that they should stage an "intervention", telling her "you probably have more sex than she does".
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Speaking to Amazon Prime, Martinez revealed his disappointment with the lack of summer transfer activity.
"I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it's a reflection of how our club is at the moment. We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well." Martinez said.
The Argentine international directly called for more support from the club's technical director while stressing that accountability extends across the entire club after their latest defeat against Atletico Madrid.
"Yes, 100 per cent. I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. As a player, we also have to do more. It's also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night," he added.
Highlighting that manager Michael Carrick should not bear the brunt of the criticism alone, Martinez questioned whether upper management was doing enough to evolve the squad. "He does his best," Martinez said of Carrick.
Addressing reporters during his post-match press conference, Carrick downplayed the defender's outburst, attributing it to post-match frustration.
"Well, I haven't seen the interview. I've half heard about it in the other interviews I've done. I think it's a little bit about the emotions of the game as well, coming here and being disappointed not to get something from the game. Straight after a game, for me, is not the time to talk about that interview because I haven't seen it, so I can't really comment on that. But I think we need to move forward quickly. I think there's a big game on Sunday, and it's really important that we move forward and we stay focused on that,” Carrick said.
"There's disappointment within the group. I'm bitterly disappointed in certain things, and the boys are as well as a group." Carrick concluded.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>IANS quoted the source saying, “After receiving praise for her performances in Cocktail 2 and Tere Ishk Mein, Kriti Sanon has finally locked her next project. She’s always been keen to explore different genres, and this time, she’s stepping into the world of pure horror with a large-scale film produced by Maddock, which she will be headlining."
This will be her ninth collaboration with Maddock Films. Her past collaborations with Maddock Films have delivered memorable projects, and her reuniting with the production house for another solo lead further strengthens their association.
"Maddock’s been on a winning streak, and this will be her ninth collaboration with the production house and her second solo lead with them after Mimi, for which she won a National Award. Unlike Maddock’s horror-comedy universe, this film will be an out-and-out horror film, a space the production house is exploring for the first time. The makers are looking to mount it on a grand scale, and while details are currently under wraps, it’s an exciting project to look forward to," the source added.
Meanwhile, Kriti’s last film, Cocktail 2, helmed by Homi Adajania and co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, surpassed the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide within 6 days. However, its earnings later slowed further at the box office. Kriti’s performance was appreciated, although the film’s final earnings remained decent rather than impressive during its theatrical run.
]]>Adding to the mood is Drifters Brewing Company, the Maharashtra-born craft beer brand that has now made its way to Goa with two easy-drinking brews crafted for exactly these moments.
First up is Belgian White, a smooth, hazy wheat beer with bright citrus notes of Curaçao orange peel and a subtle warmth from coriander seeds. Mexican Crisp takes a lighter, cleaner route, a refreshing lager with gentle fruity and floral notes, soft grainy sweetness and a crisp finish. At 4.6% ABV, both beers are made to be refreshing without overpowering the occasion, whether it’s a cold pint after a day by the sea, a sundowner with friends or the spontaneous “let’s grab one” that turns into several hours.
What makes the beers particularly distinctive is Drifters’ approach to combining the taste and quality of craft with the stability of commercial beer. Both brews are pasteurised and shelf-stable, with no added preservatives or additives, allowing them to retain their craft character and taste while offering the consistency and stability needed to travel across markets. It’s a reflection of Drifters’ larger ambition, to evolve from a Maharashtra-born brand into a beer brand built for a wider, global audience.
Available across select bars, hotels, cafés, pubs and wine shops across Goa, Drifters Belgian White and Mexican Crisp come in 500 ml cans priced at Rs 165 and 330 ml pints at Rs 120. And for those who prefer their beer poured fresh, Drifters is set to make its way onto taps across select Goa venues in the near future.
]]>'Rajkumari' debuted in 2023 before an intimate audience across India. Before heading west, its domestic leg expanded into a multi-city tour, culminating in a performance at New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium.
Regional spoken word has traditionally remained localised, but Nayab's cross-continental run has demonstrated the global viability of the art form, with highly receptive diaspora and international audiences gathering in major metropolitan hubs. In the United States, the tour commanded fine arts theatres in Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, the Bay Area, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, Raleigh, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Detroit and New York.
In Canada, the momentum carried through packed venues in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary on the 15-city tour, produced in partnership with Tarashna and Oho Productions Inc.
Nayab Midha shares, "When we first envisioned 'Rajkumari', it was an intimate piece of my heart meant for small rooms. Seeing it evolve into a multi-continental movement that fills fine arts theatres and stadiums is completely surreal. This milestone isn't just about ticket sales or revenue numbers; it is proof that contemporary Hindi spoken-word and storytelling have a roaring, commercially viable global audience. The diaspora in the US and Canada welcomed these raw, vulnerable stories with open arms, proving that deep human emotions transcend borders. We have shattered the glass ceiling for what a solo storyteller can achieve on the global stage, and this is only the beginning."
The 'Rajkumari' production, named after the Hindi word for 'Princess', is a deeply immersive, theatrical spoken-word experience that fuses vulnerability, quick-witted humour, live instrumentation and audience interaction. The performance maps complex narratives surrounding identity, emotional resilience, self-discovery and modern relationships.
Following the remarkable response to its North American tour, 'Rajkumari' is expected to return to the United States, with further dates anticipated. The production will next travel to London and cities across Europe, continuing Nayab Midha's journey of taking contemporary Hindi poetry and storytelling to audiences across the world.
]]>The Thane water cut will affect areas supplied by MIDC, including Mumbra, Diva, Kalwa and parts of the Wagle and Majiwada-Manpada ward committees. Water supply is likely to remain at low pressure for one to two days after services are restored.
The civic body has appealed to residents to store water in advance and use it judiciously during the Thane water cut.
According to the TMC's Information and Public Relations Department, water supply will be completely suspended for 24 hours in all areas under the Diva, Mumbra and Kalwa ward committees. Certain parts of Mumbra falling under ward numbers 26 and 31 have been excluded from the shutdown.
The suspension will also affect Rupadevi Pada, Kisan Nagar No 2 and Nehru Nagar under the Wagle ward committee, along with Kolseht Khalbha Gaon under the Majiwada-Manpada ward committee.
The civic body said the Thane water cut is part of the planned maintenance-related disruption at the Jambhul water treatment plant. Residents have been urged to make arrangements for their water requirements during the affected period.
The water supply disruption comes amid concerns over water availability in Maharashtra following below-normal rainfall, the early withdrawal of the monsoon and the impact of El Nino.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state government had added 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking the total number of affected talukas to 305 out of 358 across Maharashtra.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Fadnavis said farmers in the newly included talukas would be eligible for government assistance extended to drought-affected areas.
VIDEO | Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says 40 more talukas have been added to the drought-hit list, taking the total to 305, after a Cabinet meeting. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/InpPjUyy23
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2026
Last month, the state government declared 265 talukas drought-affected following a rainfall deficit and announced relief measures, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions and electricity bill subsidies.
The latest expansion of the drought-hit list underscores the pressure on water resources as the state prepares for the months ahead.
The TMC said the shutdown and the wider water management situation required residents to use available water carefully. The civic administration has advised households to store only the water they need and avoid wastage during the suspension.
Residents in the affected areas may experience low water pressure for one to two days after supply resumes. The civic body has urged citizens to cooperate with the administration and follow water conservation measures.
]]>Malaika’s sister shared a picture of herself in a short black dress, and she looked every bit stunning. She amped up the look with subtle makeup and dark red lipstick. However, her dramatic weight loss stunned fans.
In the comments section, Malaika Arora, Shanaya Kapoor, Seema Sajdeh and her other friends dropped emojis and called her stunning. While a user asked, “Please tell me how did u lose so much weight in such a short span... nation wants to know this magic,” one wrote, “Ozempic,” while another netizen commented, “You look breathtaking.”
View this post on Instagram
In 2022, Amrita marked her presence at Karan Johar’s 50th birthday party, after which she was called ‘buddhi’ and was also body-shamed.
Amrita shared a screenshot of a few comments on her post and wrote, “I keep seeing this on comments. If and when I bother to check unless it's the one that comes up on top! So…buddhi is meant to be an insult?? Cos for me it's just a word… a word that means old? Yes we are older and wiser but you are nameless, faceless, ageless? And so are your folks?”
She wrote in another Instagram Story, “Also got a lot of hate on my weight gain! I own it... I love it... my weight, my problem! Since when has everything become everyone's issue! Ohhh ya, since social media gives... I give zero f'ssss... so pls go on, and I'll name and shame! Ha!”
Talking about Amrita, she started her career as a VJ. She made her Bollywood debut in 2002 opposite Fardeen Khan in the film Kitne Door Kitne Paas. Her first successful film was the action comedy Awara Paagal Deewana. In 2007, she appeared in Speed and Red: The Dark Side. In 2009, her releases were Deha and Team: The Force. The same year, she appeared in a supporting role in Kambakkht Ishq.
]]>During the same quarter of the previous financial year, the bank had earned a net profit of Rs 4,774 crore in the year-ago period.
Total income increased to Rs 40,931 crore in the second quarter from Rs 38,598 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year, Canara Bank said in a regulatory filing.
Interest income improved to Rs 35,159 crore from Rs 31,544 crore in the same quarter a year ago.
Net Interest Income witnessed a 20 per cent jump in the reported quarter to Rs 11,005 crore as against Rs 9,141 crore a year ago.
Operating profit also increased to Rs 8,758 crore as against Rs 8,588 crore in the same quarter a year ago.
In terms of asset quality, gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of the bank moderated to 1.33 per cent of gross advances at the end of September 2026 as against 2.35 per cent by the year-ago period.
Similarly, net NPAs or bad loans came down to 0.3 per cent at the end of September 2026 as compared to 0.54 per cent at the end of September 2025.
As a result, the provision for bad loans declined to Rs 1,339 crore as against Rs 1,504 crore in the second quarter of the last financial year.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The 41-year-old made the gaffe while discussing how her family was adjusting to her new role and whether the demanding job would affect her personal life. Speaking about her family of four children, Zacharia slipped up while referring to her husband, saying, “my president, excuse me, my husband”.
Press Secretary Katie Zacharia Briefs Members of the Media, Oct. 13, 2026 https://t.co/hSgOl5sdyM
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 13, 2026
The moment came towards the end of her debut appearance at the White House briefing room podium, where Zacharia spent much of the session praising Trump and highlighting what she described as achievements under his leadership.
Zacharia began the briefing by reading out a lengthy list of accomplishments attributed to the “energetic” president. Outlining her approach to the role, she said, “I get to do what I was doing on the outside already, which was hoping to amplify, multiply and expand upon President Trump's incredible agenda for the American people.”
A staunch supporter of Trump's hard-right MAGA movement, Zacharia has taken over the White House communications role from former press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Her appointment comes as Republicans face warnings of heavy losses in the upcoming midterm elections and Trump faces declining approval ratings.
The new press secretary, who was previously a commentator on Fox News and the right-wing Newsmax channel, made her debut at a time when the administration is facing criticism over its policies and approach to the media.
Zacharia's first appearance was notable not only for the verbal slip but also for the unusually short question-and-answer session. Opening summaries, known as “toppers” in White House press parlance, are generally followed by extended exchanges with journalists, often involving dozens of questions.
Zacharia, however, took questions from just three reporters. She began with Breitbart, a right-wing website frequently accused of spreading conspiracy theories, followed by Fox News, one of Trump's key media supporters, and the Daily Mail tabloid website.
After approximately 15 minutes, she declared the briefing over and left the room as reporters shouted questions that remained unanswered.
Trump later praised her performance, telling reporters, “I thought she was very good.” The president is known to enjoy watching his staff members' performances on television.
White House communications director Steven Cheung also backed the new press secretary, saying she “commanded the room” and reminded Americans of Trump's “great work”.
However, liberal commentator Brian Krassenstein predicted that she “will be a disaster”, while the New York Post described her as “visibly nervous”.
During the briefing, Zacharia also announced that Trump had dismissed his ambassador to Greece following a bribery scandal.
Much of her messaging, however, focused on promoting the president's image. Trump faces falling opinion poll numbers amid his war against Iran, economic hardship and a series of domestic controversies.
“This is a president and administration that is looking out for you, the American people,” Zacharia said, describing herself as “thrilled to officially be part of this incredible journey”.
Although the briefing was intended to introduce the new press secretary and her approach to communicating the administration's agenda, her verbal slip while discussing her family emerged as one of its most memorable moments.
(With AFP inputs)
]]>The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 251.89 points or 0.34 per cent to end at 72,781.89. The 50-share Nifty slipped 99.25 points or 0.44 per cent to settle at 22,622.70.
"Benchmark indices witnessed a volatile session, with profit booking emerging, as investors turned cautious ahead of key US inflation data. Sentiment received some support from easing intraday Brent crude oil prices and rupee appreciation, although these factors were insufficient to sustain the recovery," Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President Research, Bajaj Broking said.
According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments, "A hotter-than-expected domestic WPI print pushed bond yields higher, reviving concerns over a tighter monetary policy trajectory and weighing on automobiles, private banks and metals."
From the 30 Sensex constituents, only 11 ended higher. IT stocks continued to gain and Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) were the major gainers. Hindustan Unilever, NTPC and Reliance Industries were also among the major gainers. Bajaj Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Eternal, and ICICI Bank were among the major laggards.
"Among the sectors, the Energy index gained the most, rallying nearly 1.5 percent, while the Pharma and Healthcare indices shed over 1 per cent," Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Neo said.
On Tuesday the Sensex soared 1,109.10 points, or 1.54 per cent, to settle at 73,033.78, while the Nifty surged 358.60 points, or 1.60 per cent, to end at 22,721.95.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was up 0.36 per cent to USD 106.1 per barrel, according to news agency PTI.
"Brent crude remained above USD 106 per barrel, keeping supply-side and inflation concerns elevated," Siddhartha Khemka Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers and offloaded equities worth Rs 1,305.13 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers and purchased equities worth Rs 2,439.24 on Tuesday, according to exchange data.
In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hang Seng index all ended lower.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>When asked if she felt Jailer 2 would lead the South Indian film industry to look at her differently, Vidya said, “R Balki’s film won’t allow that because it’s a completely different character. I think, and I’m hoping, that when something works, people will come to you with more of the same thing. But I’ve realised in my career that if you wait it out, people will eventually offer you different kinds of parts.”
Reflecting on being offered similar roles after The Dirty Picture, Vidya said, “After The Dirty Picture, I got quite a few offers for similar parts, but they didn't make any sense to me. I was also offered a whole lot of biopics, but I didn't do anything until Shakuntala Devi.” The actor added that she feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore a variety of roles throughout her career.
When asked how she views the chatter around women being objectified in South cinema, Balan stated, “There are all kinds of films being made. The films that have done really well lately have had some female characters who may have been objectified. But women have been objectified in cinema for many years now. Sometimes the instances are fewer, and sometimes they are more. So, in the past few years, it might seem like some of the big films have had a certain amount of objectification. I haven't watched all those films, so I can't confidently comment on all of them. But that doesn't mean it's the only kind of cinema being made.”
Vidya reflected on how films like No One Killed Jessica, Kahaani and The Dirty Picture contributed to the changing landscape of female-led cinema. While she became the face of that change, the actor believes it was a collective shift rather than her achievement alone.
“I became the face of that change, but I can’t take sole credit for it. I’ve always believed I was at the right place at the right time. I wanted to tell female-led stories, but I didn’t know if there would be a market for them or if I’d get the opportunity. Films like Ishqiya and No One Killed Jessica were paving the way before The Dirty Picture came along. There were other films, too, including Rani’s Black and some of Tabu’s films. All of these paved the way, and The Dirty Picture became a milestone when that change finally fructified.”
Reflecting on her 21-year journey in the film industry, Vidya said she has learnt not to take success or failure too seriously. “The only thing is to show up, put your head down and keep working.”
On a parting note, she expressed excitement about her comic caper with Akshay Kumar and Anees Bazmee. “I'm also excited to see how people respond to it. It's an Anees Bazmee comedy with Akshay and me,” she signed off.
]]>However, if a lawsuit is served, the bank will defend it firmly and take all steps necessary to protect its interests, the lender said.
The clarification comes amid reports that a lawsuit was filed by Shetty in the Bombay High Court on October 13, seeking USD 15 billion in damages.
Shetty, founder of NMC Health, reportedly alleged that Bank of Baroda, several of its officials and others, helped facilitate transactions that led to the collapse of his business.
UAE-based healthcare provider NMC Health was declared insolvent in 2020 after it was found that it had hidden more than USD 4 billion in debt.
Besides BoB, other creditors to the company were Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, among others.
Responding to reports, the lender in a stock exchange filing said, "The bank has not been served with such a suit and cannot comment on the contents of pleadings which are untested in court. If and when the bank is served, the bank will defend the suit firmly and take all steps necessary to protect its interests".
Shares of the bank were trading 3.51 per cent lower at Rs 229.25 on the BSE in the afternoon trade.
Earlier in July, Bank of Baroda stated that it has reached an out-of-court settlement with NMC Health PLC, NMC Healthcare Ltd, and NMC Holding Ltd, with USD 600 million (about Rs 5,700 crore) paid through its Abu Dhabi branch.
The case involved proceedings under Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and UK insolvency regulations, and UAE civil law in relation to NMC Health PLC, NMC Holding Ltd and NMC Healthcare Ltd, the bank had said.
The litigation stemmed from the collapse of NMC Health, once the Gulf's largest private healthcare provider, which entered administration in 2020 after billions of dollars of previously undisclosed debt came to light.
The joint administrators subsequently initiated proceedings in Abu Dhabi and England against NMC founder BR Shetty, former Chief Executive Officer Prasanth Manghat and Bank of Baroda under ADGM and UK insolvency laws, as well as UAE civil law.
Bank of Baroda has denied the allegations, and the settlement expressly stated that the claims have been resolved without any admission of liability or wrongdoing.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Sharing a video talking about his musical journey, Guru also reflected on his time away from live concerts, the appreciation of his independent releases and the backlash surrounding his recent songs, alleging that "targeted campaigns" sought to sabotage his 2026 releases.
On Wednesday, Guru took to Instagram to share a video reflecting on his journey starting from Punjabi to becoming a prominent name in the music industry. Alongside the video, he shared a note for his fans, expressing gratitude for their support him through the ups and downs of his career and promising a special concert setup.
He wrote, "To My Day Ones, It was somewhere in 2023… I stood in an arena surrounded by a sea of happy hearts. Those years spent on the road, touring back-to-back, are memories I’m ever so grateful for. You truly gave a boy from Punjab everything he ever dreamed of. But right after that, life took me on an unforeseen detour. Behind closed doors, I single-handedly fought multiple battles I chose to keep private. I stepped away with the intention to rebuild myself and in the process, I discovered a side to myself I never knew existed. Let’s just say some storms are meant to be survived in silence."
View this post on Instagram
Looking back at his independent music projects and the backlash faced by tracks like Sirra, AZUL and fine Shyt, Guru added, "A new beautiful chapter emerged in 2025, ushering in my independent foray. God provided far more than I ever prayed for. Together, we smashed it out of the park with QATAL SIRRA, AZUL, PERFECT, PAN INDIA, SHKINI and DOPAMINE. Even when targeted campaigns tried to cast shadows over the 2026 slate, I stayed respectful and trusted the process because when you build on solid ground, success speaks for itself."
While announcing his comeback to live performances, Guru wrote, "Still, I felt a void - the magic of singing these songs right back to you in person. I read every single message asking “when?” There were many offers on the table, but the visions just didn’t align. I couldn’t bring myself to give you something run-of-the-mill; it had to be a masterpiece. This homecoming has been built entirely from scratch, out of nothing but love and late nights, and I can’t wait for you to experience it. I’m going to give you my absolute everything that night. Thank you for standing by me through it all. Your boy is coming home. See you at the stadiums. The Sirra Era Begins."
]]>
The trekker handed over the squirrel to Nilesh Garade, founder of Wildlife Rescuer of Maval, who examined the animal and found it dehydrated with a minor injury.
. Range forest officer Prakash Shinde
. Forest guard Mahore
. Nilesh Garade, founder, Wildlife Rescuer of Maval
. Anil Andre, president, Wildlife Rescuer of Maval
. Wildlife biologist Jigar Solanki
. Team member Mayur Choudhary
Scientific Identity: The Indian Giant Squirrel, known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel, is an arboreal species
Habitat: Primarily found in the dense evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats, Central India, and the Eastern Ghats
Diet & role: Inhabits the upper canopy, feeding on fruits, seeds, flowers, and tree bark while aiding forest regeneration through seed dispersal
Agility: Known for leaping long distances across tree canopies
Legal status: Enjoys the highest level of legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Hunting or trafficking the species is a punishable offence
Regional names: Displays varying colour patterns across regions. In Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, it is locally known as “Bhimashankari”
Lifespan & breeding: Largely solitary, with an average lifespan of eight to nine years. Usually gives birth to one offspring a year
Nilesh Garade, founder, Wildlife Rescuer of Maval
“While returning from a trek in the Maval-Vadgaon area on October 11, a wildlife enthusiast spotted an injured and dehydrated Indian Giant Squirrel and brought it to our rescue centre, as we work towards the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals in the area under the guidance of the forest department. After a quick medical check-up, we kept the animal overnight, fed it, and successfully released it back into the wild the following morning.”
An offical, Pune forest department
“Timely coordination between alert citizens, Wildlife Rescuer of Maval and the Vadgaon forest department helped ensure the animal’s safe return to the wild.”
In a post on X, Fadnavis said maintaining accurate electoral rolls was essential to a robust democracy. He said the revision process was intended to update voter records, remove duplicate entries and correct inaccuracies, rather than deprive eligible citizens of their right to vote.
The chief minister’s remarks come amid concerns over the revision of electoral rolls and the need to ensure that eligible voters are not excluded from the final lists.
Fadnavis said voters whose names were missing or had been incorrectly omitted could apply for inclusion or seek corrections within the prescribed deadlines.
He noted that the Election Commission had extended the period for submitting claims and objections to give citizens additional time to check their details and address discrepancies.
Eligible first-time voters and those whose names do not appear in the draft electoral rolls can apply for inclusion through Form 6, he said. Voters seeking corrections to their names, addresses or other personal details can submit Form 8.
The chief minister urged residents across Maharashtra to check their entries in the draft electoral rolls through official portals or by contacting their local Booth Level Officers (BLOs). He also advised voters to use the 1950 helpline for assistance with the process.
Addressing concerns about the use of technology during the revision exercise, Fadnavis said tools could help identify duplicate or unusual entries, but statutory decisions on the inclusion or deletion of names remained with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
The state government maintains that removing duplicate entries and records of deceased or permanently shifted voters is necessary to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Fadnavis appealed to eligible citizens to verify their details and complete any required corrections before the final electoral roll is published.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has extended the deadline for submitting claims and objections to the draft electoral roll in Maharashtra until October 26.
The draft electoral roll was published on August 31 under the ongoing revision programme, with October 1 as the qualifying date. The extension gives voters additional time to seek inclusion, challenge entries or request corrections.
According to the schedule, the process of issuing notices and resolving claims and objections began on August 31 and will continue until November 10.
The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 16, as per the existing timetable.
Fadnavis said citizens should take an active role in checking their voter details and reporting errors before the final lists are prepared.
The government has presented the revision exercise as a measure to improve electoral accuracy and protect the validity of votes.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>"We are open to all countries around the world as long as we get a fair deal, as long as we ensure a continuity in the engagement, and as long as the geopolitical situation does not deteriorate. I think we had some concerns in the past. We are working to develop relations with China once again, but the last word has not yet been scripted on this journey," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
China is India's second-largest trading partner and the bilateral trade between the two nations increased 7.9 per cent in 2025-26 to USD 127.7 billion from USD 118.39 billion in 2024-25.
India's exports to China surged 36.62 per cent to USD 19.47 billion in 2025-26 from USD 14.25 billion a year ago. Imports from China increased 16 per cent to USD 131.62 billion during the period.
However, the trade deficit widened to USD 99.19 billion in the last fiscal from USD 85 billion in 2024-25, which is an area of concern for the country.
Besides, India has tightened its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for countries sharing land borders with it, which includes China.
Goyal further said India-US relations are "very good" and will only improve irrespective of changes in political thinking.
"Of course, it is already very good. I don't see any problem as we speak also. And to my mind, the relationship with the US that India enjoys is very substantive, very consequential for the world, being two large democracies," he said.
The minister was responding to a question on whether India-US relations would improve after US president Donald Trump leaves office.
"One must bear in mind that we have, it's not only about trade, which of course they are our largest trading partner and I think will continue to be in the years to come. And by and large, I don't see any problem in any agreements also with the United States," Goyal said.
"It's about trade, it's about defence partnership, it's our technology partnership, it's our critical minerals partnership, it's our people-to-people engagement," he added.
He further said the two countries continue to have a "very" close relationship and both sides continue to engage in areas such as defence exercises, ensuring open supply chains for technology, goods, and services.
"The US and India have a very, very consequential relationship and it's only going to get better irrespective of changes in political thinking, whether in India or in the US. The relationship draws its strength from our economic imperatives, from our political imperatives, from our security imperatives," he said.
"So it's a very safe relationship. I don't think the rest of the world needs to worry about it," he added.
Goyal's comments come amid India and US negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and uncertainty around the deal.
India is seeking better tariffs for its goods in the US market. Earlier this month, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that the both countries were working to finalise a bilateral trade deal, but an agreement was not imminent.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this month had said negotiations for the India-US trade agreement are still underway, but both sides appeared to have reached a "plateau", with limited room for further concessions.
India's exports to US grew marginally by 0.92 per cent to USD 87.3 billion during the last fiscal year despite high tariffs, while imports increased 15.95 per cent to USD 52.9 billion.
The trade surplus declined to USD 34.4 billion in 2025-26 from USD 40.89 billion in 2024-25
Speaking at the Forum, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said Singapore and India are in talks to strengthen the semi-conductor industry in India.
"We are also working on training and skilling of the Indian workforce so that we can support the growth of semiconductors," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Based on Lewis' 1955 novel, the upcoming film follows young Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer as they embark on an adventure that leads them into the mysterious world of Narnia. The story explores how the magical realm came into existence, taking audiences back to events that precede The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The trailer introduces David McKenna as Digory Kirke and Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer, the young protagonists at the heart of the story. Emma Mackey plays Jadis, who later becomes known as the White Witch, while Daniel Craig essays the role of Uncle Andrew.
The film also features Carey Mulligan, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Meryl Streep, bringing together a mix of established performers and young actors for the fantasy adventure.
The footage offers a closer look at the film’s characters and its fantastical setting, building on the first-look images previously released by Netflix and Sony Pictures. One of the earlier glimpses featured Jadis alongside Digory and Polly in a striking red-tinted setting.
Gerwig, who was the director of the global hit Barbie, takes on the challenge of bringing Lewis’ much-loved literary universe to the big screen. The Magician’s Nephew is the sixth book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by publication order, but its events take place before those of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The story delves into the creation of Narnia and introduces the circumstances that lead to the formation of its magical world, offering a new entry point into the franchise for audiences.
Produced by Netflix and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing International, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is slated to arrive in Indian cinemas on February 12, 2027.
]]>The series follows White Vision (Paul Bettany), who regained his memories in WandaVision but was left without the emotional connections of the original Vision. Now, he is trying to understand humanity and reconcile the memories he has with the person he believes he is. His journey intersects with Tommy Shepherd's (Ruaridh Mollica), a troubled young man with fragmented memories. As danger closes in, Vision must confront a question he has been avoiding, does he have a responsibility towards someone he believes he has no emotional connection with?
Bettany is once again the heart of the show, bringing a restrained vulnerability to a character who can process information but struggles to make sense of what it means to feel. His performance works particularly well in the scenes inside Vision’s mind, where familiar artificial intelligence programmes take human form. James Spader’s return as Ultron is a highlight. Their exchanges bring a sharp, often amusing edge to the philosophical questions at the centre of the series. Mollica also makes an intriguing addition as Tommy, whose troubled past gives the story an emotional thread beyond Vision’s identity crisis.
The mind-castle sequences are among the show’s most enjoyable elements. Seeing familiar MCU artificial intelligences such as J.A.R.V.I.S., E.D.I.T.H. and F.R.I.D.A.Y. interact adds a playful touch, while Ultron’s presence creates an interesting clash of ideologies. Their conversations about identity, memory and choice give the series its substance without completely weighing it down. The action, meanwhile, offers enough urgency to keep the narrative moving, although viewers looking for wall-to-wall superhero spectacle may find the more cerebral stretches slow.
What makes VisionQuest promising is the way it builds on the themes established in its predecessors rather than simply using them as a shortcut to nostalgia. WandaVision explored grief, while Agatha All Along expanded the story of Wanda’s children. This series continues that thread by asking whether identity comes from the body we inhabit, the memories we carry or the choices we make. It is an ambitious idea, and the opening episodes give it room to breathe.
VisionQuest is a promising return to Marvel’s more thoughtful storytelling. With Bettany and Spader bringing depth and wit to the screen, it has the potential to be more than another superhero comeback.
]]>While speaking to Anil Kapoor on his show "India Ke Top 1per cent", Sara, who had initially planned to pursue a law degree, said a theatre course at the university reignited her passion for acting and convinced her to give the profession a try.
Anil asked Sara: "So when did you decide to become an actor?"
"I always wanted to become an actor since my childhood. But then I used to enjoy academics a lot. I used to enjoy studying. Like you said, I went to Columbia. I was studying history there. I thought I will do my law degree there."
She recalled doing a theatre course there then at university. "And when I went on stage and performed the desire of my childhood which I had kept out of my mind started arising again. So I thought I have to do this. I have to try. That's how it happened. And I was almost 100 kg at that time."
Anil also questioned Ayushmann Khurrana, who was promoting his upcoming film "Udta Teer", about when he decided to become an actor, to which he replied: "I fell in love with acting when I saw you."
Asked who encouraged him the most, Ayushmann said: "My father used to encourage me a lot. He has encouraged me since my childhood. I am a millennial, so in our time people didn't even try to enter the industry. Especially, you belong to a traditional family from a small city."
"I was probably one of the few kids in the school whose parents used to encourage towards arts, performing arts. So I think my father has really encouraged me. My grandmother used to sing in the Gurudwara at her time. My grandmother used to do mimicry. So I got my art from there. But I got my encouragement from my father."
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>On Tuesday, the singer took to her X, formerly Twitter, and penned a long note tagging the LoP, as she asked him to look after the local problems in Himachal Pradesh ruled by his party Indian National Congress.
Dear @RahulGandhi, before repairing democracy, could you start by repairing Himachal Pradesh?I returned after 9 years & was shocked by garbage-strewn hills and choking rivers. Make this Congress-governed state a model of governance.Earn the people’s mandate,don’t just demand it🙏🏾
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) October 13, 2026
She wrote, “Dear @RahulGandhi , before repairing democracy, could you start by repairing Himachal Pradesh... returned after 9 years & was shocked by garbage-strewn hills and choking rivers. Make this Congress-governed state a model of governance. Earn the people’s mandate,don’t just demand it”.
Rahul Gandhi along with other members of the opposition led a protest march to the Apex Court earlier on Monday. The crowd began swelling in the 2nd half on Monday, as the Supreme Court said no to detentions, and ordered the administration to rollback civil movement restrictions in the national capital.
The protestors have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with protests in Delhi entering their 4th day on October 13, 2026. The movement is opposing the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise has disenfranchised millions of voters.
The Election Commission and the BJP have denied allegations of manipulation. The protests began on October 10 with calls by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and fellow leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. They were later detained after arriving in Delhi for a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Many protesters were also detained as authorities imposed extensive security restrictions.
The opposition has submitted a plea with the Apex Court, and has requested 10 things from the court including the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>He will take over some of the biggest stadiums in the country, starting with Narendra Modi Stadium, making him one of the few music artists ever to perform at the world’s largest cricket stadiums.
In recent times, Diljit Dosanjh announced that he is all set to perform at the stadium in Ahmedabad.
As part of the tour, Arijit will also perform at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Gachibowli Stadium, apart from other venues across the country.
Travelling across select nine major cities from January through May of next year, the tour, produced and promoted by Team Innovation and exclusively ticketed on thumpN.
Instead of traditional concert layouts, the venues will be transformed into giant, emotional fan spaces. The setlist will span his two decades of hits.
Fans can expect a setlist spanning the many sounds and eras of Arijit Singh’s career - from songs that became instant favourites to anthems that have stayed with listeners for years. Arijit will do what audiences have come to know him for: letting the music do the talking.
General Sale for The Kotak Solitaire presents Arijit Singh India Tour 2027, powered by Visa, goes live on October 13 at 2 pm on thumpN. Ticket prices start from Rs 1,000 and go up to Rs 50,000.
Book your tickets now: https://get.thumpn.com/4hYPGXf
Tour Dates
January 9 - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
January 23 - Chandigarh
February 7 - JECC Novotel, Jaipur
February 20 - Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai
March 13 - NICE Ground, Bengaluru
March 27 - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
April 10 – Pune
May 1 – C21 Estate, Indore
May 15 - Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad
During an interview with Screen, Abhishek revealed that he hopes October 2 continues to be celebrated as Drishyam Day now that the franchise has drawn its curtains. He added, "All of us believe this is the last part of the film. Obviously, the audience is loving it, and talking about it. But Drishyam isn’t the franchise where we can just decide to make another film. It’s very much dependent on the story, and the story has ended. I always thought the ending was very poetic. It’s a love letter to the franchise."
Abhishek further added, "The closure is beautifully done. That’s what people liked about it. A lot of people are telling me there can be a part 4. If you get to it, there can be enormous amount of story to it, but that’s not the point. We had to stop it at some point, and this was a beautiful ending to the franchise. Drishyam 3 is only in its second week right now. People are still coming to theatres in huge numbers. The second weekend was more than ₹60 crore. That’s a figure too many films don’t achieve even in their lifetime. So, let’s not spoil it for them."
Notably, Pathak's comments come days after Ajay Devgn told Gulf News, “At the moment, it is a conclusion. I can’t predict it.” When asked if another film could happen in the franchise, he added, “See, I can’t predict it. Never say never. But, no, the decision was [that] this is the conclusion, so right now this is the conclusion.”
Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam 3: The Conclusion has been shattering records to emerge as one of the biggest box-office successes of 2026. The film has already crossed the Rs 500 crore mark worldwide within just 12 days of its release.
Helmed by Abhishek Pathak, the crime thriller has collected Rs 501.80 crore globally, which includes Rs 323.50 crore net in India. The film opened with Rs 62 crore on its first day and went on to earn Rs 245.50 crore in its opening week, making it the second-highest opener of 2026.
The film has Ajay Devgn return as Vijay Salgaonkar, along with Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta and Rajat Kapoor. The film also introduces Jaideep Ahlawat as a new character in the franchise. The film even received praise from Mohanlal, who starred in the original Malayalam version of the film. He said, "I watched Drishyam: The Conclusion, and I am truly impressed with the way they have brought this much-loved journey to a befitting end. Congratulations to Abhishek Pathak, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Ajay Devgn, and the entire cast and crew on a job so well done."
]]>Taking to her social media account, Rashmika explained that she had kept her charitable efforts private until now but decided to share them in the hope of encouraging others to contribute to society.
She further wrote, “There is something in the characters you play that influence you.. A lot of you keep asking are there any similarities between Jayamma and me and my answer is yes - and this is one of them.. this has always been me and this is also her.. and I would always keep doing things like this for all the love that you give me.. but always kept it under the wraps cz I thought if I knew and just my team knew and just a bunch of us knew, it was enough.. but now I am opening up about this because I am thinking.. if this could influence you lovelies out there to do anything like this.. I would be happy.”
She added that she would continue the initiative over the next year, supporting 400 families at a time for three months and helping them save money otherwise spent on groceries. She continued, “So hence I thought why not start now.. with this! I’ve adopted 400 families today.. and I want to just help 400 families at a time for 3 months each and continue this for the next one year and hope that they can save that money on groceries and use it to save and plan their futures better..”
She further wrote, “Even a small act of kindness can change a person’s life and it doesn’t have to be big.. let’s all start with something small!! And trust me all these smiles are worth every sleepless night, the injuries, the struggles, the pain, the tears, everything that I’ve had to go through over the last working years.. this is priceless!!”
Ranabaali is a period action drama set against the backdrop of the Madras famine of 1876–78. It features Vijay Deverakonda as Ranabaali, a warrior who fights against British rule, while Rashmika plays Jayamma, his wife and companion. Jailer 2 and Ranabaali are releasing just a day apart, on October 15 and 16, coinciding with Dussehra. The makers recently shared a statement denying reports of a price hike ahead of the release.
]]>According to the BEST undertaking, the bus, bearing registration number MH-03-CV-7035, was operating on route A-373/32 from the Mulund depot under a wet-lease arrangement. The collision damaged three windowpanes on the right side of the bus, causing injuries to passengers inside the vehicle.
The incident reportedly began when a motorcycle suddenly came in front of the bus as it approached the Chedda Nagar signal. The bus driver applied the brakes and brought the vehicle to a stop to avoid a collision with the motorcycle.
Meanwhile, a tanker travelling from Mumbai towards Vashi struck the middle portion of the bus on its right side. The impact shattered three windowpanes, scattering broken glass inside the vehicle and injuring four passengers.
The accident took place in the direction of the Deonar area, according to the incident report. The tanker and the bus were subsequently taken to Tilak Nagar Police Station by the police for further action.
Two of the injured passengers were identified as Bhagyashree Khedkar, aged 14, and Aditi Koyande, aged 22.
Khedkar sustained an injury below her right eye after being struck by broken glass. Koyande suffered injuries to her right elbow and right leg, which resulted in bleeding.
The report stated that two other male passengers also sustained injuries. Their identities and further details were not immediately available.
According to an update provided by BEST’s Command and Control Centre (Traffic), STO Shri Kadali shared the latest information at 9.40 am.
Khedkar received first aid at Rajawadi Hospital and was subsequently discharged. Koyande sustained an injury and fracture to her right elbow. Doctors advised that she be admitted to Rajawadi Hospital for one day for observation.
One of the other injured passengers, who reportedly sustained minor injuries, had refused hospital treatment. The fourth injured passenger was taken to another hospital by his relatives. His whereabouts remain unknown, according to the BEST update.
The police have been informed about the passenger’s whereabouts and have stated that BEST will be notified as soon as further information is received.
The police registered a case against the tanker driver in connection with the accident. According to the BEST update, the case was registered as CR No. 567/2026 on October 14, 2026, under Sections 281 and 125(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Both vehicles were taken to Tilak Nagar Police Station for further action.
]]>Actress Apara Mehta shared pictures from the gathering at Riva Bubber's home, bringing together Smriti Irani, Gauri Pradhan, Ritu Chaudhary, Kamalika Guha Thakurta, Rakshanda Khan, Hiten Tejwani, Sumeet Sachdev and others.
Sharing the pictures on her social media account, Apara wrote, “My dearest Kyunki gang at @rivabubber's lovely home. As usual a night filled with laughs and good food and great memories!”
The reunion comes as ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2’ heads towards its finale.
Smriti Irani, who played Tulsi Virani, was seen posing with her former co-stars, including Gauri Pradhan, who played Nandini Virani, and Hiten Tejwani, who portrayed Karan Virani. Apara Mehta, remembered for her role as Savita Virani, was also part of the gathering.
Ritu Chaudhary, who played Shobha Virani, Kamalika Guha Thakurta, who portrayed Gayatri Virani, Riva Bubber, who played Damini Virani, and Rakshanda Khan, known for her role as Tanya.
The original ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, created by Ektaa Kapoor, premiered in 2000 and ran until 2008.
Led by Smriti Irani and Amar Upadhyay as Tulsi and Mihir Virani, the family drama went on to become one of Indian television's most popular shows.
Nearly two decades after the original series ended, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 brought back many familiar faces, including Smriti Irani, Amar Upadhyay, Hiten Tejwani and Gauri Pradhan.
The sequel premiered on July 29, 2025.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Abdu, who had earlier revealed that his engagement ended due to cultural differences, explained in an exclusive chat with mid-day, that he shared the news publicly because he considers his followers family.
“I don’t always think of the fans as fans. I think of them as a family,” he said, adding that he often seeks their opinions through Instagram. “So I thought if I share it to my family, not fans, they will be excited. And they will be happy because it is my happy time.”
However, the response was not what he had expected. “But it was a very big mistake. A lot of people were actually on the other side. So they tried to do a lot of things,” he said.
Despite the experience, Abdu believes that life should take its own course. “In life you don’t have to hurry. So everything has its own time,” he said. He remains hopeful about marriage, adding, “Once the time comes, I will get married.”
Reflecting on sharing such a personal milestone publicly, Abdu said his decision came from wanting to include his followers in his happiness. However, the trolling experience appears to have taught him to be more cautious about what he shares. He maintained that there is no need to rush life’s milestones, using the moon and sun as a metaphor for finding one’s moment to shine.
Moving beyond reality television shows such as Bigg Boss 16 and Laughter Chefs, Abdu is exploring a different side of himself with Conjure: The Reel Files. Speaking about his first lead role in a short film, he said the experience was enjoyable, although some scenes were frightening.
Recalling a sequence in which he sat on a seesaw opposite a ghost, Abdu said the character’s makeup looked incredibly realistic. He added that watching the finished film could be scarier than shooting it, as he knew the person playing the ghost while on set. “It was looking so real,” he said.
Abdu also credited his bond with co-stars for bringing him on board the project. He hopes audiences will see a new side of him in the film and is open to exploring more horror roles in the future.
]]>Gandhi made the remarks at a press conference alongside protesters who took part in the demonstration. He alleged that the authorities were attempting to suppress a collective voice of dissent and called on students to document their experiences and share evidence with the Congress.
Addressing the press conference, Gandhi said the demonstration brought together people irrespective of religion, caste or gender.
“As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one from any particular caste. There is no woman or man. There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice. The Prime Minister is standing against this voice,” he said.
LIVE: Media Bite | 10 Janpath, New Delhi https://t.co/OScZ2qfe1m
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 14, 2026
“I suggest that you do not stand against this voice. No one can stand against this voice. I have told all the students to keep a video record and send that evidence to us. When this entire matter concludes, we will use all the evidence and ensure that everyone who needs to be punished is punished, from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gyanesh Kumar and Amit Shah to even the constable who raises a hand against our children,” Gandhi added.
He said the filing of police cases was part of the protest process but alleged that the demonstrators’ voice was being suppressed.
“See, this is a protest. FIRs will be filed, and that is all part of the work. But, there is one voice, and that voice is being suppressed,” he said.
Gandhi also introduced a female protester as 'our sherni', praising her for remaining fearless despite allegedly being assaulted.
“I want to introduce our ‘sherni’. She was beaten, but she was not afraid. There was no hatred in her heart,” he said.
The Congress leader referred to alleged injuries suffered by protesters during the police action and said the incidents warranted scrutiny.
Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi holds a press conference along with protesters who participated in the demonstration demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A protester says, "...I joined the protest on the 4th, and on the morning of the 5th, we were detained. Dharmendra and I were pushed into the Parliament Street police station, where 15 to 20 police personnel beat us. One or two of them were also in plain clothes. One of them was named Bahab Singh Tomar. They beat us very badly. Then they took us through the back gate. An officer, Constable Ankit Kasana, kept beating both of us throughout the journey from Parliament Street to the outskirts of Delhi. When Dharmendra said he was feeling like vomiting, the officer told him to open his bag and vomit into it. The police personnel told us, ‘Because of you, we are unable to sleep..."
— IANS (@ians_india) October 14, 2026
Gandhi said Athira, a student from Kerala studying at Delhi University, had lost hearing in one ear after allegedly being struck there during the incident.
“Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear. She can no longer hear. Last time, I showed you a boy who had been blinded. Now, she is deaf in one ear,” he said.
Athira alleged that female police personnel were not present when protesters were detained on Tuesday. She said she had questioned the authorities about the absence of a woman police officer or constable, arguing that one should be present during the detention of women.
She further alleged that the bus carrying the detainees stopped outside the Connaught Place police station, where she was repeatedly struck on the cheek.
“Because of this, I have an injury to my eye and damage to my ear,” she said.
The demonstration was held to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The allegations of assault and injuries were raised by Gandhi and the protesters during Wednesday’s press conference.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>During a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, Ekta Kapoor called out the deep-rooted 'Hinduphobia' in the industry. She added that the biases come to the forefront as soon as Indian folklore, culture or faith is involved.
Ekta Kapoor calling out the deep-rooted Hinduphobia in the industry on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast hits hard. She revealed how people used to judge and mock her just for wearing a teeka and a dhaaga even calling her a freak and labeling her a tantrik. People in the industry are completely fine celebrating western animation and fantasy, but the moment Indian folklore, culture, or faith is brought up, the bias immediately creeps in. She even recalled walking into a club straight from a mandir and people being genuinely shocked that someone could unapologetically embrace both. Unapologetically wearing your faith on your sleeve shouldn't trigger anyone yet it still does. Glad she addressed it out loud on camera.
— ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ᴋɪʟʟᴇʀ (@ReignOfBateman) October 13, 2026
Ekta Kapoor said, "Numbers are great for the film. What is really important is it deals with folklore. I'm just gonna say it on camera, Hinduphobia, and we have so much of phobia with what do we call... We're okay with animated animation, but we're not okay with discussing folklore and mythology."
Ekta, who recently produced the mythological thriller The Vvaan, added, "So I'm so okay with bringing it all out and having people accept it. There's so much more acceptance now." Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, The Vvaan blends fantasy, folklore and supernatural elements. It is set against the backdrop of a forbidden forest and draws inspiration from folklore associated with the Maa Van Devi Temple near Bihta in Bihar's Patna district.
Furthermore, Ekta Kapoor also recalled when she was called a freak and was even mocked for wearing a tika and dhaaga when she was much younger. Known to wear multiple rings and sacred threads and bracelets around her wrists, Ekta candidly discussed how difficult it seems to display her religious identity.
"I can't even tell you. Wearing a tika and wearing your religion on your sleeve is such a problem," she recalled. She even recalled a time when she was once judged for going to a club straight from a mandir.
She revealed how people were all surprised and asked her, "Did you go to a mandir?" Her response was, "Yeah." She then questioned their shocking reaction, asking, "What's so shocking?"
Ekta Kapoor's comment highlights the societal belief that religious devotion and a modern lifestyle must be viewed separately and cannot coexist.
]]>Mittal said the technology or its growth need not be stifled but pointed out that there have been instances of AI agents running rogue which needs to be addressed.
He noted that governments and policymakers are struggling to keep pace with the speed of AI proliferation. He asserted that regulations need to be thought through now, before something goes wrong.
India is putting out a consultation paper on regulations, and guardrails around AI, he said.
Citing growing concern voiced by prominent global tech founders and instances of AI agents behaving unpredictably or running "rogue," Mittal said, "It is not something that, we can take lightly."
"So suddenly, you're seeing a scrambling around the government corridors, policymakers to say, how we can secure our nation when we introduce AI in every aspect of our lives," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
As people are increasingly using artificial intelligence and the adoption of AI agents continues to expand, Mittal questioned, "Are we going to wake up only when an accident happens or we do it before?"
The Bharti Airtel Chairman said he does not want to stifle AI or stop its growth, but that it would be "foolish" to let the technology develop with no safeguards.
"We need to think about the regulation. I don't think we need to stifle it or stop the growth of it, but equally, it will be foolish for anybody to think that we can let it flow to a level, and then if an accident happens, then we'll think about it," he said adding that the time to decide on these issues is now.
Mittal said the AI system cannot operate in isolation and must be part of a global system.
Giving the example of the aviation sector, he said that it runs on an international framework governing how slots are allocated and how flights operate across countries, regardless of nationality or flag.
He said the same logic should apply to AI systems, irrespective of the country they originate from, be it China, US or elsewhere.
"Unfortunately, that conversation is not happening at the pace it should," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Prepared by the Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the guidelines are designed to strengthen clinical care for skin-related conditions while supporting the integration of Ayush systems within the country's broader healthcare framework.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav said the guidelines combine system-specific clinical approaches with contemporary scientific evidence to support safe, effective and holistic management of common dermatological conditions.
He noted that the initiative would help improve patient care and enhance the contribution of Ayush systems to public health by encouraging standardised and evidence-informed treatment practices.
Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said the guidelines represent a significant step towards strengthening standardisation, quality and evidence-based practice across Ayush systems.
Developed through expert consultations and assessment of contemporary scientific evidence, the document provides practical recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients while preserving the core principles of each traditional medical system, he added.
Director General of Health Services Dr. Loveneesh G. Krishna said the guidelines would promote quality assurance and greater uniformity in healthcare delivery across Ayush systems.
He emphasised that multidisciplinary collaboration would support practitioners in providing safe, effective and patient-centric care.
The guidelines were unveiled on the occasion of the 11th Ayurveda Day and cover common skin disorders such as psoriasis, dermatitis, vitiligo, urticaria and dermatophytosis.
For each Ayush discipline, the document outlines system-specific approaches to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and rehabilitation.
According to the Ministry, the development of the guidelines involved an extensive interdisciplinary effort bringing together experts from Ayush research councils, senior academicians from Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy, Yoga specialists and experts from modern medicine.
The process included reviews of classical texts, evaluation of scientific evidence, expert consultations and consensus-based discussions.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Dr Prof. Partha Sarathi Banerjee, senior interventional consultant Cardiology at Manipal Hospital in Salt Lake, successfully performed complex angioplasty using a stent and drug-eluting balloon, restoring normal blood flow within the arteries. The operation lasted for more than three hours.
The man had multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure, smoking and excess weight. His hearts pumping function was around 40 per cent, while his ECG did not show any critical changes. However, clinical examination revealed very weak pulses in both lower limbs, raising suspicion of serious peripheral arterial disease. Considering his symptoms and examination findings, it was decided to perform angiography to evaluate both the coronary arteries supplying the heart and the arteries supplying the legs.
His angiography revealed extensive vascular disease. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery had a long-segment blockage of approximately 90 per cent, while the right coronary artery was completely blocked. Further evaluation showed that the renal arteries were normal. However, the right superficial femoral artery was completely blocked, while the corresponding artery in the left leg was also critically narrowed.
Dr Banerjee said, "The patient came with leg muscles pain on walking and chest discomfort with history smoking and Hypertension. His angiography revealed one major coronary artery (LAD) 90 per cent block and right coronary artery 100 per cent block (CTO), lower limb arteries (SFA)on both sides were total and 95 per cent blocked on right and left sides respectively. We successfully performed balloon dilatation and stent deployment and DEB dilatation in LAD artery and Right SFA in the same sitting. He is doing well and is recovering steadily. The patient with severe coronary artery disease and bilateral peripheral arterial disease was managed through a carefully same sitting interventional procedures, particularly because raised serum creatinine required doctors to balance vascular treatment with protection of kidney function, added Dr Banerjee.
Since the patient had elevated creatinine, the medical team decided against treating both legs during the same sitting to minimise the amount of contrast dye used and reduce the potential risk to kidney function. Following the coronary intervention, doctors treated the completely blocked artery in the right leg. A guidewire was carefully passed across the blockage, followed by balloon dilatation. A drug-coated, self-expanding stent (ELUVIA) was then deployed across the long blocked segment, successfully restoring blood flow to the right lower limb.
The man remained stable and comfortable following the procedure.
]]>As per IANS, various reports claim that the alert was received by Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC). Soon after receiving the alert, aircraft landed safely in Jaipur. However, further details about the circumstances that triggered the alert were not immediately available.
STORY | Air India's Frankfurt-Delhi flight diverted to Jaipur following bomb threat An Air India aircraft from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Wednesday morning following a bomb threat, according to sources. The flight AI2030, operated with a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, made an emergency landing at the Jaipur International Airport and was taken to an isolation bay for security checks, the sources said. READ: https://t.co/M4qlkmyJS9 VIDEO | (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2026
The flight, AI-2030, landed safely and was immediately escorted to a designated isolation bay, adhering strictly to standard operating procedures for aviation security emergencies, PTI reported.
Following the safe touchdown, both pilots and all passengers on board were deplaned in a phased manner under tight security supervision.
One of the sources citing initial information said the pilot pressed 'Squawk Code 7500', which indicates unlawful interference, when the aircraft was in the Mumbai Flight Information Region (FIR). Subsequently, the plane was diverted to Jaipur, the PTI source added.
Official statement from Air India noted, "Air India flight AI2030 operating from Frankfurt to Delhi on 14 October was diverted to Jaipur following a perceived security concern. The aircraft landed safely in Jaipur."
Clarifying that all the security checks were conducted properly, the airline added, "The relevant security agencies carried out the necessary checks and have cleared the aircraft and crew. All passengers were disembarked, underwent security checks, and have since reboarded the aircraft."
Officials from Air India further noted, "The flight is expected to continue its journey to Delhi shortly. Air India teams worked proactively with authorities to minimise passenger inconvenience."
Air India Express also added, "We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and appreciate their patience and understanding. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain Air India's highest priority."
Squawk 7500 is an internationally recognised aviation transponder code that pilots use to discreetly alert air traffic control to a hijacking or unlawful interference with an aircraft. The incident also caused concern among passengers on board, according to them.
Earlier in October, airline firms continued to suspend operations in Saudi Arabia amid escalating security concerns.
(With inputs from IANS and PTI)
]]>Kyiv and its European supporters are racing to shore up Ukrainian defences amid Russia's escalating bombardment and doubts about the Trump administration's commitment to helping Ukraine to fend off Moscow's invasion, which began in February 2022.
Burnham's office said the UK government will provide "urgent support" for Kyiv in the coming weeks and will accelerate delivery of air defence missiles that Ukraine desperately needs before the bitter winter sets in.
Not the first time since the war began, a surprise decision by US President Donald Trump rattled Ukrainian and Western European leaders.
Trump announced last week that he struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import tonnes of Russian diesel. The stunning decision, coming amid international efforts to sanction Russia's economy and isolate Putin, added to a growing list of instances where the Republican president has sided with the Russian leader while cold-shouldering Zelenskyy.
Burnham took a different track. "My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for as long as it takes, and we will go further and faster in our support to back your courageous fight for peace in Europe," he said ahead of the visit.
Analysts noted that Trump's move girded Europe into standing firm behind Kyiv.
"Ahead of a tough winter for Ukraine, Donald Trump's swing back toward Russia bodes ill," Rym Momtaz of Carnegie Europe wrote in an assessment Tuesday. "But instead of panicking, Kyiv's European allies are focusing on action."
Britain, like the European Union, is also looking to impose more sanctions on Russia.
London has also called on Moscow to observe a partial ceasefire announced by Trump and halt strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities. Zelenskyy says Ukraine is observing the energy ceasefire.
Burnham's first foreign trip after becoming leader in July was to Kyiv, where he offered to share technology for making long-range missiles. In response, Russia accused Britain of taking part in the war on Kyiv's side.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Following the announcement, relatives and locals gathered in Vathalagundu to commemorate the historic milestone.
They expressed immense pride that a descendant of indentured labourers, who left the region to work in South African sugarcane plantations over a century ago, has earned the world's most prestigious honour.
"We have always heard from our grandparents that Navanethem Amma belongs to our extended family, specifically originating from the Vathalagundu area in Dindigul district... It is a matter of immense pride and joy that someone from our lineage and our native soil has won the world's highest Nobel Prize," a woman who said she belongs to the same lineage of Pillay, told reporters.
Another relative shared the generational link connecting their family across continents: "Our family has lived here for 13 generations, and she (Navaneetham Pillay) belongs to the seventh generation that migrated abroad long ago. We learned about this connection through our grandfathers, though we didn't fully grasp its significance at the time. Now that she has been honoured with the Nobel Prize, we are thrilled to discover she is our kin and are celebrating her achievement on behalf of our family."
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Jaishankar also linked expansion of trade and investment ties between the two countries to peace and tranquillity along the border.
"The point we make to the Chinese is: 'If you want a normal relationship, if the rest of the relationship is to move, it's common sense. It is a no-brainer that the boundary has to be stable and that we need peace and tranquillity in the border areas'," he said.
Jaishankar, speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum on Tuesday evening, noted that the situation along the LAC has "settled down" to a great extent since 2024 and that the relationship is "commensurately moving towards normalcy."
In the last few months, both sides have rolled out a series of confidence-building measures to repair ties frayed by the more than four-and-a-half-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The face-off ended in late 2024.
To a question on whether India would allow more Chinese investment in the country in case there was an "early harvest" agreement on the boundary question, Jaishankar broadly said that various possibilities are being looked at.
"We are now looking at those possibilities, and we have to see where we go. But we are not insisting that you have to solve the boundary issue in order to do business." "What we are saying is: the bar is lower. The bar is: maintain peace and tranquillity. I wouldn't link the early harvest to anything other than the boundary question resolution. Anything we do on any policy we have on business, market access issues will be dealt with separately."
The external affairs minister also flagged concerns over economic issues with China.
"We also have very major economic issues with China. If you look today at the trade balance, it is completely tilted (towards China)," he said.
"The tilt is extremely one-sided, and in many sectors where we have done well with the rest of the world, we have not had market access; we have not had a successful business operation for that sector in China," he said.
"We do believe today that we're not getting a level playing field in China in the manner in which we have given a level playing field to them," he noted.
Jaishankar also referred to the Galwan valley clashes of 2020 and explained how it brought the ties under severe strain.
"From 1975 till 2020, a good 45 years, no blood was shed on that border. The last time there were fatalities was in 1975. In this period, India-China relations did grow," he said.
"Then in 2020, when we were in the midst of the Covid lockdown, we had a series of border issues, and it culminated in a clash in which a number of soldiers were killed on either side," he said.
"For us, what it represented was a very profound departure from the situation that was prevailing since 1975. If the peace and tranquillity in the border areas are disturbed, then the relationship will have consequences," he said.
Jaishankar said those consequences were very visible in the next few years until peace and tranquillity was restored.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>🕛 11.55am | 14-10-2026📍Mumbai. LIVE | Media Interaction #Maharashtra #Mumbai https://t.co/DefG42hrnm
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 14, 2026
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the measures after chairing a Cabinet meeting attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde, along with other ministers. The government added 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking the total to 305 across Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said the advance assistance would be transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts to provide immediate financial support ahead of the festival. The state will use its own resources to provide the aid rather than wait for the completion of procedures linked to central assistance.
Fadnavis said the government had decided to expedite relief measures in view of the severity of the drought and the financial difficulties faced by farmers.
"We are well aware that this Diwali brings severe hardship for our farmers. Central government relief protocols involve procedures and timelines that cannot be finalised before Diwali. Understanding this urgency, the state cabinet decided to step in immediately and will be using state resources. The Rs 5,000 advance transfer will ensure our farmers have immediate liquidity in hand during the festive season," stated CM Fadnavis.
The chief minister said drought declarations and relief measures had historically been announced in November and December. This year, the administration accelerated the process to issue notifications in October.
The government has also finalised a list of 3.5 lakh farmers for the loan waiver scheme, with the processing of cases underway, Fadnavis said.
राज्यातील दुष्काळग्रस्त शेतकऱ्यांना दिवाळीपूर्वी ₹5000 अग्रीम मदत देण्यात येणार - मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस @Dev_Fadnavis #Maharashtra #DevendraFadnavis #DroughtRelief https://t.co/vvjzwU66YJ
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) October 14, 2026
The government said it would strengthen drinking water arrangements in drought-affected areas, with water conservation and access to drinking water remaining priorities.
Fadnavis said groundwater levels in the Marathwada region had fallen by more than three metres. Additional water tankers would be deployed where required, with GPS tracking systems intended to monitor their movement and prevent mismanagement.
The chief minister also said more than 16,000 illegal water connections had been disconnected as part of efforts to manage available water resources.
The administration has reiterated that drinking water requirements will receive priority as the state deals with shortages across the drought-hit regions.
The Cabinet also announced unconditional relief from educational fees for eligible students affected by the drought. Fadnavis said banks and microfinance institutions had been instructed not to forcibly recover loan repayments or electricity bills from affected people.
The measures are intended to ease the financial burden on farming households as they deal with crop losses, water shortages and other effects of inadequate rainfall.
The government said farmers in the 305 drought-declared talukas would continue to receive benefits under 12 existing relief schemes.
To address the impact of drought on livestock, the government will directly purchase fodder and encourage farmers to cultivate fodder crops, Fadnavis said.
The measures are aimed at ensuring adequate feed for cattle and other livestock as water and agricultural resources come under pressure.
The state government said the relief package was designed to provide immediate assistance while longer administrative procedures continue.
]]>In its afternoon weather forecast bulletin, the weather forecasting agency said heatwave conditions are likely to occur in isolated pockets of the Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.
The warning indicates that residents in these areas may continue to experience intense heat during the day. People, particularly those working outdoors, commuting, and senior citizens, are advised to take precautions against prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast hot and humid conditions in isolated pockets of the Thane district. The combination of heat and humidity may add to discomfort for residents, particularly during afternoon hours.
The yellow alert serves as a warning for residents to remain alert to prevailing weather conditions and take necessary precautions.
According to the IMD’s 8.30 am weather report, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai recorded a temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 38.2 degrees Celsius.
The readings indicate warmer conditions in the suburbs, where temperatures have climbed above the forecast maximum for the day.
Alongside the rising temperatures, Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 101 on Wednesday morning, placing it in the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app. Air quality in this range may cause minor breathing discomfort among sensitive individuals.
Among the city’s monitoring stations, Deonar recorded the highest AQI at 165. Bandra-Kurla Complex registered 125, while Colaba recorded 129. Malad reported an AQI of 107, Byculla stood at 102, and Borivali recorded 93. Ghatkopar had the lowest reading among the listed Mumbai locations, at 65, followed by Kandivali at 79.
Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Thane recorded an AQI of 75, while Navi Mumbai stood at 86 and Kalyan at 82.
The readings show variations in air quality across the metropolitan region, with some locations recording moderate pollution levels while others remained in the satisfactory category.
]]>Questioning the action against the party’s leaders, Thackeray asked in a post on X, “Since when has holding the national flag by young Indians become a crime?”
The regime has jailed @SauravDassss and @AshutoshRanka for holding the tricolour at Jantar Mantar! Since when did holding our own national flag, in our own country by young Indians, become a crime? The regime vs the patriotic young Indians fight shall go on till we reclaim democracy from this dictatorship!
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 14, 2026
"The regime vs the patriotic young Indians fight shall go on till we reclaim democracy from this dictatorship!" he said.
The remarks came amid political criticism over the detention of CJP members following a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, which has been denotified as a designated protest venue.
Earlier on Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the Modi government over the action against the protesters. He said waving the national flag during a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar was not a crime and described the jailing of young protesters as an act of cowardice.
Gandhi asserted that Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of India and said, "we will reclaim it".
The statements by Thackeray and Gandhi came amid opposition criticism of restrictions on demonstrations at the site, which has been a prominent venue for protests in Delhi.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday and lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, police said. They were accused of violating their peace bonds and trespassing into the Jantar Mantar area.
Their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, was bound down to maintain peace and good behaviour for six months and released on a personal bond with a surety of Rs 5,000, according to police.
The three were detained early Tuesday after allegedly breaching barricades and entering the area without authorisation. Police said they raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and erected a national flag at the site.
The CJP leaders were booked on charges including trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties.
The action followed the removal of Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest venue. The restrictions have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who have raised concerns over the ability of citizens to hold demonstrations in the national capital.
]]>The chances of him getting a call-up have come after stunning performances in the concluded List A series against Australia A.
The 23-year-old cricketer has represented India in three T20I matches in England and has recently returned to competitive cricket after recovering from his hamstring injury. He has delivered impressive performances with both bat and ball in the unofficial one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry.
In the first match, he bagged four wickets and delivered a knock of 66 runs in a winning cause in the final one-day match.
A source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that star all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy won't play all the ODI matches, following which Shedge may get a maiden call-up.
"Shedge has a very high chance of making it to the ODI squad simply because Nitish Kumar Reddy will have an important role to play in the Test series as the fourth seamer and a floater in the lower order. Hence, Reddy won't play all the ODIs as he has to prepare for the red-ball games," the source said.
The five-match T20I series between the teams will begin from October 22, with the first match scheduled to be played at Hagley Park South in the central city of Christchurch. The first match of the five-match ODI series will be played on November 4 at the Eden Park in Auckland. The two-match Test series between Team India and New Zealand will begin from November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
On the other hand, New Zealand has named a split ODI squad for the series against the "Men in Blue".
(ODIs 1-3): Mitchell Santner (C) Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
(ODIs 4 and 5): Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (WK), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (WK), Blair Tickner, Will Young.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>Mittal said that his company had been waiting for clearances despite having its ground network ready for three years.
"As I have already said, we are awaiting our approvals. I believe we are significantly ahead of him in the queue because we applied five years ago," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
He was responding to a question on Musk's recent remarks targeting India's telecom billionaires amid the debate over satellite internet services in the country.
Mittal said he would be happy to receive the necessary clearances even a few days before the US tech billionaire's venture.
"Our ground networks have been ready for the past three years, and our satellites have been hovering over India for the past five years. We still do not have the necessary permission, so we would be very happy to receive it, even a few days before him," he added.
Mittal said once the approvals are granted, the company would be able to provide connectivity across the country, including in areas where traditional networks have limited reach.
He pointed out Bharti's experience in Africa, where satellite services have already been launched in partnership with a global provider.
Mittal's comments come amid Musk alleging Starlink was being blocked by certain oligarchs keen to keep a "monopolistic chokehold" on Indians.
The Ministry of Communications had said that any suggestion that the framework or its application was unfair or discriminatory "baseless and misconceived."
Last week, reacting to Musk's allegations, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had said India doesn't allow monopoly in any sector, including satellite communication.
"Let me set the record straight. For us, the Department of Telecommunications, we are technology agnostic... Our job is to be able to provide the bouquet of services to every single customer. It is for the customer to choose in a free market which service he or she prefers, and within that service bouquet, which company's service he or she prefers," he had said.
Scindia said that three entities that include Musk's Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite venture Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, have already secured licences. Amazon's Project Kuiper has expressed interest and will need to undergo the established procedure, he had added.
"We are very clear on our stand. There are three parties that have got a licence; as and when the government decides the charge system on the revenue basis, that spectrum will be assigned to them, and as and when they individually fulfil the security conditions, they can start operations," Scindia had said.
He had also informed that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the telecom department are close to a final decision on pricing regime for satcom spectrum.
(With inputs from agencies)
]]>Farmers in the newly added talukas will be eligible for government assistance available to drought-affected areas, Fadnavis told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.
The decision comes amid concerns over rainfall deficits and agricultural distress across several parts of the state. The expanded list will allow farmers in the additional talukas to access relief measures announced by the government for drought-affected regions.
Last month, the state government declared drought in 265 talukas following a rainfall deficit. It subsequently announced relief measures, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions and subsidies on electricity bills.
With 40 more talukas now included, the total number of drought-affected talukas has risen to 305, accounting for a substantial share of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas.
The government’s assistance is aimed at easing the financial burden on farmers affected by inadequate rainfall. The specific benefits available to farmers will depend on the applicable relief measures and eligibility criteria.
The Maharashtra Cabinet also passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as head of government.
Modi has held the position continuously since October 7, 2001, when he first became Chief Minister of Gujarat. He served three terms as the state’s chief minister before becoming Prime Minister in 2014. He subsequently won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections.
The resolution was passed during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Fadnavis on Wednesday.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced a drought relief package, including an advance payment of Rs 5,000 to each affected farmer before Diwali, as several regions of the state face severe agricultural distress.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the measures after chairing a Cabinet meeting attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde, along with other ministers.
Fadnavis said the advance assistance would be transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts to provide immediate financial support ahead of the festival. The state will use its own resources to provide the aid rather than wait for the completion of procedures linked to central assistance.
Fadnavis said the government had decided to expedite relief measures in view of the severity of the drought and the financial difficulties faced by farmers.
"We are well aware that this Diwali brings severe hardship for our farmers. Central government relief protocols involve procedures and timelines that cannot be finalised before Diwali. Understanding this urgency, the state cabinet decided to step in immediately and will be using state resources. The Rs 5,000 advance transfer will ensure our farmers have immediate liquidity in hand during the festive season," stated CM Fadnavis.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>For the unversed, in the 1990s, Lalit Modi worked for marketing, distributing and producing content by collaborating with Disney while bringing international content to Indian television.
In a recent podcast with The Bharat Inc, Lalit Modi shared that Doordarshan had a policy back in the day of not financing programmes. This required the makers to pay a fixed hourly cost instead. He claims that both Ramanand Sagar and BR Chopra of Mahabharat approached him to finance their respective shows.
He shared, "Ramanand Sagar and BR Chopra both came to me and wanted me to finance it, and I was ready to finance it. I had an integrated system of marketing, production, worldwide syndication through Disney. But I had a partner in the Walt Disney Company. I told them that we should get into the production business and make a co-production with Ramanand Sagar. They said we have to sell our programming. It will be a conflict of interest. I kept pushing though."
He allegedly tried to convince Disney’s top executives to meet Ramanand Sagar’s demand for Rs 1 crore, since it would allow Disney to secure the rights to the show. After much insistence, the executives agreed and travelled to India for a meeting.
“Disney came with a big entourage and private jets, and Ramanand Sagar walked into that meeting in shorts. Everyone used to be suited at that time. Unki English bhi tuti futi thi (He had some issues with his English as well). He listened to what Disney had to say, but he couldn’t understand it fully and vice versa, so he couldn’t make an impression on the Disney guys. There used to be sophisticated pitches back then. They wanted to see a presentation. I could see that the president of Disney was ready to run out of the room," he recalls.
Lalit Modi further said Disney’s executives were unable to understand the potential of the show since mythology had never been presented on Indian television on such a scale before. He further shared that he could not do much about the rejection since he had a partner involved in the project.
Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan continues to be one of the most iconic television shows in Indian history. It first aired on Doordarshan in 1987, bringing the story of Lord Ram, based on the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, to millions of Indian homes.
It was created, written and directed by Ramanand Sagar, and featured Arun Govil as Lord Ram, Deepika Chikhlia as Sita and Sunil Lahri as Lakshman, with Arvind Trivedi playing Ravan.
]]>As per the official statement from the BMC, Ritu Tawde began the drive at Jhulelal Chowk, also known as Vikrant Circle, and the Garodia Nagar area under the civic body's N ward.
The campaign aims to remove unauthorised flex banners, posters and stickers across Mumbai and prevent them from being put up again.
Tawde had earlier announced the special initiative titled ‘Shadu Bappa Daha Diwas – Flex Mukt Mumbai Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Diwas’, emphasising the need to keep the city free of plastic and unauthorised hoardings throughout the year.
During Wednesday's drive, Tawde personally removed unauthorised displays and directed civic officials to maintain strict surveillance to ensure that fresh banners and posters are not installed at the same locations.
As part of efforts to make the campaign effective, Tawde has written to the civic administration, directing it to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against unauthorised hoardings and flex banners.
The proposed measures include making QR codes mandatory for authorised hoardings, blacklisting printers and agencies that produce hoardings without the required licences, and ensuring that complaints from citizens are addressed within a maximum of 72 hours.
As per the officials, BMC Mayor has also written to the heads and leaders of political parties, appealing to them to set aside political differences and cooperate with the initiative. Party representatives, activists, organisations and citizens have been urged to take similar action in their respective areas.
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative which focuses on removing illegal banners and posters, Tawde said that the emphasis on Shadu clay idols during the Ganesh festival had demonstrated the importance of environmental conservation.
She further said that the same commitment should extend throughout the year to keeping Mumbai free of plastic and flex waste.
As per BMC, “The Mayor's decision to begin the campaign in her own ward was intended to encourage elected representatives to lead by example and support civic efforts to prevent the city's streets and public spaces from being disfigured by unauthorised displays.”
The campaign is expected to extend across Mumbai, with the civic administration seeking cooperation from political parties, public representatives and residents to maintain cleanliness and enforce discipline in public spaces.
]]>Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, requesting an early hearing before the deadline for filing claims and objections.
Bhushan told the court that the Election Commission (EC) had extended the deadline for filing claims and objections under the SIR exercise in Delhi to October 30. He said the final electoral roll was scheduled to be published on December 4.
The bench agreed to advance the hearing to October 28. When Bhushan requested that the matter be heard even earlier, the bench observed, "We are thinking of passing an order that will take care of it".
The petitioners have filed an application seeking directions to the EC to establish an appropriate mechanism for restoring the names of previously enrolled voters whose names were omitted from the electoral roll during the SIR exercise.
The application argues that such voters should not be required to declare that they are applying for inclusion in the electoral roll for the first time.
It seeks a direction that no previously enrolled elector be required to submit the declaration contained in Form 6, which the petitioners say is factually inapplicable to such voters. The application also seeks a separate form or declaration for restoring the names of those whose entries were removed during the revision.
Form 6 is used by eligible individuals to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll.
The petitioners have further urged the court to direct the EC not to reject an otherwise valid claim for inclusion or restoration solely because an applicant has not submitted an additional SIR declaration form.
On September 22, while agreeing to hear the main petition filed by Anjali Bhardwaj and Amrita Johri, the Supreme Court had raised concerns over the process used to issue notices to voters during the SIR exercise in Delhi.
The bench had told the EC that notices were being issued "almost mechanically" and called for additional safeguards. It had also sought clarification on the basis for identifying voters under the category of "logical discrepancies".
The main petition seeks disclosure of the criteria, definitions, algorithmic parameters and operational guidelines used by the poll panel to classify voters under this category.
The petitioners have also sought the publication of the list of electors who received notices during the revision, along with specific reasons for issuing each notice.
On September 26, the EC extended the period for filing claims and objections under the ongoing SIR in Delhi by a month, setting October 30 as the revised deadline. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on December 4.
The Supreme Court had issued notice on the main petition last month, with the matter initially expected to come up for hearing on October 30. Bhushan sought an earlier date, citing the approaching deadline for claims and objections.
On August 31, the EC published the draft electoral roll for Delhi, showing the deletion of 47 lakh voters from a total electorate of 1.45 crore.
According to figures provided by the poll panel, more than 43.32 lakh voters were found to have shifted or were absent during the revision exercise. Over 2.82 lakh voters were identified as deceased, while more than 1.41 lakh were found to be enrolled at multiple locations.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>In its October 9, 2026, order, tribunal member RR Patwari fixed Farheen’s notional monthly income at R20,000 and held that the driver had failed to adequately explain how she came under the bus while it was negotiating a turn.
The award includes Rs 30.24 lakh for loss of dependency and R84,700 under conventional heads, including loss of filial consortium, loss of estate and funeral expenses. BEST has been directed to pay the amount within four weeks. The tribunal held that the evidence established that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of BEST bus MH-01-LA-6908.
It rejected BEST’s contention that Farheen was solely responsible for the accident. The compensation will carry 7.5 per cent annual interest from the date the claim application was filed until realisation. The amount is to be transferred to her mother’s separate bank account within four weeks.
The accident occurred around 7 am on September 16, 2023, when Farheen was walking near Gate No. 8 of Malwani bus depot. A BEST bus struck her while turning towards the depot. She was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital, where she was declared brought dead.
Malwani police registered a case (Crime No. 1225/2023) that day and later chargesheeted BEST driver Mahadev Eknath Sasane.
BEST denied negligence, arguing that the driver was travelling at 5 kmph when an autorickshaw distracted him and that the pedestrian was at fault.
The tribunal rejected the defence, noting that the driver admitted during cross-examination that he did not know how Farheen had been hit or which part of the bus had struck her.
It observed that heavy vehicle drivers must remain vigilant while negotiating turns and that driving at a low speed alone does not establish due care. The tribunal also held that BEST’s departmental inquiry, which was not produced before it, would not determine negligence in the civil proceedings even if it had exonerated the driver.
Farheen was pursuing biotechnology and also taught at an NGO. She had scored 73.80 per cent in her SSC examinations and 72.67 per cent in HSC. Her mother initially claimed that Farheen earned Rs. 7,000 a month.
She later told the tribunal that her daughter earned R15,000 a month and could earn R30,000 after completing her postgraduate studies.
Despite the lack of formal income proof, the tribunal held that Farheen’s earning capacity should not be assessed at a nominal figure. Considering her age, qualifications, and academic performance, it fixed her notional monthly income at Rs 20,000.
After adding 40 per cent towards future prospects, deducting 50 per cent for personal expenses and applying a multiplier of 18, the tribunal calculated the loss of dependency at R30.24 lakh.
|
Head |
Amount |
|
Loss of dependency |
Rs 30,24,000 |
|
Loss of filial consortium |
Rs 48,400 |
|
Loss of estate |
Rs 18,150 |
|
Funeral expenses |
Rs 18,150 |
|
Total compensation |
Rs 31,08,700 |
|
Particulars |
Calculation |
Amount |
|
Annual notional income |
Rs 20,000 × 12 |
Rs 2,40,000 |
|
Future prospects (40%) |
Rs 2,40,000 × 40% |
Rs 96,000 |
|
Annual income including future prospects |
Rs 2,40,000 + Rs 96,000 |
Rs 3,36,000 |
|
Deduction for personal expenses (50%) |
Rs 3,36,000 × 50% |
Rs 1,68,000 |
|
Annual contribution to family |
Rs 3,36,000 − Rs 1,68,000 |
Rs 1,68,000 |
|
Multiplier 18– Loss of dependency |
Rs 1,68,000 × 18 |
Rs 30,24,000 |
The tribunal declined to award ambulance charges because receipts had not been produced.
The claim was decided under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The tribunal noted that negligence in such cases is assessed on the preponderance of probabilities, rather than the criminal standard of proof. It allowed the claim with costs and directed BEST to pay the award, subject to the deduction of any interim compensation specified in the order.
When contacted, Farheen’s brother, Sahil, said he was unaware of the MACT order. “The incident happened three years ago; why are you inquiring about my late sister now?” he asked.
After being informed of the verdict and the intention to visit the family’s Malwani residence, he said, “I will get back to you,” but did not respond subsequently.
A senior BEST official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Once MACT passes an order, our Claims Department examines it alongside the retainer advocate to decide whether to accept or challenge the award. The file moves through Traffic, Legal, Audit, and Accounts before seeking the General Manager’s approval. If needed, counsel may request an extension from the tribunal.”
On the criminal proceedings, the official added, “The MACT order strictly concerns compensation. The driver’s criminal trial continues separately before the magistrate, while the Traffic Department evaluates internal disciplinary action where warranted. I am unaware if this specific file has reached us yet.”
The source of explosions wasn't immediately clear. The Saudi civil defence reported air raid alerts in Riyadh and Kharj province southeast of the capital. Kharj is home to the state-owned Military Industries Corporation and Prince Sultan Air Base.
The airport in Riyadh has been targeted several times in the past week with deadly attacks. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen have claimed responsibility.
The latest front in the Iran war has seen the Houthis repeatedly target airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure in the kingdom. On Tuesday, a fire broke out in an administrative building at a facility operated by Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest oil companies, in the latest targeting of the world's top oil exporter.
The Houthis have been warning in advance of attacks on both airports and oil facilities, and airlines have been suspending operations and pulling out planes.
The escalation has highlighted Saudi Arabia's struggle to intercept Houthi missiles and drones, and the kingdom's efforts to press allies like the United States for more military support.
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]]>The actor took to X and shared screenshots of the threatening emails he received. The actor approached the cyber police and Mumbai Police.
One of the emails seems to be sent by someone using the name Raj Parihar. The sender has used abusive language in the email, and claimed to be keeping track of Shorey's location and actions. The email further warned the actor that he would be attacked when the time was right.
After receiving the death threats, Shorey tagged Cyber Dost and Maharashtra Cyber Cell, asking them to look into the matter. "Hello Cyberdost MahaCyber1. Please note the following threats that I have received from these 2 email accounts. Thanks," the actor wrote.
Official complaint has been filed. Now it’s over to @MumbaiPolice. Thanks to everyone who has shown concern. 🙏🏽
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) October 13, 2026
Mumbai Police replied to his post, asking Ranvir to share his contact details through a direct message. "We have followed you. Please share your contact details in DM," the police responded. Shorey then thanked the police for their prompt response and also filed an official complaint.
The threats targeting Shorey came after the actor criticised the CJP's protest in a post on X earlier. He questioned their decision to take to the streets, stating that political parties should use Parliament, elections and the courts to raise their concerns.
"Show your numbers in Parliament and the ballot, not the streets! And if the way to those seems unjust, show the courts!
That is the democratic way! Hijacking the streets and holding the public infrastructure and law and order machinery to ransom is the actual "murder of democracy"," he wrote in his post.
For the unversed, the CJP had organised a protest in other parts of the country before Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party, led by Abhijit Dipke, called the protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
]]>The crux of Reporting Live is standing against corruption and questioning the system that tries to dumb down what wohdzvx. When asked whether actors should stay apolitical today, Adil recalls meeting his acting teacher for clarity. He shares, “Am I an activist? No. I practice art and use it to express myself in the best possible way. Reporting Live is my way of registering protest, not going to the street. I cannot take a placard. That's not my job.”
He also mentions that we can’t just blame politicians or a certain section of society for all the wrongdoings. “We are all part of it. While pointing fingers at them, I must also point a tiny finger towards myself,” adds Adil.
In the film, Parineeti Chopra plays the role of a journalist whose safety is threatened when she comes too close to exposing corruption. Taking into account the sad state of affairs when it comes to the protection of women, Adil says our society has failed miserably to teach men how to respect the other gender. He explains, “They have seen how women are treated in their own house, and films don’t help at all. We have only fed them trash. Women are being shown as objects of desire and not as wholesome human beings.”
Adil also shares how Mumbai, which is considered the safest in comparison to other cities in India, can’t be exempted. “I have seen people looking at my wife, white-skinned women friends from abroad, and I have empathy for those who do this because we haven’t taught them better. Recently, I was at the Kala Ghoda Cafe with the leading lady of a film I am shooting, and I didn’t tell her, but it happened there too. I hope it gets better. I'm optimistic. Evolution is a very slow process,” says the actor.
]]>Prakash Raj shared a video on X, the 61-year-old questioning the government's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Notably, the actor was seen joining the CJP protest in Bengaluru earlier.
The actor even called out the restrictions at Delhi's long-standing protest site, warning that such shutdowns would not silence dissent. "Protest ka site badal sakte hain aap, rok sakte hain, lekin is desh ki awaaz ko aap nahi rok sakte hain. Pura desh Jantar Mantar banega [You can change the protest site, you can stop a protest, but you cannot silence the voice of this country. The entire country will become Jantar Mantar]," he said.
Fraaand .. five days of judicial custody for protesting with the National Flag 😂😂😂 how desperate you are #justasking https://t.co/Ho6JAWk6BT
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) October 14, 2026
In the video, Raj further questioned the decision to detain CJP members for trying to enter Jantar Mantar with the national flag. "Why are you so desperate? You have sent gundas into Delhi. They are beating up the protestors. They are misbehaving with the female protestors. They are pushing the breasts. Unke liye kuch detention, police cases nahi hai?," he asked the government.
"Not fair," he added, questioning why Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest sites. He also raised concerns regarding the cost of holding protests at Ramlila Maidan, the newly designated protest venue by the government. He claimed that the venue had limited availability and required a fee of Rs 50,000 along with a refundable deposit of the same amount. He questioned why citizens should have to pay.
"Not fair. So you've removed Jantar Mantar and you are giving us Ramleela Maidaan - which has only two days free in this whole year. And we have to pay Rs 50,000 for it, plus a Rs 50,000 deposit. Is desh me sawaal puchne ke liye bhi paisa dena padta hai. Why don't you shift it to the Andaman & Nicobar islands, or some desert or to the top of the Himalayas? Bolo na vahan ja ke protest karo," he said.
"Is desh mein sawaal puchne ke liye bhi paisa dena padta hai [We have to spend money even to ask questions in this country]," the actor said, before concluding the message with a warning that restrictions would not end public dissent.
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were placed under preventive arrest for trespassing at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. They have now been sent to five-day judicial custody. The two, along with Ajinkya Shinde, have been booked on charges including bond violation and disruption of a public official's duty.
They were produced before a magistrate at Mandir Marg in Delhi around 8:00 am on Wednesday morning.
]]>Ahead of the match, the West Indies' skipper Shai Hope will be eyeing a new record in the format. The star wicketkeeper-batsman is falling short of just one half-century to go level with legendary cricketer Chris Gayle for the record of most half-centuries for the West Indies in T20Is.
Currently, Hope has 15 half-centuries under his belt in the shortest format of the game. Gayle is enjoying the top spot with 16 half-centuries for the West Indies in the T20Is.
Additionally, Hope is 98 runs shy of completing his tally of 2000 runs in the format's history. If he manages to score the required runs, he will then become only the fourth player from his country to reach the feat of 2000 runs.
Before him, Rovman Powell (* 2376 runs), Nicholas Pooran (2275 runs), and Brandon King (2028 runs) have achieved the milestone.
So far, the visitors are trailing the ongoing five-match T20I series by 1-2 against the "Men in Blue", but will look to bounce back in order to keep the series alive.
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has released a 15-member squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Hope has been rested, considering an extended run across all three formats of the game. With the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier scheduled for February next year, Cricket West Indies is managing Hope's workload through the period in the lead-up to the tournament.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
]]>The higher WPI inflation in September was on account of rising food prices, and increased cost of manufactured items, and fuel and power.
"Across groups, Mineral Oils (containing Petroleum Products), Food Articles, Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas, Coal and Lignite, Manufacture of Basic Metals, Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products, Manufacture of Textiles, Manufacture of Rubber and Plastic Products, and Manufacture of Electrical Equipment have been drivers of WPI inflation in September 2026," the Commerce and Industry Ministry said.
Wholesale food prices increased to 8.66 per cent in September from 7.05 per cent in August, while in the fuel and power basket, it rose to 25.85 per cent in September. The fuel and power inflation was at 22.93 per cent in August.
In manufactured items, WPI inflation was at a series high of 9.76 per cent, according to news agency PTI. It was 8.37 per cent in August.
The WPI has largely shown an increasing trend since the beginning of this fiscal year, as the crude oil prices were at an elevated level due to the US-Iran conflict. India is the third largest importer and consumer of crude oil and the elevated crude and fertiliser costs have a spillover effect on food prices.
The government said the final index for the month of July 2026 remains unchanged at 110.0 as compared to the provisional index.
"Accordingly, the WPI inflation rate for July 2026 also remains unchanged at 9.78 per cent (final)," it said.
The retail inflation or consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to a 23-month high of 5.54 per cent in September driven by a sharp rise in food prices. It was at 4.83 per cent in August.
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) monetary policy committee, last week had hiked benchmark policy rates by 25 bps to 5.50 per cent to contain the inflationary pressures, and Governor Sanjay Malhotra had said, "It is clear that inflation and its outlook are not benign as they were last year."
The apex bank had raised the forecast for the retail inflation for the current fiscal year to 5.2 per cent from its earlier estimate of 5 per cent, amid elevated crude oil prices and a weaker monsoon season.
"The near-term outlook on inflation points towards continued pressures from supply side, on account of the deficient Southwest monsoon, El Nino conditions and high volatility in international oil prices. Price pressures are increasingly becoming visible across a range of commodities within the food component, apart from oil," Malhotra had said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The visuals showed people standing below catching the toddler and taking him to safety.
A fire erupted at the Udham Fish Point near Jafrabad under Welcome police station limits, at around 10.34 pm on Tuesday.
According to a fire department report, the blaze started in the restaurant''s kitchen on the ground floor of the four-storeyed building. The restaurant staff managed to douse the fire before it could spread, while a fire tender also reached the spot.
Visuals of the incident showed panicked people desperately trying to escape. Amid the commotion, a woman was seen jumping from the building to the terrace of a nearby structure.
No injuries were reported in the incident, police said. They said further inquiry was underway.
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]]>When asked about why he is not directing the sequel to his film, he told Hindustan Times that he doesn’t like to touch an iconic project without having anything new or better to tell. “That is why I never do sequels because the reason that you are doing part 2, it should be better than the part one, like with the Terminator franchise, where part 2 was a better film than part 1. Unless you have a much better story, you shouldn’t do it. People always make a sequel when the first one really works, so if you don’t better it, there is no value for the franchise,” he says.
The filmmaker further adds, “What happens with sequels is that they are selling the value of the first film. They are not making a film, they are making a project, and I am not interested in projects. Even with Bhagam Bhaag, Akshay asked me ‘are you interested in directing?’ I said no. The question is that when you make a film and people appreciate it, why do you want to go and spoil that appreciation by doing a part 2. That's why I refuse to direct sequels. Let other people make sequels of my films, I am fine with that.”
When asked if it was the same reason why he stepped back from Hera Pheri 3 as well, he replied, "That has a lot of other complications, too many complications. I’d need chapters and chapters to talk about it." Given the issues surrounding the third instalment of the comedy franchise, he reiterates, “I don't think it will ever get made”.
]]>Ahead of the series, the West Indies has released a 15-member squad, and batsman Kevin Wickham has earned a maiden call-up to the national side. The 23-year-old cricketer has received his first opportunity at the top-flight cricket following his stunning performance in the West Indies Championship. Wickham smashed three consecutive tons with a top score of 153 runs. With this, he has taken his first-class tally to six tons in 25 matches.
West Indies' white-ball skipper Shai Hope has been rested, considering an extended run across all three formats of the game. With the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier scheduled for February next year, Cricket West Indies is managing Hope's workload through the period in the lead-up to the tournament.
Pacer Alzarri Joseph has been withdrawn from the team due to a routine medical assessment and specialist consultation. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken the decision to manage his workload to avert the risk of injury associated with the increased physical demands of red-ball cricket.
Joseph will continue working with the CWI medical team and specialists in preparation for a full return to the longer format.
With a series win over Bangladesh, West Indies could climb to sixth in the ICC Test rankings at the conclusion of the current cycle, after finishing the 2023-2025 cycle ranked eighth.
The full squad will arrive in Bangladesh on October 18 for a three-day warm-up match in Dhaka from October 22 to 24.
Currently, West Indies is busy featuring in the five-match T20I series against Team India. The Caribbean side is trailing by 1-2, but will look to bounce back in order to keep the series alive.
Roston Chase (C), Jomel Warrican (VC), Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Wickham.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>He stated that the eventual reduction of these debt levels could further disrupt the global economy.
Vaishnaw, who is Minister for Electronics and IT, Information and Broadcasting and Railways, said India is strengthening its economic and technological resilience to shield its growth from external shocks.
"In my understanding of the way the world is moving today, the turbulence is going to be much more than what it was in the past decades, and the turbulence will come both from technology as well as from the way the financial world is moving, the whole debt levels in the rich countries that is going to unfold today or tomorrow, maybe in 3-5 years," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
He said when that happens it will bring in much bigger turbulence, adding, "By that time, AI would have brought in many other disruptions in the employment sector, in the way people, especially the services industries, work, and the debt levels getting unraveled."
The risks from these could make the coming years extremely challenging, he said.
"The biggest issue that we all have to be prepared for is the turbulence, which is coming in the next few years," the Union Minister said.
Vaishnaw further said India is planning to reduce critical technology dependencies over a 20-25 year to strengthen the resilience as global trade uncertainties and geopolitical conflicts could impact the production and economy.
The Union Minister said India was setting short-term targets for three to five years, medium-term targets for five to 15 years besides the long-term goal spanning 20 to 25 years.
He said India was identifying areas where dependence on other countries could compromise the economic resilience.
"Things change, politics change, geopolitics play a big role, so we have to constantly calibrate our approach, and we in India are thinking at least 20 years ahead," he said.
He emphasised that India aims to become a trusted partner across global technology supply chains rather than pursue complete self-sufficiency. He pointed out that technology will remain a highly globalised field, and that global value chains will be multi-border, multi-country, and multi-geography, reflecting the nature of the industry itself.
"When we look at tech sovereignty, we have to look at it in a very mature and very complex way. We are thinking more about strategic dependencies and resilience. Which are the products and segments in which we must have manufacturing, design and complete product development capabilities within our country? Which are the parts of the value chain where we can depend on other countries? Technology is always a global value chain," he said.
"In whichever segment we want to play or whichever segment we are entering, we want to be a trusted partner. For example, in the 28-nanometre to 90-nanometre range, the legacy nodes, the production of a million-dollar machine can stop because of a one-dollar chip. So, can we position ourselves as a country that is trusted in design, manufacturing and the complete evaluation of the final product? That is how we look at it," he added.
He said that the focus was on building domestic capabilities in strategically important areas while remaining integrated with global value chains.
Vaishnaw noted India's dependence on critical materials remains one of the biggest vulnerabilities and said there is a need to develop the full semiconductor ecosystem, including materials, chemicals, gases and substrate materials, alongside chip design and manufacturing.
(With input from agencies)
]]>The highlight of his post is undoubtedly the picture featuring him alongside Hollywood star John Cena. Check it out here.
He also reflected on the experience of working with familiar faces from the Extraction team while also creating new memories during the shoot as he reunited with Sam Hargrave.
For Randeep, Matchbox offered an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and relive the camaraderie he had shared with the team during his association with the Extraction franchise.
View this post on Instagram
"Matchbox was a great excuse to catch up and hang out with my friends from the Extraction team and just make new memories .. and we got to play together a little all over again .. play it again Sam," he captioned the post.
In the film, Randeep essays the character Mustafa in the Matchbox.
Inspired by Mattel's iconic line of toy cars, the film is directed by 'Extraction' filmmaker Sam Hargrave and also stars Jessica Biel, Arturo Castro, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Danai Gurira, Golshifteh Farahani, Corey Stoll and Bill Camp.
The film follows Sean, played by Cena, who is revealed to be an undercover CIA agent. His secret life pulls a group of longtime friends into a globe-trotting mission after a nuclear warhead goes missing.
Hargrave directed the feature from a screenplay by David Coggeshall. The film is produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger for Skydance, alongside Robbie Brenner and Ynon Kreiz for Mattel Studios. Jules Daly serves as producer, while Patrick Newall and Elizabeth Bassin are executive producers.
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]]>Amid rumours surrounding their alleged relationship, Vijay was spotted at a special event in Mumbai celebrating the launch of Aaliyah's album, Jhalli. Several videos from the event have surfaced on social media, with Vijay seen cheering for Aaliyah during her live performance. The actor was seen whistling loudly and applauding her as she took the stage.
View this post on Instagram
Another video showed Vijay smiling as he enjoyed Aaliyah's soulful voice. The actor was also spotted capturing her live performance on the phone, seemingly wanting to preserve the moment. Vijay's reaction has garnered the attention of social media users, adding to the buzz surrounding the duo’s rumoured relationship.
Before venturing into acting, Aaliyah had already established herself in the music industry. She made her acting debut with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan, in which she essayed one of SSP Azad’s gang members.
View this post on Instagram
She later starred in Nadaaniyan, featuring Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan, where she played one of her friends. Aaliyah has continued to expand her acting portfolio with projects such as Bandish Bandits and Eternally Confused and Eager for Love.
View this post on Instagram
]]>
As per IANS, the agencies in a collaborative operation after apprehending the accused also recovered three pistols, five magazines and 11 cartridges from his possession.
Officials from Punjab Police said a preliminary investigation revealed that Jobanpreet allegedly played a role in the movement of weapons, financing, and providing logistical support to the shooters at the behest of foreign-based handlers.
Punjab's Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav also said, “The accused has also confessed to his alleged involvement in three firing incidents linked to extortion in Tarn Taran district,” as cited by IANS.
Furthermore, the arrest is being seen as a significant development in the investigation into the murder of influencer Madhusudan Sandhu, popularly known as Mad Sandhu, who was shot dead in Amritsar on October 3.
The investigation agencies are now probing the wider network allegedly operating behind the crime, including the supply and movement of illegal weapons, the financing of criminal activities, and the role of handlers based abroad.
The recovery of firearms and ammunition is expected to assist investigators in establishing further links between the accused and other individuals suspected of involvement in the case.
DGP Yadav said that further investigation is underway to uncover the broader network and establish its backward and forward linkages, as per IANS.
The arrest is expected to provide investigators with further leads into the alleged conspiracy surrounding Mad Sandhu’s murder and other extortion-related firing incidents in the region.
Earlier, Commissionerate Police Amritsar arrested two accused—Harsimran Singh and Fateh Singh—from Gujarat. Punjab Police while reiterating about the incident said, "Both accused are residents of Sanghe village in Tarn Taran and allegedly played a role in conducting a recce in connection with the murder," as per IANS.
Following the murder, Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Gujarat Police, had arrested six accused.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Taking to Instagram, Shields said she had “so much fun” playing the character alongside the show’s cast as she marked the 12th anniversary of the series’ premiere.
View this post on Instagram
“Can’t believe it’s been 12 years today since #JaneTheVirgin premiered!! I had so much fun playing River Fields with this cast,” she wrote as the caption.
Jane the Virgin is an American romantic comedy-drama and satirical telenovela developed by Jennie Snyder Urman. The series concluded in 2019. It is a loose adaptation of the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la virgen created by Perla Farías.
It stars Gina Rodriguez as Jane Gloriana Villanueva, a devout 23-year-old Latina virgin who becomes pregnant after an accidental artificial insemination by her gynecologist. It parodies common tropes and devices in Latin American telenovelas.
Beginning with the fourth episode of season three, the series's on-screen title card was modified, with "The Virgin" crossed out in favor of a comedic substitution corresponding to each episode. This mirrored the storyline, in which Jane is no longer a virgin.
As for Shields, she started modeling at 11 months old and gained notoriety for her leading role in Louis Malle's Pretty Baby, in which she appeared in nude scenes shot when she was 12.
She continued modeling into her late teens and starred in several dramas in the 1980s, including The Blue Lagoon and Franco Zeffirelli's Endless Love.
In the 1990s, Shields returned to acting and appeared in minor roles in films. She also starred in the NBC sitcoms Suddenly Susan and Lipstick Jungle.
In 2017, Shields returned with a major recurring role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the show's 19th season. Shields voiced Beverly Goodman in the animated series Mr. Pickles and its spin-off Momma Named Me Sheriff.
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]]>View this post on Instagram
She went on to say, "Thank you to Shyam Tekwani uncle for taking these precious pictures. Grateful to be born to my parents. actor_sarika ikamalhaasan So proud of my legacy. Made me! Strength is a feeling and not just genes."
On the work front, Akshara Haasan was last seen in the film ‘Simulacra’. The actress had said that her role in the film had demanded a different level of maturity from her. She had also said that the role had allowed her to explore a different side of her as an actor.
For the unaware, Akshara Haasan had played a character called Nivi in the film. Talking about her role, Akshara Haasan had said, "Nivi is a very different character that I’ve played. This time I feel it required a different maturity level as a person and therefore a character. With how layered the story is, I discovered a side of me as an actor and got to explore emotions and complexities of emotions colliding. It challenged me as an actor. I truly enjoyed performing the character Nivi”.
The film was set in an imminent near-future where human lives are governed by neural brain chips. Simulacra explored a world where tech giants allowed people to tailor, rewrite, or completely erase their personal memories. The plot followed two pedestrians, Nayan (played by Satyajeet Dubey) and Nivi (played by Akshara Haasan), who cross paths in a society increasingly reliant on trans-humanism.
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]]>PM Modi took to saying, "Happy to learn that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s surgery last night was successful. Wishing him a full and speedy recovery as well as continued good health."
On Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV went through thoracic surgery at Gemelli, as per a statement released by the Holy See Press Office. The surgeons discarded the lower lobe of the Pope’s right lung. “To ensure a radical resection, the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique,” the statement said.
Tissue examined during the operation confirmed the diagnosis suspected from tests conducted previously.
“An intraoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, as suspected from the preoperative examinations,” the doctors stated.
Professor Margaritora was in charge of the surgical team, assisted by Professor Elisa Meacci, Dr. Maria Teresa Congedo, and Dr. Leonardo Petracca Ciavarella. In the days to come, post-operation exams will be conducted on the removed tissue.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio were part of those who conveyed their prayers and wishes for the pontiff's recovery through posts on X.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defined Pope Leo XIV as a source of inspiration for Catholics around the world, highlighting his message of peace and humanity.
"Pope Leo XIV is a source of inspiration to Catholics right around the world – and here in Australia. He is a voice for peace, humanity and reason in our modern world. My thoughts and prayers are with him as he recovers from his recent surgery. We hope and pray for a quick recovery," Albanese said in his post.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also conveyed his wishes for the Pope's recovery, reinforcing the significance of his message of unity and compassion.
"On behalf of Canadians, I wish Pope Leo XIV a full and swift recovery following his successful surgery. His Holiness is a source of hope and inspiration for billions around the world. His message of unity and compassion reminds us of the strength we can offer one another in moments of uncertainty. As he recovers, may he draw strength from the prayers of those whose lives he has touched, just as so many draw strength from him," Carney said.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also joined the global outflow of prayers for the pontiff, wishing him a speedy recovery following his recent diagnosis.
"Wishing His Holiness Pope Leo XIV a speedy recovery following his recent diagnosis. My prayers & thoughts are with @Pontifex & the Catholic community worldwide," Guterres said in his post.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The Group will look at investments in AI "a little more gradually" than what it had envisaged a year ago, he said, while adding that there is a shift from an "AI arms race" for compute and talent to returns on the investment in AI.
"A year ago, we probably thought that AI was a monster sitting there on the last row, and it would eat me up by the time it got here if I didn't know everything about AI," he said at Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
"I think that we're going to take it a little more gradually than we thought a year ago, because it is a large investment. And I don't think we need to act out of a sense of FOMO," Birla said.
With the apprehension waning, he said companies are assessing on what AI could deliver and the returns they could earn after investing in it.
He pointed out that AI-based applications would vary across businesses, with the technology helping improve customer interactions in some areas, manufacturing efficiency in others, and net interest margins in financial services.
"Also for a company like us, which is multi-business, there is no one cap fits all," he said. He added the Group was assessing the impact of AI on the productivity of the entire organisation.
He pointed out that there was excitement around blockchain earlier, and the Aditya Birla Group had adopted the technology in its fibre business to improve traceability in the textile supply chain. He further said consumers and garment manufacturers can scan a label to trace the forests from which cotton or viscose was sourced, he said.
As companies continue to invest in existing operations while responding to new business opportunities and demands, Birla said capital allocation had become increasingly difficult. He further said the geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties have an impact on the business.
"You can't stop growing...You either grow, or you go down. You can't stay in a state of equilibrium," he said.
"When I read about a significant global event in the newspapers, I can be sure that it will impact us somewhere," he added.
He further said organisations needed to keep employees motivated, encourage collaboration and facilitate learning across businesses to navigate through an increasingly complex business environment.
Aditya Birla Group has presence in 41 countries across six continents and operates in more than 20 sectors. It employs over 2.27 lakh people and has more than 600 manufacturing units.
For FY26, it had reported a revenue of around USD 72 billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of USD 8.5 billion.
On manufacturing, Birla said the group's focus was on strengthening the underlying competitiveness of its businesses through scale, cost efficiency, stable operations and continuous training, according to PTI.
He said the group's manufacturing businesses aim to be among the 10 per cent lowest-cost producers in the world.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>While it was earlier set to take place on November 21 and 22, the pop-culture festival will now take place on February 27 and 28 next year, at the same venue, Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar.
The press release to the media states, "The decision to reschedule the event has been taken to ensure that the maiden edition in Jalandhar delivers the scale, quality and energy that fans have come to expect from Comic Con India."
It adds that the additional time will allow the team to bring together a more immersive celebration of comics, anime, gaming, cosplay and pop culture, while giving fans the experience they truly deserve.
Online ticket sales for Jalandhar Comic Con have been put on hold. For fans who have already purchased tickets, the team is currently working on the best way to facilitate their transition to the rescheduled dates or process refunds. Further details on ticket validity and the next steps will be communicated directly to existing ticket holders.
Tickets for the rescheduled edition are expected to go live 90 days ahead of the event. All updates will be shared through the official Comic Con India website and social media channels.
While the Punjab debut has moved, the expansion was part of the aim to cater to the city known for its vibrant education ecosystem, large student community and youth culture vibrant education ecosystem, large student community and youth culture, but everything will have to wait for now.
Earlier this month, NODWIN Gaming expanded to Vizag making its debut in the city on October 10 and 11 at Kalam Convention Centre. This was after hosting the event in Delhi and Bengaluru in December 2025, followed by its debut in Gurugram, and Pune in March, and returning to Mumbai in May.
Known to be a permanent fixture for years, India's cosplaying community and fans of comic and manga have looked forward to the experiences that not only include gaming zones, cosplay showcases but aalso creator interactions, live music and performances, stand-up comedy, exclusive merchandise and immersive brand experiences.
]]>In an editorial published in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction alleged that the restrictions were aimed at moving protests away from the seat of power and limiting their impact on Parliament and public discourse.
The editorial claimed that under the new police orders, demonstrations had been shifted to locations farther from central Delhi, including Ramlila Maidan, around 4 km away; the CBD Ground in Shahdara, about 12 km away; and Burari Ground, approximately 20 to 21 km away.
The editorial argued that relocating demonstrations to distant venues would make it harder for protesters to draw attention to their demands. It described the decision as a deliberate attempt to prevent public agitation from affecting political discourse in the national capital.
The party also raised concerns about the costs associated with organising demonstrations at alternative venues. According to the editorial, using Ramlila Maidan can cost more than Rs 1.5 lakh per day, while organisers may need to book the venue months in advance. It also claimed that the venue is frequently occupied by religious programmes and events organised by the ruling party.
Contrasting these arrangements with Jantar Mantar, which it described as an accessible venue where demonstrations could be held without fees, the editorial characterised the new financial barriers as an exorbitant "Jizya tax" on those seeking to express opposition.
The Thackeray faction drew parallels with India’s freedom struggle, arguing that historic movements had taken place around areas such as Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj and the vicinity of Parliament.
It maintained that peaceful assembly is a constitutionally protected right and alleged that moving protests outside central areas reflected an administrative reluctance to allow dissent near the seat of power.
The editorial also referred to recent political tensions surrounding demonstrations by groups such as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which have demanded accountability over electoral integrity. It claimed that these protests were followed by heavy security deployments and preventive detentions in the national capital.
The editorial said opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had condemned the restrictions. It also referred to legal challenges against the removal of Jantar Mantar’s designated protest venue status, which have moved to the Delhi High Court.
The decision has become another point of contention between opposition parties and the Centre over the space available for public demonstrations. The editorial argued that restrictions on protest venues could weaken the ability of citizens and political groups to raise concerns publicly.
Issuing a warning to the Centre, the editorial said, "Jantar Mantar has become a living memorial of agitations. The BJP rule converted a symbol of democracy into a memorial. This memorial of Jantar Mantar will become the tomb of dictatorial tendencies. Naturally, Jantar Mantar will not stay quiet; the present rulers themselves will have to run away."
The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction further claimed that when a government begins to "fear its own public, the countdown to its end has officially begun".
]]>Speaking at a campaign rally in Alaska as he continues his campaign for midterms, Trump adopted a combative tone towards Iran, suggesting that the United States had reached a point of frustration with the country.
"Wait till you see what we do to Iran. We're going to we're going to do a number. Wait till you see," Trump said.
"They're just waiting. They're waiting. Wait, you see what we do to Iran? Because we sort of had it. You know, we've had it. But, you know, it doesn't matter. The big thing is they were not going to have a nuclear weapon and they won't. That's buried under thousands of tons of rock," he added.
Trump's remarks come after reports suggested that the Pentagon has been directed to prepare for the possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran.
According to an Axios report last week, citing US officials, the Pentagon instructed the US Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran. The directive reportedly did not specify a date for any potential strikes.
The report also said that US and Israeli officials believed renewed military operations could take place before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3, and potentially ahead of Israeli elections expected a week earlier.
However, Trump subsequently dismissed reports of possible fresh strikes against Iran, saying that the two sides were engaged in "productive discussions" and explicitly ruling out an attack before the US midterm elections.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would maintain its blockade on Iranian maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz while negotiations continued. He also claimed that oil was flowing through the strategic waterway in record volumes, without any Iranian oil being involved.
“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!), we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” the post read.
The latest remarks at the Alaska rally have renewed attention on Trump's position towards Tehran, particularly as reports of military preparations emerge alongside his statements about ongoing diplomatic engagement.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Rahul Gandhi said that waving the national flag during a demonstration was not a crime. The LoP further described the jailing of young people for doing so as an act of cowardice.
Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice. Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights. Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 14, 2026
While posting on social media handle X, Gandhi said, “Waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar in a peaceful protest is not a crime. Jailing youth for it is an act of cowardice. Students. Youth. Journalists. The INDIA bloc. Different banners, one cause. All protests are one: citizens demanding their constitutional rights.”
Asserting that Jantar Mantar belonged to the people of the country, Gandhi further added, “Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India. We will reclaim it.”
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks came after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody following their detention during a protest near Jantar Mantar, party member Ajinkya Shinde said on Wednesday, asserting that the activists would not be intimidated by the action.
Following the arrest of Ranka and Das, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, while confirming the arrest, said, "Ashu and Saurav have been sent to 5 days of judicial custody. Their fault? Unfurling tricolour at Jantar Mantar. Show some guts, narendramodi. If you’re so determined to crush dissent, have the courage to officially declare an Emergency instead of hiding behind these cowardly tactics."
Meanwhile, Abhijeet Dipke said the group's agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar shared the same cause as the INDIA bloc's protests, while clarifying that CJP would continue to function as an independent pressure group.
Asked whether CJP would join the INDIA bloc's agitation, Dipke said the two movements were united in their opposition to what he alleged were electoral irregularities involving Gyanesh Kumar but ruled out the possibility of CJP merging with or becoming part of a political party.
"Cockroach Janata Party' is an independent pressure group, and it will always remain an independent pressure group. However, that does not mean we are opposed to the INDIA bloc; the INDIA bloc's movement and our movement share the same cause," he added.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>
The agitation, underway at the Kognoli toll plaza in Karnataka near the Maharashtra border, began on Tuesday morning. Farmers are protesting over sugarcane prices, ethanol rates and other demands, affecting traffic travelling from Kolhapur and other parts of Maharashtra towards Belagavi and Bengaluru.
Inspector General of Police, Kolhapur Range, Ranjan Kumar Sharma, advised commuters to use alternative routes and avoid travelling on National Highway 48 (NH-48) unless necessary.
The situation remained unchanged on Wednesday morning, according to the office of Pune Range Superintendent of Police (Highway) Dr Shivaji Pawar. Police said congestion could persist and traffic movement might take time to return to normal.
The police have written to Google Maps authorities, requesting the platform to mark the affected stretch of NH-48 as closed while the agitation continues.
Sharma said the platform had also been asked to display alerts about traffic congestion and delays, avoid directing vehicles through the affected section and suggest alternative routes to commuters.
The request was made keeping in mind the safety of long-distance passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles travelling along the highway, the officer said.
Police will inform Google Maps when traffic movement returns to normal so that the closure-related advisories can be withdrawn, Sharma added.
Authorities have identified two alternative routes for motorists travelling towards Belagavi and other parts of Karnataka.
The first route passes through Satara, Rahimatpur, Vita, Tasgaon, Miraj, Gokak and Belagavi. The second route runs through Satara, Karad, Islampur, Ashta, Miraj, Kagwad, Gokak and Belagavi.
Police have urged commuters whose journeys are not essential to avoid NH-48 until the situation improves. Those who must travel have been advised to use the designated diversions to minimise delays and avoid the protest-affected area.
Sharma said necessary arrangements had been made along the alternative routes with the assistance of traffic police and local police personnel.
The deployment is intended to help manage the increased movement of vehicles diverted from the affected highway stretch and ensure smoother traffic flow along the alternate roads.
The disruption has affected vehicles travelling between Maharashtra and Karnataka, particularly those moving from the Kolhapur region towards Belagavi and Bengaluru.
Police said commuters would be informed once the situation improves. Until then, motorists have been advised to check traffic updates, follow police instructions and use the alternative routes if their travel is unavoidable.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>"If he can do it, that would be an unbelievable effort. Sachin is probably my hero and idol growing up, and if someone does that, it would be unbelievable," he said on the sidelines of the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026.
Currently, Root has smashed 14,278 runs in 169 Test appearances for the "Three Lions". Tendulkar drew curtains on his Test career with 15,921 runs in 200 matches for Team India.
The former English cricketer further heaped praise on Root by saying that he is one of the best players and it is great to see a batsman with his longevity.
"Joe Root is one of the best players in my opinion, one of the best to play and still going. The thing that stands out about Root is the hunger to score runs. He's obviously so close to Sachin Tendulkar (in Test runs). I'm sure that's on his mind. It's great to see a batsman with this longevity," said Patel.
Root has been one of the most consistent run-scorers for the "Three Lions" in recent times.
Patel is part of England Champions in the ongoing WCL 2026. The side has registered two wins in four matches and is currently second on the points table.
England Champions will face Australia Champions in their final league-stage match on Wednesday, with a victory guaranteeing their place in the semi-finals.
Patel represented England in six Tests, 36 One-Day Internationals and 18 T20 Internationals between 2008 and 2015. A long-serving Nottinghamshire player, he made 629 appearances for the county over 22 years, contributing across formats with both bat and ball.
He was part of Nottinghamshire's County Championship-winning teams in 2005 and 2010 and played a key role in their successful white-ball campaigns, including the double triumph in 2017. Across formats, he finished his Nottinghamshire career with more than 25,000 runs and over 800 wickets.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>The inbox is now open to take your most carnal and amorous queries. Send your questions on email to lovedoc@mid-day.com
]]>The Shiv Sena leader said on Tuesday that the situation could have been different if the expected funds had been released. According to Patil, around 700 tankers are currently supplying water in four districts — Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna and Nashik.
“We haven't got the money since September 2024 as expected. The state government gave funds from its own kitty...The picture would have been different had we got the money. Contractors, villagers, farmers and MLAs blame us (for the situation),” Patil said.
The minister, who represents the Jalgaon Rural assembly constituency in North Maharashtra, said funding delays had affected projects that were nearing completion. He added that the state government had used its own resources to meet some of the department’s requirements.
“There are many projects where 80-90 per cent of the work has been completed. If we get money, we can complete some work by December, and the number of tankers can be brought down,” he added.
Patil said several projects were close to completion and that additional funding could help reduce dependence on water tankers in affected areas. He expressed hope that Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil, who hails from Maharashtra, would look into the matter.
The minister also said a region-wise and assembly constituency-wise review was underway to assess requirements and prepare for the coming months. The review is intended to help the department plan its response to water shortages and identify areas requiring attention.
Last month, the Maharashtra government declared drought conditions in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas, covering around 74 per cent of the state, following a rainfall deficit. The government announced relief measures, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions and subsidies on electricity bills.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of drought-affected talukas, at 74. Amravati follows with 56, while Nashik has 49, Nagpur 39, Pune 35 and Thane 12.
The drought declaration also covers one taluka in Raigad, three in Ratnagiri and eight in Sindhudurg. The scale of the affected area has increased pressure on authorities to maintain drinking water supplies and provide relief to farmers and rural communities.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the Centre would notify a list of cancer drugs to which the trade margin cap would apply.
The Centre’s second highest law officer submitted that the list could be periodically updated to include additional anti-cancer medicines, depending on market developments and public health considerations, while excluding inexpensive drugs.
The development came after the apex court repeatedly questioned the substantial disparity between the price at which medicines are supplied to retailers and the MRP printed on them, raising concerns over the financial burden on patients and the need for an effective regulatory framework.
However, the Justice Vikram Nath-led Bench questioned whether the proposed measure would address the wider problem of excessive trade margins on medicines and medical devices beyond the anti-cancer segment.
During the hearing, the top court cited the example of an Indian-made cardiac stent supplied to retailers at around Rs 5,000 but carrying an MRP of Rs 25,000, and questioned the justification for such a disparity.
SG Mehta responded that stents were already subject to price caps.
The bench also referred to the pricing of another drug, citing an MRP of Rs 2,850 against a price to stockist (PTS) of Rs 78.29, and asked the Centre to explain how such pricing arrangements benefited patients.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted that pricing was only one aspect of the government's policy and that a balance had to be maintained between affordability, availability and market considerations.
"We don't want to control the entire ecosystem of drugs," the Centre's law officer said, arguing that excessive government intervention could adversely affect the market and the availability of medicines.
However, the Supreme Court questioned why the government could not regulate the entire range of medicines and asked the Centre to explain how the existing pricing framework served patients' interests. It also referred to the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and questioned whether medicines subject to price controls reached consumers despite the prescribed trade margins.
The apex court has now posted the matter for further hearing on October 27.
The proceedings arise from public interest litigations (PILs) seeking regulation of medicine prices, initial price fixation of non-scheduled medicines, medical devices, generic medicines and prescription practices.
In earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had questioned why manufacturers were permitted to fix substantially higher MRPs for medicines than the prices at which they supplied them to retailers.
On September 22, the Justice Vikram Nath-led Bench had described the ten-fold difference between the retailer procurement price of an essential cancer medicine and its MRP as "broad daylight dacoity".
On September 29, the Supreme Court had questioned why a uniform trade margin cap could not be prescribed for pharmaceutical products and flagged concerns over the practice of corporate hospitals requiring patients to purchase medicines from their in-house pharmacies.
The latest proceedings come days after the Supreme Court, in separate proceedings, directed the Centre to constitute a committee to examine the need for statutory regulation of pharmaceutical companies' marketing practices, including the offering of gifts, hospitality and other benefits to doctors to promote their products. The proposed committee is to consider stakeholder suggestions and objections and recommend whether a statutory framework is required to regulate pharmaceutical marketing practices.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Asked whether CJP would join the INDIA bloc's agitation, Dipke said that the two movements were united in their opposition to what he alleged were electoral irregularities involving Gyanesh Kumar. However, the CJP leader ruled out the possibility of CJP merging with or becoming part of a political party.
Dipke asserted, "Look, it’s nothing like that; all the protests are fighting for the same cause. We all share a single cause: we are all fighting against the way Gyanesh Kumar is rigging the elections and aiding Narendra Modi in retaining power," as per ANI.
He also added, "Cockroach Janata Party' is an independent pressure group, and it will always remain an independent pressure group. However, that does not mean we are opposed to the INDIA bloc; the INDIA bloc's movement and our movement share the same cause."
Dipke's remarks come after CJP activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody at a protest near Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Criticising the action, Dipke accused the government of imposing what he believes and claims to be an "unofficial Emergency" and questioned why the activists had been sent to judicial custody for waving the national flag.
Dipke said, "I just want to tell Narendra Modi If you are determined to impose an Emergency in the country, if you want to enforce one, then do it officially. Why are you acting like cowards by imposing an unofficial Emergency, where you detain people for five days simply for hoisting the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar?”
The CJP leader slamming the BJP further said, “Even during the actual Emergency, things didn't go this far. Since when has hoisting the Tricolour become such a grave sin in this country that you send people to judicial custody for five days for doing so?”
“So, I want to tell Narendra Modi: stop being such a coward; show some courage. If you want to impose an Emergency, do it officially if you have the guts," Dipke said.
He also rejected allegations that the movement was under the influence of "Urban Naxalism," questioning the basis for such claims.
"Who is making these allegations? Why level allegations? If you are in power and want to investigate, then go ahead and investigate. What is the point of these accusations?" he said.
On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bhardwaj on Wednesday criticised the action against the CJP activists in a post on X, saying, "Saurabh Das & Ashutosh Ranka sent to 5-day judicial custody for waving Tiranga at Jantar Mantar. This is DICTATORSHIP."
CJP activist Ajinkya Shinde, who said he was also detained during the protest, said that the activists had waved the national flag and raised slogans of "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai."
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Sunetra Pawar’s panel won all 21 seats in the election, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. The contest was the first major electoral battle in the cooperative sector since the death of NCP president Ajit Pawar and was widely viewed as a test of Sunetra Pawar’s leadership.
The defeat was particularly significant for the NCP (SP), whose chief Sharad Pawar campaigned in drought-affected areas within the factory’s operational region. The panel backed by his party finished third in the contest.
The Someshwar Cooperative Sugar Factory is located in the Baramati region, a stronghold of the Pawar family. The factory had previously been controlled by a panel backed by Ajit Pawar.
Reacting to the results, Sunetra Pawar said, “This victory is the result of the work (Ajit) Dada has done over the years. The farmers here have honoured his efforts by extending their support.”
The result gives Sunetra Pawar’s group a decisive victory in a key cooperative institution in the region, where the Pawar family has maintained a strong political presence.
Three panels contested the election. The NCP-backed Shri Someshwar Vikas Purush Ajitdada Pawar panel faced the NCP (SP)-backed Someshwar Shetkari Vikas panel and the Loknete Ajitdada Someshwar Vikas panel led by Purushottam Jagtap, who received support from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Candidates from Sunetra Pawar’s panel secured more than 12,000 votes each, while those backed by Jagtap received an average of 5,500 to 6,000 votes. Candidates supported by the NCP (SP) polled around 2,500 votes on average.
The figures indicate a clear lead for Sunetra Pawar’s panel over both rival groups.
Of the sugar factory’s 27,625 members, 23,393 cast their votes, registering a turnout of 84.25 per cent.
The high participation rate made the election a significant contest for the groups seeking control of the cooperative institution. The results also highlighted the difference in support received by the three panels.
Jagtap, who served as the factory’s chairman for 13 years, broke ranks with the NCP and fielded a separate panel with BJP support.
Meanwhile, the NCP (SP) campaign was led by Yugendra Pawar, the son of Ajit Pawar’s younger brother and grandnephew of Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar also toured drought-affected areas in the factory’s operational region during the campaign.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>"My personal view is we should let the rupee find its own level, and over time, the true strength of the economy will play out," he said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
He highlighted the importance of market forces in determining the currency levels without creating expectations about a particular level that policymakers might seek to defend.
Kotak added that the situation should serve as an important signal for India to strengthen competitiveness, improve efficiency and self-reliance, and invest more in research and innovation.
The veteran bank said he understands what works in financial markets. He added that keeping investors uncertain about the level policymakers may be trying to justify can help prevent markets from anticipating official interventions.
"My view is a practitioner has the ability of speaking what is going to be effective in markets," Kotak said, adding that policymakers should avoid giving markets a specific level to speculate on.
Kotak's remarks come amid the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announcing measures to stem the rupee's fall, amid persistent foreign fund outflows.
The apex bank on Saturday announced several measures aimed at reducing immediate dollar demand and curbing excessive positions in the foreign exchange market.
The RBI created a special window for oil marketing companies, which will take the dollar demand away from the spot market and tightened rules governing forex derivatives trades to curb speculative bets against the rupee.
In addition, it asked banks to create a 20 per cent reserve for dollar purchases of over USD 2 million.
Following the measures, the rupee appreciated 93 paise, logging its steepest single-day gain in more than six months on Monday, to close at 95.78 against the US dollar, according to PTI. On Tuesday, it appreciated 82 paise to 94.96 against US dollar in early trade.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the RBI will continue its efforts to prevent excessive volatility in the rupee, which has depreciated "very significantly" over the past year and a half.
I am sure there are efforts which the RBI would take further to make sure that rupee doesn't become too volatile," Sitharaman said
She had asserted that the financial regulator was trying to prevent the excessive volatility and not "fix" the rupee.
"So, these efforts from the RBI... will continue not to, as I said, fix the rupee. We would appreciate it if the rupee finds its own (level)," she had said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Now, they've had enough.
Lawyers have filed a class action case claiming "negligence, omission and failure" on the part of the government that has resulted in "a massive public health crisis" in the province on Borneo island.
Their target: President Prabowo Subianto and 26 officials from the national, provincial and local government, as well as police and emergency services.
"We're not asking for anything excessive. We're only demanding our basic rights as citizens: clean air and a healthy environment," Sisilius Rami told AFP at his home in the haze-blanketed city of Pontianak.
"We... want to breathe fresh air, see clear skies and enjoy the sun," said the 29-year-old, one of four plaintiffs in the case.
Sisilius said the haze affects every aspect of daily life, disrupting schooling and outdoor activities including some farming. Anyone venturing outside must wear a mask or risk inhaling toxins.
"Children have the right to an education. The community has the right to live healthily. The government should be present to guarantee those rights, not leave people to face the consequences on their own," he said.
The other plaintiffs are NGOs representing youth, environmental and Indigenous causes in a province with nearly six million inhabitants.
They "are all residents of the province of West Kalimantan affected by the 2026 haze disaster, whose number is so large it would not be practical to file claims individually", the filing said.
For weeks, communities in West Kalimantan have been fighting fires that have razed vast expanses of land and befouled the air as far away as Malaysia and Singapore.
The government has deployed firefighters assisted by volunteers across affected areas, and used cloud-seeding and water-bombing, with limited success.
For the AMAN Indigenous people's NGO, also a plaintiff, too much of the burden has fallen on individuals armed with little more than garden hoses and surgical masks.
"If the government had truly been serious about extinguishing the fires, there would be no haze anymore," said AMAN representative Tono, who like many Indonesians has only one name.
The government should have drilled borewells, distributed sufficient firefighting equipment and deployed more water-bombing planes to communities, Tono said.
"The government has far more adequate resources and facilities than the community. Yet on the ground, it is the community that is fighting with limited means."
The group's lawyer, Glorio Sanen, said the Indonesian state did not prepare adequately despite having had months of warning of a particularly intense dry season due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.
"Who has the authority to lead and coordinate across ministries and levels of government? The president. That is why we have named the president as a party to the case," he said.
The plaintiffs want the government to declare a national emergency to release resources for fire containment and recovery.
They are also suing for free health services for people laid low by acute respiratory infections, and compensation for the families of those who died from it.
"We don't want communities to continue to be victims year after year, while the same problems recur without fundamental improvements," the lawyer said.
"This lawsuit is our way of asking the state to fulfil its obligations."
The plaintiffs also want a thorough investigation into the causes, and point the finger at large corporations burning land to cultivate timber, rice and palm oil, or for mining.
"This haze disaster has caused extraordinarily heavy losses. In education, in health, in the economy. As a consequence of this disaster, we must uncover who bears responsibility," Glorio said.
"We must not allow environmental criminals, arsonists who burn forest and land areas, to remain at large and unpunished while the number of victims keeps growing and their suffering worsens."
The government told AFP it "respects" the legal action, and that "many of the concerns raised by residents are already being addressed through ongoing efforts".
These include "ground and aerial firefighting, healthcare services for affected communities, and investigations into 95 corporations" whose activities may have contributed to the fires, the Government Communications Agency told AFP.
It highlighted a standing prohibition on land-clearing by burning, and said the government shared the plaintiffs' goal of "clean air and an end to recurring forest and land fires".
Sisilius is not convinced, pointing to previous major fires.
"This has already happened in 2015, it happened again in 2019, and it has happened again in 2026, in a very severe way," he said.
"We hope the state truly shows up."
The next court hearing is scheduled for October 21.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Rubio will first visit Samarkand in Uzbekistan, followed by traveling to Mumbai and Jamnagar in India from October 17-22, it said.
This will be Rubio's second visit to India since May, when he attended the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting hosted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi.
"He will meet with senior government officials to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership, exchange views on regional and global dynamics, and discuss prospects for enhanced energy cooperation," the State Department stated.
Rubio also will be meeting with business leaders to increase opportunities for commercial investment and economic cooperation, it said.
Rubio's visit to Jamnagar is significant as it is home to Reliance's refinery, the world's largest single-site facility with a estimated capacity to process 1.4 million barrels per day of crude oil.
In March, President Donald Trump announced that the US will build its first refinery in 50 years with investment from Reliance Industries.
The refinery will be located at Brownsville in Texas at a cost of USD 300 billion, Trump said.
In Samarkand, Rubio will participate in the C5+1 Ministerial to signify how strategic cooperation through this diplomatic platform promotes a more peaceful and prosperous future for the United States and the countries of Central Asia.
The Secretary will also engage in bilateral engagements with senior officials from all C5 countries, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic.
A US commercial delegation comprising over 200 business leaders will accompany Rubio, bringing in a new era of strengthened commercial cooperation for the United States and Central Asia.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his promise to distribute cheques worth $5000 to every adult citizen in the United States if Republicans secure control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, framing the potential payout as a direct outcome of Republican economic policies.
Trump said, “I’m going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America $5000.”
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The fire broke out at around 11.30 pm on October 13 at the building on the Nalasopara-Vasai Link Road. Firefighters, police personnel and administrative officials rushed to the spot. Around 25 to 30 people were evacuated from the building, according to officials.
The deceased were identified as Falguni Shah, 50, and Ashwini Parkar, 50. Preliminary findings suggest that the women may have died due to smoke inhalation. Their exact cause of death will be established after the post-mortem reports are received.
Rohan More, Chief Fire Officer of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, said local corporator Ashok Shelke informed him about the incident around midnight. By then, two fire engines from the Achole area had already reached the building.
According to More, the fire was initially reported on the fourth floor, but its severity became apparent after firefighters arrived. Several residents were trapped on the upper floors, making their evacuation the immediate priority.
The blaze was particularly intense on the 13th and 14th floors. Firefighters also found traces of fire or embers on the third and ninth floors, while flames engulfed the door leading to the refuge floor on the 12th floor.
Fire engines, water tankers, water-browsers and specialised water towers were deployed to contain the blaze. Private water tankers were also brought in to support the firefighting operation.
Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prithviraj B.P. said fire personnel, police officers and administrative officials began rescue operations soon after receiving information about the incident.
Around 15 to 20 people were initially rescued with the assistance of firefighters and turntable ladder (TTL) machines, while other residents managed to descend safely. Eight people were rescued from outside the building using a specialised TTL machine, More said.
Firefighters faced challenging conditions due to the intense heat in the stairwell. Officials said the teams assessed the situation and worked to secure residents trapped inside before evacuating them in a planned manner.
The municipal commissioner said nearby banquet halls and hotels had been made available to provide temporary accommodation to families affected by the fire.
Dr Kavita Jagada, in charge of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s Tulinj Hospital, told IANS that both women had sustained minor burn injuries. Preliminary findings suggested that they had likely died after inhaling smoke.
After the completion of the inquest proceedings, their bodies were sent to the mortuary in Vasai West. The final cause of death will be determined after the post-mortem reports are received.
The municipal corporation will conduct a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether any safety lapses contributed to the incident.
The inquiry will examine the building’s construction permissions, fire safety approvals, the condition of firefighting systems and the possibility of a short circuit in the electrical panel. Officials said appropriate action would be taken if negligence or safety deficiencies were found.
Mayor Ajeev Patil, Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., MLA Sneha Dubey Pandit, Additional Commissioner Sanjay Herwade, City Engineer Pradeep Pachange, ACP Sunil Jaibhaye and other police and civic officials visited the site to oversee the rescue efforts and assess the situation.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Aneet's Saiyaar co-star Alam Khan gave fans a glimpse of her birthday celebrations on Tuesday by sharing pictures from the bash on social media. Although he later deleted the posts, fans were quick to save and circulate the images online. The party featured a dreamy, pink-themed fairytale setting with Ahaan arriving alongside his mother, Deanne Panday. Actor Alia Bhatt was also among the special guests.
Aneet Padda's birthday party - Alia Bhatt in attendance
by u/Honest_Arachnid_5616 in BollyBlindsNGossip
One of the pictures showed Aneet and Deanne posing for a fun selfie. Pink and green balloons adorned the venue, while two fairytale-themed cakes stood out at the celebration. One was shaped like a castle, and the other was a pink, two-tier cake. For the party, Aneet wore a short yellow bodycon dress, while Ahaan sported a shimmery black shirt with black jeans.
A day before the celebrations, Ahaan posted a series of candid pictures of Aneet on social media, including some unseen moments from their holiday together. He shared the pictures with a heartwarming birthday message. "You’re a gift to the cosmos, Aneet, and everything you touch turns to stardust. I hope the universe is always as gentle with you as you are with it, and don’t you ever forget how much light you leave behind; happy happy happy birthday," he wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Since Aneet and Ahaan's debut film Saiyaara was released in 2025, the two have remained close and have been spotted together on several occasions. Aneet has also been spotted at family gatherings hosted by Pandays. She was among the guests at the baby shower of Ahaan's sister, Alanna Panday, in Mumbai, where she joined Ahaan's cousin, actor Ananya Panday, in a game.
On the work front, Aneet will next star in Shakti Shalini, part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. The actor will headline the film, which is also expected to feature the late Nana Patekar and Vishal Jethwa, among others. The film is slated to hit theatres on December 6.
]]>He also said that his team would take appropriate action to address the matter.
I have come across my name as a participant in the World T20 Continent Cup. My name has been used by the organisers without my knowledge or permission, and my team will be taking the appropriate legal steps to address this. I request the media and my fans to not report or rely on any unauthorised announcements. Thank you for your continued love and support. 🙏
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) October 13, 2026
Dhawan concluded his career by playing 167 ODI matches for Team India and smashed 6793 runs. With a top score of 143 runs, he also has 39 half-centuries and 17 tons to his name in the format. The left-handed batsman has made 34 Test appearances and amassed 2315 runs. His top score in the traditional format is 190 runs, along with five half-centuries and seven tons. He also donned the Indian T20I colours on 68 occasions and garnered 1759 runs. With a top score of 92 runs, the left-handed batsman has 11 half-centuries.
After retiting from the sport, the veteran is very vocal about his thoughts on social media.
He also expressed confidence in Team India's superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027, saying they will add value to the Indian squad and help them win the tournament.
Despite persistent questions over whether 37-year-old Virat Kohli and 39-year-old Rohit Sharma can feature in the 2027 World Cup because of their age, the duo have continued to silence critics with strong performances.
Recently, his wife Sophie Shine has delighted fans with her Navratri style.
Sharing a picture in a blue kurti and pajama combo with floral-patterned embroidery, to her nearly five-lakh followers, Ireland-born Sophie wrote: "Wishing everyone a beautiful and blessed Navratri".
Fans expressed their admiration for her outfit, with one social media user calling it “absolutely beautiful and gorgeous,” while another said: “You look so pretty, I love the outfit.”
Shikhar and Sophie tied the knot earlier this year in February.
(With Inputs from Agencies)
]]>During her recent appearance on Rolling Stone's Musicians On Musicians segment with Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker, Jennie said that working with animals would be her preferred career if she ever decided to step away from music. The singer further explained that she would enjoy a profession that allows her to spend more time with animals and helps her keep human interactions to a minimum.
Jennie shared, “I've said this but like working with animals for sure.” She added, “I would pick something where it involves not muh conversations with humans.”
Jennie also expressed her wish to build a bond with animals and look after them. “I could be great friends to animals and take care of them,” she said, sharing that it is a job she believes she would genuinely enjoy.
However, she went on to clarify that considering another career does not mean she wants to leave music behind. She added that people often wonder about the different possibilities in life. “It sounds like a job that I would enjoy not that I don't wanna be in music. Just sometimes you think about these things,” she concluded.
Interestingly, during an early conversation with Cosmopolitan, Jennie had shared that she has many of plans for the time she wishes to spend away from her demanding music schedule. The singer-rapper said she was looking forward to travelling across Europe, unwinding on sunny beaches while enjoying leisurely moments by the water with an Aperol Spritz. Apart from travelling, she also wants to explore things that allow her to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle.
Be it experimenting with fashion or hosting intimate dinner parties for her friends, Jennie, who recently joined The Weeknd on stage, seems to be keen on making room for experiences that often get neglected amid a busy career. She is also willing to learn how to make elegant cocktails and add another skill to her list of things to try during her planned break.
]]>Ukraine relies heavily on Western, particularly US, intelligence to detect incoming Russian attacks and help identify targets of its own.
Kyiv, which is home to some three million people, has come under increasing attack from Russian drones and missiles, with energy infrastructure a key target.
"A Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv. Once again, no early warning from our partners," Zelensky wrote on Facebook.
"The main target was energy infrastructure, specifically the CHP-4. Unfortunately, it was hit."
AFP journalists in the Ukrainian capital reported hearing several blasts.
Zelensky said Ukraine's systems picked up the missiles only as they were nearing the city.
"This is absolutely unjust: when they are destroying our infrastructure, and Ukraine is not even receiving early warnings about ballistic missile launches," he added.
At least two people were killed in the same attack, which also struck a residential building in the Desnianskyi district, said Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Around 20 others were wounded, he said.
Overnight from Monday to Tuesday, Kyiv residents heard explosions from Russian strikes before air raid sirens sounded, something that has occurred only rarely in the past.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials attributed the situation to the Russian military's use of hard-to-detect missiles or potential technical issues.
US President Trump sowed confusion on Sunday with a surprise "energy ceasefire" announcement on his Truth Social network, saying Russia and Ukraine had agreed to end their punishing long-range strikes on power plants and oil refineries.
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Zelensky for strikes on Russian oil refineries and on Saturday suggested it was "time for Ukraine to get a new president".
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]]>Forex traders said the USD/INR pair, which has gained nearly 2 per cent in the last three trading sessions, opened on a positive note on Wednesday, largely driven by regulatory measures implemented by the RBI to limit volatility and curb speculative trading.
A sustained move below the 95.00 threshold opens potential toward 94.50, but ongoing external macroeconomic pressures are likely to temper further gains, they said.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.05, then gained ground to touch 94.92, registering a gain of 44 paise over its previous close.
On Tuesday, the rupee strengthened for the third straight session and appreciated 42 paise to close at 95.36 against the US dollar.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the rupee has depreciated "significantly" over the past year and a half, and the RBI will continue its efforts to prevent excessive volatility in the domestic currency.
The Reserve Bank over the weekend announced a slew of measures to stem rupee fall.
The central bank announced the creation of a special window for oil marketing companies, which will take the dollar demand away from the spot market and tightened rules governing forex derivatives trades to curb speculative bets against the rupee.
It also asked banks to maintain a 20 per cent reserve for dollar purchases of over USD 2 million.
The minister said most of the rupee's volatility is stemming from external challenges, while the government is ensuring that macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound within the country.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading lower by 0.06 per cent at 102.11.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.57 per cent at USD 106.29 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex dipped 32.96 points to 73,000.82 in early trade, while the Nifty fell 32.65 points to 22,688.75.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,305.13 crore on a net basis on Tuesday, according to exchange data.
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]]>Mumbai and its suburbs are expected to experience mainly clear skies, with the maximum temperature forecast to be around 37 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 25 degrees Celsius. The IMD has also warned of the possibility of heatwave conditions in the city and its suburbs.
According to the IMD’s 8.30 am weather report, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai recorded a temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 38.2 degrees Celsius.
The readings indicate warmer conditions in the suburbs, where temperatures have climbed above the forecast maximum for the day. Residents may experience discomfort due to the combination of high temperatures and humidity, particularly during the afternoon.
The yellow alert advises people to remain cautious as hot conditions persist. Residents, especially older people, children and those working outdoors, should take precautions against heat exposure, including staying hydrated and limiting strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.
Alongside the rising temperatures, Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 101 on Wednesday morning, placing it in the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app. Air quality in this range may cause minor breathing discomfort among sensitive individuals.
Among the city’s monitoring stations, Deonar recorded the highest AQI at 165. Bandra-Kurla Complex registered 125, while Colaba recorded 129. Malad reported an AQI of 107, Byculla stood at 102 and Borivali recorded 93. Ghatkopar had the lowest reading among the listed Mumbai locations, at 65, followed by Kandivali at 79.
Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Thane recorded an AQI of 75, while Navi Mumbai stood at 86 and Kalyan at 82.
The readings show variations in air quality across the metropolitan region, with some locations recording moderate pollution levels while others remained in the satisfactory category.
]]>“I thought let’s just surprise everyone [with the haircut]. I expected it to go viral, but I didn’t think the whole world would be talking about my haircut for four or five days,” Haaland told WSJ Magazine in a recent interview.
Despite his dramatic makeover, Haaland’s goal-scoring form has remained unaffected this season. He has netted eight goals in eight games across all competitions, helping City lead the EPL title race amid the club’s ongoing financial regulations case.
City have appealed against the verdict of an independent commission, which found the club guilty of 114 breaches of financial regulations. The club’s future remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that it could face expulsion from the league if the decision stands.
]]>As reported by news agency AP, the carrier, Corendon Airlines, said that the Boeing 737-800 flying from Corfu, Greece, to Nuremberg, Germany, sent out an emergency code late in the morning over Croatia "due to a brief malfunction in the radio communication system".
In a statement sent to The Associated Press, the airline stated, "No emergency situation occurred," and the 178 passengers, flight crew, or aircraft were not at any point in any danger. The plane landed safely.
As a precaution before the reason for the incident was known, police cordoned off the Nuremberg airport, the German news agency DPA reported.
Police spokesman Michael Petzold later explained that authorities had "received a code directly from the cockpit that suggested a hijacking".
He further said, "Since we were then unable to reach the cockpit, and the tower was also unable to contact the cockpit, we had to assume the worst, that it might indeed be a hijacking," as per AP.
Six flights were delayed, and two inbound flights were diverted to other airports as a precaution, an airport spokesperson said, according to DPA.
Authorities across Europe have stepped up surveillance of the skies in recent weeks amid an increasing number of mostly mysterious drone incidents and concerns about Russian malfeasance as Moscow's war in Ukraine continues.
The German government last month blamed Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August using a drone laden with explosives and announced a shutdown of a Russian consulate, among other measures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Berlin's allegations.
Moscow has been widely accused by Western officials of running a campaign of sabotage and disruption with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilising European nations.
(With inputs from AP)
]]>View this post on Instagram
]]>
Sharing this picture, in a blue kurti and pajama combo with floral-patterned embroidery, to her nearly five-lakh followers, Ireland-born Sophie wrote: “Wishing everyone a beautiful and blessed Navratri.”
View this post on Instagram
Fans expressed their admiration for her outfit, with one social media user calling it “absolutely beautiful and gorgeous,” while another said: “You look so pretty, I love the outfit.”
Shikhar and Sophie tied the knot earlier this year in February.
]]>Defender Amandeep Lakra and midfielder Aditya Arjun Lalage also earned a chance to strengthen their place in the side. “Playing in Punjab will be special. This squad blends youth with experience, and we can’t wait to feed off the home crowd,” said coach Craig Fulton.
Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China and Bangladesh are the other teams that will feature in the tournament, with India playing against each one of them in a single round-robin format.
The top four finishers in the group stage will advance to the semi-finals.
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]]>The 30-share BSE Sensex shed 51.05 points or 0.07 per cent at 72,982.73 in the initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped 48.55 points or 0.21 per cent at 22,679.00 in the early deals.
Among the 30 Sensex constituents, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, HCL Tech, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Maruti Suzuki and UltraTech Cement were the major gainers.
Shares of TCS were trading 1.82 per cent higher. Bajaj Finance, Sun Pharma, Eternal, Larsen and Toubro, and Bajaj Finserv were the major laggards.
On Tuesday the Sensex soared 1,109.10 points, or 1.54 per cent, to settle at 73,033.78, while the Nifty surged 358.60 points, or 1.60 per cent, to end at 22,721.95. The rally in IT stocks helped the indices along with the recovery in rupee and easing crude oil prices.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.57 per cent at USD 106.29 per barrel, according to news agency PTI.
"Elevated crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions continue to fuel inflation concerns, with investors also tracking US inflation data and domestic corporate earnings for fresh direction," Hitesh Tailor, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Broking said.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers and offloaded equities worth Rs 1,305.13 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers and purchased equities worth Rs 2,439.24 on Tuesday, according to exchange data.
"The RBI measures to restrict speculation in the currency market led to 1.5 per cent appreciation in the rupee in the last two trading days. This has helped reduce the FII selling in the market significantly," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments said.
"But the US 10-year bond yield hovering around 5.2 per cent and Brent crude trading around USD 106 continue to be strong headwinds for the market. It would be difficult for the rally to sustain given these negatives," he added.
In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hang Seng index quoted higher.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Talking about her association with the film, Vidya said, “I don't know if I can call it a stint, but I do think, and I hope, it's the beginning of something here. And what better way to start than with a Rajinikanth film? I'm thrilled to be part of the Jailer world.”
Sharing what drew her to the project, the actor said that it was the nature of her character that convinced her to come on board. “It is a very interesting character, which is why I said yes. And now I'm doing a full-fledged Tamil film with R Balki.”
The actress essays the role of Kantha, an antagonist in the film, and her glimpse in the trailer garnered praise. When asked if she had previously been offered a chance to work with Rajinikanth, the actress revealed, “Yes, a few years ago, I was offered a film with him. Because of a clash of dates, I couldn't do it. But I'm glad that I got this other opportunity to work with him now.”
The film also features Mohanlal, Vijay Sethupathi and Mithun Chakraborty, and reports are rife that Hrithik Roshan, too, has a special appearance. Reacting to fans' excitement over the stellar cast, the actress gushed, “It’s lovely that people are so interested in coming up with theories. But it's an exciting star cast. So I can only imagine how people must be wondering who is doing what in the film.”
While the actress was excited to do something different, she also felt awkward blowing smoke in Rajinikanth’s face. She rued, “I was awkward blowing smoke into Rajinikanth's face. Because of the immense respect one feels for him, I was like, how will I do it? But I did. This is what being an actor calls for.”
]]>The African Grand Prix will have a 10-year contract and take place at a track in Bugesera.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame said at a launch event in Kigali that it was “a milestone for the entire continent.”
The last F1 race in the continent was held at South Africa in 1993.
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]]>Sindhu lost to Yvonne Li of Germany 21-13, 23-25, 19-21, while Sen went down to Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 18-21, 21-13, 15-21.
Meanwhile, Kidambi Srikanth advanced to the second round, needing 46 minutes to prevail over Arnaud Merkle of France 22-20, 21-19.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>[popcorn number="Zero" desc="No. of times Manchester City have lost to PSG at the Etihad Stadium" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="Nine" desc="PSG’s current unbeaten streak against English sides in the Champions League" class="Default"]
Coach Enzo Maresca believes his Manchester City side will need to produce a ‘perfect’ game to take down defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) when they face off in a Champions League clash here at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
The Sky Blues have made an impressive start to their campaign. They have won all eight of their recent matches, across all competitions, since the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, even as potential sanctions loom over them after an independent commission found them guilty of breaching 114 financial regulations.
Enzo Maresca
By contrast, Luis Enrique’s Parisians have drawn two and lost one of their six Ligue 1 games, while also losing the French Super Cup to Lens. However, Maresca isn’t reading too much into their inconsistent recent form.
“The message for tomorrow night is quite easy. We need the perfect game because they are the best team in Europe at the moment. They won the last two Champions Leagues, so that shows how good they are. But if we play at our best, we can beat them. We are for sure a good team, no doubt about that,” said Maresca, who also urged fans to raise the roof in order to pump up the players in what has been two challenging weeks since the independent commission’s verdict.
“Right from the start, our fans brought their passion and voice against Liverpool. Hopefully, they can do the same against PSG because we need that,” added the Italian coach.
Historically, City have had the wood over PSG, with the Sky Blues winning four of their eight clashes, while losing only twice. However, the French club did triumph 4-2 in their most recent encounter in the UCL group stage last season.
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]]>Stanislaus opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Caleb Fernandes tapped home to give them the lead. Stanislaus carried their 1-0 advantage into the half-time break.
After the restart, Stanislaus continued to push for a second goal but Don Bosco fought back and earned a penalty. Shayam Churmure converted from the spot to level the scores and force a tie-breaker.
In the tie-breaker, Myron Miranda, Vivaan Ekka and Ritvik Wagmare scored for Stanislaus. However, Don Bosco failed to convert through Kanav Dasari, Unman Chothe and Ujjwal Kotian, handing Stanislaus the title.
]]>The full marathon is the flagship event of the Vasai Virar Mayor’s Marathon. Besides that, the half marathon, the 10k run and 5k run, all timed events, will feature in the day’s proceedings, followed by the Dhamaal Dhaav, a community event held over 3kms. The event offers a prize pool of Rs 58 lakhs. Online registrations can be done through the event website www.vvmmm.in. Queries can be addressed through the helpline numbers 8879559049/8291262892.
]]>Poorna Prajna scored through Arnav Patil (7 pts), Naksh Jalawadiya (6), Yug Butani (3), Shravan Kudu (2), Pratyush Yadav (2), Aarav Khimore (2) and Ritvik Bhul (two).
]]>After SVIS posted 312 all out in 69 overs on Day One, the GEA boys responded with an impressive 376 for seven in 91 overs at the end of Day Two as the match ended in a draw.
Aarush Kohle led the way with a composed 86 for GEA. He struck five fours while laying the foundation for the Chembur school’s substantial total. Swaraj More and Viren Atole chipped in with 57 runs apiece, while Sparsh Gholap contributed 49. For SVIS, Lovish Bali (3-84) was the most successful bowler.
]]>Sammy said his side had repeatedly been forced to recover from expensive Powerplays while bowling.
“The Powerplay was the difference that prevented us from going 2-1 up, because we could have been 2-1 up as well,” Sammy said.
He pointed out that India had scored at nearly 14.5 runs per over in the Powerplay.
“For us, it is about controlling the Powerplay. So far, we have had to pull the game back every single time. That is an area we need to work on. To beat India in India, you really have to win both Powerplays, with bat and ball,” he said.
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]]>As per PTI, the protestors have been arrested and have been lodged in Tihar Jail on Wednesday for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar.
The police source while briefing about the incident said that bail bond formalities for their associate Ajinkya Shinde are being finalised.
The CJP members were produced before the Executive Magistrate again on Wednesday morning. All the three CJP leaders were detained on Tuesday after they allegedly breached barricades and entered the Jantar Mantar area without authorisation, raising slogans demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde while speaking to the media said, "Ashutosh, Saurav and I, along with CJP volunteers, went to Jantar Mantar carrying the Indian flag and raised slogans of 'Bharat Maa Ki Jai'. They sent Saurav and Ashutosh to jail for five days for carrying the Indian flag and raising these slogans."
"You may have heard how, during the freedom struggle under British rule, our revolutionary comrades were sent to jail for raising slogans of 'Bharat Maa Ki Jai' and waving the tricolour. The same kind of government is now ruling this country under Modi and Shah," Shinde added.
On being asked whether Abhijeet Dipke would also be part of the core committee meeting, Shinde says, "Abhijeet will be part of it."
#WATCH | Delhi: Advocate Abhisht Hela, representing CJP's Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde says, "They have been sent to 5-day judicial custody because of the presumption of the Police that they can commit a crime...Police lied in Court that they had given a call urging people to come there. They had not given any call. They have not violated the bond...The separate complaint over Connaught Place has been misused here, and they have been sent to 5-day judicial custody..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2026
VIDEO | Delhi: CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka sent to five-day judicial custody. Advocate Abhisht Hela says, "Where we will file for bail is a matter of our legal rights. We do not want to disclose all those details because there are other aspects as well. We will exercise our legal rights and follow the legal procedure. Whatever happens, you will be informed. Keep following CJP's social media accounts for all leads and updates. We were not given any information. No such information was provided to us." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2026
Representing the CJP leaders, Advocate Abhisht Hela said, "Where we will file for bail is a matter of our legal rights. We do not want to disclose all those details because there are other aspects as well. We will exercise our legal rights and follow the legal procedure. Whatever happens, you will be informed."
"Keep following CJP's social media accounts for all leads and updates. We were not given any information. No such information was provided to us," as per PTI.
Delhi Police had registered a case against the CJP activists on charges including trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders, breach of a peace bond and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties, as per PTI sources.
Das and Ranka had signed bonds to maintain peace for a year after being detained during a protest on Saturday, they said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>India are 2-1 ahead in the series. WI demonstrated their batting firepower by chasing down India’s 249 in the second T20I, with skipper Shai Hope smashing a 45-ball 102. “West Indies are a really good side, especially in T20 format. They play so much franchise cricket, so they know how to play this format. The power they have is unbelievable,” Tilak said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Naman Dhir (2nd from right) celebrates the dismissal of WI’s Kamil Pooran with teammates on Sunday. Pic/BCCI
“Everyone can hit the ball. It is not just the openers, No. 3 or 4. All their players can strike the ball, and even the 11th batter can come in and hit. Until all 10 wickets fall, the game is not over. We cannot relax. In the second game, we did not go for wickets. We were slightly defensive. But after that, Gautam [Gambhir] sir also mentioned that we can go for wickets and show that aggression,” he said.
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]]>Despite missing out on the upcoming India ‘A’ tour to New Zealand, Mulani remains optimistic about his chances of earning a place in the national set-up.
“Yes, the door has not opened yet, but I’m a patient guy. I’ll keep working hard,” Mulani said.
“I’m really proud to be playing for Mumbai, and I enjoy it because there is a different pressure altogether to keep performing, considering the bench strength we have. We’ve got a very strong bench, and you cannot afford to fall short when we are playing. So, I don’t take any games for granted. I try to perform in each and every game and give my best to the team. I’ll keep putting up performances and hopefully, one day, the door opens,” he told reporters after Mumbai’s win on Tuesday.
Mulani also acknowledged the support he receives from his teammates, saying it helps him stay motivated despite the disappointment of missing out on selection.
“I think everyone in the team supports me, and that helps a lot. There are times when you feel you should have got a chance on the New Zealand tour. It’s human nature to feel disappointed, but my job is to keep performing for Team Mumbai. I’m proud to represent Mumbai whenever I can, and I will continue doing that,” he said.
Mulani added that he regularly speaks to the Mumbai and India ‘A’ coaches about how he can improve his game and take the next step in his career.
]]>Uttarakhand had piled up 470 in their first innings, with Saurabh Rawat scoring 107, including eight fours and two sixes. Avneesh Sudha (90), Jagadeesha Suchith (62), and Mayank Mishra (51) also made significant contributions.
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]]>[popcorn number="Seven" desc="No. of points earned by Mumbai after beating Chandigarh on Tuesday, the maximum awarded to a team — six points for an outright win and one bonus point for an innings victory" class="Default"]
Mumbai outclassed Chandigarh by an innings and 155 runs on Day Three of their opening Elite Group ‘D’ Ranji Trophy match at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. The 42-time champions earned seven vital points with the win, bowling out the visitors for 196 just 11 minutes before tea.
Off-spinner Tanush Kotian (3-30), left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (3-69), and pacer Tushar Deshpande (2-37) played key roles in the second innings of the season’s opening game. On Monday, Deshpande claimed 5-17 to bowl out Chandigarh for 78 in the first innings in reply to Mumbai’s 429 all out. After being asked to follow on, the visitors began their innings on Day Three at 0-1 overnight. Opener Arjun Azad (62, 9x4, 1x6) and one-drop Arslan Khan (20) showed determination and temperament, sharing a 39-run stand before pacer Sylvester D’Souza (1-14) had Arslan caught by Sarfaraz Khan at second slip. Shivam Bhambri was the other significant run-getter (44) for the visitors.
Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad was pleased with the big win first up. “This win was very important for us because the team is new and [still] we’ve got such a convincing victory in our very first game. One positive is that our bowlers can take five wickets in the first spell. That speaks volumes about the bowling line-up we have. As a unit, we want to win the Ranji Trophy. That is our team goal, but our focus is also on how our players take one step forward,” said Lad.
The victors, though, will be without their opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ayush Mhatre when they take on Himachal Pradesh in their second match at Bilaspur from October 18. While Jaiswal will travel to New Zealand for India ‘A’ duty, Mumbai will also miss the services of young vice-captain Mhatre, 19, who suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday and is ruled out for at least a month.
Mhatre, who scored 48, injured his hamstring while attempting a second run. Scans later revealed a Grade 4 tear in his right hamstring. “He [Mhatre] looks very sad. He worked really hard in the off-season; he was doing rehab with me at the MCA-BKC [Academy]. He was working very hard; he used to travel from Virar to do his rehab. These things happen, but we’ll try and motivate him,” added Lad.
Ranji Brief scores
Mumbai 429 all out beat Chandigarh 78 all out & 196 all out (A Azad 62, S Bhambri 44; T Kotian 3-30, S Mulani 3-69, T Deshpande 2-37) by an innings and 155 runs
According to entertainment-tracking portal Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 8.50 crore on day 12 across 14,832 shows, witnessing a 41% increase over Monday's Rs 6.25 crore. The growth on the second Tuesday offers a positive sign for Drishyam 3: The Conclusion as it continues its theatrical run. After earning Rs 22.50 crore on Sunday, the film's collections fell by 72.2%, offering a positive sign for its theatrical run.
Drishyam 3 has retained its hold since the first week at the domestic box office, earning Rs 245.50 crore. In its second week, the net collection stands at Rs 323.50 crore. Overseas, the film collected Rs 2.50 Cr on Day 12, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 114.00 crore so far. This pushes the worldwide gross collection to Rs 501.80 crore.
Its Tuesday domestic growth is encouraging after Monday's dip, but further collections will be required for it to reach the Rs 350 crore mark in India net earnings.
Helmed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3: The Conclusion features Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shriya Saran and Prakash Raj. Released in theatres on October 2, 2026, the film brings the beloved crime thriller franchise to its last chapter. Drishyam: The Conclusion is backed by Star Studio18 and Panorama Studios, with Abhishek Pathak returning to direct the third instalment.
An excerpt from Mid-Day reads, "Drishyam The Conclusion delivers the twists, tension and performances expected from the franchise, culminating in a climax that largely makes the ride worthwhile. As Jaideep Ahlawat’s Rajveer says, “Is kahani pe sequel bana, blockbuster hogi,” a line that neatly sums up the film’s mood."
]]>The seven-year investment plan includes manufacturing expansion, research and development (R&D) infrastructure development, local supplier cultivation for parts localisation and future technology innovation.
Hyundai Motor Group's Executive Chair Euisun Chung met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss India's automotive industry future and long-term growth strategy, the company said in a statement.
"The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung at the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi on October 13, 2026, reflecting the Group's commitment to strengthening its presence in India and contributing to the automotive sector's growth," it said.
Hyundai Motor Group will establish a dedicated investment entity in India, which will systematically coordinate and execute investments across R&D infrastructure, future technologies and the broader automotive industry ecosystem. Besides, it will also help to identify local partners, support strategic partnerships and foster collaboration with local suppliers.
"India remains one of Hyundai Motor Group's most important and strategic markets globally. The past 30 years have been defined by our commitment to India. This investment reaffirms our commitment to India for the next 30 years and beyond. Through this investment, we will create more employment opportunities and work together with our partners and stakeholders to support India's continued industrial development," said Euisun Chung, Executive Chair, Hyundai Motor Group.
Hyundai Motor Group, which employs more than 24,000 people across India, said the proposed investment is expected to create employment opportunities across manufacturing, R&D, engineering, and supply chain sectors.
The automaker will invest in R&D Infrastructure and Technology, with plans to establish a complete R&D system in India through infrastructure expansion and local talent cultivation. It also aims to enhance technological competitiveness through the Group's R&D centre in India.
"With approximately USD 700 million investment planned in the R&D centre, including its vehicle testing track, the Group will accelerate next-generation automotive technology development and establish India as a core innovation hub," it said.
The Group will build a comprehensive automotive ecosystem in key areas, including manufacturing expansion, and plans to expand production capacity across Hyundai Motor India and Kia India to support significant volume growth. It added that localisation will be the key to meet India's market demands.
The manufacturing expansion will also position India as an export hub for the firm.
Besides, it will strengthen the local supply chain and support supplier development in India through strategic investments in regional partners, which will enhance parts localisation, and build a stable, resilient supply-chain ecosystem across the Indian automotive industry.
"The Group aims to lead India's future mobility ecosystem through strategic investments in emerging opportunities. This includes support for high-potential startups and expansion into new mobility services integrated with its core vehicle business," it said.
Moreover, it will also explore opportunities in new business verticals, including specialised automotive financing, EV charging infrastructure, and end-of-life vehicle recycling, according to PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Sanders linked Musk’s political spending to the billionaire’s growing wealth following Donald Trump’s election victory last year.
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]]>Trump said, “I’m going to give all adult citizens in the United States of America $5000.”
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]]>The Israeli military said the munition was believed to belong to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. An initial examination of the scene indicated it had been left in the area, the military said. Local officials said the students were on an annual school trip.
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]]>Sarbani Mukherji
Excerpts from the interview
How did the two of you come together at The Conversation Room?
Sarbani: I first met Sayani at a bar community day, and later brought her on board. She comes from a barista background, which brings a different perspective. We have different personalities, strengths, and ways of looking at drinks, but that’s what makes working together interesting.
Sayani Mukherji
The bar industry has traditionally been male-dominated. How have your experiences as women behind the bar shaped your approach?
Sarbani: When I started out, having another woman in the industry believe in me made a huge difference. I try to do the same. I’d love to see more women not just entering the industry, but being recognised for their skills and taking on leadership roles.
Sweet Lime Of Mine
The two cities have distinct drinking cultures and relationships with food. How has that coloured the takeover menu?
Sayani: For this takeover, we are bringing five drinks from our menu, each with a distinct flavour profile. We wanted to bring a bit of Kolkata’s flavour sensibility to Mumbai through familiar ingredients.
Pickle Ball; Low Hanging Fruit; One Bad Apple. Pics Courtesy/The Bombay Canteen; Conversation Room
ON Today; 7.30 pm onwards
AT The Bombay Canteen, Unit-1, Process House, SB Road, Kamala Mills, Lower Parel.
CALL 8880802424 (for reservations) COST R890 onwards (cocktail prices)
What is one drink on the menu that you would recommend?
Sayani: It would have to be Low Hanging Fruit — inspired by the flavours of guava chaat; it’s what so many of us grew up eating in Kolkata. That combination of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavours brings back so many memories.
What is a Kolkata flavour you’d add to any cocktail?
Sarbani: Different varieties of lime. I love experimenting with their fresh, aromatic flavours, along with a hint of spice.
Sayani: It is the Gondhoraj lime. Its distinctive aroma brings a touch of Bengal to any drink.
A classic cocktail that deserves a revival
Sarbani: The Gimlet; simple, elegant, and all about balance.
Sayani: The Daiquiri; just rum, lime, and sugar.
One Mumbai drinking habit that intrigues you?
Sarbani: The culture of exploring new bars and treating each one as a different experience.
Sayani: This is actually my first time visiting Mumbai. I am looking forward to exploring the city’s bar culture, and learning more.
Users can import recipes with a single tap from Instagram Reels, YouTube videos, screenshots and websites, organising them into a digital cookbook. It also creates weekly meal plans, generates grocery lists and suggests ingredients when something is missing. If you wish to recreate a restaurant dish at home, its copycat recipe generator can help. Here’s to a memorable cooking session..
Log on to @honeydew on App Store or Play Store
]]>Its upcoming Mumbai sessions this weekend pair Halloween-themed pumpkin painting with feline company and a beginner-friendly yoga class featuring shelter dogs.
Sinduja Krishnakumar. Pics Courtesy/Cat Cafe studio; PAWGA
At this pre-Halloween pumpkin-painting session, participants can decorate pumpkin cut-outs as cats and kittens pad around, inspect the brushes and perhaps supervise the artwork. Fancy a ghoulish grin, a luminous orange creation or an enigmatic black-cat design? Let your imagination run wild. Paints and supplies will be provided, so there is no need to bring an art kit or professional skills.
The felines from shelters and foster homes, are looking for permanent families. Meeting visitors gives them an opportunity to become familiar with people beyond their usual surroundings. For cats that have had limited individual attention, such gentle encounters can encourage socialisation and help potential adopters get a better sense of their personalities.
“All our activities are hand-picked and curated to be pet-safe,” says Krishnakumar. With curious noses and wandering paws nearby, your artistic process might attract some extra scrutiny. Bring your creative instincts, leave room for feline mischief and see whether your pumpkin earns a passing inspection from its four-legged audience.
ON October 17; 11 am to noon
AT Cat Café Studio, Harminder Singh Road, Versova, Andheri West.
LOG ON TO pawgapetsyoga.com
COST Rs 1270 onwards
Participants practise yoga while a puppy plays around them
Yoga mats are out, the instructor is ready, but these cute canines have no intention of following a routine. Pawga’s beginner-friendly session combines a professional-led yoga flow with shelter dogs roaming freely around participants. Expect gentle stretches and mindful movement rather than complicated poses. No prior yoga experience is needed, and the dogs are free to move around at their own pace instead of being lifted into positions or expected to perform.
The session is designed to be a cheerful break for people and a positive experience for the animals, too. “Spending time with puppies can lift people’s moods, ease stress and help with emotional release,” says Krishnakumar. She adds that dogs can also experience anxiety and distress when isolated, making opportunities for social interaction valuable for their well-being. Meeting participants in a relaxed environment can help them grow more comfortable around humans, while giving prospective adopters a chance to connect with them.
A sprightly canine might trot past your mat just as you settle into a stretch, or pause for a sniff while you try to hold your balance. Let the instructor guide your movements and the dogs set their own pace. After all, the idea is not to master every pose but to enjoy a relaxed hour in good company, with a few wagging tails around you.
ON October 18; 4 pm to 5 pm
AT The Community Studio, Main Avenue Road, Santacruz West.
LOG ON TO pawgapetsyoga.com
ENTRY Rs 1270
No cover means pedestrians who are suffering from a heatwave, and those who did not want to get wet, from a delayed monsoon, used traffic-dense roads instead of the safer skywalk.
A roof covering a skywalk stretch is not an extra amenity. It is part of the facility as a whole; this is not a bits-and-pieces kind of puzzle.
A roof is needed as a shield. We also need to turn the corner on works; they should be expedited, and residents/locals/users cannot be expected to pursue till energy stores are depleted to near empty. Enormous time is spent on something that should have existed, or a litany of excuses is reeled out, or hands are truly tied as a fierce game of ping-pong is on fire approvals from different departments. There is a strong case for slicing through red tape that has, not in this context alone, brought people to the end of their tether and driven them to absolute despair.
There is much said about ease of business and single-window clearance for different ventures. Can we have quick clearance for citizen welfare projects too? Similar with much-needed repairs. The same with permissions. Let us work towards a straight, quick system, rather than a vertigo-inducing merry-go-round, where waiting is the name of the game.
]]>This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>ON October 17 and 18; 11 am to 8 pm
AT NESCO, Western Express Highway, Goregaon East.
LOG ON TO meeplecon.in
ENTRY Rs 1200 onwards (single-day pass)
1 Cricket or Nothing
Reminiscent of the tabletop cricket boards from the 2000s, this game by Manish Punwani, Dhaval Sheth and Amit Agarwal takes a complete detour from the timing and reflex aspects of the sport. Players from opposing teams attempt to outwit and read their opponents by choosing cards, and revealing them at the same time. With endless combinations and special cards, this one’s slated to be a nail-biter.
LOG ON TO cricketornothing.com
2 Jatra
From Upar Ek, the makers of Kabutar, the card-game based on the menacing pigeons of Mumbai, comes a nostalgic project, Jatra. Players are dropped in the middle of a jatra (fair) with their siblings (co-players). The goal is to navigate the many tasks inside the fair before others. Memories resurface at unexpected times, disrupting your progress, changing how you play, and forcing you to adapt.
LOG ON TO @uparekstudio
3 Dariya
In this 2026 Golden Elephant Award-winning game designed by Sagnik Ghosh and Hrishikesh Parikh, players play as fictional fishermen who must plan and execute high-risk expeditions in the vast blue seas. Collect the tools, recruit your crew, and solve problems deep in the ocean. Termed a ‘push-your-luck’ strategy game, players will calculate their risks for the biggest fish before ambition sinks their expedition.
LOG ON TO @zenwood.games
4 Get Cooked
Ever wondered what running a restaurant in the city is like? Face the heat in the kitchen with this project by Hooktail Games that adds a tabletop spin by game-fying the ingredient procurement, resource management, and rivalry in the kitchen. Grow your business, throw a spanner in the works in your opponent’s plans, and build camaraderie to find the perfect mix of luck and skill.
LOG ON TO @getcookedthegame
While platforming new indie board games, the convention will leave room for classics. Battle it out in community tournaments across the two days
Catan TIME 11 am (both days)
Azul TIME 1 pm (Saturday)
UNO TIME 4 pm (both days)
Mahjong TIME 4 pm (Saturday); 12 pm (Sunday)
This year, the board game convention joins hands with the video gaming convention Gaming Con 2026 for a 360-degree experience. Expect cosplay, live gaming tournaments, and hands-on simulation of an F1 race just in time for the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
LOG ON TO @gamingcon_official (for full schedule)
Last week, the Union home ministry assigned the standard names to the places and geographical features in Ladakh, including certain key border friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) such as Gogra and Hot Spring. India’s reaction came hours after China strongly opposed New Delhi assigning the standardised names.
“China has never recognised the so-called ‘’Union Territory of Ladakh’’ unilaterally and illegally established by India, and firmly opposes the so-called ‘’standardised names’’ publicised by India,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing.
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]]>On Mon63-year-old Duane Davis, was sentenced to 40 years to life after being convicted of first-degree murder earlier in August. Notably, the sentence marks a major development in one of the most publicised murder cases in American music history. The case had remained unsolved for nearly 30 years before Davis was arrested in 2023.
Davis reportedly has 731 days of credit for time already served toward his sentence. Davis is a former leader of the Southside Compton Crips gang. He was found guilty of first-degree murder on August 31 for orchestrating the 1996 killing of the rapper near the Las Vegas Strip.
Notably, Davis remains the only person ever charged in the death of Shakur.
During the hearing, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa 'Set' Shakur, told the court about the loss her family has carried for nearly three decades. “This man’s life mattered,” she told the court as family members broke down.
Tupac’s brother, Maurice 'Mopreme' Shakur, also opened up about the family’s pain, as he described the killing as devastating and heartbreaking for relatives and fans.
“For three years, I’ve heard you say some variation of the same thing … ‘Yeah, I was involved in this. But I’m different. I’ve moved on. I got out of Compton. I’m a grandfather now,’” Judge Carli Kierny said during the hearing as she delivered the sentence.
“You don’t get to take a man from his family. You don’t get to take his very life, his whole future from him and just walk away from it,” Kierny added.
Tupac Shakur was shot in a drive-by attack near the Las Vegas Strip on September 7, 1996. The rapper was reportedly riding in a black BMW with music executive Marion Knight when a white Cadillac pulled up at a traffic light and opened fire. Knight managed to survive, but Tupac died six days later.
]]>The project, being developed by Adani Navbharat Developers Pvt Ltd (ANDPL), a special purpose vehicle set up for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, will comprise 10 towers housing 10,432 rehabilitation apartments and 1379 commercial and industrial units, according to a company statement.
“Every family deserves a home where they feel secure and can plan for the future. We know what this means to Dharavi’s families. At Matunga, we are building 10 towers with 10,432 homes and 1379 commercial and industrial units, creating neighbourhoods where families can live better and build a brighter future for their children,” Pranav Adani said. Under the in-situ rehabilitation scheme, eligible residents will receive homes measuring 350 square feet. Residents from Sectors 6 and 1 will be among the first to receive homes at Matunga, followed by nearly 4500 apartments for other eligible Dharavi residents on a priority basis.
The towers will be handed over in three phases to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) under the Maharashtra government. The first five towers are scheduled for handover by March 2029, the next two by August 2029 and the remaining three by August 2030.
Aseem Kumar Gupta, additional chief secretary in the state’s Urban Development Department, attended the ceremony as the guest of honour. Mahendra Kalyankar, chief executive officer of DRP/SRA, was also present. “This is an important step for Dharavi’s families. Our focus is on providing safe, modern homes with the infrastructure and amenities needed for a better quality of life,” Kalyankar said.
Each tower will have 10 to 12 passenger elevators and two dedicated fire elevators. Two additional elevators will serve the commercial and industrial units. Planned amenities include a kindergarten, community hall, podium gardens, seating areas, society offices and places of worship. Ten per cent of the commercial space in each rehabilitation building will be reserved to generate revenue for maintaining common infrastructure. ANDPL will maintain the buildings and shared infrastructure for 10 years after handover.
The project draws on design, engineering and urban-planning expertise from US-based Sasaki, UK-based Buro Happold, Mumbai-based StudioPOD, architect Hafeez Contractor, P&T and ARC Studio, along with urban-planning experts from Singapore.
Spread across 22,500 square feet, the centre offers residents a preview of the proposed redevelopment through life-size sample homes, a 3D walkthrough and interactive displays showcasing housing, workplaces, amenities, transport and open spaces.
12
No. of elevators that each tower is set to have
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]]>According to the District Magistrate, the incident occurred at around 8:30 PM when a boat carrying about 20 children, who were travelling to attend a feast in a neighbouring village, capsized.
Speaking to the media, Varsha Singh described the incident as tragic and said that seven people had been rescued and taken to NMCH, where their condition was stable, as cited by ANI.
She said, "This is a very tragic incident; it occurred around 8:30 pm. We received information that a boat carrying 15-20 children, who were on their way to a feast in a neighbouring village, capsized. So far, seven people have been rescued and sent to NMCH; their condition is stable."
The District Magistrate added that a team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was present at the spot and rescue operations were being carried out with the assistance of local divers.
She further stated that 13 children had been found dead and that all those declared dead were aged 15 years or below.
The DM further added, "An SDRF team is present here, and rescue operations are being conducted with the help of local divers. A total of 13 children have been found dead; all those declared dead are aged 15 or younger," as cited by ANI.
Rescue operations were underway following the incident, with teams working to ascertain whether anyone else was missing.
Further details are awaited.
The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 13, 2026
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of life in the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased.
The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for those injured in the incident.
In an X post shared by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The post on X noted, "The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The local administration is assisting those affected."
It also added, "An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."
Moreover, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has also announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The children have been identified as Mohammad Afzal, aged nine, and Mohammad Hamza Khatoon, aged five and nine, respectively.
Officials said that both the children are residents of Mahakali Chawl, Road No. 5, Nehru Nagar, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai.
According to information received from Andheri Railway Police Station, a case was registered under Section 137(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) after the children went missing. The circumstances surrounding their disappearance were being investigated.
Soon after registering the case, a team from the Crime Detection Unit launched a search operation to trace the siblings.
During the investigation, police received a tip-off from a confidential informant that the children were in the Borivali East area.
Acting on the information, the crime detection team and other police personnel searched the area and successfully located both children. They were found within 24 hours and safely brought to Andheri Railway Police Station.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior police officials, including Police Commissioner Kalasagar, Deputy Commissioner of Police Salunkhe Thackeray and Assistant Commissioner of Police Raokhande. Senior Police Inspector Kande, Police Inspector D'Souza and Assistant Police Inspector Sheikh also guided the operation.
The prompt action by the police helped locate both missing siblings within a day. Further details regarding the circumstances in which the children went missing were not provided in the information released by the police.
Mumbai Police arrested a man from Andheri Railway Station for allegedly stealing a walkie-talkie from the VP Road Police Station beat post, with the device later recovered.
According to the police, the accused, who lives at the railway station, allegedly took the walkie-talkie after becoming annoyed by its repeated ringing, IANS reported.
Police traced and arrested the accused at Andheri Railway Station and recovered the stolen device.
In a separate incident, three persons were arrested for allegedly stealing gold chains and 'mangalsutras' from women passengers of public buses, Thane police said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
An official said 21.5 grams of stolen gold jewellery valued at R 3,22,500 have been recovered from them.
The probe into the case began on a complaint of Manisha Kiran Kalanke, a resident of Kalwa, who was robbed of her 15 gram gold 'mangalsutra' on September 11 when she was travelling on BEST bus number 494, he said.
]]>Police sources told this newspaper that Kamal Shetty, the operator of the temporary beverage stall near the Kalachowkie Vibhag Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal where the incident occurred, may not be entirely responsible for the deaths.
The accused is not absconding, but police are still examining the circumstances that led to the electrocution and the respective roles of those involved in the electrical arrangements.
With police sources indicating that Shetty may not be entirely responsible, the central question is whether investigators have identified the other people who may have contributed to the circumstances leading to the electrocution.
This includes examining who installed or modified the wiring and whether those responsible for arranging the temporary electrical setup complied. The circumstances of the incident also raised concerns about crowd management. The road was reportedly packed with devotees, and eyewitnesses said people were jostling for space as crowds moved in opposite directions.
Eyewitnesses also said the congestion made it difficult for ambulances to reach the spot. Whether crowding contributed to the incident and whether any lapses in crowd management played a role in the deaths would need to be established separately. A special team is set to investigate this case.
Sujata Thodeta, one of the deceased. File pics
An FIR was registered against Shetty under Sections 106(1) and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to causing death by negligence and endangering life or personal safety resulting in grievous hurt, respectively. However, the absence of an arrest, weeks after the incident, raises questions about what the investigation has established so far and why the question of responsibility remains unresolved.
“It remains to be established whether the stall operator acted alone or whether other individuals had a role in the electrical arrangements,” an official privy to the investigation said. “A faulty or unauthorised connection, does not establish the criminal responsibility of every person associated with the stall or the mandal. The investigation needs to establish who carried out the work, and whether any specific act of negligence contributed to the deaths.
Preliminary findings by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking pointed to unauthorised modifications to a temporary electrical connection at the site. BEST said the electricity meter had been sanctioned for the Ganpati mandal, while its initial investigation indicated that the nearby stall had allegedly drawn an unauthorised connection from it.
BEST issued a notice to the Kalachowkie Vibhag Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal over the faulty electrical installation. The mandal’s organisers denied knowledge of the unauthorised connection. These findings raise questions about who arranged and modified the wiring, who connected the stall to the supply, and who was responsible for ensuring that the installation was safe.
]]>A flight gets ready to land at CSMIA in the background of a tiger statue in Kurla.
Two-tailed Spider, Land Snail, and Green Vine Snake. Pics courtesy/Wild Doc Studios
For Mumbai’s wildlife enthusiasts, Wild Doc Studios’ new video titled Showreel 2026, brings together years of wildlife research, photography and filmmaking by its founders, Gaurav Patil, Atharva Raut, Sarang Naik and Samyak Bhat. Featuring footage and timelapses captured by the four over the period of two to 15 years, the showreel also includes excerpts from films such as Beyond the Conflict, centred on the leopard rescue centre at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Ohoti, that tells the story of Pradip Patade, the co-founder of Marine Life of Mumbai. “All four of us bring different skills and experiences to the table, but what brought us together was our shared interest in wildlife filmmaking, our focus on ethics and our desire to tell a good story,” said Naik. For
more details, check out @wilddocstudios.com.
Samyak Bhat, Atharva Raut, Sarang Naik and Gaurav Patil
Students participate in a music session at The Sound Space
Mumbai-based sisters Kamakshi Khurana and Vishala Khurana have a reason to turn up the volume. Their music initiative, The Sound Space, has become a member of the Recording Academy, giving them the opportunity to vote for the prestigious Grammy Awards. “At The Sound Space, our work has always been rooted in our belief in the power of music to connect, inspire and transform lives. To now be part of a global community of music creators and professionals, and to have the opportunity to vote for the Grammy Awards, is both humbling and deeply meaningful to us. We are grateful for the journey that has brought us here, and we hope to continue contributing to a musical world that makes space for diverse voices, traditions and ways of experiencing music,” they told this diarist.
The milestone puts the sisters in a position to have their say in music’s biggest celebration, while connecting with creators and professionals from across the globe.
Vishala and Kamakshi Khurana. Pics courtesy/The Sound Space
Nishit Gangani; William Barton. Pics courtesy/Instagram; Pandit Shubhendra Rao
Australia and India will meet in music at the upcoming Sacred Pathways: Where Ragas meet Songlines concert at a Mumbai venue on October 21. First Nations Australian composer William Barton’s didgeridoo will mark his return to India after 16 years alongside sitar maestro Pandit Shubhendra Rao in a rare musical dialogue. “Connecting along the way with communities about the importance of celebrating culture is my life’s passion,” shared Barton.
Ciri from The Witcher; (right) Medha Srivastava as Ciri from The Witcher. Pics Courtesy/@medha.vi
Desi fans of the Polish fantasy role-playing video game and series The Witcher may know its characters, but Andheri-based cosplayer Medha Srivastava is now getting noticed by its creators, CD Projekt Red, the Polish video game developer known for role-playing video games like The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077.
Srivastava has been selected for the company’s year-long creator and ambassador programme, which brings together cosplayers and others passionate about its games. Speaking about the achievement, Srivastava said, “I am very grateful to have this opportunity and to be recognised by an international audience and the developers of the game I have been cosplaying for about a decade.” For us, we’re happy to see a Mumbaikar being part of something this cool!
In an October 13 communication, Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, president, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has addressed all archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, catechists and lay faithful of the Latin Catholic Church in India. The CCBI president’s message is, “to unite in prayer for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, who is scheduled to undergo surgery.”
Excerpts from the communication read, “I kindly request that special prayers for his successful surgery, speedy recovery, good health, and renewed strength be offered in our dioceses, parishes, religious communities, and institutions.”
He points out that in “the month of the Holy Rosary let us remember Pope Leo XIV in our daily personal and community prayers, especially through the recitation of the Holy Rosary.”
It ends with, asking the Lord to grant the Holy Father “healing, peace and strength and sustain him.”
This communication followed an October 12 message from John Rodrigues, archbishop of Bombay, addressed to parish priests/priests in charge of the Archdiocese of Bombay.
The communication stated, "The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, mentioned on Sunday that he is to undergo surgery and expressed his gratitude, saying, ‘I thank you for your spiritual closeness, and I entrust myself to your prayers.’ Let us respond generously to his appeal by keeping him in our prayers, asking the Lord to guide the medical team with wisdom and skill, to grant the success of the surgery, and to bless the Holy Father with a speedy and complete recovery.” It ends with saying that they should encourage the religious and lay faithful in their parishes to “join in prayer in their communities and homes for the Holy Father.”
Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, said, “Calls for prayer in such situations are a regular practice in the Church. When Pope Francis was hospitalised, the faithful across the world were also asked to pray for him.”
Oct 12
Day archbishop of Bombay issued message addressed to priests
Melwyn Fernandes, secretary of the Association of Concerned Christians,
“The Mumbai Catholic community will pray for the team of doctors who are operating for the surgical removal of the lung nodule of Pope Leo and speedy recovery of the Holy Father in a miraculous manner, and soon back to serve, all of us and spread the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dolphy Dsouza, spokesperson of the Bombay Catholic Sabha,
“After Pope Leo XIV announced his health condition and sought prayers, the Catholic community in India and Mumbai is praying for a successful surgery and early recovery of the Holy Father.”
That hasn’t happened yet, what with “Bangladesh still behind on the digital distribution curve, without Jio and UPI for tailwinds. But it’ll happen, maybe 10 years later? That’s how I wanna get my organisation to think,” Mohta says.
Literally, Hoichoi is a Bengali onomatopoeic word for a loud uproar/noise. It’s the one-stop app for all things Bengali entertainment (films/series).
Recently, Mohta got invited by IIM, Ahmedabad, with Hoichoi inducted as a case-study, where he spoke of being a man of numbers in a world of visuals/words.
Vishnu Kant Mohta, co-founder of Hoichoi
I was in Kolkata for Hoichoi’s snazzy, starry 10th year anniversary — with a banger of a trailer after another, for its content slate — and I could see what the hullabaloo over 200 web series, with a billion hours of watched-content, in 100-plus countries, is about.
And why a Bengali streaming service was the answer to global majors that nobody gave, when it mattered.
Consider the content economy, as I saw it from Mumbai, in 2016. It’s when the e-commerce giant (Amazon Prime Video), former video-rental library (Netflix), and a TV broadcaster (Hotstar), launched OTT platforms in India.
What was the local movie industry’s response to this thoroughly disruptive new medium? Radio silence. Sure, the major production houses in Mumbai, the likes of Yash Raj Films, Dharma, etc, do have a digital arm. But it’s mainly to serve as vendors for the said OTTs.
Back in Kolkata, Mohta and his brothers at the popular film studio, Shree Venkatesh Films (SVF), producing Bengali movies since the late 1990s, and content for television channels, circa 2008 onwards, were on the drawing board, attempting to solve an altogether another commercial puzzle.
Which is? That as producers, you’re in the “B2B business, dealing with distributors, producers, broadcasters… You never [directly] own a rupee of the customer’s wallet.” How did they intend to change that?
Going two seemingly opposite directions. One, analogue, i.e. brick-and-mortar — opening “mini-plexes” in every district of West Bengal.
Two, the OTT. As Mohta, who led this digital division, puts it, “The Internet business is about owning the wallet — what else is BookMyShow, Uber, Zomato, Swiggy…” Straight off, Hoichoi began with annual subscriptions; a huge punt, already.
That, as a film company, SVF had cracked television production, which is rare, even in the reverse, made owning an OTT a natural step; but in hindsight, of course.
Speaking to Mohta, I can tell, he’s a Steve Jobs fan — not just for the portrait in his cabin that I notice, over a Zoom call, but that he regularly refers to Jobs, talking about how “adversity creates opportunity, everything happens for a reason,” and that you can always connect dots of your own story, only in retrospect.
Mohta’s family firm, SVF, started out as film distributors — Mani Ratnam’s Bombay (1995) being their first big success. But they branched out to production, “because you can’t own your destiny as distributors.” Likewise, with forays into other allied fields, including OTT. Which, evidently, equals content production at ginormous rate plus scale.
Mohta calls web series as “something with the quality of film, but the discipline of television.” Hyderabad’s top producer, Allu Aravind, had once told me about how Hoichoi had basically set up his Telugu OTT app, Aha.
Mohta’s point: “It would take [global/national] OTTs a long time to devise a regional content strategy.” It took him three months to execute Aha. He holds a stake in it.
But he’s clear about Bengal being his core business: “We don’t want to be everything to everyone, but everything to someone. I always say, [for us] it’s Bangladesh, not Bandra.” That’s his look-east policy.
In 2019, Mohta set up an office in Dhaka. I only learnt from him that Indian films aren’t allowed to theatrically release in Bangladesh — not because of a law, but local lobbies.
Hoichoi Studio’s Bonolota Express (2026) is the year’s hugest blockbuster in Bangladesh, and among the top three box-office successes of all time.
Kolkata, of course, has its own movie industry. As per Mohta, it went through a near terminal decline post the 1970s, and that “SVF was lucky and instrumental in reviving it.”
SVF stars don’t work for Hoichoi. Economics don’t add up. Focus is on stories, instead. But Hoichoi content does release in theatres. Basis, the data the app is privy to. This is unique for any Indian production house.
Take the detective, Eken Babu. Mohta says, “The actor (Anirban Chakrabarti) was unknown before this role, and he doesn’t look like a [conventional] star either.”
Eken Babu has had a nine-season run on Hoichoi, with multiple films as hits in theatres, as a result. The fourth film, The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra, is Bengal’s biggest Durga Puja release of 2026. Shubho Sharadiya at the cinemas too then!
Mayank Shekhar attempts to make sense of mass culture. He tweets @mayankw14
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The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
]]>During a hearing on Monday, the apex court asked the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) to examine which other medicines could be brought under the proposed cap and directed the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to explore how the measure could be implemented for the drugs identified.
The court’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the widening gap between the procurement prices of medicines and medical supplies and the amounts ultimately charged to patients. The Centre has estimated that the proposed cap on cancer medicines could save patients around R2500 crore annually. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 27.
Health activists have welcomed the broader scrutiny of medicine pricing, but argue that controlling trade margins alone will not address the financial burden of treatment, particularly in private hospitals, where patients often pay substantial amounts for medicines, consumables, diagnostics, and procedures.
Rajiv Patil, activist; (right) Shirish Deshpande, president, Mumbai Grahak Panchayat. Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar
Activist Rajiv Patil said, “We hope that the SC guidelines are taken seriously. We have been highlighting this issue, but no one has paid heed. At present, people get the same medicines at various rates in different pharmacies. How is this possible if the margins are said to be the same? There are many reasons why the costs are so inflated. And considering that medicines are a question of life and death, no one raises questions, and the pharma industry is thriving on that. If this guideline is turned into a regulation and implemented well, it will benefit patients beyond imagination.”
He argued that pharmaceutical companies and other players in the supply chain should be allowed reasonable profits rather than excessive margins, underscoring the need for pricing policies that protect patients without compromising the availability of essential medicines.
Consumer activists stated that declaring the product manufacturing should be the first step.
Shirish Deshpande, president of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, said, “Our purview is not beyond MRP [Maximum Retail Price]. We can take action if someone charges more than the printed MRP. But the MRPs themselves are too inflated.
Now the apex court has kept its finger at the right spot by highlighting the margins. At present, the profit margins have approximately gone up to 1000 per cent in some cases. The SC pointing out that a stent costing Rs 5000 is charged at Rs 25,000 is a matter of shame for the pharma industry. Consumers have been ignoring these expenses because the expenses get covered in their insurance. But what about those who don’t have any insurance? And why should one pay hefty charges just because they have insurance?”
October 27
Day next hearing in matter will take place
The prolonged delay has left environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts questioning the hold-up.
Nature lovers and environmentalists are also asking whether the opening was delayed because VVIPs don’t have time to inaugurate it.
Environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti said, “Just because a politician or a minister doesn’t have time to inaugurate a park, it doesn’t mean that it should remain shut and inaccessible to people. After all, it was built with public money, and it should be opened to the public immediately. And if not, people should go ahead and start visiting the park; there is no need to take any permission or wait for any divine intervention from the political side.
Just to please the politicians, this park has been languishing for over a year now. It is really shocking and unacceptable. Why should citizens be denied their right to use a facility built with public funds?”
Nature lover and activist Mili Shetty said, “Our local MLA Sanjay Upadhyay visited my house on September 29 and told me that he was trying his best to open the mangrove park at the earliest. However, there has been no response so far. I have also been writing to the CMO, and was told to approach the secretary’s office at Mantralaya. I also spoke to Mangrove Cell chief NR Praveen, who said he had been following up on my request, but there has been no progress.”
Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti
On March 9, mid-day reported on its website that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray had written to Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, urging him to inaugurate the park at the earliest. During a visit by mid-day to the site, which spans eight hectares, many months ago, it was observed that all the work appeared complete, including finishing touches, installation of CCTV cameras, and the setup of a souvenir shop. Sources from the Mangrove Cell told mid-day that the work had been completed in April
Despite repeated attempts, Mangrove Cell chief NR Praveen could not be reached for comment and did not respond to calls or text messages. This reporter also attempted to contact Range Forest Officer Sheetal Nagrale, but she was unavailable for comment.
Rs 33.43CR
Estimated cost of project
Created at an estimated cost of '33.43 crore, the park has been developed to promote awareness about mangrove biodiversity and conservation. Mumbai has over 50 sq km of mangroves, among the highest for major cities.
. A 740-metre boardwalk built without cutting mangroves
. Guided mangrove trails with trained naturalists
. Bird observatory for coastal and mangrove species
. Touch-based VR system on flora and fauna
The Domino’s outlet, operated by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd at Rangoli Time Complex on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, had been served an improvement notice on August 11. However, a surprise inspection on October 9 found that the directives had not been complied with, officials said.
Inspectors found vegetarian and non-vegetarian food stored together in a deep freezer, while chicken and paneer were being prepared on the same oven/grill. The outlet also failed to produce conformity reports for food-contact packaging, records of delivery vehicles and preventive maintenance logs for critical equipment. Its licence was suspended on October 12.
At Maaz Food Parcel and Catering on LBS Marg in Sonapur, Bhandup West, inspectors found cockroaches in the kitchen, clogged drains, unlabelled prepared food and the use of unauthorised artificial colouring. The establishment was also found using a cheaper fat spread while charging customers for butter. Food handlers were working without gloves or aprons, while raw vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients were being handled on common chopping boards. Its licence was revoked on Tuesday, October 13.
The action is part of a statewide enforcement drive led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe to check food safety violations during the festive season. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the FDA seized 12,382 kg of suspected adulterated edible oil worth R23.35 lakh from Bajrang Trading Company. In Beed, prohibited items and a vehicle collectively valued at R10 lakh were seized, and an FIR was registered.
Domino’s, Parel: Licence suspended on October 12 after an inspection found that an August 11 improvement notice had not been complied with.
Maaz Food Parcel and Catering, Bhandup: Licence revoked on October 13 over hygiene and food safety violations.
Mughal Dhaba, Kurla: Registration suspended on October 9 following an inspection prompted by a complaint about stale food delivered through Zomato.
Bajrang Trading Company, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 12,382 kg of suspected adulterated edible oil worth R23.35 lakh seized; hygiene audit score of 10/206.
Beed: Prohibited items and a vehicle worth Rs 10 lakh seized; FIR registered.
In a separate action, the FDA raided Mughal Dhaba, opposite Kalpana Cinema in Kurla West, on October 8 following a complaint alleging that stale food had been delivered through Zomato. The establishment’s registration was suspended on October 9 after inspectors found clogged drains, open rear doors and rusted refrigerators containing vegetarian and non-vegetarian food stored without segregation.
]]>Sept 27
Day of the accident
The current 12.5- mm rumble strips are ineffective at reducing speeds. Police recommend increasing their height to 20 mm, arranged in three to four rows at 15-metre intervals. The letter identifies four high-risk zones needing immediate intervention: Akshar signal, TS Chanakya signal, Sarsole signal, and Moraj signal.
Another recommendation is to permanently close an opening created by breaking an iron railing near Moraj signal, which allows vehicles travelling from Akshar Tower to enter the main carriageway.
The proposed measures also address risks beyond speeding. The police have sought signboards directing two-wheelers to use the left lane, raising the side shoulders to bring them level with the road, and installing reflective red stickers on dividers and side railings.
Beyond infrastructure changes, the police want AI-based speed cameras at four to five speeding hotspots. To fix poor night visibility, the department suggests replacing old streetlights with high-illumination LED lights, painting black-and-yellow markings, and installing cat’s-eye reflectors.
The recommendations place the onus on Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to address infrastructure and traffic-management concerns on the Vashi-Belapur stretch.
]]>“The shoot of Juhi Mui was wrapped up a month ago. It was always meant to be a finite show. It was not easy to play an autistic woman. But that’s one of the projects I’m proud to have done and of how I pulled it off,” shares Singh of the 85-episode show. “[After the show], I had time, so I thought, why not do something fun? And the Indian Game Show is light, nice, and fun. It’s like playing in an amusement park with your friends.”
The actor, who also appeared on Bigg Boss 18 and Laughter Chefs Season 3, enjoys reality shows because “there’s no script”. They also allow her to reveal a side of herself that differs from her on-screen personas. Asked how she handles embarrassing herself on national television, Singh says, “I am human, and I’ve embarrassed myself 50 times a day. I did a show [Bigg Boss], where people watched me for four months. There were good, bad, and ugly moments. As actors we are expected to look and behave perfectly all the time, but it’s high time to show that we are only human. I have my flaws, and I have my embarrassing moments. And people who know me know how clumsy I am. I don’t want to be perfect. I’m a human, and I’m flawed. I think people should watch it because it’s relatable and a lot of fun.”
16
The age at which Eisha Singh started her acting career
While Eisha Singh hopes to start her own production house one day, she is currently focused on exploring varied roles. She made her film debut with ‘Middle Class Love’ (2022), directed by Ratnaa Sinha, wife of filmmaker and producer Anubhav Sinha. “We did a lot of auditions and it just worked out. ‘Obsess’ was the only dark, thriller [in my career]. I like to do anything that challenges me. Comedy is again something I’ve not explored”
]]>Banita Sandhu is set to star alongside Akshay Kumar in the sci-fi action-survival thriller, Samuk, directed by Kanishk Varma. Banita will reportedly play an environmentalist who finds herself drawn into a mission she was never meant to be part of. The makers have kept plot details under wraps. The VFX-heavy movie is scheduled for a pan-India theatrical release in 2027. On the work front, Banita was last seen in Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga opposite Diljit Dosanjh.
Jaideep Ahlawat
Jaideep Ahlawat hopes the success of Drishyam: The Conclusion opens doors to challenging roles rather than more police characters. Speaking to Variety India, he said, “I hope I get good challenging offers. I hope I’m not asked to play cop roles over and over again.” Playing SP Rajveer Singh Tomar in the movie, Jaideep is keen to explore diverse characters. “More challenges, good screenplays, big characters, hopefully. Fingers crossed,” he added.
(L-R) Aneet Padda and Ahaan Panday
Ahaan Panday may have just dropped a hint about his relationship with Aneet Padda. Taking to Instagram on her birthday (October 13), he shared a series of pictures of Aneet, accompanied by a heartfelt note calling her “a gift to the cosmos”. “I hope the universe is always as gentle with you as you are with it,” he wrote, adding, “Happy happy happy birthday.” While neither has confirmed their relationship, the affectionate post has fans wondering if Ahaan is soft-launching their romance on social media.
]]>In such cases, one may be coping with anxiety, panic attacks, sleepless nights, and desensitisation, among other things, as per experts. One such case was seen on Sunday, where a man detained by the police at Tardeo faced what many described as a panic attack and had to be taken to the hospital.
One Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) member said that their friend has begun seeking medical help for her mental health after she started receiving calls from the police before the October protest. “She didn’t even plan on attending the October protests, but the authorities reached out to her because she took part in the NEET protests,” explained Kunal Karmerkar, Thane coordinator of CJP.
A detainee is taken to the hospital after he started convulsing on the floor on Tardeo police station on October 11. Pic/By Special Arrangement
mid-day spoke with mental health experts to understand the reasons why students are taking to the streets more and more, and what could be the repercussions of this.
“Students today are living in an age of uncertainty. Moreover, this age group is idealistic and looks forward to changing the world,” explained Dr Dayal Mirchandani, a psychiatrist.
Even when certain students may not attend a protest, they may feel the impact of it because they identify with the age group, explained Dr Mirchandani. “Violence from the police and other authority figures could lead to PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], second-hand PTSD, insomnia, changes in behaviour, and even a change in their voting patterns. Witnessing a serious accident can cause trauma, secondary trauma or vicarious trauma, even if you were not physically hurt yourself. In such cases, it is crucial to seek help from professionals,” he added.
“Speaking to close friends, expressing your emotions, and, as difficult as they may be, distancing yourself from triggering situations can help in the moment. It is still crucial to seek professional help,” he added.
Dr Naazneen Ladak, psychiatrist
Seeing brutality in general can also lead to aggressive behaviour, while youngsters may also face cases of anxiety and panic, say experts.
Mumbai-based psychiatrist Dr Naazneen Ladak explained that breathwork, grounding techniques like counting backwards, talking to close friends, and holding ice can all be temporary sources of relief. It is, however, very essential to seek professional help.
During these protests, many parents also brought their aged five to 10 to understand the movement. “While the parents may be hoping to instil values within their kids, such young children may not understand the full picture. If young children were to witness violence during the protests, they may understand the ‘what’ and not understand the ‘why’ of the scenario,” said Dr Ladak.
It is best to avoid bringing very young children to these protests, she explained. “Just like movies have an age bar, bringing extra information can break their theory of confidence as they are too young to relate to why they are just seeing such actions,” she added.
Dr Harish Shetty, psychiatrist at Dr LH Hiranandani hospital, explained that the youth of the country are focused on building their future within the current framework. “The protests have come as a relief for students who live in an angst-driven city. It is a way for them to express their anger and anxieties, but have also become a site of voyeurism for many,” he said.
Dr Shetty added, “The youth will have to look at hard solutions on a consistent basis instead of outbursts. Anxiety and panic attacks can be a result of these protests, and students should seek help from a professional if they face these symptoms.”
July20
Day NEET protest was held was held
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As per figures reported by the IMD’s Santacruz observatory, Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the second-hottest October day in 11 years. This follows Monday, when the mercury rose to 38.2 degrees C, making it Mumbai’s hottest October day in the same period.
The latest warnings add to the IMD’s continuous yellow heat alerts for Mumbai, with the streak ongoing since October 8. The consecutive yellow alerts include ‘Hot & Humid’ warnings and three ‘Heat Wave’ alerts, although an analysis of the actual data puts the figure at four.
IMD officials say a ‘Heat Wave’ in Mumbai is when the maximum temperature is 37 degrees C or more, paired with a departure from normal of 4.5 degrees C or more. Actual figures from the IMD’s Santacruz observatory show that four days in October fell into the heatwave category: October 8, 9, 11 and 12.
IMD RMC Mumbai chief Bikram Singh said citizens should take precautions, which is why the IMD issues these warnings. Sharing his expectations, Singh said, “The heat streak should end, with temperatures dipping towards the weekend due to expected Thunderstorm activity in South Konkan and wind flow patterns.”
]]>Bhalekar, who maintained batteries and other equipment on BMC clean-up vehicles, was killed on October 10 on the Eastern Express Highway service road, near Adani Tower and opposite Suvidha. Despite the footage capturing the fatal crash, police have yet to identify the vehicle or its driver.
CCTV grabs show Vikram Bhalekar sitting on a platform far away from main carriageway moments before a speeding car runs him over
The post-mortem examination revealed that Bhalekar’s skull had been completely crushed. The left side of his body had suffered extensive injuries, with tyre marks visible on his body.
Bhalekar’s brothers, Jitendra and Yogesh, described him as a humble and helpful man who worked multiple jobs to support his wife and six-year-old daughter. “Apart from his work with BMC clean-up vehicles, he had worked as an electrician, a Wi-Fi operator and a Ganpati idol decorator. He often worked morning, evening and night shifts, leaving himself little time to rest,” said Yogesh, his eldest brother. “He worked hard because he had a family to look after,” said Jitendra, his elder brother. Vikram was the youngest of three brothers. According to the family, Bhalekar was sitting on a divider during a break when the speeding vehicle struck him. The fact that he was sitting away from the main carriageway and was still fatally hit has added to the family’s anguish. “Either the driver was drunk or must have dozed off. Otherwise, how could someone crash into the divider itself? This road has witnessed several accidents, yet there are no reflectors or safety measures. This negligence has killed my brother,” Jitendra said. The family learnt about accident from a worker who found Bhalekar lying in a pool of blood at the scene.
A speeding car jumps the pavement and runs over Bhalekar, who was taking a break during his night shift in Ghatkopar East. Pics/CCTV grab
Family seeks justice and compensation
For Bhalekar’s family, the investigation is about more than identifying a vehicle. His brothers want accountability for the death of a man who worked multiple jobs to secure his young daughter’s future. “The six-year-old girl and her mother are now left without their sole support. We want justice for Vikram and compensation for his family,” Jitendra said. A day before his death, Bhalekar had helped decorate his local Devi pandal and prepare for the idol’s sthapna, his brothers said. He enjoyed decorating Ganpati and Devi idols, carefully embellishing them with decorative stones and rhinestones.
Vikram Bhalekar’s brothers at Pant Nagar police station. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Police sources said no functioning CCTV camera had captured the suspect vehicle’s number plate, and there were no eyewitnesses to identify the vehicle or its driver. The camera installed by Bhalekar himself, however, captured the fatal incident.
Pant Nagar police have registered an FIR against an unidentified accused under Sections 106(1) and 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 134(A), 134(B) and 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Police have formed special teams to investigate the case and trace the vehicle and its driver. Senior Inspector Lata Sutar of Pant Nagar police station told mid-day that four special teams had been formed to investigate the incident on priority. “Our teams have been examining all possible angles, day and night, through the available CCTV footage. The footage is so unclear that we have not even been able to identify the make of the vehicle. However, we are actively investigating the case and will soon identify the vehicle and the suspect,” she said.
]]>Show
‘Pati Patni Aur Panga 2’
Worth Your Time?
Maybe
Excerpts from the interview.
You’ve played protagonists since 1997 and later moved to grey characters. How conscious was that shift?
I’ve been lucky to have mainly played protagonists since 1997. Ageing is a difficult process, especially when you have a career on-screen. Understanding that early and making the right shift at the right time helped. With Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara [2012], I shifted to mother roles. Earlier, they weren’t central, but television screenplays gradually started making them central [to the plot], so I gravitated towards them, and the run has been good.
(L-R) Aastha Sharma and Manasi Salvi on the set of ‘Dilon Ki Ram Leela’
Have you ever been approached to lead a mature love story?
In 2012, I gravitated towards maternal roles because my daughter was [just four years old]. I thought too much on-screen romance would be too much, so this was a safer bet. But now that Omisha is 18 and understands that I’m an actor, I’m open to all kinds of roles and mediums. When she [saw my older shows], she said I was chubby, and added, ‘I don’t know how they gave you work’. She cannot believe I started work when I was 17. She likes my work. I’m glad she doesn’t make a big deal of it.
How has the industry changed since the 1990s?
The shift is drastic. I may sound a little disappointed when I say that the respect isn’t there as much as it used to be in the earlier era. In those times, actors came with a certain amount of training. We had actors from National School of Drama [NSD] and technicians trained at Film and Television Institute of India [FTII], so they came with a certain grounding. Today, we have a lot of amateurs wanting to join and make their mark. Sometimes, the decorum shifts from a more formal work environment to an informal one, and that is worrisome. I hope we can build a more gender-sensitive, emotion-sensitive, and professional atmosphere at work.
How was your equation with your co-stars on Dilon Ki Ram Leela?
Mishkat [Varma] and Aastha [Sharma] are wonderful people and bring young energy to the set. When you interact with them, you can make out that they’ve come from good families. It’s nice to interact with like-minded people. Especially with Eijaz [Khan], because [our on-screen] brother-sister bond is strong. Most of the story is built on that bond. So it was important for us to be in tune with each other. Eijaz has become like my kid brother. He’s wonderful and has done so much work across so many mediums and brings a lot of experience to the table.
How do you make each character look and feel distinct?
I keep two things in mind — my look and body language. I don’t want any recall value of other work I’ve done, so I work on my body. I’ve lost a lot of weight for Vijaya [her character in Dilon Ki Ram Leela] because I want her to look a particular way. All my characters, from their body, look, and hair-and-make-up, are distinctive. You cannot mix two characters. That’s the effort I put in. I love my work, and I love putting effort into it.
Despite three decades of experience, Salvi says she continues to face prejudice as a television actor. However, she remains proud of her work. “I’m not ashamed of being a TV actor. So many TV actors have made it there [movies]. One day I’ll be there, but right now I don’t want to ditch the medium that has kept me going for so many years”
]]>Yash in the film
A source revealed, “The Rashtrapati Bhavan screening is being planned for the same day as the film’s worldwide release, adding a high-profile engagement to the launch of Indian cinema’s most ambitious project. The event is yet to be officially confirmed, with the team understood to be pursuing the necessary permissions.” Kapoor, Pallavi, and Yash are expected to attend the screening along with Tiwari.
Nitesh Tiwari
The makers are also working on two premières, one in Mumbai that will be held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, and another in Delhi for dignitaries.
mid-day reached out to the film’s production team, which didn’t respond till press time.
40
Number of languages ‘Ramayana: Part 1’ is releasing in, globally
“I enjoyed juggling a crime action thriller and a dramedy. I guess one was a relief from the other,” laughed the actor. Of course, moving between the two characters came with its own challenges. She shared, “The switch in accents was the confusing bit. While Beena’s world demanded a strong North Indian Hindi accent, Jessie required me to adopt a Goan accent. I worked with a dialect coach to ensure that the new voice did not carry traces of my Mirzapur character.”
A still from ‘Little Thomas’. Pics/Youtube, Instagram
Accents were not the only distinction. Dugal had to consciously step away from Beena’s behavioural patterns, and understand Jessie’s motivations and emotions. “The conscious separation is perhaps what makes Jessie so interesting. Beena was driven by survival, power, and revenge, while Jessie is defined by her relationship with her family and her passion for music,” reflected the actor.
Oct 23
When ‘Little Thomas’ will arrive in cinemas
“Ajay sir stood behind us like a rock, supporting us in whatever we did. We narrated the first draft to him in April 2025, he loved it. After that, we made a lot of revisions and he was on board with everything,” recalled Khan of how they closed the story that began eight years ago when Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar and his family covered up an accidental murder.
(L-R) Jaideep Ahlawat and Ajay Devgn in the film
Besides not relying on the Malayalam Drishyam 3, the Hindi counterpart had another challenge — Akshaye Khanna walked out of the film a week before it rolled. The writers quickly reworked the script, and Pathak roped in Ahlawat. Easier said than done. Khan recounted, “We had to set Jaideep sir’s character dynamics with other players, and we had to deliver in seven days! We wrote 100 drafts for some scenes. We even had 15-20 versions of the ending. It was a humongous challenge as people had seen the first two parts and we had to surprise them. A lot of [the script] was scrapped and rewritten in those seven days.”
One question remained constant as they shaped and reshaped the story: how dark would Vijay Salgaonkar turn to save his family? “Vijay is doing the wrong thing for the right cause. There were so many drafts where he has gone much darker and then we pulled ourselves back, thinking, ‘Is that really Vijay?’ We toyed with the idea of him going completely dark.”
Rs 315CR
Reported domestic collection of ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’
Aries
March 21 – April 20
Having an honest, but loving talk about 2 or 3 issues can be resolved immediately, provided there’s no blame game from either side.
Cosmic tip: Keep faith strong and unshakeable.
Taurus
April 21 – May 20
Going on a three day holiday is decided suddenly (you need a break from routine). A family heirloom is gifted to you.
Cosmic tip: Enjoy living in the present moment with happiness and faith.
Gemini
May 21 – June 21
Though disappointed, but settling for an alternative will have to do for now. Not wanting to give a commitment quickly is understandable.
Cosmic tip: Be aware karma keeps tabs on all deeds.
Cancer
June 22 – July 23
The Tarot highlights receiving expected payments which may come in in instalments.
Cosmic tip: Appreciate your standards of perfection, not comparing yourself with others.
Leo
July 24 - Aug 23
Working at another office three times a week adds to stature. Knowing a couple of colleagues helps comfort level in new surroundings.
Cosmic tip: Don’t be embarrassed by a miscommunication.
Virgo
Aug 24 – Sept 23
Though not always possible, but try and balance personal and professional life. Sometimes it’s too late even for regrets.
Cosmic tip: Be happily focused on what positive karma is.
Libra
Sept 24 – Oct 22
Nurturing revolutionary ideas about how to market a product should be tempered down as two co-workers may not be receptive towards them.
Cosmic tip: Take control of thoughts and emotions.
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 22
There’s no encouragement about pursuing further studies. Make independent decisions.
Cosmic tip: Realise you have power over your mind: not outside events.
Sagittarius
Nov 23 – Dec 22
Stepping back into a calm but slow-moving pace is the best way to deal with this karmic cycle. Health is good.
Cosmic tip: A not so positive situation is quite a learning experience.
Capricorn
Dec 23 – Jan 20
Self-restraint helps navigate the sometimes slippery path to resolving matters. Couples could be more verbally inter-active.
Cosmic tip: Make a well-thought-out decision.
Aquarius
Jan 21 – Feb 19
A business partnership sounds good till potholes appear on the smooth surface.
Cosmic tip: Be tactful; sometimes bluntness takes over, especially when you’ve repeated the same matter over and over again.
Pisces
Feb 20 – March 20
Stay consistent. Show up anyway, even if there are too many differences of opinion. Keep emotions controlled and steady.
Cosmic tip: Keep energies focused on a goal (keep the goal realistic).
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged that it was an attempt by the BJP to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema, an amalgam of several religious and socio-religious organisations of Jammu and Kashmir, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, alleged that it was "forcible state intrusion into the religious sphere, which is against law and principles of freedom of religious practice".
A meeting of Islamic scholars and preachers associated with the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board took place here on Saturday, where the decision to have Friday sermons on social issues was taken.
Andrabi said that Islamic scholars (ulema) and religious guides have a duty to show the correct path beyond the ritual prayers, while asserting it was a collective decision and there was no hidden agenda or "official government decree".
"The Friday sermon (khutbah) is delivered; teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) are imparted. What our religion teaches us about community, brotherhood and humanity and that there should be no evils in society is what we have been hearing almost since childhood. It was collectively decided by Islamic scholars that dealing with social issues is a common cause," Andrabi told PTI.
She said most mosques and shrines are under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Board and the educated, intellectually conscious Imams are associated with it.
"This was everyone's collective concern; it was not a unilateral decision imposed by us.
"Rather, religious scholars and prominent intellectuals from across Jammu and Kashmir assembled here and made this decision: With societal evils rising, why shouldn't a Friday sermon universally emphasise eradicating these social ills? Why shouldn't this be addressed uniformly?" she said.
"Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sahib himself stated in his Friday sermon from Jamia Masjid about the need to address the social evils. We felt glad that he also spoke of religion and social evils, noting that all Imams across all mosques should show a new direction to Jammu and Kashmir," she added.
She said that the leaders criticising the decision should first understand the facts.
"This is not decided by Darakhshan Andrabi or officials, but rather by the religious leaders who genuinely guide people on the path of religion," she said, adding "politicians have no right to immediately start tweeting before even listening to the facts".
However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the "BJP-appointed" Waqf chairperson must immediately halt the "misplaced attempt to please her masters".
"This is an unacceptable attempt by the BJP to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims and will not be accepted under any circumstances. The BJP-appointed Chairperson must immediately halt this misplaced attempt to please her masters," Abdullah said on his personal handle on X.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said the move was "yet another interference in our religion and faith".
"Unfortunately, it is the BJP''s agenda to harass Muslims and interfere with their religion. Just like the Uniform Civil Code, they want to bring uniformity here as well," she told reporters here.
She claimed Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into a "laboratory" for the BJP, and the order calling for uniformity in Friday sermons "serves as a testing ground".
"First, it is tested in the laboratory, and then it is implemented across the entire country. Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim-majority state. Who are they to decide what sermon our Molvis and Imams will deliver on Fridays?
"Who will decide this? Will our Minority Affairs Minister, who is a non-Muslim, decide it? Who will make this decision?
"Look, it is through these mosques, through these scholars and Molvis, that Islam was spread here and taken to every home. Every region has its own local issues. Sometimes an incident happens in a particular area, and the Molvi sahib addresses it during the Friday sermon. So how can you mandate that every sermon must be identical?" she added.
She called for handing the Waqf Board to the Jammu and Kashmir government.
"After that, the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema, formed under Molvi Umar Farooq, if a decision on sermons has to be taken, they should make it, as they have the authority. He is our Mirwaiz here".
"How can we accept that a non-Muslim minister sitting in Delhi, or the Waqf Board currently controlled by the BJP, which has nothing to do with the Muslims here, dictates this?.. This is unacceptable. Totally unacceptable," the PDP chief added.
In a statement, the MMU said that even the suggestion that a statutory body could determine or regulate what is to be preached from the ''Mimbar'' is "ridiculous" and will never be accepted by the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The state or government cannot assume for itself the authority to determine religious discourse and scripted speech to be delivered, or interfere in matters of faith and religious practice," it said.
"It amounts to forcible state intrusion into the religious sphere, which is against law and principles of freedom of religious practice," it added.
The amalgam asked the Waqf Board to remain within its administrative responsibility of management, maintenance and protection of the Waqf properties entrusted to it, rather than come up with "such a devious agenda and unnecessary controversy".
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>He claimed that Siddaramaiah was a victim of the operation and it might have led him to give up the CM post.
Siddaramaiah has approached a court seeking an injunction on what he described as "false publicity" against him on social media.
"There was false publicity against me on social media. Hence, I am seeking an injunction," the veteran Congress leader told reporters late Monday night, without elaborating.
Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) second-in-command, alleged that the controversy surrounding the sting operation had overshadowed other issues in Karnataka and questioned the state government's handling of the matter.
"A former chief minister (Siddaramaiah) who held office for eight years was made to approach the court over the issue. He was a leader who served the state for eight years and, in terms of tenure, surpassed the record of Devaraj Urs. Is this how you treat such a leader," he asked.
The JD(S) also referred to reported discussion of the issue in a Cabinet meeting where Chief Minister D K Shivakumar advised his ministers and party MLAs two weeks ago to be alert over the possible sting operation.
"The sting operation case should now be handed over to the CBI," the union minister said at a press conference here.
Kumaraswamy also asked the state government to take action. "Let everyone involved come out into the open. The truth must emerge out."
He said he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and seek a CBI probe into the alleged sting operation against Karnataka ministers, as revealed by Shivakumar.
"Shivakumar, you have now used the expression ''sting operation''. You watered and nurtured this operation, and the saplings you cultivated have now grown into enormous trees. You must face the consequences of what has grown out of it," he said.
Referring to the controversy involving his nephew and former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Kumaraswamy alleged that the obscene videos were distributed through pen drives in Mandya, Hassan and surrounding areas two days before polling.
Prajwal, the grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and son of Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna, is serving a life imprisonment in a rape case at Bengaluru Central Jail.
Kumaraswamy alleged that Shivakumar and his predecessor Siddaramaiah had worked together to "politically finish off the Deve Gowda family".
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka claimed that Siddaramaiah had approached the court for a stay because of the sting operation.
He alleged that the Congress''s internal discord was causing pain to the former chief minister, who had relinquished power.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA and former minister K N Rajanna said that the sting operation targeting Siddaramaiah could be linked to the ongoing leadership tussle in the ruling party.
Asked whether Congress leaders had used the issue to push for a leadership change, Rajanna said, "Yes, it is possible. We cannot rule it out."
He further said that the issue could date back to 2011 or 2017 and claimed that many people knew about it.
"There is a ''factory'' in Karnataka where these sting operations are carried out," he claimed.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The device introduces a new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, allowing users to search for shows, ask follow-up questions about content they are watching and access information through a full-screen interface. Apple says the assistant can also use personal context from a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad to respond to certain requests.
The announcement comes as Apple expands its connected-home ecosystem, with the new Apple TV 4K also serving as a hub for controlling compatible smart home accessories.
The new Apple TV 4K is powered by Apple's A19 chip, which the company says delivers up to 50 per cent faster CPU performance and up to twice the GPU performance compared with the previous generation.
The chip also includes a dedicated AV1 decoder, designed to support more efficient video streaming while using less bandwidth.
The device has three far-field microphones for hands-free voice control. Advanced echo cancellation is intended to help Siri recognise commands even when audio is playing. However, hands-free Siri support varies by region and language.
The upgraded Siri experience allows viewers to ask questions about films and television shows without leaving what they are watching. Responses appear in a compact overlay, while users can ask follow-up questions to find more information about a programme.
For example, viewers can ask where a show was filmed or whether its content is suitable for a particular age group.
When paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled device, Siri can also respond to requests based on personal context, such as playing a show recommended by a contact.
Apple says Siri AI will be available in beta and will require compatible devices and software. Availability will vary by region and supported language.
The new Apple TV 4K supports a four-speaker surround sound configuration using HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers. The setup requires matching pairs for the front and rear speakers.
According to Apple, the speakers can automatically calibrate audio timing and levels based on their positions in the room.
The Siri Remote also gains Find My support, including Precision Finding on compatible devices, and an option to play a sound to help users locate a misplaced remote. The remote is compatible with supported earlier Apple TV models and is available separately.
Apple TV 4K can be used to control compatible smart home accessories, manage automations and activate scenes. With a compatible doorbell, users can receive notifications on their television and interact with visitors without interrupting their viewing.
The device also supports HomeKit Secure Video, with Apple Intelligence-generated descriptions of camera activity and summarised notifications available under compatible device, software and subscription requirements.
Apple says the A19 chip uses Secure Exclaves to isolate microphone data processing. Siri requests can be handled on the device or through Private Cloud Compute, Apple's cloud processing system. HomeKit Secure Video footage is protected by end-to-end encryption, according to the company.
The device also uses recycled materials, including recycled gold plating and tin solder in Apple-designed printed circuit boards, recycled rare earth elements in magnets and recycled aluminium in the thermal module and Siri Remote enclosure.
The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is priced at Rs 39,900 in India. Pre-orders begin October 13, while in-store availability is scheduled for November 13, according to Apple.
The device also supports Apple Fitness+, Apple Arcade, games from the App Store, FaceTime through Continuity Camera and personalised photo displays. Access to some content and services may require subscriptions, and availability varies by region.
The new model combines streaming, gaming and smart home controls in a single device, with its upgraded Siri experience and four-speaker audio support among the key additions over the previous generation.
]]>Residents first spotted the fire approaching their village in the Bangka Belitung province on Saturday and tried to put it out themselves with portable water pumps, mayor Riza Herdavid told reporters.
"They thought it was taken care of. But it's peatland, and there was still a fire smouldering underneath. So, when they assumed it was over, the wind shifted and quickly drove the fire toward the settlement."
The local disaster agency said nearly 1,000 people fled the village.
"My house is gone," Leni, a 55-year-old villager now staying at a shelter with her family, told AFP.
"There's nothing left. I could only save myself and take my kids with me... I panicked and didn't have the time to grab anything," said Leni, who like many Indonesians has one name.
Another survivor, Haryanti, said strong winds had fuelled the flames, which ravaged homes made mostly of wood.
"I immediately ran to save myself. None of my belongings survived... only the clothes on my back," the 50-year-old homemaker told AFP.
Mayor Riza said the village was built on what used to be peatland in a protected area, converted into a housing complex last year.
Indonesia regularly battles wildfires during the dry season, but has seen stronger-than-usual blazes this year because of the drought-causing El Nino weather phenomenon, set to be one of the strongest since comparable records began four decades ago.
Experts also point to slash-and-burn land-clearing practices that have changed the naturally fire-resistant landscape of Sumatra and Borneo islands.
This year's fires have created severe haze locally, with tens of thousands of cases of respiratory illnesses, and caused air pollution spikes in Singapore and Malaysia.
To make matters worse, thick smoke in a province of Borneo has grounded water-bombing aircraft, according to the disaster agency.
President Prabowo Subianto on Monday ordered the government to mobilise maximum efforts to battle wildfires that have been raging for three months in some places.
Cabinet secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the government had deployed more than 60,000 personnel to combat fires on the ground.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The new accessories are designed to work with Apple’s Home app, allowing users to set them up with a single tap on an iPhone and manage them without installing separate apps or creating additional accounts. Apple said the products use end-to-end encryption to protect home data, restricting access to users and people they authorise.
Availability for the new range begins in December, with select accessories scheduled to arrive in early 2027.
Apple said the new collection builds on its existing ecosystem of Works with Apple Home and Matter-compatible accessories. Developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, the products are designed to work individually or together as part of a connected smart home system.
Users can control compatible accessories through the Home app and Siri. Apple said the collection features a minimalist design and premium materials, with products designed to integrate with other Apple devices and services.
The company also highlighted privacy as a central feature of the range, saying home data in the Home app is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be read by Apple, LG Electronics or Schneider Electric.
LG Electronics is introducing four cameras designed to help users monitor their homes through compatible Apple home hubs, including Apple HomeView, HomePod, HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K.
The cameras capture video at resolutions of up to 2.5K and can recognise people, familiar faces, pets, vehicles and packages.
The lineup includes:
Video doorbell: Features dual cameras to capture separate views of visitors and packages, along with a built-in spotlight and a chime that plays through compatible Apple home devices. The front camera supports 2.5K resolution, while the bottom camera records in Full HD.
Floodlight cam: Offers adaptive dual floodlights that activate when motion is detected, alongside colour night vision designed for low-light conditions.
Outdoor cam: Provides flexible outdoor monitoring, colour night vision and adjustable positioning, with support for self-installation.
Indoor cam: Features a motorised design that adjusts its viewing angle when users check in remotely. It tilts away from the room when the first household member returns, providing an additional privacy measure.
The cameras work with iCloud+ to provide up to 10 days of event video history, without requiring a separate camera subscription. On eligible iCloud+ plans, Apple Intelligence can generate automatic descriptions of video clips and allow users to search recordings using natural-language queries.
Built-in storage is designed to keep the cameras recording during Wi-Fi outages. Users can access live footage and activity through the Home app on compatible iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TV 4K devices, as well as HomeView.
LG's Smart Deadbolt Lock is designed to simplify home access through Ultra Wideband technology. When a user carrying a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch with a home key approaches the door, the lock can automatically unlock it without requiring a tap.
Users can also unlock the door by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch, entering a PIN or using a concealed backup key slot.
The lock can detect whether the door has been opened, closed or tampered with, and notify users if it remains open even when locked. Through the Home app, homeowners can also share access with guests, family members and service providers.
The lock and video doorbell can be managed together through the Home app. When someone rings the doorbell, users receive a notification on their Apple devices, allowing them to view the visitor, communicate with them and unlock the door remotely.
The smart lock supports Matter and Aliro standards and is designed to keep core access functions working locally, even when the internet connection is unavailable.
Apple Home Collection includes two smart thermostats, one developed by LG Electronics and the other by Schneider Electric, giving users options suited to different home energy systems.
The thermostats work with the Home app's Adaptive Temperature feature, which uses on-device intelligence from an iPhone to adjust indoor temperatures based on whether residents are at home, preparing for sleep or away.
In the contiguous United States, Clean Energy Guidance can shift heating and cooling to periods when electricity is cleaner or less expensive, provided users have a compatible utility plan. The Home app can also display energy-use insights, including peak and off-peak electricity rates.
The thermostats can measure temperature and humidity across multiple rooms using the company's standalone sensors or sensors built into HomeView, HomePod and HomePod mini.
Both thermostats and the temperature and humidity sensors support Matter and are designed for do-it-yourself installation. They also work with a broad range of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, with on-device wire detection intended to simplify setup.
Apple said availability for the new smart home accessories will begin in December, with select products arriving in early 2027. The company has not specified individual product prices or a detailed market-by-market rollout in the announcement.
The collection expands Apple's smart home ecosystem with a broader range of connected security, access and climate-control products, managed through the Home app and Siri.
]]>In an email complaint to the officer-in-charge of Kalighat Police Station, Trinamool Congress Joint General Secretary Dola Sen alleged that the incident took place around 6 pm when Banerjee was visiting the Milan Sangha Durga Puja pandal in her neighbourhood.
The woman, identified in the complaint as Tannishtha Saha, was reportedly known in the locality as a civic volunteer and a drug addict, Sen alleged. The complaint further claimed that the woman said she was Banerjee’s niece and lay on the road, creating a scene while attempting to approach the former chief minister, news agency IANS reported.
“She was hurling abuses, and in an intoxicated state, she tried to violently approach Mamata Banerjee. It is concerning that someone reached near the residence of a Z-plus category security-protected person,” the complaint stated.
Sen urged the police to record the information under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and take cognisance of the photographs and videos enclosed with the complaint.
Speaking to media persons, Sen said she had informed two police constables present at the spot about the incident.
“They said that they were from West Bengal Police and could not do anything in the area, which is under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police. The accused woman was taken away by the police and served tea,” Sen said.
Expressing concern about Banerjee’s security, Sen questioned whether West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari wanted his predecessor to remain alive. She also suggested that the incident could be the result of a conspiracy and sought appropriate legal action.
The woman was detained, a senior police officer told PTI.
“We are questioning the woman and trying to understand the reason behind her behaviour. We are also reviewing the video footage of the incident. Witnesses will also be spoken to,” the officer said.
Another Trinamool Congress leader, Saket Gokhale, described the incident as “shocking news” in a post on X and alleged that “a drug addict” had reached Banerjee’s residence and tried to attack her with a knife.
He said, “This is the condition in Bengal where even a Z+ protectee & 3-time CM is not safe. Was this a planned conspiracy by BJP because Didi is determined to finish them off in Delhi? A complaint has been filed. Will the police act or was this sanctioned by Amit Shah?”
At the time the reports were filed, there was no response from Kolkata Police or the BJP on the matter.
(With IANS and PTI inputs)
]]>The makers, T-Series, took to their official handle on Tuesday and announced that the sequel will now reach audiences on March 5 next year. "Deal Pakki! The Khoslas are ready to take possession of cinemas with #KhoslaKaGhosla2, arriving on the big screen on 5th March 2027! (sic)," the post read.
View this post on Instagram
The announcement poster featured the primary cast wrapped in a bomb made from what seemed to be property agreements, with Boman, aka Khurana, ready to set them all on fire. Earlier, Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 was slated to be released in cinemas on August 28, 2026.
Directed by Priya Mishra and Prashant Bhagia, Khosla Ka Ghosla 2 has been produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Savita Raj Hiremath and Raj Hiremath. The project will also see Kiran Juneja, Ranvir Shorey and Tara Sharma reprising their roles from the original drama.
In August, as Boman wrapped up his portion, Kher reflected on their off-screen bond. The veteran actor wrote on his account, “Our relationship in the film couldn’t be more different from our relationship off screen. In the film, he is the intimidating, ruthless and unforgettable #KhuranaSaab. In real life, he is one of the warmest, kindest and most generous friends one could ask for.”
Sharing his experience of working with Boman, he added, “His understanding of cinema, his preparation, his attention to detail and his ability to make every scene richer are simply extraordinary. Even between takes, whether we were discussing films, life or playing world building or a game of chess, every moment with him was a joy.”
Released in 2006, Khosla Ka Ghosla shares the journey of Kamal Kishore Khosla (Kher), a middle-class Delhiite, and his family, who wish to reclaim their land seized by a builder, Khurana.
]]>At a meeting of the district-level monitoring committee held online at Mantralaya, Save instructed officials to reserve at least 10 per cent of the available live water storage in every major reservoir as an emergency buffer. The reserve will be used to tackle unexpected rainfall deficits, prolonged dry spells and other emergencies.
Nanded district's 104 water projects currently have a combined water stock of 68 per cent, according to information presented at the meeting.
Save directed the administration to plan drinking water distribution carefully and ensure that adequate reserves are maintained to meet the district's requirements. Officials also reviewed the available usable water stock and dead storage levels in major, medium and minor water projects across the district.
The minister instructed authorities to avoid using drinking water for maintaining gardens and stadiums in the city. He also asked industrial estates to ensure 30 per cent water reuse to reduce pressure on available resources.
The district administration was directed to take immediate action against illegal water connections, while the municipal corporation was asked to curb water leakage within its jurisdiction.
Save directed officials to identify villages likely to face severe water scarcity during March and April and prepare plans for supplying water through tankers wherever necessary.
The administration was also asked to review the water scarcity situation every month and conduct public awareness campaigns to encourage water conservation.
Nanded District Collector Rahul Kardile, Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Doiphode, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Ajinkya Satam and Irrigation Department Executive Engineer EM Chishti were among those who attended the meeting.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to Mumbai residents to conserve water amid concerns over the availability of water in the seven lakes supplying the city.
The civic body said below-average rainfall in 2026, influenced by climate factors such as El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), has affected the available water stock.
The appeal comes as Mumbai continues to face a gap between its daily water requirement and actual supply. The city and its suburbs require around 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD), while the average supply from available sources stands at approximately 4,100 MLD.
The BMC has urged citizens to use drinking water judiciously, avoid wastage and adopt conservation measures in their daily lives to ensure that the available reservoir stock lasts longer.
]]>Restoration work is currently underway, railway authorities said.
The derailment has affected the following trains:
10106 – Sawantwadi Road–Diva Passenger
10104 – Madgaon–CSMT Mandovi Express
12449 – Goa Sampark Kranti Express
10116 – Madgaon–Bandra Terminus Express
Railway authorities are working to restore the affected lines. Further information on service disruptions and restoration will be shared as it becomes available.
]]>Ken McCallum, who leads the UK's domestic security service, said Tehran is seeking to intensify its attacks in Britain beyond the traditional targets of Iranians opposed to the country's Islamic authorities.
That has included arson and sabotage attacks on Jewish sites that Britain says were carried out by Iranian proxies.
McCallum said another "major shift this year has been Iranian ambitions to come at harder targets, like military sites."
The incident at RAF Fairford "is not unique. There have been other examples, not just in the UK but around the world," McCallum said.
McCallum delivered a speech outlining major threats to the UK as detectives investigate a suspected terror plot against the US-run base in western England, which has been used to bomb Iran during this year's war.
Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes near the base on Sept. 27 as armed police officers and army bomb-disposal experts swarmed the rural area. Police later said they had found a quantity of an accelerant - gasoline - in three vans at the site, but no explosives.
British authorities have linked Tehran to the incident, which led the US to pull its bombers from RAF Fairford. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Monday that the apparent plot was "almost certainly" directed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
Seven men in their 20s have been arrested and released on bail under investigation.
Iran has denied involvement, although it has previously said that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.
In a stark speech, McCallum argued that the UK faces a "new era of national security" and is at a turning point equivalent to the 9/11 attacks a quarter century ago.
He said his agency's work countering state threats, chiefly from Russia, Iran and China, has quadrupled in the past decade, and claimed that both Russia and Iran are expanding their hybrid warfare campaigns against the UK.
Meanwhile, technology is racing ahead, with artificial intelligence "supercharging" the cybersecurity battle between attackers and defenders, he said.
McCallum said terror plotters have used artificial intelligence for reconnaissance and attacks, including AI-enabled drones. Even more concerning, he said, is "AI's potential to change the stakes on existing or even new bioweapons."
He said terror groups "would dearly love" to have chemical, biological or radiological weapons, but these are hard to obtain.
"One risk is that AI could enable dangerous knowledge to get into the hands of people we would all rather didn't have that knowledge," he said. "A second and different risk ⿦ is the possibility that AI could generate novel pathogens not previously seen."
McCallum said MI5 has set up a new AI Threat Assessment Centre to try to keep ahead of the risks.
"Human history has given us no experience of facing an actor which is smarter than we are. It is capable of outthinking us. This is genuinely novel, and deserves the serious attention it is getting, including in MI5," he said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The HomeView features a 7-inch Liquid Retina display, a built-in speaker system and facial recognition to provide personalised experiences for up to six users. It allows household members to access their individual content across apps such as Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders and Find My, while also supporting shared photo albums and music.
Apple is offering the tabletop model in four colours — silver, starlight, rose pink and space grey. A wall-mounted version is also priced at Rs 39,900 and is available in silver and space grey.
The HomeView runs a new version of Siri, which Apple says offers more conversational interactions, broader general knowledge and improved music discovery. The assistant can also use personal context from an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad to provide responses based on information in apps such as Messages and Calendar.
Siri AI can answer general questions and support natural conversations even without an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. However, personalised responses drawing on information across apps require a compatible paired device with Apple Intelligence enabled. Siri AI is available in beta with HomeView software version 27.2, according to Apple.
HomeView setup and multiuser support require a compatible iPhone or iPad running the latest software. Users can also customise Siri's voice and speaking pace on supported devices, with those preferences carrying over to HomeView. Conversations started on HomeView can continue in the Siri app, with history synced privately through iCloud across compatible Apple devices.
The display also supports customisable interfaces, including photo displays, animated faces and widgets. Its adaptive brightness adjusts automatically to changing lighting conditions, ranging from 500 nits to 0.3 nits. The interface changes the level of detail displayed depending on how close a user is to the screen.
The HomeView features two full-range drivers in the display, a down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators in its base. Apple's computational audio technology adjusts sound output in real time to optimise loudness and bass response. The wall-mounted model uses two custom drivers and audio processing tuned for on-wall placement.
Users can access Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Apple TV and compatible third-party audio and video apps.
The device also supports multiroom audio with HomePod, HomePod mini and compatible AirPlay speakers. With Handoff, users can transfer audio playback from an iPhone to the HomeView by bringing the phone close to the display.
For communication, the device supports FaceTime video calls with Center Stage, which keeps participants framed during calls. Users can also read and respond to messages using voice commands or the onscreen keyboard. Its Intercom feature allows messages to be broadcast to individual rooms or throughout the house, reaching compatible HomeView and HomePod speakers and personal devices.
HomeView can also be used as a kitchen assistant, displaying web recipes as step-by-step instructions and supporting hands-free timer control and ingredient tracking. Its Find My integration helps users locate compatible Apple devices and items fitted with an AirTag.
As a smart home hub, the HomeView can control compatible lights, thermostats, locks, blinds and security cameras. Its Home Camera interface can display up to nine video feeds simultaneously, while the Home Modular interface provides quick access to frequently used smart home accessories.
With a supported iCloud+ subscription and compatible cameras, users can receive notifications about recognised people, familiar faces, pets, packages and vehicles. HomeKit Secure Video recordings can also provide video descriptions to help users understand what happened in a clip without watching it in full. The device can detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds and send alerts to a user's iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
HomeView also supports compatible accessories that work with Apple Home and the Matter smart home standard.
Apple has announced a new Apple Home Collection of cameras, thermostats and a smart lock developed in collaboration with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. The collection is scheduled to begin arriving in December, with select accessories expected in early 2027.
Apple has equipped HomeView with its A18 chip and Secure Exclaves, isolated environments designed to process camera and microphone data separately from the rest of the system. The company says data processed within these environments cannot be accessed by HomeView software, apps, users or Apple.
Personal content in apps such as Messages and Calendar is displayed when the device recognises an enrolled user's face and the associated iPhone or iPad is present and has been recently unlocked. Apple says the requirements are intended to protect personal information when the display is shared among household members.
Siri requests are processed on the device or through Apple's Private Cloud Compute system, which the company says does not store data processed in the cloud or make it accessible to Apple or other parties.
The Apple HomeView and HomeView (Wall Mounted) are priced at Rs 39,900 each. Pre-orders opened on October 13 through Apple's India online store and the Apple Store app, with both models scheduled to go on sale on November 13.
The wall-mounted model supports three mounting options from Schneider Home, sold separately. The Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector starts at Rs 6,900, while the Power Mount AC Wired starts at Rs 8,900. Both can be ordered from October 13. The Power Mount PoE Wired, priced at Rs 14,900, is expected to be available in early 2027.
Siri AI on HomeView supports English in India, the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK. Apple said Canadian French-language support would be added through a free software update.
Apple said HomeView was designed with recycled materials, including 100 per cent recycled aluminium in the tabletop model's enclosure base and the wall-mounted model's enclosure, as well as 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets.
]]>The announcement comes a week after DC unveiled former India captain Sourav Ganguly as their head coach. PTI had reported in June that the duo would be joining the franchise.
A veteran of 304 ODIs, 40 Tests, and 58 T20Is, as well as a cornerstone of India's 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victories, the 44-year-old has mentored several established and emerging Indian stars in recent years. This appointment marks his first formal coaching role as he prepares to make his IPL coaching debut.
This move also signals a reunion with the Delhi franchise. Back in 2015, the team (then Delhi Daredevils) bought Yuvraj for a record Rs 16 crore, making him the most expensive player in IPL history at the time, as he played all 14 matches that season. Over his IPL career, he played 132 matches, scoring 2,750 runs and taking 36 wickets.
Welcoming him back, Delhi Capitals Chairman, Co-owner, and JSW Sports Founder Parth Jindal said, "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Yuvi to the Delhi Capitals family. Yuvi is one of Indian cricket’s greatest match-winners and someone who has played a pivotal role in mentoring many of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket today. His experience, winning mindset, and ability to connect with players will be invaluable to our squad."
Speaking on his new role, Yuvraj expressed excitement to be back at Delhi Capitals and team up with his former captain Sourav Ganguly.
"I am excited to begin a new chapter in my life with the Delhi Capitals. I have an old association with the franchise and know the owners well, which makes this a special opportunity for me. I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Dada, this time as coaches. Coaching is something I am truly passionate about, and I cannot wait to get started with this extremely talented squad. I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting journey for me, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success." Yuvraj said.
(With inputs from agencies)
]]>In its advisory dated October 13, the Embassy also cautioned Indian nationals against circulating or reposting videos or news related to the ongoing events. It said the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah, along with their outsourced passport and attestation services through VFS, continue to function normally.
The Embassy said the funeral rites of Mohammed Yousef Ali, who died in the October 10 incident, were completed in Riyadh on October 12, in accordance with his family's wishes. The Ambassador and Embassy officials attended the funeral.
Of the Indian nationals injured in the Riyadh airport attack, four remain in the intensive care unit (ICU), four are receiving treatment in regular hospital wards, and three have been discharged, according to the advisory.
Embassy officials continue to visit the hospitals where the injured are being treated and remain in contact with their families, providing all possible assistance.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the Embassy said. Flight operations at other major airports, including Dammam, Jeddah and Medina, are continuing, although disruptions have been reported.
According to information available on October 13, Indian carriers have suspended flights to Saudi Arabia until October 17.
Air India and Air India Express have suspended operations to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, as per information available at 1.45 pm Saudi time. Akasa Air has suspended flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah, while IndiGo has suspended operations to and from Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Medina.
The Embassy said scheduled Saudia flights continue to operate from Dammam, Jeddah and Medina. Flynas is also operating scheduled flights on the Dammam - Lucknow sector.
Indian nationals have been advised to remain in regular contact with their airlines and check the latest flight status before travelling.
Those facing emergencies and seeking to leave Saudi Arabia may also consider flying from airports in neighbouring Gulf countries, particularly Qatar and Bahrain. However, this option is subject to obtaining the required visa from the respective country in accordance with its rules.
The Embassy said Saudi authorities had informed it that Indian nationals who entered the Kingdom on Visit, Tourist, Umrah or Business visas but were forced to overstay because flights were unavailable would be permitted to exit without paying fines.
However, Indian nationals whose visas have expired have been advised to leave Saudi Arabia at the earliest opportunity once flights become available.
In view of the evolving situation, the Embassy has opened a 24x7 control room to assist Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia.
The following contact details have been provided:
Telephone: +966-11-488469
Toll-free number: 8002471234 (calls from within Saudi Arabia only)
WhatsApp: +966-536216082 (messages only)
Email: cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has also shared its round-the-clock control room contacts for assistance.
Telephone: +966-12-2614093 / +966-556122301
WhatsApp: +966-536209704 (messages only)
Email: pbskcgi@gmail.com
Indian nationals can also follow the Embassy's official social media accounts for updates.
The Embassy has urged members of the Indian community to remain calm, exercise caution and follow official instructions as the situation develops.
]]>Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has assured airlines that the redevelopment of Terminal 1 (T1) will be planned to minimise disruption to flight operations and that historical slot allocations will be respected.
It has also committed not to disturb any airline slots during the winter schedule, following a meeting with the Airport Operators Committee (AOC) on Tuesday.
Jeet Adani and Arun Bansal met the AOC of Mumbai Airport to discuss the redevelopment of the ageing T1 infrastructure.
According to a MIAL spokesperson, both sides agreed to work together on the implementation plan, with a joint working group expected to prepare a proposal over the next two weeks.
The meeting agreed to set up a joint working group to develop a plan for implementing the redevelopment of T1.
The group will work over the next two weeks to address the operational requirements associated with upgrading the terminal.
MIAL said it had assured the airline community that disruption would be minimised during the redevelopment and that historical slot allocations would be respected.
The airport operator also committed to keeping airline slots unchanged during the winter schedule, addressing a key concern for carriers operating from Mumbai.
According to the spokesperson, airlines have committed to supporting the redevelopment project, with traffic balancing scheduled to begin from the summer schedule.
The discussions focused on coordinating the redevelopment with airline operations to limit disruption while enabling the airport to upgrade its ageing infrastructure.
MIAL also assured full support to airlines seeking to shift some or all of their operations to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
Both sides agreed to hold a follow-up meeting on October 28. Until then, the airport and airline teams will continue discussions with the respective airline network and slot management teams.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reiterating their commitment to the development of Mumbai Airport and the improvement of its infrastructure.
MIAL said the objective was to ensure that the airport develops to the standards expected by Mumbai and its residents.
]]>A high-risk car-flip stunt reportedly turned into a frightening close call during the climax shoot of Gunmaaster G9, when an SUV suspended from a crane suddenly flipped and crashed onto a black van parked below, coming dangerously close to Emraan Hashmi’s face. A behind-the-scenes video shows crew members watching as a countdown is called before the vehicle is jerked and rotates upside down mid-air, eventually slamming onto the van’s roof.
No injuries have been reported so far. The makers are yet to clarify whether the incident was part of the planned stunt or if something went wrong during the shoot.
View this post on Instagram
This is not the first time the film’s shoot has landed in trouble. Earlier in June, when the cast was shooting in Haridwar, the site turned into a public uproar when locals mistook a movie set for a real bar. A crowd disrupted the shoot of a scene for Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9 after spotting a signboard that read ‘Bar and Café’ in the holy city.
“We go to shoot scenes with necessary props, at places without any intention of hurting anybody’s feelings. We always respect the system and follow all the rules. After speaking to the local people, we sorted it out,” said producer Deepak Mukut, who was taken aback by the accusations. He shared that, as a Hindu, he would never consider opening a bar in Haridwar.
Gunmaaster G9 stars Emraan Hashmi, Genelia D’Souza, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Singh. The film is produced by Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut and Sangeeta Ahir, and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Directed by Aditya Datt, the action romance is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on November 27, 2026.
In August, the first glimpse of the film was unveiled, showing Hashmi playing Eshwar, a dairy farm owner willing to go to extraordinary lengths to protect the woman he loves.
]]>The violations included improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, cockroach infestation, and the use of fat spread while butter was mentioned on the menu.
The FDA also seized suspected adulterated and misbranded edible oil worth Rs 23.35 lakh from a repacking unit in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and prohibited food items worth Rs 4.60 lakh in Beed district. The total value of the seizure in Beed, including the vehicle used to transport the goods, was Rs 10 lakh. An FIR was registered in the case.
No segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food at Domino’s Pizza
The FDA suspended the licence of M/s Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, which operates Domino’s Pizza, on Monday. The outlet is located at Shop Nos 7, 8, 9, 10 and 39, Rangoli Time Complex, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Parel.
According to the FDA, an inspection on August 11 had led to an improvement notice. However, a re-inspection on October 9 found that vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items were stored side by side in the same deep freezer.
Chicken and paneer were also being prepared on the same oven or grill.
The establishment had not submitted a conformity report for food-contact packaging material. Inspectors also found that records of food delivery vehicles and preventive maintenance of equipment were not being maintained.
Cockroach infestation in Bhandup eatery’s kitchen
The licence of M/s Maaz Food Parcel and Catering, located at Shop No. 6, LBS Marg, Sonapur, Bhandup West, was suspended on Tuesday, October 13.
An inspection found cockroach infestation in the kitchen, clogged and unclean drains, and prepared food items without labels. Artificial food colour was also found in the kitchen.
The FDA further alleged that the establishment was misleading customers by using fat spread while mentioning butter on its menu. Other violations included the absence of separate chopping boards for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, a lack of purchase bills and food-grade certificates for packaging material, and workers not wearing aprons or gloves.
Kurla’s Mughal Dhaba: Registration suspended after stale-food complaint
M/s Mughal Dhaba, at Shop No 3, 196, CTS No 381, opposite Kalpana Cinema on LBS Marg, Kurla West, had its registration suspended on October 9.
The action followed a complaint about stale food in an order placed through Zomato. During an inspection on October 8, officials found drains clogged with food waste and stagnant dirty water. The rear door was open without insect-proof mesh, while the refrigerator, deep freezer and utensils were rusted.
Inspectors also found peeling paint and plaster on the walls, a lack of segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and open dustbins near the onion stock.
FDA seizes 12,382 kg of edible oil in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In a separate action on Monday, the FDA inspected M/s Bajrang Trading Company, an edible oil repacking unit at No 4-17-91, Jafar Gate, Juna Mondha, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Officials sealed and seized 12,382 kg of suspected adulterated and misbranded refined soybean oil and refined palmolein oil, valued at Rs 23,35,654.
The seized stock included Keshar Gold brand tins and cans of refined soybean oil, along with loose oil stored in tanks.
The action was taken under Section 38(1)(c) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
During the inspection, the establishment scored 10 out of 206, or about 5 per cent, and was classified as ‘Non-Compliant’.
The FDA cited several serious deficiencies, including heaps of garbage on the roof, unhygienic toilets, goods stored directly on the floor without pallets, oil spillage, windows without insect-proof mesh and the absence of rat traps.
Officials also found that workers had not undergone medical examinations and were not wearing caps, aprons or gloves. Records relating to a laboratory or food technologist, as well as oil purchase records, were also missing.
The establishment’s food licence was suspended with immediate effect.
The FDA seized prohibited food items worth Rs 4,60,056 and a vehicle valued at Rs 5.40 lakh during a raid at Limbaganesh in Beed district on October 12. The total value of the seized goods and vehicle was Rs 10,00,056.
The action was taken during the alleged illegal sale and transportation of prohibited food items.
A case was registered at Neknur Police Station on Monday, under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The FDA has urged citizens to report complaints regarding food quality or malpractice through its toll-free number, 1800 222 365, or its grievance portal at https://complaints.mahafda.in.
]]>The directions were issued during a meeting chaired by Sakore-Bordikar at Nirmal Bhavan to review the long-pending demands of seasonal spraying employees.
The meeting also discussed the one-time absorption of seasonal spraying staff into regular service and the provision of compassionate appointments to their children.
Officials were asked to obtain the Finance Department’s views and take appropriate action on the employees’ demands, including pension and gratuity benefits and the payment of outstanding salary differences under the Sixth Pay Commission.
The meeting was attended by Director Dr Vijay Kandewad, Public Health Department Deputy Secretary Dr Urmila Joshi, Under Secretary Dr Shweta Savdekar, Chief Minister’s Office coordinator Chetan Bhojkar and Health Services Employees Federation state president Balasaheb Bhujbal, along with other federation office-bearers.
Commissioner Katkar and SPARK Foundation’s Mahesh Pohanekar joined the meeting virtually.
In a move to expand pension coverage and strengthen social security among rural households, the Department of Rural Development (DoRD) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in September to establish a dedicated network of ‘Pension Sakhis’, according to an official statement.
The initiative will leverage the community network under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), including Banking Correspondent (BC) Sakhis and trained community resource persons, to raise awareness about pension schemes, facilitate enrolment and provide pension-related assistance.
The programme will focus on Self Help Group (SHG) members, rural women, Lakhpati Didis and other underserved sections of rural India, with the aim of improving access to retirement planning and social security benefits.
Rohit Kansal, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, highlighted that SHG members have distinct savings patterns, livelihood cycles and financial risk profiles, making tailored social security support important.
He said social security is a key pillar of the Mission’s vision of inclusive growth, helping SHG households manage vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience and work towards sustained prosperity.
Kansal also stressed that pension awareness and financial literacy initiatives must be rooted in honesty, transparency and trust. He expressed confidence that trained BC Sakhis and other financially literate community workers could take on the role of Pension Sakhis and help widen pension coverage across rural India.
Mamta Shankar, Whole Time Member (Economics) at PFRDA, underlined the importance of retirement planning in view of rising life expectancy and changing demographic trends.
The partnership seeks to use established rural community networks to improve pension awareness, support enrolment and help more households access formal pension schemes.
]]>Chasing a stiff target of 421 runs, South Africa collapsed to 206 in their second innings. Hazlewood delivered career-best bowling figures of 6/49 to wrap up the win for the visitors.
Starting the final day at 102/4 and still requiring 319 runs, South Africa relied heavily on Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder to hold firm. Aiden Markram played a fighting knock of 75 off 237 balls, while Mulder scored 29 before falling to Hazlewood shortly before the lunch break.
The Australian attack proved relentless after lunch as part-time spinner Renshaw dismissed Kyle Verreynne for just one. Taking the second new ball, Hazlewood struck twice in quick succession to remove Marco Jansen (35) and Simon Harmer for a duck. Mitchell Starc eventually ended Markram’s long stay at the crease, before Hazlewood cleaned up the lower order by getting Anrich Nortje caught at short cover by Nathan Lyon.
Renshaw was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding contributions, scoring a monumental 190 in Australia's first-innings total of 390 and adding 82 in the second innings alongside key bowling contributions.
In response to Australia's initial 390, South Africa managed just 284 in their first innings despite steady runs from Markram and David Bedingham, trailing by 106 runs after the first innings. Australia then declared their second innings at 314/6 thanks to fifties from Renshaw and Nic Maddinson, along with brisk lower-order runs from Pat Cummins and Beau Webster.
This result represents South Africa’s first home Test defeat following four consecutive victories since November 2024, as well as captain Temba Bavuma’s first loss in 13 matches in charge. Meanwhile, Australia secured their fourth straight Test win at Kingsmead dating back to 2006, boosting their WTC standing and pushing South Africa down to third place.
The second Test begins in Gqeberha on October 18, before the final Test in Cape Town from October 27 to 31.
]]>Several other stations also recorded significantly higher-than-normal daytime temperatures, while dry conditions prevailed across the state, with no rainfall reported at any station.
According to the weather report, Beed in Marathwada recorded 38 degrees Celsius, 6.4 degrees above normal, while Yavatmal in Vidarbha registered 38.2 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees above normal. Jalgaon in north Maharashtra recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 17.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees below normal.
Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees above normal, while the minimum stood at 26.5 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal.
Ratnagiri topped the state's maximum temperature readings at 39.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Dahanu at 36.3 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees above normal, and Alibag at 35.1 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees above normal.
Alibag also recorded the state's highest minimum temperature at 27.9 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees above normal. Ratnagiri's minimum was 22.8 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal, while Dahanu recorded 24 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal. Santacruz recorded a minimum of 24 degrees Celsius and Panjim 23.6 degrees Celsius.
Pune's Shivajinagar station recorded a maximum temperature of 35.1 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal, and a minimum of 19.4 degrees Celsius, marginally below normal.
Relative humidity stood at 68 per cent at 8.30 am and 31 per cent at 5.30 pm. No rainfall was recorded during the reporting period.
For Wednesday, the forecast for Pune indicates mainly clear skies, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to be around 35 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The city's seasonal rainfall stood at just 1.4 mm against the normal of 50.2 mm, leaving a deficit of 48.8 mm.
Several stations in Madhya Maharashtra also reported temperatures above normal. Solapur recorded a maximum of 36.8 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees above normal, while Jalgaon reached 36.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees above normal.
Satara recorded 35.8 degrees Celsius, 4.3 degrees above normal, followed by Nashik at 35.5 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal, and Lohgaon at 35.4 degrees Celsius, 3.8 degrees above normal. Kolhapur recorded 34.3 degrees Celsius, while Mahabaleshwar registered 27.9 degrees Celsius.
Night temperatures were also elevated at some locations. Ahilyanagar recorded a minimum of 23.3 degrees Celsius, 5.1 degrees above normal, the highest positive departure among the minimum-temperature readings in the report. Lohgaon recorded a minimum of 21.1 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees above normal.
In contrast, Jalgaon recorded a minimum of 17.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees below normal, while Nashik's minimum of 18.4 degrees Celsius was 0.8 degrees below normal.
In Marathwada, Beed recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, 6.4 degrees above normal. Parbhani registered 35.1 degrees Celsius, 2.5 degrees above normal, while its minimum temperature was 20.1 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degrees below normal.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar recorded a minimum of 21 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal, while Dharashiv registered 20.8 degrees Celsius, 1 degree above normal.
Vidarbha also experienced elevated daytime temperatures. Yavatmal recorded 38.2 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees above normal, while Amravati registered 36.8 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above normal. Akola reached 36.6 degrees Celsius, while Washim and Buldhana recorded 36 degrees Celsius and 35.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Buldhana's maximum was 5.2 degrees above normal, one of the sharpest positive departures in the region. Nagpur recorded 34 degrees Celsius, 0.6 degrees above normal, while Gondia was the only station in the region to record a maximum below normal, at 33 degrees Celsius, 0.3 degrees below normal.
Minimum temperatures in Vidarbha varied across the region. Chandrapur recorded 23.8 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees above normal, followed by Akola at 23.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees above normal, and Brahmapuri at 23 degrees Celsius, 1.4 degrees above normal.
Amravati recorded a minimum of 21.1 degrees Celsius, while Nagpur registered 20.4 degrees Celsius, marginally below normal. Washim's minimum was 19 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal, while Gondia recorded 18.6 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees below normal, the largest negative departure among the minimum-temperature readings in the report.
With no rainfall reported across the state, Maharashtra continued to experience dry weather alongside elevated daytime temperatures at several monitoring stations.
]]>The incident happened within Lawalong police station limits and came to light after the girl was admitted to Sadar Hospital on Saturday after she complained of pain and bleeding.
The accused were arrested on Monday night after a Zero FIR was registered at the Sadar police station based on statements of the girl and her parents. The case was subsequently transferred to the Lawalong police station for investigation, a police officer said.
"We have arrested two persons, including the 16-year-old boy, the main accused, who allegedly lured the girl into a relationship and sexually exploited her. The other accused is 20 years old and was held for allegedly giving abortion pills to the girl, causing her deteriorated health, which led to her subsequent admission to the hospital on Saturday," Lawalong police station officer-in-charge Chandan Kumar said.
Further investigation is underway, he said.
The victim was handed over to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Chatra on Monday. During her medical examination, the girl was found to be one-month pregnant.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Addressing reporters after a meeting with Opposition leaders and civil society representatives at his residence in New Delhi, Gandhi said those allegedly involved in “vote chori” would be brought to justice, naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
LIVE: United Opposition Media Bite | Vote Chori | 5 Sunehri Bagh Road, New Delhi https://t.co/2ymvat4Ucx
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 13, 2026
“It is our commitment that the people who have done this -- Mr Modi, who is the main architect, Amit Shah, who is implementor, Gyanesh Kumar and others -- they need to understand that the net is closing around them... We assure you that all would be brought to justice,” he asserted.
Gandhi hosted leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, civil society representatives and student leaders for tea at his residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, where they discussed their collective efforts to restore democracy.
The LoP said the Opposition had “extreme respect” for the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India (CJI), expressing hope that the judiciary would play its role in the process.
“We have extreme respect for the Supreme Court, for the Chief Justice of India, for the judicial system. They have a role to play; we hope they will play that role. No matter what happens, no matter which institution plays a role or not, political resistance will continue, people's resistance will continue and it will triumph,” Gandhi said.
He further stated that those who “destroy” the Constitution could not simply get away with it, reiterating his assurance that action would be taken against those accused of “vote chori”.
Gandhi also thanked people for turning out in large numbers for Monday's protest march to the Supreme Court, saying the demonstration reflected public sentiment rather than merely the position of political parties.
“We thank them for their support,” he said.
He further asserted that the Opposition and civil society were not holding separate protests but were united in their fight to restore democracy in the country.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Mahua Maji, Samajwadi Party leaders Harender Malik, Anand Bhadauria and Mohibullah Nadvi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M A Baby, CPI leaders D Raja and P Sandosh Kumar, All India Students Association (AISA) chief Neha Bora, CPI (Marxist Leninist) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and Trinamool Congress lawmaker Mahua Moitra attended the meeting.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>“I have never visited India, but it’s been on my bucket list of trips to make. I have watched 3 Idiots. I would love to be part of an Indian project; please call me, but you would have to teach me dancing,” she said in an interaction with HT City.
Hoyeon, who won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2022 for Squid Game and earned an Emmy nomination, makes her feature film debut with Hope. Directed by Na Hong-jin, the film also stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Taylor Russell, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.
In Hope, Hoyeon plays rookie police officer Sung Ae, who faces an alien invasion in her quiet seaside town. The actor said working with director Na was a major reason she signed the film. “I have been a huge fan of director Na’s work. When I read the script, I felt Sung Ae had this very magnetic appeal; you cannot deny her presence at all,” she said.
Preparing for the role involved six months of firearms training, driving practice and weight training. Hoyeon also spoke about overcoming her initial insecurities as an actor. “When I started working as an actor, I had a lot of insecurity and anxiety because I was so new to it all, but this was the first time that the joy of working overcame the fear,” she said.
The actor added that action sequences offered a different kind of freedom, partly because of her modelling background and her comfort with expressing herself through movement.
Hoyeon said she hopes to keep challenging herself with projects that offer new experiences, including a possible stint in theatre next year. She has also worked with Cate Blanchett in Alfonso Cuaron’s psychological miniseries Disclaimer.
While she considers the global audience when choosing projects, the actor said she increasingly feels free to follow stories that resonate with her. “I just try my best to choose projects that move my heart, and when I choose one, I work as though it’s my last project every time,” she said.
Hoyeon’s Hope, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, releases in India on October 23.
]]>After bowling Chandigarh out for a mere 78 runs on the second day, Mumbai enforced the follow-on, holding a 351-run lead. Although Chandigarh managed to avoid an immediate collapse on the second evening, they were eventually dismissed for 196 in 52.1 overs during their second knock, with spinners Shams Mulani (3/69) and Tanush Kotian (3/30) combining to share six wickets.
Mumbai had earlier put on board a big total of 429 in their opening innings, anchored by Musheer Khan's 65 and captain Siddhesh Lad's 86, alongside half-centuries from Kotian (58) and unbeaten tailender Mohit Awasthi (56 not out). Deshpande concluded the game with seven total wickets, starring with a five-wicket haul highlighted by his first-innings hat-trick.
In another Group D contest hosted in Jaipur, Rajasthan held a 170-run lead over Tamil Nadu after finishing on 81 for four in their second innings, having previously established an 89-run first-innings advantage. Resuming after Rajasthan's total of 363, Tamil Nadu were bowled out for 274 in 98.4 overs. Andre Siddarth top-scored with 81 alongside contributions from Pradosh Ranjan Paul (58) and Narayan Jagadeesan (55), while Ajay Singh Kukna starred with a five-wicket haul (5/51). Mahipal Lomror remained unbeaten on 25 at stumps.
At Brabourne Stadium, Railways reached 34 without loss in their second innings, trailing Uttarakhand by 158 runs after conceding a 192-run first-innings deficit. Uttarakhand had posted 470, powered by Saurabh Rawat's 107 off 201 balls alongside strong knocks from Avneesh Sudha (90), Jagadeesha Suchith (62), and Mayank Mishra (51).
Meanwhile, in Rohtak, Haryana were left needing 45 more runs with three wickets down after closing on 26 for three in pursuit of a modest target of 71 against Himachal Pradesh. Himachal folded for 113 in their second innings, as Parth Vats bagged 3/22, before Arpit Guleria struck twice to give Haryana a nervous finish heading into the final day.
]]>Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Affleck said the film’s problems were compounded by personal circumstances and the tragedy that led Snyder to step away during post-production. “The truth is, the experience of Justice League was so, so negative for lots of different reasons,” Affleck said, adding that the production showed him what could go wrong when a studio and its filmmaker were at odds.
“You're really making a mistake. That was what really doomed that,” he said. Justice League faced a major change after Snyder left the project following the death of his daughter by suicide. Joss Whedon subsequently took over, overseeing extensive reshoots that altered parts of the film.
Affleck was particularly critical of how Snyder’s exit and the subsequent production were handled. “Boy, that was shitty. Him being taken off that movie, and the reshoots that we did, if you want the low point of my career, it was that,” the actor said.
He also stressed that the personal tragedy surrounding Snyder’s departure outweighed the professional difficulties, before questioning how the circumstances were used during the production. “Somebody's death by suicide, that eclipses everything,” Affleck said. “And the way that was, I thought, frankly, used as an excuse… I just thought that was one of the shittiest things I've ever seen.”
Affleck also spoke about the atmosphere surrounding the production, noting that he had heard accounts of other cast members’ experiences, including those of Ray Fisher and Gal Gadot. “It was so gross,” he said, describing the overall environment as deeply unpleasant.
The film’s production troubles followed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which did not perform as Warner Bros. had hoped. The studio reportedly wanted Justice League to adopt a lighter tone and appeal to a broader audience, contributing to the creative tensions surrounding the project.
Despite bringing together DC’s biggest superheroes, the theatrical version of Justice League became associated with behind-the-scenes conflict. Affleck’s latest comments offer another glimpse into the difficulties that shaped the film and continue to influence how he remembers the experience.
]]>The Madras High Court has granted interim protection against the unauthorised online exhibition of Rajinikanth-starrer Jailer 2 and Shivarajkumar's Bail, restraining their illegal screening on websites and other digital platforms. The order aims to protect the producers' copyrights ahead of the films' theatrical releases.
According to a report in The Hindu, Justice PB Balaji passed the interim injunction following separate suits filed by the producers of the two films. Sun TV Network's counsel, Rahul Balaji, urged the court to issue the order at the earliest, pointing out that Jailer 2 was scheduled to release in two days. He argued that big-ticket films are often uploaded illegally to digital platforms within 30 minutes of their global theatrical release. The court accepted the request, with the order also intended to be communicated to telecom service providers.
In April, Jailer 2 was leaked online, sparking concern in the Tamil film industry. The makers urged fans and the media to avoid sharing clips, warning that their anti-piracy team was tracking and would take action against offenders.
Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 brings Rajinikanth back as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner and features an ensemble cast, including SJ Suryah, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu and Mirnaa. A few days ago, the film was cleared by the CBFC with a U/A certificate ahead of its release on October 15.
Ticket sales are also seeing a solid response, and the movie's worldwide pre-sales for day one are already closing in on the Rs 30-crore mark in worldwide advance bookings. The high-octane action sequel is set to hit theatres on October 15. Andhra Pradesh has approved a temporary price hike for seven days, from October 15 to 21. The order allows single-screen theatres to charge Rs 50 above the usual admission rate, while multiplexes can add Rs 75 to their standard ticket price.
]]>Shah said the elections under discussion were conducted using ballot papers, countering claims that electronic voting machines helped the BJP win. He also targeted the Congress over its electoral record in Gujarat, Tripura and West Bengal, claiming that the party had gone decades without a victory in these states.
Asking Gandhi whether the results were due to the SIR, Shah said the exercise came into effect only after 2024. He further alleged that the Congress had repeatedly lost elections since Gandhi emerged as its principal leader and subsequently became party president and Leader of the Opposition.
Shah said that the BJP had won 90 of the 104 seats across three civic bodies.
He described the results as a reflection of voters’ continued support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Home Minister criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Shah also cited the BJP’s performance in local body elections in Rajasthan and village committee elections in Tripura, along with recent by-election results in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, to target the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
#WATCH | Delhi | Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "To those who cite ballot machines as the reason for the results, I would like to point out that these elections were conducted using ballot papers; this fact completely refutes the argument that ballot machines are what help the BJP win elections. For 33 years, no Congress Chief Minister has won in Tripura. In Bengal, the Congress party has not achieved a victory for 54 years. In states like Bengal, Tripura, and Gujarat, the Congress party has faced defeat for three, four, or even five decades. I want to ask Shri Rahul Gandhi directly: is this the result of the SIR? The SIR only came into effect after 2024. Ever since you emerged as the principal leader of the Congress—and subsequently as its President and the Leader of the Opposition—the party has consistently lost elections"
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2026
Speaking about the Gujarat local body election results, Shah said the BJP had secured 90 of the 104 seats across three municipalities and municipal corporations.
In the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, which falls within his parliamentary constituency, the BJP won 38 of the 44 seats, he said.
Shah claimed that AAP had contested all 32 seats in Gandhinagar but forfeited its security deposit in every constituency it contested. He also said the BJP’s vote share in the municipal corporation had increased by 10 percentage points compared with the previous election.
Describing the outcome as a decisive mandate, Shah said the results demonstrated that Gujarat’s electorate continued to stand firmly behind Modi.
Shah also took aim at Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the Congress had not won an election in Gujarat since 1985.
According to the ANI, he said the party had faced repeated defeats in the state since its last victory that year and argued that the results called for serious introspection within the Congress.
Shah also questioned Gandhi’s criticism of the SIR exercise, asking whether the BJP’s electoral performance could be attributed to the revision of electoral rolls.
“You need to introspect,” Shah said, arguing that the BJP’s victories reflected its popularity rather than being explained away by the SIR process.
#WATCH | Delhi | On Gujarat Local Body Election Results 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Elections were held today for three municipalities and municipal corporations in Gujarat. The Bharatiya Janata Party achieved a resounding victory, winning 90 out of the total 104 seats across these two municipalities and one municipal corporation. In the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation—which falls within my constituency—the BJP won 38 out of 44 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party contested all 32 seats but forfeited its security deposit on every single one of them. This massive victory in Gujarat reflects the mood of the state's voters, demonstrating that the electorate of Gujarat stands rock-solid behind Narendra Modi ji. Compared to the previous election, the BJP has increased its vote share by 10% in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. I want to make this point clear—and specifically convey it to Rahul ji—that the Congress party has not won a single election in 41 years. The last election they won was back in 1985; since then, they have faced continuous defeats in Gujarat"
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2026
The Union Home Minister also referred to the BJP’s performance in Rajasthan’s local body elections.
According to Shah, the party won around 90 per cent of municipal corporation seats, 66 per cent of municipal council seats and 65 per cent of municipality seats, as per the ANI.
He further claimed that AAP forfeited its security deposit in more than 85 per cent of the wards it contested in Rajasthan.
Referring to village committee elections in Tripura, Shah said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had won approximately 4,000 seats, including 3,248 seats and another 900 seats, with a combined vote share of 77.5 per cent. He claimed that the Congress had secured only 14 of the approximately 4,600 seats.
Shah also cited recent by-elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, claiming that the Congress had failed to win a single seat in these contests.
He highlighted several results in West Bengal, saying the BJP had won the Naogaon seat by a margin of 1.42 lakh votes after wresting it from the Congress. He also cited the party’s victory in Nandigram, where its candidate secured 76 per cent of the vote and won by a margin of 1.22 lakh votes.
In Rejinagar, Shah said the BJP won by more than 75,000 votes, taking the seat from the Trinamool Congress.
In Puducherry, he said a candidate from the NDA ally All India NR Congress (AINRC) won by 8,482 votes, while the Congress secured 22 per cent of the vote.
Shah presented the results as evidence of the BJP and its allies’ electoral strength, while calling on the Congress leadership to examine the reasons behind its defeats.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>The vessel, identified as Haridwar Krupa, was intercepted near Prongs Lighthouse after it allegedly ignored warnings from Coast Guard personnel and attempted to evade interception, it said.
The operation was carried out on October 12 following surveillance of suspicious maritime movements in the area.
According to the Indian Coast Guard, its ships were directed to maintain a close watch near Prongs Lighthouse after receiving information about suspicious activity at sea.
During the patrol, Coast Guard personnel spotted the fishing boat operating near a merchant vessel. When challenged over the VHF maritime communication channel, the boat allegedly failed to respond, ignored repeated warnings and attempted to flee, the ICG said.
A Coast Guard ship pursued the vessel and eventually intercepted it.
During a subsequent search, the boat's master allegedly admitted to receiving around 4,000 litres of diesel at sea, according to the Coast Guard's preliminary investigation, the statement said.
It said that the preliminary investigation also indicated that the crew had allegedly discharged around 500 litres of diesel into the sea during the pursuit in an attempt to destroy evidence.
The boarding team confiscated operational documents and six mobile phones for further investigation.
The Indian Coast Guard has not disclosed further details about the suspected source of the diesel or the merchant vessel's role in the alleged operation. However, further probe into the matter is underway.
The fishing boat, its crew and the seized evidence were escorted to Mumbai Harbour.
A joint investigation involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and Maharashtra
Police has been initiated to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine the possible involvement of others.
"The vessel, along with confiscated documents and electronics, has been escorted to Mumbai harbour for a comprehensive joint investigation by the ICG, Indian Navy, State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Fisheries, Customs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and State Police," the ICG said.
]]>The incident occurred at around 11 am when the girl was leaving the temple after offering prayers.
According to the sources, the accused, a labourer, allegedly approached her and attempted to molest her when she was alone.
The girl resisted and raised an alarm, prompting the accused to flee. The incident was captured by CCTV cameras installed at the temple, they said.
Nigdi police registered a case against the accused under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
An official from the Nigdi Police Station told the ANI that the accused had been taken into custody and arrested. An investigation is under way to establish the circumstances of the incident.
Police are also checking whether the accused has any previous criminal cases against him.
"A case has been registered at the station under Section 75 of the BNS and Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act. The accused has been taken into custody and arrested. The police are currently investigating whether there are any prior criminal cases against the accused."
#WATCH | Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra: Police Inspector, Nigdi Police Station, Mahesh Bansode says, "An incident involving the molestation of a minor girl occurred around 11 AM on October 11, 2026, within the jurisdiction of the Nigdi Police Station. A case has been registered at the station under Section 75 of the BNS and Sections 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act. The accused has been taken into custody and arrested. The police are currently investigating whether there are any prior criminal cases against the accused... The contractor responsible for the labour camps operating in the city has been summoned, and the verification of his documents is currently underway."
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
According to the official, the accused worked as a daily-wage labourer for a contractor.
The contractor responsible for labour camps operating in the city has been summoned, and the police are verifying his documents as part of the investigation.
The police have not disclosed further details about the accused or the victim, who is a minor.
The incident has triggered concern over the safety of girls and women in the area.
In a post on X, the Maharashtra Congress criticised the state government over the incident and questioned the effectiveness of measures to ensure women's safety.
Congree called on Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, to take strict legal action against the accused and announce concrete measures to improve women's safety.
The allegations and criticism were made by the Congress in its political response to the incident.
Police said the investigation was continuing.
]]>The new smart speaker will be available in pink, green, blue, white and midnight. Priced at Rs 18,900 in India, the HomePod mini 2 will receive Siri AI through a future software update, bringing improved conversational abilities, personal context understanding and more advanced music discovery.
Apple said the updated Siri will be powered by its latest-generation Foundation Models, enabling users to ask questions across a wider range of topics, access up-to-date information from the web and carry out tasks using personal context from supported apps.
When paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, the HomePod mini 2 will be able to use personal context to help users find information and complete tasks. These include locating a song recommended in a message, setting reminders linked to calendar events or locations, finding recipes in emails and adding ingredients to grocery lists.
The speaker can recognise up to six household members by their voices and connect securely with their devices. Apple said users will also be able to engage in more natural, back-and-forth conversations with Siri.
Even users without an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad will be able to access Siri AI’s broader world knowledge, conversational capabilities and improved music discovery once the feature is enabled on a supported HomePod mini speaker.
Siri AI will initially support English in India, the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the UK through a future software update.
The HomePod mini 2 delivers 360-degree sound from its compact design and can be used as a standalone speaker, in a stereo pair or as part of a multiroom audio setup.
Powered by Apple’s S10 chip and computational audio technology, the speaker analyses music in real time to optimise dynamic range, loudness and acoustic performance.
When paired with the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, four HomePod mini 2 speakers can create a surround-sound home theatre setup. The system identifies the speakers’ positions and automatically calibrates audio timing and levels to suit the room.
The speaker can also be used with a Mac for audio during movies, gaming, FaceTime and video calls.
Apple has introduced Sound Glow, a feature that turns the top of the HomePod mini 2 into a light display that pulses in sync with music, responding to bass and treble in real time.
The feature can also generate lighting effects inspired by the album artwork of the track being played. Users can select soundscapes, such as rain, to create ambient animations.
The HomePod mini 2 allows users to control compatible smart home accessories through voice commands, including locking doors, closing garage doors, adjusting thermostats, lowering blinds and switching off lights.
Through the Home app, users can automate accessories and create scenes that control multiple devices. The speaker can also function as a home hub, allowing users to manage compatible accessories securely from an iPhone, whether they are at home or away.
Sound Recognition can detect the sounds of smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and send notifications to a user’s iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Users can also use the Home app to check in on their homes and listen or speak to someone through the speaker.
Apple said the HomePod mini 2 will work with compatible smart home accessories, including Apple Home Collection video doorbells and cameras. Face Recognition can announce who is at the door when supported features are enabled.
Apple said Siri requests on the HomePod mini 2 can be processed on-device or through Private Cloud Compute. According to the company, data processed through Private Cloud Compute is not stored or made accessible to Apple or other parties.
The company also highlighted the speaker’s environmental features, including 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements in its magnets and recycled copper, gold plating and tin solder in Apple-designed printed circuit boards. Its paper packaging is also entirely fibre-based and designed to be recycled.
The HomePod mini 2 is priced at Rs 18,900 in India. Pre-orders begin on October 13, with availability in stores starting October 30.
Siri AI will arrive through a free future software update. Apple said the feature requires the owner of the home in the Home app to have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad running the latest software, with Siri AI enabled and set to a supported language.
The four-speaker home theatre feature requires four HomePod mini 2 or second-generation HomePod speakers in matching pairs, alongside a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K running the latest operating system software. Some features and accessories may not be available in all regions.
]]>🔸CM Devendra Fadnavis chairs a review meeting regarding the 'Garbage-Free Cities and Compressed Biogas (CBG) Project'. MoS Madhuri Misal, BPCL Chief General Manager (Biofuels) Inderjit Singh, KEVA SusBDe Executive Director Vrinda Thakur, KEVA Group Chief Executive Officer & Wholetime Director Kedar Vaze, WTT Director Strategy & Growth Tjeerd van den Berg and senior officials were present. 🔸मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांच्या अध्यक्षतेखाली ‘कचरामुक्त शहरे आणि कॉम्प्रेस्ड बायोगॅस (CBG) प्रकल्पाबाबत' आढावा बैठक. यावेळी राज्यमंत्री माधुरी मिसाळ, बीपीसीएलचे मुख्य महाव्यवस्थापक (Biofuels) इंद्रजित सिंह, KEVA SusBDe च्या कार्यकारी संचालक वृंदा ठाकूर, केवा समूहाचे मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी आणि पूर्णवेळ संचालक केदार वझे, डब्ल्यूटीटीचे स्ट्रॅटेजी अँड ग्रोथ संचालक टीजर्ड व्हॅन डेन बर्ग व वरिष्ठ अधिकारी उपस्थित होते. 🔸मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस इनकी अध्यक्षता में 'कचरामुक्त शहर' एवं कॉम्प्रेस्ड बायोगैस (CBG) परियोजना' के संदर्भ में बैठक। इस अवसर पर राज्यमंत्री माधुरी मिसाल, बीपीसीएल के मुख्य महाप्रबंधक (Biofuels) इंद्रजीत सिंह, KEVA SusBDe की कार्यकारी निदेशक वृंदा ठाकुर, केवा समूह के मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी एवं पूर्णकालिक निदेशक केदार वझे, डब्लूटीटी के स्ट्रैटेजी एंड ग्रोथ निदेशक टीजर्ड वैन डेन बर्ग एवं वरिष्ठ अधिकारी उपस्थित थे। 🕦11.25am | 13-10-2026📍Varsha Bungalow, Mumbai | स. ११.२५ वा. | १३-१०-२०२६📍वर्षा निवासस्थान, मुंबई. @Dev_Fadnavis @madhurimisal @BPCLimited #Maharashtra #DevendraFadnavis #WasteManagement
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) October 13, 2026
At a meeting held at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai on Tuesday, Fadnavis directed officials to identify suitable locations and establish projects in line with the state’s CBG policy.
The meeting reviewed proposed projects and the feasibility of adopting waste-to-biogas technology across Maharashtra. Minister of State Madhuri Misal, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department KH Govindraj were among those present.
Representatives of Keva Green, including Executive Director Vrinda Thakur, Managing Director Kedar Vaze and Director Nandan Vaze, presented details of the company’s waste-to-biogas project in Nagpur and outlined the potential for similar initiatives across the state.
Fadnavis asked officials to explore the establishment of CBG projects in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar and Kalyan-Dombivli, as well as in the Hinjawadi and Chakan areas of Pune.
Highlighting the waste management challenges in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, he said project planning must account for the volume of waste generated, land availability, the suitability of technology and proximity to gas pipelines.
He also called for an implementation framework involving companies in the sector, oil companies and local self-government bodies.
According to the Chief Minister, converting waste into biogas could help municipal corporations reduce expenditure on waste collection while supporting efforts to make cities garbage-free.
The meeting discussed the possibility of developing a cluster-based model in which neighbouring cities could be brought together to process waste generated across municipal corporation areas.
Officials also considered segregating waste at source within cities and shifting subsequent processing to suitable locations outside urban areas to ease pressure on scarce urban land.
Locating CBG plants close to gas pipelines could reduce the cost of transporting the gas produced, while the selection of appropriate technologies and sites would be crucial to project viability.
The discussions also covered the experience of the Nagpur project, waste segregation, land requirements and pipeline connectivity.
The meeting was attended by Swachh Maharashtra Mission Director Navnath Waghmare; Keva Green Executive Director Vrinda Thakur, Managing Director Kedar Vaze and Director Nandan Vaze; Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Chief General Manager Indrajit Singh and General Manager Santosh Varshne; and Tjerd van Berg of WTT.
Municipal commissioners from across Maharashtra joined the meeting through video conferencing.
]]>Sunak also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulated him on completing 25 years in public service, praising his commitment, work ethic and energy.
Prime Minister @narendramodi great to see you in New Delhi today. Congratulations on 25 years in public service, a remarkable achievement. It was a pleasure to work with you when I was Prime Minister. Your commitment, your work ethic, your energy is an example to us all. The UK India relationship is going from strength to strength under your leadership. Our two countries cooperating more on trade, tech and AI is vital in a less predictable world. I know that Britain and India will continue to grow ever closer in the years ahead 🇬🇧🇮🇳
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 13, 2026
Speaking during a panel discussion titled "The End of Predictability" at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026 in New Delhi, Sunak said the world was moving away from the multilateral, rules-based framework that had shaped the global economy, creating new uncertainties and risks.
He said the current US President Donald Trump was a symptom rather than the cause of the shift away from the established international framework, and warned that the emerging global order was creating considerable geopolitical uncertainty and danger.
Sunak described China's emergence as a peer competitor to the US across economic, military and technological domains as a significant new feature of the global economy.
"So, China is a peer competitor for the US across economic, military, and technological domains. That is a new feature of the world economy," he said.
Highlighting the growing ability of countries such as India and those in the Gulf to pursue independent approaches, Sunak said they would increasingly make decisions based on their own interests rather than necessarily aligning with Washington or Beijing.
"Countries like India, like the Gulf, now are able to chart their own course. They're not going to always agree with the US or China. They're going to do what they want, and that's a new feature," the former UK PM said.
Sunak also expressed concern over the global security environment, citing the increasing number of armed conflicts and their implications for international stability.
"And I think it's no coincidence that right now there are more armed conflicts happening than at any point since World War II. 61 different state-based armed conflicts around the world. Now I look at that, and I'm worried," he said.
"I think President Trump probably looks at that and thinks 61 opportunities to win the Nobel Peace Prize," he added.
Sunak further referred to remarks by the US President's deputy chief of staff on the changing international environment, saying they reflected a world increasingly shaped by power and strategic strength.
"But his deputy chief of staff said something instructive about the environment, and he said we are living in a world that is governed by force, that is governed by strength, that is governed by power," Sunak said.
While describing this assessment as somewhat extreme, Sunak stressed that hard power was becoming increasingly important. He said countries were recognising the close links between economic security, national security and technological capabilities.
The panel discussion, "The End of Predictability", examined leadership in an era when uncertainty, fragmentation and disruption have become defining features of the global economy. The session also featured Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, and Jonathan Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>Speaking at the Maharashtra-UK Partnership launch programme at the Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai, Fadnavis said
Maharashtra was at the forefront of building an ecosystem that brought together skills, capital and technology to support investment across sectors.
He said the state government would use the ‘Invest Maharashtra’ platform to coordinate with the relevant departments and agencies to help investors move their projects forward quickly.
The visit by UK secretaries, mayors and officials was not merely a formal engagement but an effort to turn shared ambitions into business opportunities and agreements, the chief minister said.
Following bilateral discussions with a high-level UK delegation, Maharashtra and the United Kingdom exchanged memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation across several key sectors.
Fadnavis said the partnership could lead to greater business activity, investment and employment generation in the coming years.
He added that the collaboration would create opportunities for local manufacturers, food-processing businesses, technology companies and small entrepreneurs in Maharashtra to access new markets and customers in the UK.
Highlighting the state's strengths, Fadnavis said Mumbai connected international finance, trade and entrepreneurship directly with global markets, while Pune had emerged as a major centre for engineering, automobiles, manufacturing and information technology.
He said Maharashtra's skilled workforce, established industrial clusters and network of experienced partners serving global customers made it an attractive destination for investors.
The chief minister also pointed to opportunities in education and research. He said the new National Education Policy had enabled foreign universities to establish campuses in Maharashtra, adding that institutions such as the University of Bristol, the University of York and the University of Aberdeen were coming to the state.
The proposed EduCity, MediCity and AI Innovation City projects would bring together world-class research, institutions and talent, he said.
Sharing my full speech at the ‘UK-Maharashtra Growth Partnership’, a remarkable and significant milestone— in Maharashtra - UK partnership. 🇮🇳🇬🇧 (Mumbai | 13-10-2026) #IndiaUK #Maharashtra #Mumbai #CETA #EconomicPartnership https://t.co/FMFwmkaLM3
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 13, 2026
Fadnavis said Maharashtra offered significant opportunities for clean-energy projects, including initiatives to reduce industrial carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, manage water resources, promote sustainable transport and recycle resources.
The state government would extend full support to global companies seeking to establish global capability centres (GCCs) and technology research centres in Maharashtra, he added.
UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described Maharashtra as a natural destination for British companies looking to enter the Indian market.
He said the state had been chosen because of its economic strengths, political stability and leadership. Reynolds also said Maharashtra's economy was larger than that of Norway, a European country.
“We have not come to Maharashtra just to sign a piece of paper. We want real results and success,” Reynolds said, calling for people on both sides to work together to accelerate progress in the two countries.
]]>In an appeal issued on Tuesday, the civic body stressed the importance of regular tree maintenance and adequate watering, particularly amid rising temperatures, changing weather conditions and water scarcity.
The BMC also advised residents to avoid using potable water for watering trees wherever possible and instead use treated, reusable water from sewage treatment plants (STPs), provided it is safe and suitable for the purpose.
The civic body said housing societies should plan watering schedules based on the number of trees on their premises, their condition and their water requirements. Suitable and safe water available after other uses can also be used, provided the necessary precautions are taken.
It further stated that planned water use could help conserve water while ensuring that trees receive adequate care.
Trees play an important role in maintaining Mumbai’s ecological balance by providing shade and helping improve air quality. The civic body has urged residents and housing society management committees to take responsibility for maintaining trees in their surroundings.
The civic body has emphasised that watering alone is not enough to prevent trees and branches from falling, and that regular inspections and maintenance are equally important.
Residents and housing societies have been advised to check trees for warning signs, including cracks in trunks, trees leaning to one side, drying or weakened branches, and exposed roots.
The BMC has urged citizens to immediately report such signs to the civic body so that potentially dangerous trees and branches can be assessed and addressed in time.
Earlier, during the monsoon season, the BMC had drawn up a three-point plan to protect trees along Mumbai’s footpaths and prevent risks to life and damage to property. According to the 2018 tree census, Mumbai has around 28.7 lakh trees, including two lakh located on footpaths. The civic body had pruned 50 per cent of the footpath trees ahead of the monsoon.
]]>The 19-year-old opener is anticipated to miss four to six weeks of competitive action, although recovery timelines for a Grade 4 tear often extend up to three months depending on rehab progress and injury severity.
Mhatre picked up the injury on Sunday during the opening day of Mumbai’s Group D fixture against Chandigarh at Wankhede Stadium, a match Mumbai ultimately won by an innings and 155 runs on Tuesday.
This fresh blow comes after Mhatre, who captained India U-19 to a record sixth World Cup triumph earlier this year, spent three months recovering from a left hamstring injury suffered during an IPL clash between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18.
Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad confirmed that Mhatre pulled up while running between the wickets against Chandigarh. Mhatre, who opened alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, scored 48 runs off 82 balls, hitting seven boundaries and a six.
"It seems that he will not be with the team for some time now. The way he was limping in the match, it does not look like he would be available for the second or the third match," Lad stated post-game. "It happened while running (between the wickets), because we had two or three simulations (matches) and club games and also played at the BKC (Ground), and he was looking fine for the last 3-4 matches, but he felt something in his hamstring while taking a second run."
"It looks very sad. He worked really hard in the off season. He was doing rehab with me only at BKC and he would come all the way from Virar and do his rehab and go back. It happens, it is a part of the game, and we will try to motivate him," Lad noted.
Mumbai will have to field a new opening combination when they face Himachal Pradesh in Dharamsala from October 18–21, as Jaiswal also departs to link up with the India A squad for their tour of New Zealand.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Coworking and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) increased their share of leasing, with these two segments accounting for 47 per cent of total office demand in January to September, an increase of 41 per cent from a year earlier.
"Coworking has overtaken IT/ITeS office space demand at 26 per cent, it now commands the highest overall leasing share in 9M 2026, followed closely by IT/ITeS with a 25 per cent share and BFSI with 21 per cent," Peush Jain, Managing Director Commercial Leasing & Advisory, Anarock Group said.
Coworking emerging as the largest occupier segment in the first nine months of 2026 is significant as it highlights the growing importance of flexible workspace formats as businesses seek greater flexibility in their real estate commitments and workplace strategies, the report noted. It had a share of 23 per cent in the year ago period
BFSI expanded its share to 21 per cent from 18 per cent a year earlier. While the technology sector of IT/ITeS accounted for a 25 per cent of total demand, down from 29 per cent in January to September in 2025, the sector remained second-best contributor to office leasing.
Manufacturing and industrial occupiers increased their share marginally to 15 per cent from 14 per cent, while consultancy businesses saw their share fall to 6 per cent from 8 per cent. E-commerce remained unchanged at 4 per cent.
Global Capability Centres' (GCCs) gross office leasing share was at record high of 44 per cent in from January to September 2026. It had accounted for 40 per cent in corresponding period last year.
New office completions in the top seven cities increased 5 per cent to 41.1 million sq ft in during the period under review from 39.21 million sq ft in the first nine months of 2025.
Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Delhi NCR were the top seven cities.
"Bengaluru saw the highest new office supply in this period - about 12.35 million sq ft in 9M 2026 against 10.41 million sq ft in same period last year, denoting a 19 per cent y-o-y rise. NCR and Pune new office supply dropped 25 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively in the period," Jain said.
Bengaluru retained its position as the largest office market by net absorption, recording 11.92 million sq ft, up 20 per cent from 9.95 million sq ft in January to September 2025.
Hyderabad’s net absorption rose 54 per cent to 8.8 million sq ft in first nine months of 2026 from 5.7 million sq. ft. a year ago, while new completions increased 63 per cent to 9.6 million sq ft this year from 5.9 million sq ft.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)'s net absorption was at 6.65 million sq ft, compared with 6.6 million sq ft a year earlier, while new completions increased 21 per cent to 4.1 million sq ft. The market continued to command the highest average rentals at Rs 156 per sq ft per month, up 8 per cent, while vacancy declined from 14.9 per cent to 13.3 per cent.
Office vacancy dropped to 15.15 per cent in the first nine months of 2026, from 16.20 per cent last year across the top seven cities, while the average monthly office rentals rose 8 per cent to Rs 97 per sq ft this year from Rs 90 per sq ft last year.
]]>The duo were taken into custody on October 3, with their families being formally informed of their detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, Maldivian news portal Adhadhu reported.
The Maldivian authorities have refused to comment on the detention of the two pilots, it stated.
No official details at this moment have been released by the UAE authorities in reference to the allegations against the detained Maldivian nationals or the status of the investigation into their possible involvement.
The arrests came after UAE authorities expanded their investigation into the September 30 incident involving flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national accused of attacking the flight's pilot, Machchhar, with an axe in an alleged attempt to take control of the aircraft and carry out a "terrorist attack".
As per the Male-based Mihaaru newspaper, the two male pilots are alleged to have interacted with al-Hammami at their workplace and resided in the same building as him.
However, authorities have not officially released the nature of their supposed links to the incident or shared details of the evidence against them.
The two are part of the six Maldivian nationals working as pilots for flydubai and are reportedly the airline's latest recruits from the Maldives, news portal edition.mv reported.
The flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers and crew members, was en-route from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the alleged attack took place.
During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar in an attempt to hijack and crash the plane. Though the pilot was seriously injured in the assault, he confronted the attacker and unlocked the cockpit door. This allowed crew members and passengers to rush inside, overpower the co-pilot, and assist in stabilising the aircraft.
The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE has framed the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and identified the accused co-pilot as 29-year-old al-Hammami.
The UAE authorities have also stated he was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies and that Omani authorities had previously barred him from obtaining a pilot's licence.
An investigation is underway into how al-Hammami was employed by flydubai despite the reported restriction, as well as the motive behind the alleged plot.
The UAE Attorney General has said an extensive investigation is being conducted in collaboration with regional security agencies to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether the accused had links with other individuals or groups.
India's anti-terror National Investigation Agency (NIA) last week registered a case to look into and unearth the larger conspiracy behind the mid-air attack on Machchhar.
The case was registered under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier stated that Machchhar was responding well to treatment following an operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian Embassy in the UAE is in regular contact with Machchhar's family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities to monitor his condition.
(With Inputs from PTI)
]]>Reacting to the overwhelming response, the actress said, “I'm very happy and grateful that people are enjoying this film so much because the script is very entertaining and has been written really well. Abhishek has also done a great job directing it.”
When asked whether motherhood in real life has impacted her emotions, she said, “Every emotion and every experience changes you, and along the way, you become a better person. It is really important that we live our lives happily. Even the smallest pain we experience makes us a better person.”
After its first-day, first-show (FDFS) screenings, the Hindi version of Drishyam 3 received praise, with fans comparing it to the Malayalam version, which received a mixed response. Even Mohanlal gave a shoutout to Ajay Devgn's film. Reacting to the comparisons, Shriya Saran said, “I don’t think there should be any comparison. This film is different, and it cannot be compared to the Malayalam version because the story has been written completely differently.”
Drishyam 3 made headlines after a major casting change, with Akshaye Khanna reportedly exiting the film midway following a dispute with the makers over remuneration and his look. Jaideep Ahlawat stepped in to replace him and has received praise for his performance. Talking about the casting change and the response to Jaideep's role, Shriya said, “I think this question Abhishek will be able to answer as he is the one who had to deal with it and I think he has dealt with it very beautifully and people have answered, they love the whole part of Jaideep.”
As Rajinikanth gears up for Jailer 2, Shriya Saran recalled working with the superstar and said, “He is a fabulous actor. I learnt a lot from working with him. Despite his immense success, he is very simple and never makes anyone feel that he is such a big superstar. He is a wonderful person and works very hard.”
Reflecting on the criticism she has faced in her career, especially since she started young without any backing, Shriya Saran said, “I mean, you feel like you start questioning your being an actor. Nobody likes to be criticised beyond a point. You also have to learn something from it. You try to become a better actor or a better person. And yeah, that's about it. You feel really bad, you feel dejected, you feel low, you feel dejected.”
Shriya Saran believes that having more women behind the camera is just as important as their representation on screen. She said, “I think more than that, there are more women behind the camera. So there have to be more women behind the camera than in front of the camera. You can have a female-centric film, but if it's not made by women or doesn't have enough women involved, it's not really a female-centric film.”
]]>The actress, known for her performance in ‘The Kerala Story’, spoke about her unusual approach to furnishing her home. In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, she explained that she prefers not to become too attached to material possessions. “I don’t have a bed because I don’t want to get too attached to anything. Especially furniture. Relationships are already complicated enough. Why buy a bed when gravity gives you a free landing every night? If you sleep on the floor, you can have the entire floor to yourself and that's larger than any king-sized bed,” she said.
Adah further revealed that her home does not have a sofa or a dining table either. “I don't have a bed, sofa or dining table. If you come home, we can either stand or develop strong leg muscles.”
Adah reportedly moved into the Mumbai apartment previously occupied by the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. It is being said that Sharma signed a five-year lease for the apartment in October 2023, clarifying that she was renting the property and had not purchased it.
She redesigned the space to reflect her minimalist lifestyle, opting for white walls, a prayer room on the lower floor, a terrace garden, a music room and a dance studio.
For the unversed, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020, at the age of 34. During his career, the actor featured in several successful films, including “Chhichhore,” “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story," and “Kai Po Che!" His final film, “Dil Bechara,” was released after his death.
Meanwhile, Adah Sharma will be seen portraying a Devi in her upcoming film. She is also working on another action project and an international film.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>On the morning of October 11, at around 8.30 am, Sajan Dhanabhai Rabari, a local resident travelling on his motorcycle, spotted a wild animal sitting alongside the Kurbai–Virani road. Initially mistaking it for a dog, he subsequently identified the animal as a caracal. Saxam News reported the sighting on its social media platforms, following which the Caracal Conservation and Research Project (CCARP) team learnt about the incident within minutes and responded promptly.
The CCARP team visited the location and, in coordination with the Kutch Forest Department, conducted a preliminary reconnaissance of the surrounding area to assess its suitability for camera-trap deployment and further wildlife monitoring.
The sighting has also raised questions about the behaviour and movement of caracals in Kutch. The species is generally considered elusive, with individuals often difficult to observe directly in the wild. Their movements can also go largely undetected during camera-trap surveys.
Similar sightings reported from Punadi and Godhiyar villages a few months ago have prompted further questions about how the species uses the landscape. In those instances, caracals were reportedly seen alongside roads or close to human settlements.
While such behaviour may be a normal but poorly documented aspect of caracal ecology, habitat conditions, resource availability or other environmental factors could also influence the animals’ movements near villages. At present, there is insufficient evidence to determine the reasons behind these sightings.
Ongoing camera-trap observations in Kutch have also recorded caracal activity during daylight hours, suggesting that the species’ activity patterns in the region may be more flexible than commonly assumed. The animal observed near Kurbai–Virani appeared healthy in the available videos, with no obvious signs of illness reported by those who witnessed it.
In two of these incidents, the animals were observed near the end of a trail connecting to forested habitat through a dry riverbed. This similarity presents a potential avenue for further investigation. Dry riverbeds may serve as natural movement routes through otherwise dry landscapes, potentially allowing caracals to approach areas near human settlements while moving between habitat patches. However, whether these features are regularly used as movement corridors by caracals in Kutch remains to be established through systematic and continuous monitoring.
For CCARP, these incidents underline the importance of combining field research, camera trapping and long-term monitoring with observations shared by local residents. In landscapes such as Kutch, where caracals occur at low densities and are difficult to detect, community reports can help researchers identify previously unknown locations, investigate movement patterns and prioritise sites for further study.
The organisation has emphasised that sightings near roads or villages should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of habitat loss, food scarcity or abnormal behaviour. Instead, such observations offer opportunities to investigate the species’ ecology and understand how it navigates a changing landscape.
The Asiatic caracal remains one of India’s least-understood wild cats. Improving knowledge of its distribution, behaviour and habitat use is essential for its long-term conservation. Building trust with local communities, encouraging responsible reporting and maintaining close coordination with the Forest Department can help address critical gaps in wildlife research.
The recent sightings highlight how people living alongside wildlife can contribute to conservation by reporting unusual observations. Their accounts can provide researchers with valuable leads, making local communities important partners in understanding and conserving elusive species such as the Asiatic caracal.
]]>In a press release issued on Tuesday, October 13, Central Railway said the services would connect Nagpur with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Nashik Road, Akola and Bhusaval between October 18 and 22.
Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Diwas commemorates Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's conversion to Buddhism along with his followers in 1956. Thousands of his followers visit Nagpur to pay tribute on the occasion.
The 24 services comprise reserved and unreserved trains operating on seven routes.
Nagpur - Akola - Nagpur: Four reserved services will operate on October 20, 21 and 22. Train 01131 will depart Nagpur at 6.40 pm on October 20 and 21, arriving in Akola at 11.30 pm. Train 01132 will leave Akola at 12.20 am on October 21 and 22, reaching Nagpur at 4.50 am.
CSMT - Nagpur - CSMT: Six unreserved services will operate across two sets of services. Trains 01019 and 01020 will run on October 19, 20, 21 and 22, while trains 01219 and 01220 will operate on October 18 and 19.
Pune - Nagpur - Pune: Four unreserved services will operate. Train 01215 will depart Pune at 2.50 pm on October 19 and 21, reaching Nagpur at 7.30 am the following day. Train 01216 will leave Nagpur at 11 pm on October 20 and 22, arriving in Pune at 4.20 pm the next day.
Solapur - Nagpur - Solapur: Two unreserved services will operate. Train 01029 will leave Solapur at 9.50 am on October 19 and arrive in Nagpur at 5.10 am the next day. Train 01030 will depart Nagpur at 11.30 pm on October 20 and reach Solapur at 11.45 pm on October 21.
Nagpur - Bhusaval - Nagpur: Four unreserved services will run. Train 01214 will depart Nagpur at 9.30 pm on October 20 and 21, arriving in Bhusaval at 4 am the following day. Train 01213 will leave Bhusaval at 5 am on October 21 and 22, reaching Nagpur at 12.20 pm.
Nashik Road - Nagpur - Nashik Road: Four unreserved MEMU special services will operate. Train 01217 will leave Nashik Road at 6 pm on October 18 and 20, arriving in Nagpur at 5 am the next day. Train 01218 will depart Nagpur at 10 pm on October 19 and 21, reaching Nashik Road at 10.20 am the following day.
The trains will halt at several stations along their respective routes, including Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Igatpuri, Nashik Road, Manmad, Jalgaon, Bhusaval, Akola, Badnera, Wardha and Ajni, depending on the service.
The reserved Nagpur - Akola - Nagpur special trains will have AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper-class and general second-class coaches.
The unreserved services will have sleeper-class and/or general second-class coaches, depending on the train. The Nashik Road - Nagpur MEMU specials will comprise 12 coaches.
Bookings for the reserved Nagpur - Akola - Nagpur special trains (01131 and 01132) are available at computerised reservation centres and through the IRCTC website.
Passengers can book tickets for unreserved coaches at normal fares through the UTS system or the RailOne app.
]]>According to a statement from Singapore’s Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry on Tuesday, the visit will reaffirm Singapore's longstanding bilateral relationship with India.
Gan will be in New Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday to participate in the eighth Bloomberg New Economy (BNE) Forum. He is also scheduled to speak on a panel discussing how countries are moving towards self-sufficiency globally.
Gan is a member of the BNE Advisory Board. On the sidelines of the forum, he will meet senior government officials and business leaders.
Gan will visit Chennai on Thursday, where he is scheduled to engage with business leaders from the city and Singapore-based companies operating in India.
Tamil Nadu is an important economic partner for Singapore, given its position as India's second-largest state economy and a major industrial hub. Singapore companies have a presence in the state across sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, real estate and digital services.
During his Chennai visit, Gan will also meet representatives of ITE Education Services (ITEES), which is implementing the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) for Advanced Manufacturing. The initiative is a bilateral project under the Singapore Cooperation Programme.
Gan will be accompanied by officials from Singapore's Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry, the Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore.
The visit comes as Singapore and India continue to pursue cooperation across trade, investment, manufacturing, infrastructure and other economic sectors.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted India's growing startup ecosystem, digital payment infrastructure and technology-led inclusion while addressing a gathering at the eighth Bloomberg New Economy Forum.
“We do not grow at anyone's cost. We grow with the world and for the world,” Modi said, emphasising India's approach to sharing its technological capabilities and supporting innovation beyond its borders, ANI reported.
Describing India as the “Mother of Democracy”, Modi pointed to the country's linguistic diversity, media landscape and expanding digital reach as indicators of its openness to different perspectives.
“India has over 100 languages, around 80,000 registered newspapers and publications, and more than 1,000 satellite television channels,” the Prime Minister said. He also cited India's large user bases on YouTube and Instagram, with more than 500 million users on each platform, highlighting the role of digital platforms in enabling public debate, ANI reported.
Modi invited international delegates to experience India's digital payment ecosystem, citing its accessibility to businesses of different sizes.
“In our country, a street vendor and a car showroom have different kinds of businesses and operate at different scales, but in India, both use the same digital payment platform,” he said, describing this as the power of inclusive technology.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>On Tuesday, Malavika raised the temperature by dropping a couple of beach photos on her Insta handle.
View this post on Instagram
The 'Master' actor wrote on the photo-sharing app, "Spent most of these few days jumping into the ocean every chance I got, snorkelling for hours and getting far too excited about spotting fish (sic)."
Malavika further revealed that she was initially extremely scared of reef sharks; however, now she is overcoming her fear. She added that her fascination with oceans is also increasing with time.
"I was genuinely scared of reef sharks at first(because sharks), and now I find myself looking for them every time I’m in the water. Slowly getting over my fear of the ocean, bit by bit, and getting more and more fascinated by this whole world beneath the surface...Who knew I was a closeted island girl," she went on to add.
Malavika keeps the netizens hooked with her frequent updates on social media.
Work-wise, she recently wrapped up the shoot for her next, 'Pocket Novel', featuring Vijay Sethupathi.
Recently, Malavika compiled an emotional gratitude post for the entire team of 'Pocket Novel'.
Thanking her co-star Vijay Sethupathi, she shared, "actorvijaysethupathi thank you for being the most caring and giving co-actor. Having been through this journey with you, I cannot imagine having been a part of this process with anybody else. You have been so encouraging, sweet and yet have always created such a comfortable space for me to explore and get it right no matter how long it took or how hard it was."
"We’ve been a part of two films together- ‘Petta’ and ‘Master’, but never got to share screen space with each other so this one has been long due. And what a beautiful one it’s been," Malavika added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Meanwhile, in football, Michael Carrick shows confidence in Manchester United's ability to recover form against Atletico Madrid.
Sports Ministry approves 166 athletes for Para Asian Games
The Sports Ministry has axed under-fire para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from the Para Asian Games-bound Indian contingent, approving a total of 166 athletes after a controversy-mired selection process which resulted in protests by shooters and cyclists.
The Games are due to start on October 18 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Ticket ballot for WC 2027 receives 1.5 crore applications, says ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday said it has received over 1.5 crore ticket applications from 142 countries since the ticket ballot for the 2027 World Cup went live 12 days ago, underlining the immense global interest in the showpiece.
Newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana stays atop ODI rankings
Newly-appointed India captain Smriti Mandhana retained the top spot in the ICC women's ODI batting rankings, while Australia's Ellyse Perry returned to the top 10 in the latest charts released on Tuesday
Indian men's hockey squad for Asian Champions Trophy unveiled
Hockey India on Tuesday announced the Indian men’s squad for the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, scheduled to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh will lead the side after guiding India to a historic gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan, where the team successfully defended its continental crown for the first time, as per a press release from Hockey India.
UEFA Champions League: Michael Carrick confident of Manchester United renaissance ahead of Atletico visit
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has expressed confidence in his side's ability to recover from a difficult stretch of form as they prepare for a key UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid.
United have endured a troubled start to the campaign, picking up just two wins from eight matches in all competitions. Consecutive draws against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur followed losses to Manchester City and Brighton last month.
]]>According to Vembu the server prices for data centres have registered a four-fold increase and the AI costs have also increased, which the company is trying to contain.
"The business outlook for software is uncertain, and AI has raised costs dramatically with a) A massive 4-fold increase in server prices which we need for data centres and b) AI usage increasing rapidly, leading to much higher expenses, which we are trying to control," Vembu said in a social media post on X.
He added that a "challenging geopolitical backdrop" has further added to these operational pressures.
The company has trimmed its marketing budget in an effort to cut costs he informed while adding that employees have been informed that their annual pay hikes have been paused this year.
"We have cut down on our marketing budget. We have also told our employees that we cannot have our usual pay increase this year. I have apologized for not being able to avoid this," he said.
The business outlook for software is uncertain and AI has raised costs dramatically with a) massive 4-fold increase in server prices which we need for data centers b) AI usage increasing rapidly, leading to much higher expenses, which we are trying to control. On top of that is the challenging geopolitical backdrop. We have cut down on our marketing budget. We have also told our employees that we cannot have our usual pay increase this year. I have apolgized for not being able to avoid this. We will work hard to avoid mass layoffs but the outlook for software jobs in general is grim. We have not been growing our employee count for 18 months now. Most of our employees understand the situation. I am thankful to them. We are in the middle of reinventing ourselves. The next 3-5 years will decide how our reinvention has worked. Please pray for us 🙏
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) October 12, 2026
Vembu further said the job outlook for the software sector looks "grim" and the company has been striving to avoid job cuts. He added that the company has not been growing its headcount for the past 18 months given the uncertainties.
"We will work hard to avoid mass layoffs but the outlook for software jobs in general is grim. We have not been growing our employee count for 18 months now," he said.
He added that most of the employees understood the situation and said, "I am thankful to them."
The chief scientist further said that the software company is trying to reinvent itself and the next three to five years will decide how it has fared with this exercise.
"We are in the middle of reinventing ourselves. The next 3-5 years will decide how our reinvention has worked. Please pray for us," Vembu said.
]]>While talking to Kanika and Gullu, Mahhi said, “All my exes still miss me a lot.” She further added, “The ones who drink always make sure to call me after they’ve been drinking.” The actress went on to reveal that her exes often tell her, “They miss me a lot. They haven’t found anyone like me.”
Reacting to her revelation, Mahhi remarked, “That’s why I was telling you to mend your ways.” Gullu then asked her who usually initiated the break-ups, whether it was her or her exes. In response, Mahhi claimed that several of her former partners had cheated on her. She said, “A lot of guys have cheated on me. And they would get caught too, because, brother, even the Crime Branch was involved in this.”
For the unaware, Mahhi and Jay got married in a private ceremony back in 2011. The former couple became foster parents to two children, Khushi and Rajveer, in 2017. They also welcomed their biological daughter, Tara, in 2019.
However, in January 2026, Mahhi and Jay announced their separation through a social media post that read, “Today, we choose to part ways on a journey called life, yet we continue to have each other's back. For the sake of our children Tara, Khushi, and Rajveer, we commit to being the best parents, the best friends, and whatever else it takes to do what is right for them. There is no villain in this story and no negativity attached to this decision.”
Despite going their separate ways, Mahhi and Jay continue to maintain a good equation and are often seen supporting each other. Jay uploaded a promo of Mahhi's entry in the BB house to the Stories section of his official Instagram handle, along with an adorable caption that read, “The Don is in the house. All the best. Kill it Tara ki mumma. (sic)”
]]>BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, who met the pregnant journalist after she was admitted at a hospital, told reporters, "She told us how Rahul Gandhi shoved and pushed her to the ground. She was not even asking them questions, just covering the protest."
"Not a single Congress worker helped the journalist after that. Rahul Gandhi, who keeps on saying 'smash the patriarchy', himself behaved like a goon. He even shoved his own party workers," Bhandari alleged.
"The way he manhandled the journalist, proves that Rahul Gandhi harbours immense hatred for the country's democracy and women. That is why both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are silent on the (sacked) JNU professor (from Congress) who is accused of harassing 11 female students," Bhandari alleged.
However, Congress MP Jebi Mather hit back at the allegations, saying: "BJP's strategy is to anyhow put across allegations on Rahul Gandhi. One of Rahul Gandhi's identity is his respect for women. Yesterday also he was taking care of and protecting a young leader, Neha Bora and Priyanka Gandhi."
"All this makes it clear what is Rahul Gandhi's approach towards women and it is evident how much he respects women. BJP is cooking up stories and scripting narratives because they do not have anything to counter the main argument put forth by Rahul Gandhi, Congress, the INDIA Bloc and by the people. So, they want to point fingers and create stories. We are just ignoring these because the nation knows what Rahul Gandhi stands for," she told IANS.
Mather, in turn, pointed to the detention of women protesters, alleging that Meta is removing videos of women being attacked during the protests.
"We are witnessing the influence of the ruling government, which is trying to remove media content using its power. Social media platforms are being controlled by the government," she claimed.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also said: "The BJP has been rattled by the massive public turnout yesterday and is making such allegations."
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra also came in support of Rahul Gandhi, saying: "Such allegations are being made by supporters of the BJP. Our leaders, whether Tejashwi Yadav or Rahul Gandhi, cannot indulge in such wrong acts."
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]]>The actor, who appeared in three Telugu films between 2012 and 2014, said the director of her first film contacted her about another project after they had finished working together. However, she claimed the conversation took an uncomfortable turn when he made a sexual demand in exchange for the role.
Recalling the incident, Taylor said, “The director who did the first film with me called me for another movie when we were done with it. Then he said, but you will have to sleep with me for it this time.” Describing her reaction, she added, “You do not realise, you do not know how to react. I just cut the call, I blocked his number, I called up my mom, and I’m like, imagine that old man.”
Taylor also suggested that she had seen the director with other female actors but had not expected him to make such a proposition to her. “I never knew when he would try this with me,” she said, explaining that the experience changed her outlook towards working in films.
The actor said she did not tell anyone else about the incident at the time because she was left stunned. “I was just taken aback, and I only blocked him. I did not tell this to anyone because I was zapped,” she recalled. Taylor did not name the director during the conversation. Niti Taylor was last seen in Alliance.
Taylor made her film debut with Mem Vayasuku Vacham in 2012. Directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, the Telugu film starred Tanish in the lead role and performed well commercially.
She followed it with Pelli Pustakam in 2013, directed by Ramakrishna Machakanti and starring Rahul Ravindran. The film failed to make an impact at the box office and received a poor critical response.
Her third and final film was Love Dot Com, released in 2014 and directed by Raja Vannem Reddy, with Aarya Sandeep as her co-star. The film also failed commercially.
Although Taylor went on to build a career in television, she did not return to films after these three Telugu projects. Her recent account sheds light on the personal experience that contributed to her decision to step away from cinema.
]]>The proposed service aims to get critically injured victims to trauma care centres during the crucial ‘golden hour’, when timely treatment can help save lives.
"Maharashtra plans to launch air ambulance services on major highways early next year to ensure that seriously injured road accident victims receive timely medical treatment," Sarnaik said.
Special arrangements are being planned for the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Mumbai-Goa Highway, Sarnaik said at a meeting attended by senior officials from the transport, health and police departments.
According to an official statement, the government plans to prepare and approve a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the project by November 15. Approval from a high-level committee is expected by the end of November, following which the tendering process will be undertaken.
The service is planned to become operational early in the new year, subject to the completion of the required procedures.
The system will focus on ensuring the availability of air ambulances, safely transferring injured people to trauma care centres and improving coordination among emergency response agencies.
The proposal comes amid concerns over delays in providing medical assistance following serious highway accidents, particularly where traffic congestion, long distances to hospitals and limited emergency medical facilities can affect response times.
The transport department, health department and police will jointly develop the operating procedures for the service.
The proposed measures include identifying trauma care centres, preparing a panel of service providers, arranging the required funding through the road safety fund and establishing a standard system for emergency response.
Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, Health Department Director Sanjay Katkar and Traffic Police Superintendent Dr Sunil Bhardwaj were among those present at the meeting, along with other senior officials.
According to information shared at the meeting, Maharashtra records around 15,000 road accidents annually. Ensuring timely treatment for seriously injured victims remains a major challenge.
Sarnaik said preventing road accidents was a key responsibility of the government, but providing prompt medical care after an accident was equally important.
He said the government was committed to using modern technology and faster emergency medical services to reduce road accident deaths.
]]>A total of Rs 79,09,42,000 has been approved for distribution to eligible public libraries, Patil said in a statement.
The maintenance grants are calculated based on the expenditure incurred by libraries in the previous financial year and their respective grades and categories. The amount allocated to each category is subject to the maximum grant limits prescribed by the state government.
The government has directed the Director of Libraries to verify whether grants released in the previous financial year were justified and whether the reasons cited for their allocation were accurate.
The authorities must also ensure that the funds are used only for the purposes for which they were sanctioned and that the prescribed procedures are followed. The conditions are intended to ensure that grant money is accounted for and spent in accordance with the approved allocation.
Libraries receiving the grants are required to submit utilisation certificates along with the necessary audited statements of expenditure. These documents form part of the prescribed process for accounting for the funds received and the expenditure incurred.
The Director of Libraries will act as the controlling officer for the distribution of the grants, while the accounts officers concerned will serve as the drawing and disbursing officers.
The government resolution approving the grant has been made available on the Maharashtra government's official website, www.maharashtra.gov.in.
In September 2025, the state government began transferring grants directly to the bank accounts of recognised public libraries through a computerised Library Grant Management System. The system was introduced to improve transparency and ensure timely disbursal of funds.
Before the introduction of the system, grants were distributed in two instalments annually through district library officers.
The direct transfer system marked a change in the way grants were disbursed to recognised public libraries. The latest approval concerns the first instalment of maintenance grants for the 2026-27 financial year.
The amount allocated to an individual library depends on its expenditure in the previous financial year and its classification under the state's library grading system. The grants remain subject to the maximum limits prescribed for the respective categories.
]]>Taking to Instagram, the ‘Kulfi Kumar Bajewala’ actor shared a glimpse into their everyday life, revealing that the couple has a nightly ritual of sitting together over a cup of chai and discussing various aspects of their lives. “Every night, over a cup of chai, Aditi and I have a conversation. Sometimes about our day, sometimes about something that bothered us, sometimes about life, and sometimes about things we don’t even know how to articulate,” he wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Mohit further stated that their conversations often involve questioning each other, disagreeing, listening and trying to understand different perspectives. He added that, over the years, they have realized that growing together does not mean always having the same opinions.
“After all these years together, we’ve realized that growing together doesn’t mean always agreeing with each other. It means creating a space where both of us can be ourselves, be heard, and become better versions of who we are,” he shared.
The ‘Doli Armaano Ki’ actor further revealed that this small ritual has been a part of their lives for years. The couple now wants to share a glimpse of these conversations with others, not because they have all the answers about relationships, but because they continue to learn and grow together.
“This little ritual has been a part of our lives for years. And now, we want to share a piece of it with you. Not because we have figured out relationships, but because we’re still figuring them out together,” he wrote. Mohit also introduced the phrase “Cheeni Kitni Chamach!” as he invited people to follow their upcoming initiative, signing off with the message, “Baat karte rahein, saath badte rahein.”
On the work front, Mohit Malik was most recently seen playing Birju in ‘Mirzapur: The Movie.’
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>United have endured a troubled start to the campaign, picking up just two wins from eight matches in all competitions. Consecutive draws against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur followed losses to Manchester City and Brighton last month.
With a mere six points from six Premier League games, the club marks its slowest top-flight start since 1986, leaving them sitting 13th in the standings.
Despite the domestic struggles, Carrick views the European stage as a fresh opportunity after Manchester United opened their European campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Sabah.
"Of course we hoped for a lot more [this season], we expected a lot more, but we are where we are. I was aware there was going to be a period when it was going to become a bit more challenging, a bit stickier. That is part of it. Football and building something takes a journey. You have got to overcome things." Carrick said.
"I understand that when it is not going too well, there is a real clamour and a real feeling of 'it is a disaster, it is all wrong, and everything needs to be changed.' I kind of get that, but that is not our mindset, certainly not mine," he added.
Carrick, who initially took charge as interim manager replacing Ruben Amorim in January before securing the permanent position after leading the club to Champions League qualification, embraced the current scrutiny.
"I love this part sometimes, when it is going against you, you see who is really there, within the group, the squad, the club, who wants to be here for the long term. The supporters are desperate for it, and we have got to give them something. You have got to embrace challenges to get where you want to be. I totally believe we will come through it," he said.
"We want to be part of something successful; there is no negativity about that. There is going to be times when it is a bit of a struggle, but to get anywhere, to do something good, something great, you have got to be able to do something difficult, and get through it," he concluded.
]]>The accident occurred at around 5:15 am when the train was travelling from Karachi to Peshawar, according to police information.
The Rehman Baba Express derailed near Sher Shah Bridge in Multan.
Pakistan Railways spokesperson Babar Ali said that some 500 passengers were aboard the train.
Quoting the statement of the train driver, he said the train was passing through the Sher Shah station, Multan, when he suddenly felt a push, after which he applied the brakes.
"When the train stopped, some 14 coaches derailed," the driver said.
The spokesperson said the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment, while rescue teams launched an operation to evacuate passengers from the derailed coaches.
"One passenger was reported to be trapped inside a coach as rescue workers struggled to reach him," he said.
Six people were killed, and over 40 have been injured in the accident, police said, adding that all 14 coaches of the express derailed near the bridge.
A relief train and a medical van were dispatched from Multan to the accident site to assist in rescue and relief operations.
Train traffic on both the up and down tracks was suspended following the accident, disrupting rail services on the route.
Multan Commissioner Amir Karim Khan visited the site and met affected passengers and their families, assuring them of all possible assistance.
He directed the relevant authorities to arrange temporary accommodation, transport and breakfast for stranded passengers.
A passenger told reporters that workers had repaired the nuts and bolts of coach number nine near Rohri before the accident.
The claim has not been independently verified, and it was not immediately clear whether the reported repair was linked to the derailment, the Geo report added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief and urged authorities to provide the best medical care to those injured in the accident.
He directed the relevant authorities to speed up rescue operations and ensure the injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.
The cause of the derailment has not yet been officially established. Pakistan Railways and relevant authorities are expected to provide further details as rescue operations progress. Accidents on Pakistan's decaying rail system are common.
In August 2023, the derailment of the Hazara Express near Nawabshah in Sindh killed at least 30 people and injured more than 100, raising renewed concerns about railway safety and maintenance.
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]]>Arjun took to his official Instagram handle and posted a video montage of some unseen memorable moments with his wife over the years.
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The 'Laughter Chef' contestant shared that Neha is the one who has brought stability in his life. Arjun further admitted that Neha is the best 'panga' of his life.
"Happy birthday my love . Tu gussa ho ya naa ho I’ll always love u for what u gave me in life .. STABILITY. #arneha thank u for everything neha . I’m alway be ur plus one. tu mere zindagi ka sabse achha Panga hai !! (sic)," he wrote on the photo-sharing app.
Additionally, television actress Ankita Lokhande also penned a lovely birthday wish for her 'Best Friend' Neha on her official account.
The 'Pavitra Rishta' actress shared some fun photographs with the birthday girl and penned, "Pyaari Neha, happy birthday...My best friend, my sister, and my forever cheerleader you make life brighter just by being in it. I love your energy, your beautiful heart, your honesty, and the way you inspire me to be my best. And girl, you’re gorgeous and sexy as hell! (sic)."
"Keep being your chirpy, happy, fearless self. Keep dancing, dreaming big, laughing loudly, and lighting up every room with that beautiful smile of yours. May God bless you with abundance, prosperity, confidence, endless love, and so many wonderful reasons to celebrate. Here’s to more adventures, silly moments, and memories together! So lucky to call you my best friend. I love you forever, meri @nehaswamibijlani", she further wrote.
After reportedly dating for around 8 years, Arjun married Neha on 20 May 2013 in Mumbai in a traditional ceremony. The couple welcomed their son, Ayaan Bijlani, on 21 January 2015.
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]]>The Election Commission has extended the deadline till October 26. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 16, 2026.
The draft electoral rolls for the state were published on August 31, 2026. The period for submitting claims and objections, initially scheduled to run from August 31, has now been extended to October 26.
The deadline for filing claims and objections to the draft electoral roll published under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Mumbai has been extended for the eligible voters, an official statement said.
The extension has been granted by the Election Commission under the revised schedule. The final electoral roll will be published on November 16, as previously scheduled.
The draft voter list was published on August 31, 2026, as part of the SIR exercise covering Mumbai city and its suburbs.
Eligible citizens can submit claims to include their names in the electoral roll, seek corrections to existing voter details and file objections to entries in the draft list until October 26.
The BMC has urged eligible citizens and first-time voters to take note of the revised deadline and submit the necessary applications and claims within the stipulated period.
According to the revised schedule, the notice stage and the process of deciding claims and objections will be carried out between August 31 and November 10, 2026.
The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on November 16.
The SIR exercise is being carried out across the Brihanmumbai Municipal area, covering both Mumbai city and the suburbs, under the guidance of Ashwini Bhide.
Bhide appealed to eligible voters to use the extended period to submit the required forms and supporting claims.
The extension gives voters additional time to check their details in the draft electoral roll and seek inclusion or corrections before the final list is published.
]]>The actor has shared that he felt "nervous" about starring in a ‘James Bond’ movie. The 57-year-old actor initially rejected the role of Raoul Silva in ‘Skyfall’, before he successfully proposed some amendments to director Sir Sam Mendes and then committing to the film.
The actor recently graced a session at the BFI London Film Festival. He said, "I guess I was nervous. Like, ‘What am I doing in the James Bond movie? What can I do?’ But then we sat down. Sam Mendes is a genius, and we went through the reading of it, and he was so open to what I was proposing, which had to do with the sexuality of the guy”.
Javier shared that he was imaginative in how he approached the Bond villain role. He went on, “I said, ‘Listen, all the villains have done everything to destroy the world, but what about becoming personal? What about something besides destroying the world? (Like) he wants to have sex with Mr. Bond?’ And (Mendes) said, ‘I’ll talk to the studio and get back to you’”.
The actor also heaped praise on the film studio for showing faith in his idea and his approach to the role.
He further mentioned, “The studio was very brave. And I think that scene lasts in the memory of the audience because we went a little bit further with it. It’s a way to say, ‘Okay, how do you really put Mr. Bond out of his place with a situation that he hasn’t been there before?’ And the way he comes out of it is brilliant”.
Meanwhile, Javier has been married to actress Penelope Cruz since 2010, and he recently claimed that they don't talk about their work at home.
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]]>The 30-share BSE Sensex soared 1,109.10 points, or 1.54 per cent, to settle at 73,033.78. The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 358.60 points, or 1.60 per cent, to end at 22,721.95.
"Indian equities advanced as stronger-than-expected technology earnings boosted confidence in corporate profit growth and lifted benchmark-heavy large-cap stocks. Rupee stability and easing bond yields further supported sentiment, bringing financial stocks into focus," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments said.
Among the 30 Sensex constituent, only three declined. Kotak Mahindra Bank, Eternal and Maruti Suzuki were among the laggards. IT stocks were the biggest gainers, with HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Tech Mahindra and Infosys all ending higher.
Shares of HCL Tech jumped 8.28 per cent after strong net profit during July-September quarter of FY27. TCS climbed 6.59 per cent, Tech Mahindra gained 4.90 per cent and Infosys was advanced 4.44 per cent. Hindustan Unilever and Trent were the among the major gainers.
"Indian equities are likely to extend their recovery in the near term, supported by improving sentiment following India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks that the government is willing to hear stakeholders’ views on removing LTCG tax," Siddhartha Khemka Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said.
On Monday, the Sensex slipped 547.65 points, or 0.76 per cent, to settle at 71,924.68. The Nifty shed 157.10 points, or 0.70 per cent, to end at 22,363.35.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.66 per cent to USD 104.6 per barrel, according to PTI.
"Lower crude prices, with Brent declining 2 per cent to around USD 104.5 per barrel and the rupee strengthened to Rs 95.4 per US dollar, supported by RBI measures to curb speculative forex activity and ease spot-market dollar demand, including a special dollar facility for OMCs and tighter norms for forex derivative transactions. Together, resilient domestic fundamentals, earnings momentum and improving currency dynamics could support further gains in the near term," Khemka said.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,708.48 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers and purchased equities worth Rs 3,045.02 on Monday, according to exchange data.
In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi and Japan's 225 index ended lower, while Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hang Seng index settled higher.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Speaking about her experience, Shriya Saran explained how digitally altered images can change a woman’s physical features or remove parts of her clothing, making the resulting picture bear little resemblance to reality. “It’s funny. Sometimes, I don’t even know if it’s me,” she said, describing the changes made to her appearance. But she made clear that the issue should not be dismissed as harmless internet humour. “Having said that, it’s annoying, and it’s not right,” the actor added. The Drishyam actress acknowledged that AI has useful applications, but her comments highlighted how the technology can also be weaponised to sexualise women without permission. The Times of India and Cinema Express also reported on her remarks, placing them within the wider discussion about non-consensual AI-generated imagery.
The controversy began when an AI-generated video featuring Janhvi Kapoor’s footage from Chuttamalle and her song with Jr NTR in Devara: Part 1 went viral on social media. The manipulated clip depicted the actor in a sexually explicit manner that did not reflect the original footage. Janhvi Kapoor subsequently condemned the video in a statement shared on Instagram Stories. She described the creation and circulation of fictionalised content without consent as a “criminal misuse of technology”. “Consent, choice and respect for a woman’s body should be among the most basic notions of humanity,” she wrote. Janhvi Kapoor also thanked Jr NTR and other members of the film industry for speaking out against the incident. The video was later taken down, although its circulation had already triggered widespread discussion about online harassment and digital consent.
Shriya's comments are yet another voice in the swelling chorus demanding accountability in the use of AI to manipulate a person’s image. Her experience is a case in point for why such incidents should not be reduced to mere gossip or a flash in the pan online controversy.
]]>FC Barcelona and Real Madrid share one of the most intense rivalries in Spanish top-flight football, with their clashes across La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and other competitive tournaments universally known as 'El Clasico'. Iconic superstars including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Neymar have defined this historic fixture over the decades.
Taking to his official X account to share the exciting update, Indranil posted, "El Clásico Loading.. #Barcelona Legends vs #RealMadrid Legends.. November 25, 2026 Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, #Kolkata."
This landmark legends match comes shortly after Salt Lake Stadium played host to two high-profile international friendlies involving the Indian national team against South American powerhouses Brazil and Uruguay on October 3 and 6.
In their initial fixture, the Blue Tigers suffered a 4-0 defeat against five-time world champions Brazil during the first-ever international friendly between the two countries. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named a strong starting lineup including Vinicius Jr., Marquinhos, and Estevao, with Samuel Lino and Pedro finding the back of the net.
India then took on two-time world champions Uruguay, slumping to a 6-1 loss. Anirudh Thapa provided a standout moment of history by capitalising on a loose ball to slip it past Uruguay goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo, levelling the match to the delight of the fans.
Thapa became only the second Indian player ever to score against Uruguay at the senior international level, joining Manas Bhattacharya, who scored during India's 3-1 defeat at Eden Gardens in the 1982 Nehru Cup. Although adverse weather and lightning briefly halted play, Uruguay responded emphatically once action resumed to complete the victory.
With a legends El Clasico lined up, football fans in India will again get a chance to see some of the legendary football players up close in Kolkata.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>According to a report by Aakashavaani, the Rahul Sankrityan directorial has reportedly passed the censor board examination without any cuts. Further details about its certification and release plans are awaited.
Ranabaali is not a conventional biopic or a direct portrayal of any one documented historical figure. Instead, the film takes inspiration from a real historical period and explores the struggles of people in Rayalaseema during the British colonial era.
Ranabaali is not a conventional biopic or a direct portrayal of any one documented historical figure. Instead, the film takes inspiration from a real historical period and explores the struggles of people in Rayalaseema during the British colonial era. In the film, Vijay Deverakonda essays the titular role of Ranabaali, who is portrayed as a Telugu man from Rayalaseema who fights against British oppression. On the other hand, Rashmika Mandanna plays Jayamma, his wife. Arnold Vosloo also plays the antagonist Sir Theodore Hector, a British oppressor in the film.
In the recently released trailer, Ranabaali is shown as a legendary figure who refused to surrender to English oppressors' exploitation. However, it should also be considered that he has not been claimed as a specific historical legend.
Ranabaali is slated to release worldwide on October 16, 2026, one day after Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 in theatres. The film marks another collaboration between Vijay and Rashmika, who have previously shared screen space in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. The film has been backed by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar under Mythri Movie Makers and is associated with T-Series.
Ahead of Ranabaali release, the couple was recently spotted in Tirupati, offering prayers at the revered Tirumala Temple. The images making the rounds on social media show that Rashmika Mandanna wore a mustard-yellow silk saree, while Vijay Deverakonda kept it classic in a short white kurta and a silk lungi.
]]>
While Gautam Gulati was making it clear that he had no plans of attempting a takhta palat, an unintentional slam of his leg against a bench was enough to leave Sara Gurpal fuming. And Sara wasn’t about to let it slide! Climbing onto the dining table and kicking things herself, she sent the Basement into a tizzy, leaving the entire house scrambling to figure out what had just happened.
What followed was a no-holds-barred face-off, with Sara warning Gautam, “You cannot do this to scare me.” Gautam’s insistence that he wasn’t scaring her only fuelled the argument, and when he said, “You are a hater,” Sara fired back, “I’m not going to take this shit, Gautam Gulati. I respected you.” But the biggest blow came when Sara laid bare the hurt behind her anger: “Mein usko 8 saal se jaanti hu, I’m the only friend, agar woh mere saath kar sakta hai toh tum kaun ho.” Revealing how the incident had brought back memories of an abusive relationship, she admitted, “I thought he was the one saying it like that, trying to scare me… I got scared.”
Kaira’s old rivalry with Gautam resurfaced, with her making it clear that she was ready to go against him, while Priyanka Chahar Choudhary’s attempt to calm Gautam down landed her in trouble with the Workers.
As the episode progresses, Rulers and Workers gather together to celebrate the Navratri Utsav, but the party fails to resolve the brewing rivalry. During the interaction, Rishabh calls Kaira ‘judgemental’ and ‘desperate’, but she takes it to another level by dragging his girlfriend into the discussion. Shehzad Poonawalla’s reign comes to an end, and the fight for the top spot begins. The Workers get an upper hand in deciding the fate of the Ultimate Ruler contest, as they have the choice of selecting their preferred Ruler to fight the battle. The Workers select Niharika Tiwari, who gets the power to eliminate two of the Rulers.
Niharika wastes little time exercising her authority and removes Shehzad and Irina Rudakova from contention.
]]>The average passenger vehicle loan amount rose to Rs 8.2 lakh in the first half of 2026, an increase of 49 per cent from the corresponding period in 2019. The average repayment tenure also increased by five months to 62 months.
"Car ownership is increasingly being shaped by a combination of aspiration and affordability. Consumers are choosing higher-value and feature-rich vehicles, while larger loan amounts and longer tenures are helping make these purchases more manageable," TransUnion CIBIL MD and CEO Bhavesh Jain said.
The demand for sports utility vehicles (SUV) and feature-rich cars was visible in semi-urban and rural areas, with 51 per cent of borrowers taking loans for higher-value cars in the January-June period from these areas, according to the report Shifting Gears 2026- Credit Drives Today's Mobility'.
The active passenger vehicle borrower base expanded 1.7 times to reach 2.5 crore as of June 2026, from the 2019 level.
Delinquency in passenger vehicle loans, measured by balances overdue for more than 90 days, declined to 0.5 per cent from the year-ago-period benchmark of 1.45 per cent in June 2019, as per PTI.
Borrowers with established credit histories were increasingly participating in two-wheeler financing, according to the report. Their share rose to 43 per cent in the first half of 2026 from 27 per cent in the corresponding period of 2019, while first-time borrowers' share fell to 39 per cent, as per PTI.
The active borrower base in the two-wheeler segment surged to 3.3 crore from 1.7 crore in June 2019. Outstanding two-wheeler loan balances increased 3.2 times to Rs 1.76 lakh crore in June 2026, while the 90-day-plus delinquency rate declined to 1.4 per cent from 2.7 per cent.
Almost 64 per cent of two-wheeler loans in the first half of 2026 was from borrowers from semi-urban and rural areas. The report noted that 43 per cent of borrowers were aged 30 years or younger in the two-wheeler loan segment.
Rural originations among consumers upgrading from two-wheelers to cars grew at a compound annual growth rate of 15 per cent since 2019, as against 8 per cent for overall auto-loan originations.
Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) accounted for the largest share of vehicle loans with 73 per cent of two-wheeler loans and 37 per cent of passenger vehicle loans.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The 51-year-old Titanic actor was photographed shirtless in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, wearing black-and-white patterned board shorts. He was joined by his girlfriend, Italian model Vittoria Ceretti, 28, as well as his longtime friend Tobey Maguire, 51, Friends star Courteney Cox, 62, and actor Kate Hudson, 47.
Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 28, were spotted enjoying a romantic beach stroll in Hawaii. 🌴☀️ The Oscar-winning actor went shirtless, showing off his relaxed beach physique, as the couple soaked up the sun ahead of his longtime friend Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife Jennifer Meyer’s wedding.
— HouseOfVanity (@HouseOfVanity88) October 13, 2026
The group was in Hawaii ahead of the wedding of Maguire’s ex-wife, jewellery designer Jennifer Meyer, to billionaire businessman Geoff Ogunlesi. However, pictures from the outing soon prompted online jokes about DiCaprio’s appearance, with users drawing comparisons between his physique and the younger, model-like women he has dated.
DiCaprio has frequently been the subject of internet jokes about his dating preferences, particularly the recurring observation that several of his reported partners have been under 25. His relationship with Ceretti, who is 23 years younger than him, has once again brought the topic into the spotlight.
Reacting to the beach pictures, one user wrote, “It’s the fact that he demands supermodel women while not taking care of his own damn body, for me,” while another sarcastically commented, “He's a millionaire. You didn't know?”
The actor’s appearance also became a target of personal jabs, with one user writing, “He's a man not a woman...” Another questioned his dating preferences with the remark, “I agree. At least Brad Pitt looks like he should be dating women 30 years younger. Leo looks like he should have a fat wife in her 50s.”
DiCaprio, who turned 51 in November 2025, has been romantically linked to several models over the years. His relationship with Ceretti, who is 28, has also drawn attention because of their 23-year age difference.
The actor’s dating history has become a recurring online talking point, with social media users frequently referencing the ages of his partners. The latest beach pictures have revived that conversation, as commenters use his appearance to poke fun at the contrast they perceive between DiCaprio and the women he dates.
]]>Nushrratt took to her official Instagram Stories on Monday and uploaded a clip of the 'Gerua' song playing on the television, with some giggles heard in the background.
Slowly, the camera pans to Nushrratt on the hospital bed, smiling as the medical staff helped her eat her food.
Nushrratt wrote alongside the video that such moments remind her that no matter what life throws at us, things do get better with time.
"And just like that, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol bring a smile to my face (red heart emoji) A reminder: things get better… little by little… they always do.
Healing slowly, dreaming endlessly… (Sparkles emoji) (sic)," she penned.
On Saturday, Nushrratt shared her first social media post after suffering an injury in Bali.
She dropped a photo of an empty reclining wheelchair with sunset visible from the window on her IG.
Giving insight into her undying fighter spirit, the 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' actress added the text, "Been chasing sunsets forever, And just like that.. my view changed. But, Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost."
For those who do not know, Nushrratt was in Bali for a work-cum-holiday trip when she suffered a fracture in her spine following an unfortunate accident. She was later airlifted to Mumbai for surgery.
Her team issued an official statement revealing that the actress was under medical observation.
“Nushrratt Bharuccha, who was in Bali for a work-cum-holiday trip, met with an unfortunate accident and suffered a fracture in her spine. At present, our immediate priority is her health and ensuring she receives the necessary medical care. We are currently making arrangements to bring Nushrratt back to Mumbai from Bali via an air ambulance, where she will undergo the surgery," read the statement.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>“No, no, no, no. Not in that one,” Renner said when asked if he would appear in Doomsday. “’Doomsday’ I’m not in, so the Avengers will probably lose, just so you know… they didn’t call me, so it’s their fault. They’re going to lose.”
even hawkeye knows the avengers lose when he's not in the movie😭 #AvengersDoomsday https://t.co/i81g9ewvti
— em | doomsday era (@drdoomarchive) October 11, 2026
While Renner will sit out the next Avengers instalment, he expressed excitement about the theatrical re-release of Avengers: Endgame. The 2019 blockbuster has returned to cinemas ahead of Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled to release on December 18.
Renner has played Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, across several Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Endgame. He has also made appearances in Thor and Captain America: Civil War.
Although he will not feature in Doomsday, the actor had previously expressed interest in returning to the Marvel universe. In a 2025 interview with Empire, Renner said he was open to reprising Hawkeye, whether for a second season of the character's standalone series or another Marvel project.
“I’m always happy to be in that world, man. I love all those guys, I love the character,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll end up doing Season 2 [of ‘Hawkeye’], and do other things. And I’m happy to do it. My body’s getting ready for something like that. I don’t know if anybody wants to see me in tights, but my body will look good in the tights.”
Renner's comments about returning to action roles also come after his recovery from a serious snowmobile accident in January 2023. The actor was hospitalised after being run over by a heavy snow-removal vehicle, sustaining multiple injuries, including several broken ribs, fractures to both legs, and injuries to his shoulder and collarbone.
In 2025, he said he had recovered “more than 150 per cent” from the accident and was prepared to perform his own stunts again.
While Renner's absence from Avengers: Doomsday means fans will not see Hawkeye in the upcoming film, his tongue-in-cheek prediction has added a playful twist to the conversation around the next chapter of the Marvel franchise. Avengers: Doomsday releases on December 18, 2026.
]]>The exhibition, organised in association with the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board, was inaugurated on Tuesday, October 13, by BMC House Leader Ganesh Khankar in the presence of board chairman Ravindra Sathe, who holds the rank of a Minister of State. It will remain open until October 15.
Khankar also appealed to BMC officers and employees to wear khadi clothing at least once a week and encouraged Mumbai residents to purchase khadi and village industries products.
The exhibition features khadi shirts, kurtas and jackets, handloom sarees, honey, soaps, oils, Kolhapuri footwear and handmade jewellery. A variety of food products prepared by women's self-help groups are also available for sale.
The initiative aims to connect local producers with consumers and expand the market for products made by rural artisans, small-scale entrepreneurs and traditional businesses.
Speaking at the inauguration, Khankar said the civic body had taken the initiative to promote khadi and village industries and provide a dedicated marketplace for products made by rural artisans and entrepreneurs.
He urged BMC officers and employees to prioritise the use of khadi garments and purchase products made by village industries to support local producers.
Khankar said increased demand for these products could generate employment in rural areas, preserve traditional arts and skills, and strengthen the local economy. He also called on civic employees to actively participate in the initiative and help promote these products.
The inauguration was attended by Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Board Chief Executive Officer Laxman Raut, Joint Chief Executive Officer Ravindra Thackeray, and Deputy Chief Executive Officers Rajkumar Dangar and Nityanand Patil.
Earlier in September, during Ganeshotsav, the BMC organised the BMC Modak Mahotsav 2026, showcasing steamed and fried modaks prepared by women’s self-help groups.
The delivery service was available only within Mumbai.
The initiative aimed at providing women’s self-help groups with greater market access and business opportunities.
]]>During the conversation, the Hannah Montana star spoke candidly about her approach to intimacy, explaining why she preferred to skip prolonged foreplay and get straight to the point. Her comments also touched on male anatomy, delivered with the humour and bluntness that characterised the discussion.
Miley Cyrus reveals she refuses to do any foreplay with men and orders them to penetrate her immediately without lube so their ugly penises get out of her sight "I enjoy sexuality more than I enjoy sex." "I don't really fuck with foreplay because I'm just too busy. As everyone will tell you, even in my business, I do not like to tease things. I like to not say shit and then just fucking go for it and scare the shit out of you." "I have a lot of shit going on. I don't really have time to sit around and flick my clit. I really want to get the fuck done and get the fuck back to editing." "If I'm in the mood, we're good. I don't really need lube, to be honest. Stick it right in, just hurry, hurry, and make it good." "I don't really want to look at a penis for any longer than I have to. I think that's why I want it to go inside, so it gets out of my face. I don't want it in my face, dude." "I like dicks as an aesthetic." "It's good if it can just get in and go away, because I don't want it eyeing me off. That's just how I truly feel." "Everyone knows that tits are prettier than balls. Everybody knows this. Your dick is ugly, but look at this body."
— Nichole (@NicholeDelly) October 12, 2026
Cyrus was direct about her preferences, telling Cooper, “I don't really f**k with foreplay because I'm just too busy. As everyone will tell you, even in my business, I do not like to tease things. I like to not say sh*t and then just go for it and scare the sh*t out of you.”
Explaining her approach further, she added, “I have a lot of sh*t going on. I don't really have time to sit around. I really want to get done and get back to editing.”
Her remarks reflected her preference for spontaneity and getting straight to the point, with her characteristically unfiltered delivery adding a humorous edge to the conversation.
Cyrus also spoke candidly about male anatomy, joking that she preferred not to dwell on it for too long and comparing its appearance unfavourably with other aspects of the body. Her comments were delivered with her trademark humour and bluntness. “I don't really want to look at a penis for any longer than I have to. I think that's why I want it to go inside, so it gets out of my face. I don't want it in my face, dude,” she said.
Beyond the jokes, Cyrus offered insight into how she viewed intimacy, summing up her perspective with the line, “I enjoy sexuality more than I enjoy sex.”
The conversation also touched on her experiences with men and women, including how different relationship dynamics shaped her understanding of attraction. The resurfaced discussion offers a glimpse into Cyrus’ candid approach to relationships and sexuality. Miley Cyrus is currently engaged to musician and drummer Maxx Morando.
]]>Hema took to Instagram on October 12 to share pictures and a video from the performance, offering a glimpse of the elaborate production. In one of the pictures, she was seen dressed as Mata Parvati alongside an actor portraying Lord Shiva.
View this post on Instagram
Reflecting on the occasion, the Sholay actor wrote, “Performed last evening at the Classic Convention Centre for the Agarwal Samaj, Telangana's 'Agra Dandiya Navratri celebrations'. It also marked Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti on 11.10.2026. It was a lovely, special feeling performing my most popular ballet, Durga, on the first day of Navratri, and I felt truly blessed.”
View this post on Instagram
Sharing a video of the recital, Hema also spoke about the joy of performing the ballet during the auspicious festival. She wrote, “It was a joy and pleasure to perform my most popular ballet Durga at the first day of Navratri. it also marked the Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti on 11.10.2026. On this auspicious occasion wishing you all a very Happy Navratri and Durga Puja.”
The performance reflects Hema’s longstanding association with classical dance. Alongside her career in Hindi cinema and politics, she has continued to present dance productions inspired by Indian mythology and devotional themes.
The pictures and video drew appreciative responses from social media users, several of whom praised the performance and welcomed the actor to Hyderabad. “We have not seen Maa Parvati but seeing you looks like a real incarnation,” one user commented. Another wrote, “So beautifully divine.”
A third social media user thanked Hema for the performance, writing, “Thank you Hema Malini ji, for coming to Hyderabad and for the beautiful performance.” Another admirer highlighted her continued commitment to the arts, commenting, “Her love for art is beyond age. True artist.”
Hema’s appearance at the Navratri celebration offered audiences a chance to witness her return to a dance production that holds a special place in her repertoire, as she marked the festival with a performance rooted in devotion and Indian mythology.
]]>The robbery took place on Monday night in the Sen-Paschim Para area. The victim, Ramesh Yadav, is an office-bearer of the BJP’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) Morcha in Uttar Pradesh.
According to police, the robbers tied Yadav’s hands and legs before fleeing with the cash and the two gold chains he was wearing. Yadav later managed to free himself and alerted the local police, the news agency reported.
Police have rounded up around 14 staff members, including four security guards, four gunmen and a driver, for questioning in connection with the robbery.
Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal told PTI that a case had been registered and an investigation was underway.
Police are also examining the possibility of an insider’s involvement in the crime. However, no conclusion has been reached so far, Lal said.
Police have recovered CCTV recordings from the farmhouse, but no suspect is clearly visible in the footage, the commissioner said, the news agency reported.
Investigators are examining suspicious activity near the farmhouse’s boundary wall in an attempt to gather clues about the robbers and their escape route.
Around six police teams have been formed to investigate the case and identify the suspects.
The teams are being led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Deependra Nath Chaudhary, Additional DCP Areeba Noman and ACP Krishnakant Yadav, as per the PPTI.
The investigation is continuing.
Two men were arrested in connection with the robbery of a 30-gram gold chain from a 74-year-old woman, Udupi City Police said on Monday, reported.
The accused have been identified as Vadiraj Ganiga (44) of Nittur and Sachin (30) of Padu village, Kaup taluk, they said.
According to police, the incident occurred on October 7, 2026, when the two suspects approached the victim, Shantha Karanth, under the guise of gathering SIR information. Once inside the house, they pushed the elderly woman to the ground, forcibly snatched her gold chain worth approximately Rs 4 lakh, and fled, the news agency reported.
Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended the suspects near Manipal Mannapalla on October 10. During interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime and revealed that they had pawned the stolen chain at the Industrial Credit Cooperative Society in Manipal.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The expanded tournament format, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will see World Cup cricket return to the African continent for the first time in 24 years.
"The overwhelming demand for tickets is a testament to the stature and appeal of the Cricket World Cup, the allure of Africa as a destination and the anticipation for the event generated by the ICC and its partners' promotional activities leading up to the event launch,” ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said.
“With a year to go, the ICC has planned an exciting runway of 360-degree activations, multi-platform campaigns and content line-ups, which will elevate the fandom associated with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027," he added.
Supporters can complete their registration until 23h59 (CAT) on 21 November 2026, marking exactly one year prior to the final at Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium.
Entry into the ticket ballot is completely free and requires no payment at the point of registration. Applicants are permitted to submit one ballot entry per person, per match, with the option to apply for various fixtures across the entire tournament.
The selection process is not conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring that early registration does not dictate purchasing chances. Where demand for a particular fixture exceeds the available ticket allocation, access to purchase tickets will be determined through a randomised ballot draw.
Both successful and unsuccessful ballot applicants will be formally notified of their application status via the email address provided during registration.
The tournament officially gets underway on October 2 with a three-team Super Series hosted in Windhoek.
With a new format, confirming more matches to be played among nations, the ODI World Cup 2027 is generating unprecedented excitement.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Mahhi asked Amrapali Dubey why she did not have a boyfriend, saying she would get one now because she had lost weight. “Abhi toh tu patli bhi ho gayi hai (Now you are losing weight).” Amrapali responded that even when she was heavier, many men were interested in her, but she had chosen not to make anyone her boyfriend.
Mahhi then asked whether Amrapali liked anyone from the Bhojpuri film industry. Amrapali explained that most of the actors were married and that she did not share a particularly close equation with Pawan Singh, who is unmarried. Mahhi also asked her about Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua.
The conversation took another turn when Mahhi recalled seeing Amrapali with Nirahua and his children in Bandra. She asked about his marriage, prompting Amrapali to explain, “She is a housewife. Arranged marriage. Wo actor bane usse pehle hi unki shaadi ho gayi thi.”
Mahhi then asked whether Nirahua had married only once and if he had ever had a girlfriend. “Girlfriend toh rahi hongi (He must have had girlfriends),” said Amrapali, before Mahhi added, “But he didn’t leave his wife?” To this, Amrapali agreed.
Food-related tensions continued when Mahhi asked for an extra piece of chicken. Captain Aasif Khan, who was distributing the food, divided it equally and gave Mahhi a piece along with some curry from the extra bowl. However, Mahhi later expressed displeasure over how the situation was handled, criticising Aasif for his “chindiigiri” and remarking that food-related matters should be handled more considerately. Kanika and Qazi Touqeer stepped in to console her as the disagreement unfolded.
During a conversation about Mumbai, Aman spoke about the city's safety for women and its acceptance of LGBTQIA+ culture. Nakul then asked Aman whether he was straight or gay. Aman clarified that he was straight, but Nakul continued questioning him about his views on gay people and whether he would consider being with a man. He also brought up the term ‘homophobic’, making the conversation increasingly uncomfortable for Aman.
Nakul later told Gullu and Qazi that he had deliberately used the term to tease Aman because he noticed that the conversation was bothering him.
]]>Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is back on the iconic Koffee couch, this time as the first guest on Koffee With Karan season 9. Host Karan Johar has dropped a fresh promo featuring some hilarious banter with the superstar. The clip also brings back a question Karan asked Salman during his 2013 appearance on the chat show.
In the teaser, Karan once again asks Salman whether he is still a virgin. Instead of responding directly, Salman imitates Ravi Kishan and replies, "Control, my brother, control." The exchange takes viewers back to Salman's appearance on Koffee With Karan season 4 in 2013, when the actor famously claimed that he was a virgin.
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During the episode, Salman told host Karan Johar, "Yes, I am a virgin," adding that he was saving himself for marriage. The statement soon became one of the most talked-about moments from the show. Karan later clarified that Salman had delivered the remark jokingly, delivering it with a straight face rather than offering a serious confession.
However, the upcoming edition will also mark the end of an era, as Karan has decided to conclude Koffee With Karan after nine seasons to focus more on directing films. While speaking to Variety, the filmmaker acknowledged the emotional significance of stepping away from a show that has been part of his career for more than two decades.
"This will be the last time I will be on a couch that has been synonymous with conversations, candour, and well... controversies... the decision is emotional and personal to me... But I am hoping the legacy of love the show has given me continues to brew in people's hearts," Karan said.
Koffee With Karan Season 9 will begin streaming from October 14 on JioHotstar.
]]>This is the world's first aviation financing transaction insured by the Belgian export credit agency (ECA) Credendo, and the maiden ECA-backed aircraft financing structured through the GIFT IFSC, according to a statement.
The financing will help Indigo procure six A321s and two A320s, it said.
Global banking major Citi acted as sole mandated arranger, ECA coordinator and sole lender, with the financing backed by Credendo's credit insurance, it added.
The transaction was executed through Indigo's subsidiary, InterGlobe Aviation Financial Services IFSC and provides a "competitive and diversified source of long-term funding" for the carrier's fleet and network growth, it said.
"By combining Citi's cross-border aviation and ECA financing expertise with Credendo's credit insurance and IndiGo's GIFT IFSC platform, we have delivered a first-of-its-kind solution that opens a vital new pathway connecting Indian aviation with the deep pool of ECA-backed international liquidity and supports the next phase of India's aviation growth," Citi India's chief executive K Balasubramanian said.
Frank Vanwingh, the group deputy CEO for Credendo, said the ECA aspires to become a long-term partner for Belgian aviation stakeholders seeking access to international opportunities and innovative financing structures.
Indigo's chief aircraft acquisition and financing officer Riyaz Peermohamed said the partnership with Citi, Credendo and Airbus offers a competitive source of liquidity for its growing Airbus fleet.
"The transaction demonstrates the potential of GIFT IFSC to bring together international banks and export credit agencies and create innovative financing solutions for Indian aviation," Peermohamed added.
In 2023, Indigo announced an order to buy 500 narrow-body aircraft from the A320 family from Airbus and also committed to adding the widebody Airbus A350 to its fleet.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>In separate travel advisories posted on X, the airlines informed passengers about the cancellations and urged them to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
IndiGo announced that flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah would remain cancelled until October 17, 2026.
“Due to the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah stand cancelled until 17 October'26,” the airline said in its advisory.
The airline asked passengers to check their flight status on its official website before travelling to the airport.
IndiGo also said it was sharing timely updates through the contact details provided at the time of booking. Its customer support teams remain available to assist passengers with queries and concerns.
Travel Advisory Due to the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah stand cancelled until 17 October'26. Customers are advised to check their flight status at https://t.co/LrZOdyB7sF before leaving for the airport. Timely updates are being shared on the contact details provided at the time of booking. Our support teams remain available to assist with any queries or concerns. Your safety and well-being remain our top priority. We are in constant coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure safe operations.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) October 13, 2026
Akasa Air has also extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah until October 17.
The airline cited the escalating security situation in the Middle East and the associated risks to safe flight operations.
Akasa Air said the decision followed an assessment of the evolving situation, adding that it was closely monitoring developments and reviewing the situation in real time.
Akasa Air said passengers affected by the cancellations could choose between a full refund or rescheduling their travel at no additional cost.
Refunds will be credited to the original payment method within seven days, according to the airline.
Passengers who booked their tickets through travel partners have been advised to contact them directly for assistance.
Both airlines said passenger and crew safety remained their top priority and that they were coordinating with the relevant authorities or monitoring developments to assess the situation.
#TravelUpdate: October 13, 2026 | 11.30 IST In view of the escalating security situation in the Middle East and the associated risks to safe flight operations, Akasa Air has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh and Jeddah until October 17, 2026. This decision follows a careful assessment of the evolving situation, with safety remaining the primary consideration. We continue to closely monitor developments and assess the situation in real time. Passengers affected by these cancellations may opt for a full refund, which will be credited to the original source of payment within seven days, or reschedule their travel at no additional cost. Passengers who have booked through travel partners are requested to contact them directly for assistance. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) October 13, 2026
Passengers travelling to or from Saudi Arabia are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest flight status and available travel options before heading to the airport.
Air India has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia until October 17, 2026, in view of the evolving situation in the region.
The airline said it was closely monitoring developments and assessing the situation to resume safe operations.
Affected passengers are being offered a full refund on cancellation, Air India said, adding that the safety and security of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.
]]>In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until 17 October 2026. We are closely monitoring and assessing the developments in the region to resume safe operations. Affected guests are being offered a full refund on cancellation. At Air India, the safety and security of our passengers and crew remain the highest priority. #TravelAdvisory
— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) October 13, 2026
The actress offered a witty response to actress Sonali Bendre’s observation about the heartbreak her wedding caused among her fans.
The conversation took place on the grand premiere episode of the quiz reality show, Kon Honar Crorepati, where Sonali joined host Madhuri on the hot seat. Recalling the actor’s wedding, Sonali said, “When you got married… a lot of people were heartbroken.”
Madhuri, who married Dr. Shriram Nene in 1999, responded with a laugh and said, “That’s why I married someone who mends hearts!”
Speaking in Marathi, the actor jokingly explained that she chose someone who treats hearts, referring to her husband’s profession as a cardiovascular surgeon.
Madhuri’s marriage to Dr. Nene, who was based in the United States when they met, marked her departure from Bollywood at the peak of her career. The couple have since built a life together and have two sons, Arin and Ryan.
After spending a few years in the USA, the actress returned to India to resume her career in Bollywood.
Madhuri marked her return to Bollywood after a hiatus with Aaja Nachle in 2007. She went on to feature in films such as Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, in which she appeared in the popular song ‘Ghagra’, Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang.
She later appeared in Total Dhamaal and Kalank, followed by the Marathi film Bucket List, Maja Ma, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
The actor also ventured into the digital space with The Fame Game, in which she played a celebrated actor whose disappearance sets off a series of revelations. She then featured in Mrs. Deshpande, taking on a darker role as a convicted serial killer.
Madhuri marked her return to Bollywood after a hiatus with Aaja Nachle in 2007. She went on to feature in films such as Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, in which she appeared in the popular song ‘Ghagra’, Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang.
She later appeared in Total Dhamaal and Kalank, followed by the Marathi film Bucket List, Maja Ma, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
The actor also ventured into the digital space with The Fame Game, in which she played a celebrated actor whose disappearance sets off a series of revelations. She then featured in Mrs. Deshpande, taking on a darker role as a convicted serial killer.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>She noted that the rupee has depreciated "significantly" over the past one and a half year and said the rupee has reached a low against the US dollar, and the financial regulator is taking efforts to ensure that the domestic currency stays stable.
"They (RBI) are not trying to fix the rupee. They are trying to stop the volatility. And for that, there is a lot of effort from the RBI side. So, these efforts from the RBI... will continue not to...fix the rupee. We would appreciate it if the rupee finds its own (value)," she said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026.
"I'm sure there are efforts which the RBI would take further to make sure that the rupee doesn't become too volatile," she added.
The minister stated that India's fundamentals are fine, with sound foreign exchange reserves.
She pointed out that most of the rupee's volatility is stemming from external challenges, while the government is ensuring that macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound within the country.
"... fiscal discipline is not going to be a matter which should worry investors. But as regards the rupee, and as regards the way it is reacting to the ups and downs with the dollar, yes, that's where the challenge is, and we will be attending to it," Sitharaman added.
The Finance Minister said the latest measures by the RBI supported the rupee as its value surged one per cent on Monday.
The apex bank on Saturday announced several measures aimed at reducing immediate dollar demand and curbing excessive positions in the foreign exchange market.
The RBI created a special window for oil marketing companies, which will take the dollar demand away from the spot market and tightened rules governing forex derivatives trades to curb speculative bets against the rupee.
In addition, it asked banks to create a 20 per cent reserve for dollar purchases of over USD 2 million.
Following the measures, the rupee appreciated 93 paise, logging its steepest single-day gain in more than six months on Monday, to close at 95.78 against the US dollar, according to PTI. On Tuesday, it appreciated 82 paise to 94.96 against US dollar in early trade.
Last week after the monetary policy announcement, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had said that the regulator will ensure the rupee stabilises and will support it in reaching its correct value, when the currency was inching towards its all-time low of 96.96 against the dollar, during intraday trading.
"We will ensure that the rupee stabilises, that the rupee finds its correct value, and we will support an orderly movement of the rupee in finding its correct value and at the same time in ensuring that there is no excessive volatility," he had said.
The rupee has been under pressure since the beginning of the West Asia conflict in late February. The elevated crude oil prices pose a challenge to an oil-importing country like India. India is the third largest importer and consumer of crude oil.
"By a number of estimates, including the REER (Real Effective Exchange Rate), the rupee is not overvalued; it may be undervalued," Malhotra had said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>During my lifetime of policing the city of Delhi I have seen protest sites shift from PM residence, Teen Murti Marg (Then Mrs Gandhi’s Residence) to roads of Lutyens Delhi, in early 70s to India Gate in 80s, Boat Club to Jantar Mantra as was. Every city does require an open space for democratic expression, which we also call a protest. But forgets to provide for. City planners to please note Jantar mantra was least suited to be a protest site in view of its narrow lanes and proximity to sensitive buildings and offices. Besides the iconic Commerical Area of Connaught place complex I think the administration of that time erred in taking that decision and did not correct all this while. And the consequences are there to see Ramlila grounds and others have been identified by the #MHA. Perhaps the change needed a Judicial nudge. Now we need a clear security and functioning plan for Ramlila ground to be stated when according permissions. @DelhiPolice #CommisionerMCD. @LtGovDelhi #ChiefMinisterDelhi
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) October 13, 2026
While posting on social media platform X, Kiran Bedi said, "During my lifetime of policing the city of Delhi, I have seen protest sites shift from PM residence, Teen Murti Marg (then Mrs. Gandhi’s residence), to roads of Lutyens Delhi, in the early 70s to India Gate in 80s, Boat Club to Jantar Mantra as was.”
Urging the city planners to take the need for designated protest spaces into account, Kiran Bedi said, “Every city does require an open space for democratic expression, which we also call a protest. But forgets to provide for,” Bedi said, urging city planners to take the need for designated protest spaces into account.
Explaining her concerns about Jantar Mantar, the former Delhi Police commissioner said the location was poorly suited to hosting protests because of its narrow lanes and proximity to sensitive buildings and offices, as well as the commercial area of Connaught Place.
Adding that the consequences of the decision were now evident, Kiran Bedi wrote, “I think the administration of that time erred in taking that decision and did not correct all this while."
The former Delhi Police Commissioner also referred to Ramlila Maidan and other locations identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as suitable venues for demonstrations. She also suggested that the change in the status of Jantar Mantar may have required judicial intervention.
While acknowledging the need to designate appropriate locations for protests, Bedi stressed that authorities must establish clear arrangements for security and the functioning of alternative venues.
“Now we need a clear security and functioning plan for Ramlila ground to be stated when according to permissions,” she said.
Her remarks highlight the challenge faced by authorities in balancing the right to peaceful protest.
]]>In a conversation with the show's host, Madhuri Dixit, Sonali revealed that she was initially more excited about wearing a traditional Maharashtrian nauvari saree than meeting the global music sensation.
Madhuri, who described herself as a fan of the legendary performer, asked Sonali about greeting Jackson in a nauvari saree when he arrived in Mumbai.
Responding to the question, Sonali said, “You know, actually, I wasn’t that much of a fan of his. They told me that they wanted Marathi girls to do this. And at that time, I got free tickets for my friends and family.”
She further explained that wearing the traditional attire was a special experience for her, as she had always admired the garment. “And of course, wearing a nauvari was a lot of fun because my grandmother used to wear one, and I always had a fascination with wearing a nauvari. I mean, it’s just the most graceful saree ever. So I was excited about that,” she said.
However, Sonali added that watching Jackson perform live changed her perception of the artist and turned her into a fan.
Recalling the concert, she said, “But after that, when I went to the concert, I really understood what an artist he is. I mean, amazing! The stamina, the singing… and after that, I became his fan.”
For the uninitiated, Michael Jackson visited India in October 1996 as part of his ‘HIStory World Tour’, performing in Mumbai.
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]]>Ahead of the series, Sri Lanka has released the 15-member squad, which also marks Kusal Mendis' first stint as captain in the traditional format of the game.
Mendis, who is already in charge of Sri Lanka's T20I and ODI teams, replaced Dhananjaya de Silva a few days ago as Test captain. The 35-year-old de Silva stepped down from the position by saying that he wanted to pass the mantle to the next generation.
Star batsman Pathum Nissanka has also been included in Sri Lanka's squad. He is expected to regain full fitness before the first Test match. The right-handed batsman sustained a hamstring injury during the ODI series against England last month.
🇱🇰 SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT | Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Here is your 15-member Sri Lanka Test Squad for the upcoming 2-match Test series against Pakistan! 🏏 #PAKvSL https://t.co/vEE90nI0rz
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 13, 2026
The team will travel to Pakistan for two Tests starting November 9, with matches scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore as part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
Sri Lanka is ranked seventh on the WTC points table with a points percentage (PCT) of 33.33, while Pakistan is at the bottom with a PCT of 4.63.
So far, Mendis has played 75 Test matches for Sri Lanka and has garnered 4836 runs. With a top score of 245 runs, he also has 23 half-centuries and 10 centuries. The right-handed batsman has also donned the Sri Lankan ODI colours in 159 games and has amassed 5160 runs. He has 36 half-centuries and seven tons with a top score of 143 runs. In T20Is, the 31-year-old cricketer has represented Sri Lanka in 111 T20I matches and has registered 27104 runs. His career-best score in T20Is is 86 runs, and he also has 20 half-centuries.
Kusal Mendis (c), Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya De Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>The film, which also stars Divita Rai, will now release in cinemas on December 11, 2026. Earlier, the makers had booked October 23 for its release. However, looking at the fierce competition at the box-office, and the legion of films releasing over the course of next 3-4 weeks, the makers decided it’s best to move its release to a later date.
Talking about the decision, Adhyayan Suman said, “‘Main Na Raha Mera’ is an extremely personal film for me, and we want audiences to experience its emotions the way we have envisioned them. With a story that explores love, heartbreak and the complexities of ego, it was important for us to find the right window for the film. October 23 had several releases lined up, and we felt that moving to December 11 would give us a better opportunity to bring the film to audiences with the attention it deserves”.
The shift gives the romantic musical a relatively less crowded theatrical window amid competition from multiple releases lined up for October.
The makers have already unveiled the teaser, followed by the title track sung by Arijit Singh and the romantic number ‘Shayad’, voiced by Rekha Bhardwaj.
Producer Dharmesh Sangani said, “As producers, our responsibility is not just to make a film but also to ensure that it gets the best possible opportunity to connect with audiences in cinemas. October 23 was shaping up to be a crowded release date, and after careful consideration, we decided that December 11 would be a more suitable window for Main Na Raha Mera. The film has a strong emotional core, complemented by music that plays an integral part in its storytelling. We want to give it the right space to reach its audience”.
Directed by Amit Kasaria, ‘Main Na Raha Mera’ is produced by Dharmesh Sangani under Sangani Brothers Motion Pictures, in association with T-Series. The film will now release in cinemas on December 11, 2026.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The 23-year-old, who became famous as a teen for school strikes to demand action on climate change, stood among pupils demonstrating outside a school at the heart of the movement in the capital's largest suburb of Saint-Denis.
Thunberg arrived at the Paul Eluard high school, as lawyers in their robes formed a human chain to protect teens after numerous allegations of police brutality.
"Young people are not being included in the conversation. Our future is being robbed away from us," Thunberg told AFP.
The mobilisation, which is backed by unions and the far-left opposition France Unbowed party, was to include a midday march through Paris, along with marches in other cities.
"They're not listening to us, so we're going to them," university student union l'Union etudiante wrote on X.
More than 70,000 people took to the streets last Thursday in the last major event of a movement that sprung up in late September.
French authorities had been hoping that the protests would start to ease ahead of half-term holidays.
"We should be at around... 200 schools closed, which is fewer than last week," Education Minister Edouard Geffray said on France Inter on Tuesday morning, adding some near protest routes were closing to avoid damage.
In the Paris region, teenagers had blockaded the entrances to several schools before dawn.
In the southern city of Marseille, students slowly pushed dumpsters on wheels in front of their high school.
French students say they are determined to press the government to address the problems of too many absent teachers, dilapidated buildings, overcrowded class schedules and other grievances.
The protests since last month have seen teenagers pile up dumpsters and light security barriers outside hundreds of France's 3,700 lycees for students mostly aged 15 to 18.
They have mostly been peaceful, but seen clashes occasionally break out with police.
The education ministry said eight members of teaching staff were injured on Monday, mostly in the Paris region and cities of Bordeaux and Lyon, in relation to the protests.
"Students aren't being heard enough... not their proposals to authorities and elected officials," a 19-year-old graphic design student in Paris, Leo, said on Monday.
He added that the protesters, many of whom were minors, were "disturbed by the level of repression never before seen for a student movement".
Authorities said fireworks fired through a tube injured two school workers in Reims, one school worker in a Paris suburb and a police officer outside a school in Marseille.
Tuesday's demonstrations supporting the students were to be followed on Saturday by wider public rallies against the rising cost of living.
Naila, a 17-year-old student in the city of Rennes who said she would participate in Tuesday's demonstration, hoped it would "converge" with the wider one on Saturday.
President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to reporters at a car show on Monday, urged restraint from protesters.
"These are issues that deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect," Macron said just months before elections to replace him.
More than 6,800 people, largely minors, have been taken into police custody over the course of the protests, according to the justice ministry.
Police have opened internal investigations into 24 allegations of brutality against demonstrators.
After last week's nationwide demonstrations, the government promised some 3,000 substitute teachers would be deployed in the coming days to replace absent staff at the 114 worst-affected high schools.
The education minister said on Tuesday that 35 percent had already been assigned.
High school students are demanding a 10 billion-euro ($11 billion) boost for lycees.
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]]>Addressing a press conference, the Shiv Sena leader demanded an apology from Opposition leaders, describing their march to file a petition over alleged electoral irregularities as an unprecedented attack on the apex court and a black day in Indian history.
The Opposition on Monday organised a “March for Democracy” towards the Supreme Court to file a joint petition challenging aspects of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleging irregularities in the electoral process.
“It was a black Day in Indian history. The morcha to the Supreme Court was an attempt to pressurise the judiciary. This has happened for the first time in the country,” Shinde said.
He acknowledged that the Opposition had the right to approach the court for justice but argued that taking out a march to submit a petition amounted to an attack on the judiciary.
“I condemn it. They have to apologise to 140 crore people,” he said.
The INDIA bloc has maintained that its campaign seeks accountability over the Election Commission’s functioning and alleged electoral irregularities.
Shinde also objected to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during Monday’s protest. Gandhi had urged people to continue demonstrating, saying the country could not be saved in a day or two, and described the protests as “tandav”.
“This is like Shiva's dance, and anyone can join Shiva's 'baraat' (wedding procession),” Gandhi had said.
Shinde claimed that invoking Shiva’s dance in this context was an insult to the deity. He also remarked that if Shiva opened his third eye, the INDIA bloc would be destroyed.
Shinde alleged that the Opposition’s main objective was to spread confusion and obstruct the country’s development.
“The Opposition is frustrated. They don't know what to do. It is a single-point agenda to create confusion and instability, and cause hindrance in the country's development,” he said.
He further claimed that foreign powers were attempting to destabilise India and accused Opposition leaders of citing examples of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, where unrest had led to changes in government, to suggest that a similar situation could emerge in India.
The deputy chief minister said the Opposition had been defeated in three successive electoral contests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that it was now trying to create unrest by questioning electronic voting machines (EVMs) and making accusations against the Election Commission.
He also accused Opposition parties of double standards, arguing that they had not raised similar concerns when they won elections in Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The Opposition, meanwhile, has sought scrutiny of the Election Commission’s electoral-roll revision process and raised concerns over alleged irregularities.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The new implementation date will be notified separately, it added.
"UPI and Services Steering Committee today decided that, keeping in mind the festive season, Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI transactions, shall be implemented immediately post Diwali at a date to be notified separately," it said in a statement.
UPI MDR on Select Merchant Transactions Shall be Implemented Post Diwali Press Release Link: https://t.co/5KMjOP0tHd https://t.co/pD8IKfN6sR
— NPCI (@NPCI_NPCI) October 13, 2026
The move comes after several traders and retailers had pointed out that the MDR levy on UPI could increase the cost burden for merchants during the festive season when consumers generally purchase above Rs 2,000.
The government had last month said said that effective October 15, a 0.4 per cent MDR will be levied on merchants for UPI transactions over Rs 2,000, and the cost will be borne by the merchants and not the customers. Person-to-person transactions regardless of the amount, will remain free.
Railways, fuel, telecom, bill payments and insurance will have a flat fee of Rs 5 per transaction above Rs 2,000 and mutual fund and securities payments attract just 0.02 per cent, capped at Rs 300. MDR charge will be capped at Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 or more.
The Finance Ministry had said UPI has grown into the world's largest real-time interoperable payment system, processing 24.5 billion transactions in August 2026 alone.
The new framework ensures resources from higher-value merchant transactions are reinvested to support small businesses and strengthen digital payments across the country, it had said.
"To keep this system self-sustainable, secure and innovative, a small fee on high-value merchant transactions helps fund: better infrastructure and cybersecurity, support for small merchants in Tier III–VI towns and rural areas and, awareness and incentives to expand UPI adoption," it explained.
The MDR is a fee paid by merchants to payment service providers for processing digital transactions. The collected amount will be shared among banks and other entities in the UPI ecosystem.
Of the total MDR collected, 40 per cent will go to customers' banks, 30 per cent to payment gateway, 20 per cent to the UPI app and the remaining 10 per cent to the sponsoring bank of the UPI app.
Small merchants collecting up to Rs 1 lakh a month via UPI QR codes remain fully exempt from any new charge.
The government has pointed out that about 96 per cent of all merchant transactions will be without the MDR charges, as most of the UPI transactions at present are below Rs 2,000.
UPI transactions in terms of volume surged 27 per cent to around 145 billion from April to September this year. The UPI transaction in volume terms stood at 114 billion in the corresponding period last year.
In terms of value, the UPI transactions during the first six months of the current financial year grew at a slightly lower pace at 20 per cent to Rs 177 lakh crore. The UPI transactions in terms of value were at Rs 148 lakh crore during April to September of the previous financial year.
Operated by NPCI, UPI is used for real-time payments between peers or at merchants' end while making purchases.
NPCI, an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks' Association, is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
With presence in over 11 countries including Uzbekistan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Greece, UPI has transformed India's digital payments landscape.
]]>Taking to Instagram stories, Sidharth shared a picture of his injured leg. Adding a touch of humour to the update, the actor wrote, "I took ‘break a leg’ too seriously."
Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra are expecting their second child. The couple announced the news on October 7 with a heartwarming social media post featuring their daughter, Saraayah.
In the picture, the family can be seen holding a tiny pair of knitted baby booties, offering a sweet glimpse of their growing family. The announcement also echoed their first pregnancy announcement last year, when the couple had posted the picture of baby footwear to share the news.
Sharing the picture, the couple expressed their happiness, writing, "Blessed once again with the greatest gift of all. Our hearts are so full of love and gratitude."
View this post on Instagram
Kiara and Sidharth tied the knot on February 7, 2023, in a lavish yet intimate ceremony at Suryagarh Palace in Rajasthan, attended by their close family members and friends from the film fraternity.
On the professional front, Sidharth was last seen in The Vvaan, alongside Tamannaah Bhatia. Helmed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
]]>The 71-year-old will head to the Gemelli hospital in the late morning, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told AFP.
The surgery to remove a pulmonary nodule, or small growth of tissue in the lung, will mark the pope's first hospitalisation since he became head of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025.
On Sunday, in a surprise announcement following Angelus prayers, Leo told faithful in St Peter's Square that doctors had discovered the nodule "at a very early stage" during recent medical checks.
"The doctors believe it would be right to intervene," he said, addressing the crowds from a window of the Apostolic Palace.
The Vatican was historically very secretive about papal health, but began to be more transparent during the illness of Leo's predecessor Francis, an Argentine who freely discussed ailments.
The pope's recovery time could be about a week, the Vatican said. His audiences have been cancelled until October 20.
Rome's Gemelli hospital is where popes are usually treated, and Leo is expected to stay in a special top-floor suite, under high security.
He will likely be accompanied by his personal nurse Massimiliano Strappetti, who looked after Leo's predecessor Francis during several stays at the Gemelli hospital before his death last year.
Chicago-born Leo, the first US pope, is sporty and believed to generally be in good health.
Marco Scarci, a thoracic surgery expert in the UK, told AFP it was not "a particularly risky operation" and he expected Leo's recovery to be quick, though "it might take up to three months to return to his pre-surgery fitness level".
Leo is scheduled to travel to South America from November 6-17 to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.
Most pulmonary nodules are benign, or non-cancerous, but a small percentage can be an early indication of lung cancer.
The Vatican told AFP the nodule was found during routine health checks, and there were no symptoms that led to checking the pope's lungs.
A small nodule is called a "coin lesion" because on X-rays it looks like a coin, Professor Federico Venuta, head of Thoracic Surgery at the Policlinico Umberto 1 hospital in Rome, told AFP.
Small nodules tend not to cause symptoms, but larger ones can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent coughing, sometimes with blood.
Such nodules "could be a whole range of benign lesions, inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, or congenital -- or they could be malignant," Venuta said.
Removing the nodule can take place under general anaesthetic with the patient breathing through a tube.
"Often, the lesion can be accessed from the outside or inside, for instance, via image-guided biopsy or endoscopy, but sometimes this is not possible," Venuta said.
Even if the nodule should turn out not to be benign, the pope's outlook would be "very positive", he said.
"For a generally healthy person, the prognosis for lung cancer caught at such an early stage, specifically a pulmonary nodule with no distant spread, is absolutely favourable," he said.
In terms of the Latin American trip, Venuta said that "generally, the rule is to avoid air travel for about 20 days following these surgeries, though there is obviously some flexibility".
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>As per ANI, Dipke’s remarks came after Delhi Police detained his colleagues Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya Shinde, who gathered at the protest site earlier in the morning.
Denouncing the arrests, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned the legality and morality of the police action.
"Our team went to Jantar Mantar this morning and hoisted the tricolor. When did hoisting the tricolor become a violation? Whoever thinks that hoisting the tricolor at Jantar Mantar is a violation is a traitor. And if Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde, and the others who were arrested for hoisting the tricolor are charged, then there should be strict action taken against it. How can you arrest someone for hoisting the tricolor? What kind of country is this? What kind of rule is this?" Dipke questioned.
Addressing the police action, Dipke also warned against the denial of legal rights to those in custody.
He said, "The whole country will become Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is not just a location; it is a spirit of resistance. We hope that the Delhi Police will let them talk to their lawyers. It shouldn't happen that, as it happened to me, they are kept for 24 hours without being allowed to speak to a lawyer.”
The CJP founder also said, “As a legal procedure, they should be allowed to speak to a lawyer because you cannot just pick someone up like this," as per ANI.
Abhijeet Dipke also described the crackdown as a "greatest example of a dictatorial mentality," asserting that the government is attempting to treat public spaces as its own private domain.”
"The dictatorship doesn't want anyone to go to Jantar Mantar and hoist the tricolor. They think the whole country is their personal property. It is not like that; Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of this country, the 140 crore Indians," Dipke added.
Dipke vowed to continue the agitation until their core demand is met. "We will hoist the tricolor there, and we will keep hoisting it until Jyanesh Kumar resigns," he declared.
Delhi Police earlier on Tuesday again detained Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activists Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya Shinde after they attempted to break the cordon and enter Jantar Mantar after it had been denotified as a protest spot.
Taking it to social media, Dipke wrote, "Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ajinkya, along with other team members, have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi."
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The baby was allegedly snatched from a ragpicker in Ambernath town around 7 pm on October 10 by a speech-and hearing-impaired woman, who then handed him over to her associates as part of a plan to sell the child, senior inspector Shabbir Sayyed of Ambernath police station said, the news agency reported.
During the initial investigation, the police detained one of the accused, Sony Ganesh, 19, who allegedly told investigators that the baby had been handed over to her relative, Ruksar Faroukh Shaikh, 32, a resident of Dharavi in Mumbai, as per the PTI.
Using technical intelligence and mobile phone details, police teams traced the suspect to Dharavi and safely rescued the infant within four hours, Sayyed said.
The baby was subsequently rescued by the police, bringing the search operation to a swift end.
The police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged kidnapping. They have been identified as Parvati Nagraj, 38, a speech- and hearing-impaired woman; Sony Ganesh, 19; Shaktivel Parameshwam, 37; Nisha Shaktivel, 30; and Ruksar Faroukh Shaikh, 32, according to the PTI.
According to the police, the accused allegedly planned to sell the baby after he was kidnapped.
A case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Further investigation is under way to establish the individual roles of the accused and determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged plan to sell the infant.
Meanwhile, in an another incident in September this year, Mumbai Police had rescued a six-month-old baby within four hours after the child was allegedly abducted from a house in Kurla West, officials had earlier said.
According to police, the incident had taken place between 5.30 am and 6 am at Kamalabai Chawl near Gaurishankar Temple in Masrani Lane, Halav Pool, Kurla West.
The child's 20-year-old mother, lodged a complaint at Vinoba Bhave Nagar Police Station, following which a case was registered under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Police identified the accused who allegedly took the infant from the mother's custody without her consent while the baby was asleep.
Following registration of the case, Senior Police Inspector Amit Tad directed all patrolling units, the detection team, surveillance squad and other police teams to begin an intensive search operation leading to accused's arrest.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>In the first incident, the mutilated body of a seven-year-old girl, Saniya, was found in Bojhiya village of Lakhimpur Kheri on Tuesday morning, hours after she was dragged away by a leopard from outside her house, police officials said.
The incident took place in the Padhuva police station area on Monday evening. The area falls under the Dhaurahra forest range of the Dudhwa buffer zone.
Saniya was playing outside her house around 7 pm on Monday when the leopard attacked her and carried her into the fields in its jaws, said the girl's father, Sampati Giri.
Giri, along with other villagers, chased the leopard and attempted to search for his daughter, but in vain.
After receiving information about the incident, Mohit Pundeer, Station Officer of Padhuva police station, rushed to the village with his staff and launched a search operation, police said.
The operation had to be suspended till the morning due to the darkness and the tough terrain.
In the morning, the mutilated body of the girl was found in a sugarcane field. The body is being sent for post-mortem, police said.
Range Officer, Dhaurahra, Ashok Kumar Srivastava, confirmed the attack and said patrolling and combing operation in the area would be intensified.
He appealed to the villagers to stay alert in view of leopard movement in the area.
In Bahraich, a seven-year-old boy, Rohit, was killed in a leopard attack on Monday evening in Badhaiya village under the Kakarha Range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Division, police said.
Forest Department officials said Rohit had gone towards a field near his home around 7.30 pm on Monday when a leopard hiding there attacked him.
Hearing the child's screams, family members and villagers rushed to the spot.
Upon seeing people approaching, the leopard dragged the child into a sugarcane field. Villagers later found Rohit in critical condition. He died before he could be taken to the hospital, the officials said.
An immediate financial assistance of Rs 10,000 has been provided to the victim's family. Formalities are being completed to provide the admissible compensation of Rs 5 lakh in accordance with the rules, said Apurva Dixit, Divisional Forest Officer, Katarniaghat Wildlife Division.
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]]>After Khalifa arrived on OTT recently, filmmaker Vysakh has been resharing posts praising the film. Similarly, he re-shared one such fan post on Instagram that read, “A film which came with huge hype, but became a box office flop ... Had this in my theatre list, but had to watch on OTT yesterday. Must say, it a classic example of utter degrading, review bombing and hatred towards Prithvi.”
#DirectorVysakh Instagram Story #Khalifa gets good responses post-OTT https://t.co/BmA8MaFVex
— G.O.A.T𓃵🦉 (@QuereshiAbraam) October 12, 2026
“True that it had BKU as a rival. Still, had it been helmed by any other lead actor, the fate would have been different ... It had all elements for a mass masala entertainer with class music, editing and direction. Had required plot twists and yes, is a bit old school but what's the issue? We also need such unrealistic mass movies too among so called natural' ones!! Felt sorry for directorvysakh to see his efforts went vain," the post further read.
The director also re-shared posts calling Khalifa’s climax ‘mass’ and the film ‘absolute cinema’.
However, the internet seemed to disagree with Vysakh's views that Khalifa received negative reviews due to the hate towards Prithviraj. A user on X wrote, “Instead of such a post, Vyshak should have improved his script selection." Another user commented, “Vyshakh needs to stop thinking he made a cult classic...the film had it's moments here and there.. but unfortunately not for a blockbuster."
A user even wrote, "So now he accepts it is a flop and part 2 was a gimmick and he did not have an ending in his mind."
Similarly, on Reddit one user wrote, “I was able to watch this film only in OTT. It was a bit of snoozefest for me,” as another commented, “Lol if the film is good it will suceed khalifa was a below average film Prithviraj was good.”
Khalifa was released in theatres on August 20, 2026 and grossed around Rs 45.05 crore worldwide. The film also starred Neil Nitin Mukesh, Malvika Sharma, Shammi Thilakan and Indrans alongside Prithviraj. It also featured cameos from Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas and Soubin Shahir. Meanwhile, the makers have announced a sequel titled Khalifa: The Legacy.
]]>Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student, was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18. According to police, he was caught earlier that day allegedly using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
A police official said Wakode submitted a written statement to the institute after the examination incident. In the statement, he reportedly said he had not prepared well for the paper, acknowledged his mistake and requested another chance.
The Mumbai crime branch is investigating Wakode’s death and has recorded statements from more than 40 people, including IIT-B Director Shireesh Kedare and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a police official said.
Doolla has been accused by Wakode’s parents of harassment and caste-based discrimination. An FIR was registered against the professor at Powai police station following a complaint filed by the student’s father.
According to police, Doolla has denied the allegations of harassment levelled against him by Wakode’s parents in his statement to investigators. He has been named as an accused in the case concerning alleged abetment to suicide.
The allegations are under investigation, and the professor’s denial forms part of the statements recorded by police. The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death remain the subject of the ongoing probe.
Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, began a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on September 24, demanding justice for their son.
They have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination at the premier technical institute. Their allegations against the professor are part of the case being investigated by the Mumbai crime branch.
Police have recorded statements from several people connected with the matter as the investigation continues. The written apology submitted by Wakode after the examination incident is among the details disclosed by the police official.
The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and the allegations raised by his family.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>International air cargo accounted for 6,477 MT, or 54.6 per cent of the total, while domestic freight contributed 5,376 MT, or 45.4 per cent, according to figures released by the airport.
The airport has also expanded its international cargo operations, with freighter services gaining momentum in August. Since then, it has recorded 285 air traffic movements (ATMs) and received 24 scheduled and chartered international freighters, it said.
Of the total cargo handled during the nine-month period, imports accounted for 5,274 MT, while exports contributed 6,579 MT.
Domestic operations handled 1,528 MT of inbound cargo and 3,848 MT of outbound freight. International cargo operations recorded 3,746 MT of imports and 2,731 MT of exports.
The figures indicate that outbound cargo accounted for a larger share of the airport's overall freight movement, while international cargo made up more than half of its total throughput.
NMIA handled eight dedicated cargo freighters in a single day on October 9, demonstrating its capacity to manage multiple freighter operations.
The airlines operating on the day included Cathay Cargo, Challenge Air, Qatar Airways, Aerologic, AFCOM, MNG Airlines, ASL Airlines and Atlas Air.
The airport's infrastructure is designed to accommodate wide-body and heavy-lift aircraft, including the Boeing 777F, Boeing 747-8F and Antonov An-124.
Among the key developments, Cathay Cargo and Hong Kong Air Cargo have established daily scheduled capacity, providing direct connections to major trade and e-commerce distribution centres in East Asia.
Silk Way West Airlines has also launched Boeing 777F services from Baku. Its inaugural flight carried nearly 90 tonnes of inbound cargo.
The airport's cargo terminal has dedicated temperature-controlled areas for pharmaceutical products and agricultural perishables. These facilities support the handling and storage of temperature-sensitive shipments, including pharmaceutical cargo requiring active and passive temperature-control systems.
Construction is also under way on an automated regional cargo hub for FedEx, which is expected to strengthen sorting and distribution capabilities.
Located around 14 km from the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), one of India's major container ports, NMIA is positioned to support sea-air multimodal cargo movement.
The connectivity could allow goods arriving by sea to be transferred to air freight networks, offering businesses an alternative to conventional maritime transport for shipments requiring shorter transit times.
With its expanding international freighter network, specialised cargo facilities and proximity to a major seaport, NMIA aims to strengthen its role in India's air cargo and logistics sector.
]]>The former cricketer stated that Parameshwara played a crucial role in bringing cricket back to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
VIDEO | Bengaluru: KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, says, "We basically came here to invite him (Deputy CM G Parameshwara) for the T20 International that is happening between India and West Indies on the 17th... here at Chinnaswamy Stadium. So, I mean our honorable DCM was largely responsible for bringing back cricket, be it IPL or the international matches. So, he was the one who constituted this expert committee headed by Sri Maheshwar Rao ji and also our Commissioner of Police Seemanth Kumar Singh ji." #Bengaluru #INDvsWIT20 (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2026
Currently, Team India is busy featuring in the ongoing five-match T20I series against the Caribbean side. So far, the "Men in Blue" are leading the series by 2-1, with the fourth clash scheduled to be played on October 14 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
The fifth T20I match will be played on October 17 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Earlier, the Karnataka government on Monday gave formal approval to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host cricket matches at the venue, ending months of uncertainty following the stampede after Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) maiden title win.
At least 11 people were killed and more than 30 injured in a stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025 during RCB's IPL victory celebrations, raising serious concerns over crowd management. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Karnataka government temporarily banned sporting events with spectators at the venue until safety measures were upgraded to international standards.
Coming to the series, the "Men in Blue" will look to continue riding on their winning momentum and seal the series.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
(With Inputs from Agencies)
]]>While speaking at the Jailer 2 Super Show, Rajinikanth revealed that his five years as a bus conductor continue to be the most memorable days of his life. Despite the fame and superstardom that followed, Rajinikanth admitted that he has never quite been able to identify with the larger-than-life image.
"I love acting, of course. But I loved my bus conductor job much more than that. Those five years as a conductor were truly amazing. I still miss it. So, deep down, I believe I am a conductor and always will be. To be frank, I still can't identify with superstardom and all the fame. That's why I go to Bengaluru once in a while. When I see that bus, it brings happiness to me. When I see that khaki dress, my eyes tear up without me realising it. I identify myself as a bus conductor," he shared.
Rajinikanth's comments offer a glimpse into the life that the superstar led before becoming one of Indian cinema's biggest stars. For the unversed, Rajinikanth worked as a bus conductor in Bengaluru before stepping into showbiz and making his debut with the 1975 Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal, directed by K. Balachander.
During the event, the actor also spoke about playing lead roles at 75. He humbly credited the unwavering affection of his fans for his long run in cinema.
He said, "I am 75 now. Many people ask me how I am still playing lead roles. Ellam enna vaazha vaikum daivangalana, rasikka varum Tamil makkalala thaan (It is all because of the Tamil people, who are like gods to me, who come and celebrate my work). Without them, I am nothing. I'm just a blade of grass."
He further added that the love and support he gets from fans has encouraged major production houses to work with him and that filmmakers such as his Jailer 2 director Nelson Dilipkumar continue collaborating with him.
"It's because of your love and support that big production houses are coming forward to work with me, and creative directors like Nelson are making films with me. I don't know how to repay your love. I am falling at your feet," he added.
]]>The deceased was identified as Parvinder Singh, alias Jhota. He was questioning the medical store owner over the alleged sale of certain drugs to a man and recording their argument on his mobile phone when he was shot, the news agency reported.
Jhota was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, police said.
According to the information available, the activist confronted the medical store owner over the sale of certain drugs to a customer.
During the confrontation, Jhota was recording the argument on his mobile phone. In the video, he can be heard saying that the store owner had taken out a pistol, as per the PTI.
The store owner allegedly opened fire at the activist, with the incident being captured on the recording.
According to the PTI, Jhota was known for highlighting the alleged illegal sale of addictive drugs by some chemist shops in Mansa.
His efforts to expose such activities had brought attention to the issue of the sale of addictive substances through medical stores.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the issue of illegal drug sales and the risks faced by those who seek to expose such activities.
Further details about the police investigation and any action taken against the accused were not immediately available.
Meanwhile, a QR code helped the Punjab Police track down the main shooter accused of killing Punjabi social media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu, who was shot dead in Amritsar on October 3, a senior police officer had earlier said on Thursday, reported the PTI.
The Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Police, arrested the accused, identified as Parminder alias Kaka, from Ahmedabad, where he had fled after the murder. Five other people, including his brother, have also been arrested in connection with the case.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said technical investigation and human intelligence helped the police trace six accused. The second shooter has also been identified, and efforts are under way to arrest him.
Explaining how the police tracked Parminder, Gill said the accused had remained in contact with his brother, Amandeep Singh, after the murder, as per the PTI.
According to the police, foreign-based handlers transferred Rs 16,000 to Amandeep's bank account. Of this amount, Rs 11,000 was transferred to Parminder, while Rs 5,000 was given to Paramvir Singh, who allegedly provided weapons and logistical support to the shooters.
Parminder later demanded more money from his brother, unaware that Amandeep was in police custody.
The police then used Amandeep to send a QR code to Parminder. When he scanned it, the police were able to trace his location to Ahmedabad, Gill said.
The Punjab Police shared the information with the Gujarat Police's crime branch, which tracked down and arrested Parminder.
Mad Sandhu, whose real name was Madhusudan, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants on Loharka Road in Amritsar on October 3.
He had gone to a shop to collect his car, which he had given for washing, when the attackers allegedly shot him at close range.
Sandhu was known for discussing make-up artistry and gender issues on podcasts and digital platforms. His Instagram account had around 2.26 lakh followers, and he had also acted in the Punjabi film Oye Bhole Oye.
Sandhu had faced criticism on social media over his content, fashion choices and discussions on gender issues.
A few months before his murder, a Nihang Sikh had objected to his videos and clothing, claiming that his content could negatively influence young people.
The investigation is continuing as the police work to arrest the second shooter and establish the roles of the other accused.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>He added that the Tata Group's priority is to position itself in an industry that is "fundamentally required" to meet domestic consumption needs.
"... We are in a beautiful spot in India, because we have the talent, we have the domestic market, we can play a part in every global supply chain," he said at the 2026 Bloomberg New Economy Forum.
He further said India would need to collaborate with global players to access the necessary technologies while closely monitoring energy requirements.
"We need partnerships, because we have all the technologies... But if you design it, definitely we will get there. But you also have to be careful, because you need to keep an eye on energy," he said.
Tata Group firm Tata Electronics, is setting up a semiconductor fabrication plant at Dholera in Gujarat in partnership with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), at an investment outlay of around Rs 91,000 crore.
The proposed plant will manufacture chips for sectors such as automobiles, mobile devices, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence and other industrial segments.
Besides, Tata Group is also developing a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Assam. The investment for this facility is around Rs 27,000 crore.
The semiconductor push is part of Tata Group's broader strategy to expand its presence in advanced manufacturing, electronics and battery technologies, according to PTI.
The manufacturing projects seek to cater the growing domestic demand, strengthening the country's semiconductor supply chain and integrating India more closely with the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
The Tata Sons Chairman said these investments reflect the group's conviction that semiconductor capabilities would be essential in the long run, despite uncertainty around the pace of execution and the choice of technologies.
Chandrasekaran, however, cautioned against pursuing the most advanced chip-manufacturing technologies without adequately assessing market demand and economic feasibility.
"You cannot be reckless and say that I am going to be putting a 2 nanometre chip (plant). It's just not going to work. So, we need to also see where the demand is," he said.
He stressed that investments should be commercially viable and capable of generating sustainable employment over the long term.
"And the financially viable thing, you have got to see the sun cross the river," he said.
Chandrasekaran said businesses could not expect predictability given the uncertainties in the global business environment.
"But a lot of things are certain. Energy is certain, the game is certain, the ability to execute is certain. And the only thing is how much you ramp up, how fast you ramp up, which technology you go to...," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The circular, issued late Monday evening, mandates the use of digital platforms, including the Budget Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS) and the Maharashtra Plan Schemes Information Management System (MP-SIMS), for budget-related submissions.
The department has warned that estimates from departments failing to meet the stipulated deadlines and digital documentation requirements could be excluded from official state budget publications.
The government has established a schedule for administrative departments and controlling officers to ensure that budget proposals are compiled and submitted before the Budget is presented to the state legislature.
Controlling officers must submit estimates of revenue and capital receipts, mandatory expenditure for 2027–28 and revised estimates for 2026–27 based on actual expenditure for the first four months by October 16, 2026. Administrative departments must submit the consolidated estimates to the Finance Department by October 30, 2026.
Departments have been given until December 4, 2026, to submit Part I and Part II proposals for new items of mandatory expenditure, along with district-wise details. Programme expenditure proposals and new items in Forms E, F and G must be submitted by the second week of January 2027, while revised estimates based on nine months of actual expenditure and consolidated statements are due by January 29, 2027.
The staggered schedule is intended to reduce administrative delays and ensure timely preparation of the state budget.
The circular requires all budget data to be processed electronically through designated government platforms to improve accuracy and reduce duplication.
"All controlling officers and drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) must feed mandatory and program estimates directly via the e-Budget estimation module on the BEAMS live mode, followed by physical submission of system-generated prints to the Finance Department. All Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and state schemes must update their scheme profiles, including Unique Scheme Codes and Central/State sharing ratios, via the MP-SIMS portal and comply with the System for Integrated Quick Transfers (SNA SPARSH) fund flow mechanism," the circular said.
Departments have also been directed to ensure that scheme details and funding-sharing ratios are updated on the designated portal.
The circular comes as Maharashtra faces pressure from rising public debt, administrative expenditure and the need to keep revenue and fiscal deficits within prescribed limits under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act.
The state’s 2026–27 Budget estimated public debt at Rs 11.02 lakh crore. The revenue deficit was projected at 0.7 per cent of gross state domestic product (GSDP), or Rs 40,552 crore, while the fiscal deficit was estimated at 2.8 per cent of GSDP, or Rs 1,50,491 crore. The cost of servicing debt was projected to reach Rs 70,055 crore.
The Finance Department reiterated that expenditure exceeding approved grants would constitute a budget irregularity. Controlling officers found responsible for unauthorised overspending could face disciplinary action, adverse confidential reports or withholding of increments.
The circular directs departments to align regular budget demands and resource allocations for 2027–28 through 2029–30 with the Viksit Maharashtra Action Plan 2030.
The framework supports the state’s stated ambition of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy by 2030 and contributing to India’s broader goal of a USD 5 trillion economy by 2047.
Departments have also been instructed to book expenditure on outsourced and contractual personnel under the designated object head, "10 - Outsourced/Contractual Services", in accordance with existing guidelines.
In addition, administrative departments must submit expenditure breakdowns relating to women, girls, children and transgender groups to the Outcome Budget Branch by January 2027.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The proposed meeting comes a day after the BJP Mahila Morcha staged protests outside the Congress headquarters in
Delhi and at several locations in Himachal Pradesh, demanding that the Congress expel Akoijam, who represents Inner Manipur in the Lok Sabha.
Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi, along with several BJP women MPs and party workers, participated in Monday’s protest in Delhi.
A BJP source said the delegation would raise the issue with President Murmu and seek her intervention.
“Congress leader Rahul Gandhi only talks about ‘Smash the Patriarchy’. When it comes to taking action, he goes silent,” the source told PTI, adding that a delegation of women BJP MPs would meet the President on Tuesday.
The BJP has accused the Congress of failing to act against Akoijam and has demanded his expulsion from the party.
JNU dismissed Akoijam last week after an inquiry into sexual harassment allegations against him found him guilty, according to the information provided.
Akoijam was a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the university’s School of Social Sciences.
Reports said at least 11 female students had filed sexual harassment complaints against him in May 2026.
The complaints alleged that Akoijam invited students to his campus residence under the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to exploit them sexually.
Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.
The controversy has prompted the BJP to intensify its demands for action against the Congress MP, with the proposed meeting with the President expected to be the next step in its campaign.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>In a conversation with India Today, Richa said that trolling is not something that necessarily starts within the film industry, suggesting that it is public that often engages with such behaviour. She defended her colleagues, adding that actors are usually respectful towards women navigating both motherhood and their professional lives.
She said, "See, I don't think women should listen to anybody commenting on their body. The industry is very respectful of women who have babies and who have careers. All the fantastic actresses from Madhuri to Juhi Chawla to Rani Mukherjee, Sonali Bendre. I don't think it's the industry. It's the common man of India who is ugly and balding and has a disgusting paunch who thinks that commenting on Katrina Kaif or Aishwarya Rai is somehow making his life better. It's so funny. I find it really useless, and I honestly do think that it deserves much less space even in media discourse."
She also highlighted how social media gives people the freedom to target celebrities from behind anonymous accounts, even when the latter have accomplished so much professionally. Richa said, "Industry is not like this. It's common people who have been emboldened by the anonymity of social media. Who think that they have hit the jackpot by leaving anonymous comments. They are beggars in their lives. But they think that they can talk about people who are like Miss World and Miss Universe. Like we owe them something. That's not how the world works. They are just losers and they deserve to be ignored."
Meanwhile, Katrina Kaif had recently attended an event in the UK, where she spoke about online trolling. "I think we really need to be careful in letting the narrative on social media affect our self-worth. If we start trying to cater to all of them, I think that really hampers your ability to make choices for yourself. Personally, if every time I face critique or comments, I let that dictate my actions, I think I would have been paralysed with fear and unable to move ahead in my life," the actress said.
]]>
For the temple visit, Rashmika was seen in a sunshine-yellow silk saree paired with a contrasting magenta blouse. Rashmika completed her traditional look with a centre-parted low bun along with a small red bindi on her forehead, keeping her look simple and graceful. On the other hand, Vijay Deverakonda was seen wearing a silk shirt and dhoti, sporting his Ranabaali hairstyle.
ఏడుకొండలవాడా..వెంకటరమణా.. #Virosh at #Tirumala #VD #RashmikaMandanna #VijayDevarakonda #Ranabaali https://t.co/EP3EVPbnl8
— Tilak Chand (@TilakTalkies) October 13, 2026
According to reports, the couple had an early-morning special darshan at the temple.
Videos of their visit have since gone viral on the internet. In one of the videos, Vijay Deverakonda could be seen shielding Rashmika, by wrapping his arms around her as she walked ahead of him while they made their way out as the crowd gathered around them. In another video, the couple was seen posing for pictures with fans and warmly waving at fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the Ranabaali pair.
The couple had earlier visited the temple in March this year after getting married.
Ahead of Tirupati visit, Rashmika and Vijay Deverakonda were seen arriving in Chennai on Monday evening and meeting former actor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.
Vijay Deverakonda took to social media to share pictures from their meeting and wrote, "Had the most beautiful time with the dearest Thalapathy Vijay Sir. Even after a long day he received us with so much love and shared such personal insights into life, work and the world. One meeting and sir is already a favourite (sic)."
On the work front, the couple will be seen in Ranabaali soon, which marks their third film together, and first after tying the knot. The film is a period drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan and is based on the Great Madras Famine of 1876–78, which is often said to be one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the colonial era. The film is set to hit theatres on October 16.
]]>The plea challenges a standing order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, which de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative venues for protests and demonstrations, the news agency reported.
The petitioner has questioned the rationale behind the restrictions and raised concerns over the suitability and accessibility of the newly designated locations for public gatherings.
According to the standing order, the Delhi Police will issue a detailed and revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) separately for protests at the three designated venues.
The revised guidelines are expected to set out the arrangements and procedures governing demonstrations at these locations.
The petition contends that the Supreme Court had previously recognised Jantar Mantar as a designated site for protests and rejected Ramlila Maidan as an unsuitable alternative, according to the PTI.
It questions the decision to withdraw the designation of Jantar Mantar and shift demonstrations to other locations, raising concerns about whether the alternative venues are suitable for hosting public protests.
The plea also alleges that some of the proposed sites are located near landfill areas, questioning their suitability for accommodating public gatherings.
Former Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta is likely to lead the legal team representing the petitioner, as per the PTI.
The petition challenges the restrictions imposed on protest venues in the national capital and raises questions about the availability of suitable locations for citizens to exercise their right to peaceful public demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear all petitions linked to the protests in Delhi on Thursday, October 15. The court has also granted the Centre an extension until Thursday to file its response to two pleas concerning restrictions during the demonstrations and alleged police detentions, reported the ANI.
The petitions include a contempt plea seeking action against authorities for allegedly disobeying the Supreme Court's October 8 order, as well as another plea challenging alleged detentions by the police.
Several pleas were mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, as per the PTI.
“We will list all these matters. Make sure that the defects are cured,” CJI told senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who mentioned the matter before the bench, the PTI reported.
The Centre sought additional time to respond to the two petitions, and the Supreme Court agreed to extend the deadline until Thursday.
The pleas raise concerns over the implementation of the court's earlier directions and the action taken by authorities during the ongoing protests in the national capital, according to the ANI.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The accused were at most promoting their religion but had not outraged the religious feelings of any class of citizens of the country, Justice M W Chandwani of the HC's Nagpur bench noted.
The prosecution claimed that the accused persons said they would pay the complainant and his wife each month, take care of the educational expenses of their children and also construct a house for them if they agreed to convert from Hinduism to Christianity.
The accused claimed that there was no malicious intent on their part to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India and also that they did not insult any religion.
"The applicants were merely promoting their religion and that does not mean that by doing so, they outraged the religious feelings of any class," the HC said.
At most, the case against the accused is that they pressured the complainant and his wife to convert themselves from Hinduism to Christianity but had not hurt their religious beliefs, it said in the order on October 6.
The court also took note of the fact that the alleged offence took place in 2025 when there was no law prohibiting conversion by way of allurement from one religion to another in the state.
Maharashtra has "enacted the law for protection of freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another, which came into force on August 28, 2026," it noted.
The court quashed the FIR and chargesheet against the four persons - Joseph Khudawant, a senior citizen, his son Victor Khudawant, daughter-in-law Elvina Khudawant and social worker Anant Mankar - all residents of Amravati.
The accused had sought quashing of the FIR registered against them in Amravati in January and also the chargesheet filed in the case.
They were alleged to have pressured and insisted that the complainant and his wife convert to Christianity. They were booked for indulging in deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class and insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Deven Bhojani remains candid about the realities of his craft amid the tense atmosphere in the country and the idea of actors speaking up or participating in protests. He says, "I'm just an actor. Just let me act. I don't want to get into politics. I don't have the knowledge for it, and much of it is half-baked due to social media. I don't know what is right or wrong, so who am I to judge? Because my main job is to act. So I want to keep myself limited to that.”
Unafraid to admit that even four decades of experience come with lingering creative insecurity, he emphasises his desire to remain focused strictly on storytelling rather than public political posturing. “I consider myself to be very insecure, even though I've been working for the past 40 years. But still, I'm very hungry. I want to keep working till the end of my life. I could be without work or get more work because of my affiliation with a political party. However, I would rather get cast if I'm suitable for a character or story and not because of this, which is why we have secret voting. I'm not saying the ones who speak up are wrong, but I'd rather focus on my career,” he adds.
In Netflix’s Reporting Live, which tackles the rarely explored world of illegal sand mining, Bhojani tries to bring authenticity to the role. The actor reveals he underwent intensive physical and technical prep, from mastering the mechanics of heavy camera equipment under the guidance of an experienced news cameraman to overcoming a personal fear of riding motorbikes. “We did a lot of workshops before we started. A senior cameraperson trained me to hold the camera, dismantle, and run with equipment. I didn’t know how to ride a bike very well, which was crucial for a few scenes. I had a bit of fear too, but we trained for many days, and it helped,” he signs off.
]]>In a letter dated October 13 to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Somaiya urged the ministry to issue directions restricting Khan’s overseas travel under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. He also asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue an LOC and alert the police if the actor attempts to leave the country.
Somaiya’s request follows a protest held at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In his letter, Somaiya claimed that the gathering took place without the required permission. He also alleged that Imran Khan attended the demonstration before Mumbai Police detained him at the venue.
According to the letter, Gamdevi Police Station registered an FIR, numbered 813 of 2026, in connection with the incident, naming Khan in the case. Somaiya said he had not received a copy of the FIR.
Somaiya claimed in his letter that Khan is a US citizen and reportedly holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
He urged the MHA and the Bureau of Immigration to examine whether the actor’s participation in the protest warrants action under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The request seeks an assessment by the authorities of whether any legal provisions applicable to Khan’s reported immigration status have been violated. The allegations and the legal implications of his participation in the demonstration have not been established by the request itself.
Somaiya also shared a copy of his letter to the Union Home Secretary on X, outlining his request for an LOC against the actor.
Requested Immigration Home Ministry to issue LOC ( look out circular) against #ImranKhan to NOT to leave India @BJP4India @AmitShah @Dev_Fadnavis https://t.co/h0DMoBwVax
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 13, 2026
“Requested Immigration Home Ministry to issue a LOC (look out circular) against Imran Khan to not to leave India,” he wrote.
He further asked the Bureau of Immigration to alert Gamdevi Police Station if Khan attempts to travel abroad. Somaiya has also sought a written update from the authorities on the action taken in response to his request.
Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on October 10 while attending a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan.
The actor had joined a protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
]]>“I served on a couple of cricket committees with Sir Gary. Having talked to him and listened to him during those meetings, I realised he was a special human being. So, when I think of his passing a couple of months ago, it often brings tears to my eyes. I own this gentleman so much. The West Indies cricketers all stand on his shoulders,” said Bishop.
Gavaskar went on to reveal how a dropped catch by Sobers during his Test debut helped him establish himself in the Indian team. “I owe my career to Sir Garfield Sobers. In my debut Test, I went for a drive and got a thick outside edge. It went straight to Sir Garfield, but he dropped it. I went on to score a half-century and kept my place in the team,” Gavaskar recalled.
Describing Sobers as “the greatest of them all,” Gavaskar however regretted not sharing a substantial partnership with him.
The closest he came was while representing the Rest of the World against Australia in Melbourne in 1971-72.
Gavaskar was batting when Sobers joined him, only to fall to Dennis Lillee off the first ball he faced. Sobers, however, made amends in the second innings with a memorable 254, and Gavaskar had a small, but significant role in that knock. “Have a look at the sweater he was wearing. When he asked for a sweater because Melbourne was windy, we all went and looked in his kit bag and found nothing. People were looking around, and there was my sweater. I ran and gave it to him,” Gavaskar recalled.
]]>"India remains among the fastest-growing major economies, with growth in 2026 projected at 7.0 per cent," the IMF said in its October 2026 World Economic Outlook.
The IMF said India's data is on a fiscal year basis and the growth projections are 7.4 per cent for 2026 and 7.0 per cent for 2027 on a calendar year basis, it added.
"India stands out with upward revisions, reflecting sustained momentum and growing evidence of stronger growth potential supported by favourable demographic dynamics, a large and expanding domestic market, and continued structural reforms," it added.
The higher forecast comes at a time when global rating agencies and the World Bank have expected India to clock a robust growth, buoyed by the strong 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the Q1FY27.
On the Q1FY27 growth, the IMF said, "India's growth remained robust, underpinned by domestic demand and services, despite higher oil prices."
The IMF also raised the FY28 growth forecast to 7 per cent from 6.7 per cent estimated in July this year.
IMF Growth Forecast 2026: 🇺🇸 US: 2.3% 🇩🇪 Germany: 1.3% 🇫🇷 France: 0.4% 🇮🇹 Italy: 0.8% 🇪🇸 Spain: 2.5% 🇬🇧 UK: 1.3% 🇯🇵 Japan:0.7% 🇨🇦 Canada: 1.1% 🇨🇳 China:4.5% 🇮🇳 India: 7.0% 🇷🇺 Russia:0.9% 🇧🇷 Brazil: 2.2% 🇲🇽 Mexico: 1.5% 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: -3.3% 🇳🇬 Nigeria: 4.2% 🇿🇦 South Africa: 1.0% https://t.co/yoil3EB47M
— IMF (@IMFNews) October 13, 2026
The upward revision for India comes amid the IMF expecting the global to grow at 3.1 per cent in 2026 and 3.4 per cent in 2027.
"Global economic prospects continue to be uneven, in both the short and the long term," it said.
"The medium-term outlook has become increasingly uneven, with downgrades concentrated among economies directly affected by the conflict in the Middle East and energy-importing emerging market and developing economies elsewhere, excluding India," it said.
It expects the global headline inflation to rise to 4.7 per cent this year, reflecting primarily higher commodity prices, before easing to 4.1 per cent in 2027.
"Risks are skewed to the downside. A prolonged stalemate or further escalation in the Middle East could keep energy and food prices elevated and volatile, revive inflationary pressures, worsen fiscal and external balances, and weigh on growth. Further disruptions to energy infrastructure, cyberattacks, or extreme weather events could amplify these effects," it said.
India's inflation is projected at 5 per cent in FY 27 before easing to 4.4 per cent in FY28, according to the IMF. This is lower than the 5.2 per cent estimated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
It expects India's current account deficit is expected to widen 1.5 per cent in FY 27 and slightly narrow to 1.3 per cent in FY28.
]]>The petitions include a contempt plea seeking action against authorities for allegedly disobeying the Supreme Court's October 8 order, as well as another plea challenging alleged detentions by the police.
Several pleas were mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, as per the PTI.
“We will list all these matters. Make sure that the defects are cured,” CJI told senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who mentioned the matter before the bench, the PTI reported.
The Centre sought additional time to respond to the two petitions, and the Supreme Court agreed to extend the deadline until Thursday.
The pleas raise concerns over the implementation of the court's earlier directions and the action taken by authorities during the ongoing protests in the national capital, according to the ANI.
One of the petitions seeks contempt action against authorities for allegedly violating the Supreme Court's October 8 order. The order reportedly eased a blanket set of restrictions affecting Delhi Metro and railway services, along with certain civic services, amid the protests.
The petition alleges that the authorities failed to comply with the court's directions. The allegations are yet to be adjudicated.
The Supreme Court has confirmed that it will take up all petitions linked to Delhi protests on Thursday, October 15. The Supreme Court also agreed to the Centre’s request to grant an extension till Thursday to file its response on the two pleas — one seeking contempt action against authorities for alleged disobedience of SC’s October 8 order which virtually lifted ‘a complete ban’ in Delhi metros, railway services and other restrictions to certain civic services during the ongoing protests in the National Capital and the other filed against alleged detentions made by the police.
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2026
The second petition concerns alleged detentions by the police during the protests. The matter comes amid demonstrations in Delhi over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
On October 11, the Supreme Court said people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained. It also asked the Centre to ensure that Delhi Metro services continued to operate normally and that internet services were not disrupted, subject to law-and-order requirements.
The latest pleas seek the court's intervention in matters arising from the protests and the alleged violation of its directions.
Delhi has witnessed several protests demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Protesters have raised concerns over the electoral roll revision process and sought action against the CEC. The matter has also led to legal challenges concerning the handling of demonstrations in the national capital.
(with ANI and PTI inputs)
]]>According to the draft National Steel Policy Vision 2047, a three-pronged strategy centred around quality assurance, fair trade and domestic capability should be adopted to reduce avoidable import dependence, strengthen India's steel ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness, resilience and long-term growth of both the steel industry and downstream manufacturing sectors.
The proposed policy seeks to build a roadmap for the Indian steel industry until 2047.
The government has proposed a new policy as the earlier National Steel Policy 2017 needed a relook considering the current challenges and requirements of the steel sector. Emerging priorities like artificial intelligence, machine learning and technical upgrades require greater focus.
Besides scaling up the country's steel-making capacity to 604 million tonnes (MT), raw material security and technology upgrades, the new policy has laid a special emphasis on checking sub-standard imports to support domestic industry.
According to the draft, the imports of sub-standard or non-conforming steel, sudden import surges and possible circumvention of trade measures pose significant challenges for domestic producers.
These concerns require a robust import governance framework based on testing, certification, traceability and real-time import monitoring supported by advanced analytics for early detection of abnormal import trends, said the draft of the policy that has been brought for stakeholder consultation.
"Measures to discourage import of sub-standard low-quality steel will continue to be taken, including AI-supported import monitoring and other trade remedial measures. Export of good quality steel will also be encouraged," it said.
The document said more than 60 per cent of India's steel imports originate from countries with which India has free trade agreements (FTAs).
The global steel sector is witnessing increasing protectionism, with many countries adopting measures to safeguard their domestic industries against low-cost imports, unfair trade practices and supply chain disruptions arising from geopolitical developments.
It said that where unfair trade practices are established, timely and evidence-based anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures should be pursued, in coordination with the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), Department of Commerce, and other stakeholders.
Such interventions should remain targeted and proportionate so that downstream industries continue to have access to essential inputs at affordable prices.
While protecting the domestic industry from unfair imports, import policy should also ensure the availability of specialised and value-added steel grades that are not adequately produced within the country. Reducing dependence on such imports requires sustained investment in advanced metallurgical technologies, automation, research and development, quality systems, productivity enhancement, energy efficiency, raw material security and logistics infrastructure.
As per the draft policy, India was a net exporter of finished steel during the fiscal year 2025-26. During FY26, imports of finished steel declined by 32 per cent to 6.5 million tonnes, while exports increased by 36 per cent to 6.6 million tonnes.
However, the trend reversed in the ongoing fiscal.
According to official data, India, the world's largest steel making country, imported finished steel worth Rs 36,193.9 crore in April-August this fiscal, and remained a net importer of the commodity during the period.
China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam were the top five countries that contributed significantly to the total 3.487.3 million tonnes (MT) of finished steel imports, up 29.5 per cent from 2.692.8 MT in April-August FY26.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Sharing a picture from their time together, he wrote an emotional note that read, "I’m in deep despair as I write this tonight. RJ Mitte, my sweet son on Breaking Bad has died. I met him when he was only 14 years old when he was cast as Walter White Jr., a part he played with such joy and enthusiasm. Born with Cerebral Palsy, he never - ever - allowed that challenge to be an excuse for anything. He met the demanding shooting schedule head on with great determination."
He added, "Always listening to the advice that his TV parents (Anna Gunn and myself) gave him - but being a teenager, sometimes mischievously ignoring the counsel in order to learn the hard way… He was one of the stars of a hit TV show - but still a kid. That kid was pretty raw when we started shooting the pilot in February of 2007, but little by little we watched him grow into a really fine actor. He parlayed his experience on the show to be a vocal advocate for performers with disabilities, and was the head of a philanthropic organization with a focus on helping the disabled community."
View this post on Instagram
Bryan also recalled texting to Mitte just a few weeks ago, when they were planning to have lunch. He wrote, "All that promise and potential now is such a loss. It is especially devastating to hear that he took his own life. Why? We were texting each other just a few weeks ago - figuring out when we could meet for lunch. I don’t know if that lunch would have changed his future…But I do know that I loved him, and thoroughly enjoyed being with him throughout the years on the series, and after the spotlight on Breaking Bad dimmed…I’ll miss you, son."
Bryan also shared a helpline number for anyone contemplating suicide, urging them to ask for help. He wrote, "I can’t stop there without imploring anyone who is contemplating suicide to please call for the support you need at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/). There is hope."
Mitte was widely recognised for his portrayal of Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad. For now, no official cause of death has been announced. TMZ reported that his death was a suicide, though the circumstances currently remain under investigation.
]]>
For too long, celebratory dressing has been bound by strict sartorial rules that neatly separate what men and women are expected to wear. Today, that binary approach is giving way to a more inclusive, experimental mindset. Celebrations are no longer just about looking the part; they are about feeling entirely comfortable and true to oneself. By reimagining heritage craftsmanship, mixing sharp tailoring with soft drapes, and borrowing freely across traditional gender lines, fashion enthusiasts are discovering entirely new ways to express their individuality. To navigate this evolving landscape, fashion experts share their insights on how to dabble with gender-fluid styling this festive season.
When curating a wardrobe that transcends traditional gender lines, the key lies in investing in pieces that are adaptable, timeless, and multi-functional. Varsha Agarwal and Rittu Agarwal, co-founders of Awigna, outline the five essential items every person needs to build a versatile, gender-fluid festive closet:
1. A well-cut kurta or tunic: Serves as a versatile foundation that can be paired effortlessly with wide-leg pants, a flowing skirt, or even casual denim.
2. A fluid saree or drape: Offers endless styling possibilities, transitioning smoothly from traditional drapes to contemporary pairings with sharp shirts or tailored trousers.
3. A structured jacket or bandhgala: Acts as the ultimate layering piece, adding architectural sharpness when thrown over a kurta, saree, lehenga, or dress.
4. Tailored trousers or wide-leg pants: Provide clean, adaptable lines that effortlessly anchor both voluminous drapes and structured upper layers.
5. An embellished statement piece (blouse, shirt, skirt, or top): Elevates an outfit when paired with a saree for grand celebrations, or gets nicely balanced down when matched with tailored trousers.
“For a versatile, gender-fluid festive wardrobe, the focus should be on pieces that can move beyond one particular occasion or gendered category. The beauty lies in how these pieces are combined. This adaptability means that a single set of garments can transition effortlessly from an intimate family gathering to a larger, grander celebration. By simply swapping out layers, adjusting proportions, or changing accessories, wearers can completely transform their look while keeping their personal style at the centre,” explains Rittu.
You do not need an entirely new wardrobe to embrace gender-fluid fashion. In fact, one of the most sustainable and creative ways to adopt this trend is by mixing elements from both men's and women's existing collections. Varsha highlights several simple ways to rethink and style pieces you already own:
1. Layer across wardrobes: A men's bandhgala or jacket can work beautifully over a saree, drape, or dress.
2. Rework traditional pieces: A kurta can be styled with denim or wide-leg trousers, while a festive dupatta can become a stole or contemporary draped layer.
3. Mix proportions: Pair structured pieces with fluid silhouettes to create a more balanced, modern look.
4. Dress down festive pieces: An embellished blouse, skirt, or statement top can be paired with tailored trousers or denim for a less occasion-specific look.
Emphasising the philosophy behind this approach, Rittu notes, "The idea is to stop viewing garments as belonging exclusively to a men's or women's wardrobe. Mixing pieces from both allows existing festive staples to feel new without necessarily buying an entirely new outfit for every occasion."
For many individuals, stepping away from conventional dressing can feel daunting. Shifting from a lifetime of gendered clothing choices to a fluid approach often brings moments of hesitation. According to the co-founders, the primary stumbling blocks include:
1. Worrying about whether a silhouette is traditionally associated with a particular gender.
2. Feeling unsure about proportions or how to style an unfamiliar piece.
3. Trying to change the entire look at once instead of introducing one new element.
To counter this, the experts advise starting small. Introducing just one fluid element, such as a drape, an oversized jacket, a statement accessory, or a subtle change in proportions, can build confidence.
Echoing this sentiment, Shilpi Gupta, designer and founder of House of Shilpi Gupta, points out that the transition does not need to feel overwhelming, "I think the easiest way to begin is with something that still feels familiar but has a slightly different proportion. An oversized bandhgala, a relaxed kurta with a sharper shoulder, or a structured drape can be a good starting point. You don't have to change the entire look at once. Sometimes changing the cut or proportion of one familiar piece is enough to make the outfit feel fresh while still feeling comfortable."
One of the greatest advantages of gender-fluid fashion is its potential to flatter diverse body types by moving away from rigid sizing norms. However, balancing masculine and feminine elements requires a thoughtful approach to construction and design.
Shilpi explains how to use tailoring and structure effectively, "It really comes down to understanding your own proportions rather than trying to follow a fixed idea of what is masculine or feminine. Tailoring can create definition where you want it while giving ease where you need it. A structured shoulder can add balance, while shaping through the waist can bring more definition. With draping, the placement and fall of the fabric can completely change the way the body is framed. I prefer using structure to complement the individual rather than trying to make the body fit into a particular silhouette." By focusing on personal anatomy and comfort rather than preconceived notions of gendered shapes, wearers can achieve a silhouette that feels both powerful and graceful.
Certain textiles naturally lend themselves to fluid styling because they do not carry rigid historical associations with a single gender category. Selecting the right base materials helps maintain that rich, festive feel without leaning too heavily into traditional cliches, allowing wearers to experiment with drape and structure seamlessly.
Expanding on how to choose and style these elements, Shilpi shares valuable guidance:
1. Embrace fluid and tactile fabrics: Fabrics with natural movement and rich textures work beautifully because they do not immediately feel tied to one particular category of dressing. Silk, velvet, brocade, and textured handwoven fabrics can all lend themselves exceptionally well to more fluid festive dressing, offering a luxurious weight and fall that flatters any silhouette.
2. Leverage versatile embroidery and detailing: Embroidery gives you immense freedom to bridge traditional and modern aesthetics. Metallic detailing, tonal embroidery, pearls, and traditional techniques can be interpreted in entirely different ways depending on the cut of the garment, adding depth without feeling bound to a specific gendered template.
3. Translate heritage craftsmanship into contemporary couture: Traditional techniques do not have to look dated or confined to conventional forms. In collections like Sona Chaandi, heritage methods such as Gota Patti, Meenakari, and Thewa are brought into a contemporary couture language. Here, the craftsmanship remains deeply rooted in rich tradition, while the placement, proportion, and overall styling feel remarkably current, adaptable, and fluid.
When experimenting with avant-garde silhouettes and mixed-gender styling, accessorising can make or break the outfit. The line between a striking, high-fashion look and an overly theatrical costume can be thin.
To keep ensembles grounded and sophisticated, Shilpi advocates for deliberate restraint, "I think restraint is important. When the silhouette itself is making a statement, the accessories don't necessarily need to compete with it. A brooch, a strand of pearls, an interesting pair of shoes or one strong piece of jewellery can be enough. I also like mixing something traditionally ornate with something simpler, so the overall look doesn't become too literal."
Gupta adds that even when working with opulent collections rich in traditional ornamentation, moderation remains key, "During festivities where jewellery and traditional ornamentation are an important part of the design language, I would still let one element take centre stage rather than accessorising every part of the look. The idea is to let the accessories feel like part of the person and the outfit, rather than trying to make every element announce the theme."
Ultimately, festive dressing is about celebration, joy, and self-expression. Whether you choose to layer a structured bandhgala over a flowing drape, pair wide-leg trousers with an embellished statement top, or simply experiment with new proportions, the most successful outfit is one that feels entirely true to you.
As Rittu aptly concludes, "Festive dressing is ultimately about expression and comfort, so the most successful look is one that feels authentic to the person wearing it." By shifting the focus from restrictive labels to textures, silhouettes, and individual comfort, fluid festive fashion opens up a world of creative possibilities for every wardrobe.
]]>Team India will clash with Zimbabwe in the three-match T20I series. The first match is set to be played on October 16 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
In the video, Mandhana is seen showcasing her exceptional skills with the willow, interacting with players and coaches.
Taking charge to 𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙚𝙧𝙖 ✨🫡 🎥 Soak in Smriti Mandhana's 1️⃣st day in training as #TeamIndia Captain 🇮🇳 #INDvZIM | @mandhana_smriti | @mflone_ https://t.co/EMLJrJmISS
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 13, 2026
Earlier, long-time serving skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the position, following which Mandhana took over control of the "Women in Blue".
The past few tournaments and matches have etched Mandhana's name in history as she currently stands as the leading T20I run-scorer in women's cricket and also the woman with the most international runs and centuries.
In 179 T20Is, she has scored 4,867 runs at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of over 127, with two centuries and 37 fifties. She has enjoyed a rich run in T20Is this year, with 765 runs in 22 matches and 21 innings at an average of 38.25 and a strike rate of 148.25, with a century and five fifties, including a best score of 124.Â
Overall, in international cricket, she has made 11,066 runs across 308 appearances, with 18 centuries, joint-most by a batter alongside South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt.
Recently, she was named a celebrity advocate by UNICEF India. Mandhana will support UNICEF India’s efforts to empower adolescent girls, improve their health, and help them access chances to learn, play and lead.
“I am honoured to join UNICEF India. Playing cricket taught me that every dream begins with an opportunity. With hard work, and encouragement, that opportunity can turn into something extraordinary. Every child deserves the chance to dream big and reach their full potential,” she said.
(With Inputs from Agencies)
]]>A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notices to the Maharashtra government and complainant M H Shrishrimal, seeking their responses within four weeks.
“Issue notice returnable in four weeks. Further proceedings before the trial court shall remain stayed,” the bench ordered while hearing Gandhi’s plea challenging a September 8 order of the Bombay High Court.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, referred to earlier Supreme Court judgments and argued that the law on the issue was settled.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing after four weeks.
On September 8, the Bombay High Court had refused to quash the summons issued to Gandhi in the defamation case. It dismissed his petition challenging an August 28, 2019, order of a Girgaum magistrate directing that process be issued against him on the basis of Shrishrimal’s complaint.
However, the high court continued an earlier 2021 order directing the magistrate to defer the hearing on the complaint for six weeks, allowing Gandhi time to approach the Supreme Court.
Shrishrimal had opposed Gandhi’s plea before the Bombay High Court, arguing that he was aggrieved by the remarks because he was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and considered Modi his leader.
The complaint alleged that Gandhi made the defamatory remarks during a public speech in Rajasthan on September 20, 2018.
According to the complainant, Gandhi’s statements amounted to direct allegations against BJP members and Indian citizens associated with Modi.
The Supreme Court’s interim order means the trial court proceedings will remain on hold while the matter is considered by the apex court.
The court has sought responses from the Maharashtra government and the complainant before taking up Gandhi’s challenge for further hearing.
The case concerns the alleged defamatory nature of Gandhi’s remarks against Modi. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the merits of the complaint.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>One crew member from the sunken vessel was rescued, he said, without providing details on the others aboard.
Rescuers evacuated all 15 crew members from the other ship, the Maltese-flagged Chelsea 3, with five receiving treatment for minor injuries, Radev said.
He called the attacks "absolutely unacceptable" and sought NATO and European Union assistance, saying Bulgaria lacked clear evidence to identify who was responsible.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The stock jumped 6.14 per cent to Rs 1,295 on the BSE. At the NSE, the stock climbed 5.84 per cent to Rs 1,294.50.
HCLTech on Monday reported a 21.18 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 5,132 crore for the July-September quarter of FY27, helped by higher margins from its fast-growing advanced AI operations and a lower tax outgo.
The Noida-headquartered company narrowed its revenue growth forecast for FY27 to 2.5-4 per cent in constant currency terms, from 1-4 per cent earlier.
Its CEO and MD C Vijayakumar said the guidance was backed by strong bookings, a healthy deal pipeline, and momentum in AI-led services.
The company had posted a net profit (attributable to owners of the company) of Rs 4,235 crore in the year-ago period, according to a regulatory filing.
HCLTech's revenue from operations rose 11.5 per cent to Rs 35,620 crore from Rs 31,942 crore in Q2 FY26.
Its services business, which accounts for about 90 per cent of revenue, grew 4 per cent year-on-year in constant currency, with broad-based growth across verticals and geographies. Revenue from HCLSoftware declined 11.2 per cent, which Vijayakumar said weighed on overall growth.
In rupee terms, revenue from IT and business services rose to Rs 26,938 crore from Rs 23,693 crore a year ago. Engineering and R&D services revenue increased to Rs 5,973 crore from Rs 5,423 crore.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Speaking to reporters in Maharashtra’s Hingoli, Dipke alleged that the move was aimed at curbing protests. He said, “Narendra Modi does not have a problem with Jantar Mantar as a location; he has a problem with protest. A dictator always has a problem with protest. Narendra Modi is troubled by the very idea of protest. If he thinks that by removing Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, he can end the movement, then he should not remain in this misconception.”
Declaring that the movement would continue across the country, Dipke said, “Jantar Mantar will now be built across the entire country. Now, the protest will happen across the entire country; the protest will happen all over Delhi. The country is no longer going to be afraid of all these actions of yours.”
Describing the protest venue as a symbol of dissent rather than merely a physical location, Dipke said, “Jantar Mantar is not just a location, it is a spirit. A spirit of resistance that will stay alive in every protester.”
He added that CJP members Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das would announce the party’s next course of action in Delhi after discussions with the team.
Meanwhile, CJP activists claimed victory after attempting to breach the security cordon and enter Jantar Mantar, where they were detained by Delhi Police. The protesters also renewed their demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a post on X, Das said, “Jantar Mantar has been reclaimed. We have entered Jantar Mantar and now we are being detained. But this is a message to all of us young gen! We can do it! Gyanu, you’re done bro!”
Ranka wrote, “Fortress Jantar Mantar has been breached,” while Dipke shared a photograph of Ranka waving the Tricolour at the site.
Dipke also posted on X, “Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. AshutoshRanka, Saurav Das and Ajinkya along with other team members have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi,”
Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police. @AshutoshRanka, @SauravDassss, @AjinkyaCJP along with other team members have been detained. You cannot denotify the resistance, @narendramodi https://t.co/x7B40akCVO
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026
Ranka separately posted, “Hands Off Jantar Mantar.”
According to the report, Delhi Police detained Ranka, Das and Ajinkya Shinde after they allegedly attempted to break through the cordon and enter the venue early Tuesday. Security personnel arrived shortly after the demonstration began and took the protesters into custody.
The developments come amid protests against the Election Commission and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Speaking to ANI, Raut acknowledged technical discrepancies in the petition, including a court fee shortfall of Rs 220 and issues relating to supporting documents. The Supreme Court Registry has flagged 14 defects in the plea filed by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other INDIA bloc leaders.
“The petition that has been filed mentions that the fee is short by Rs 220, there are several errors, and there are facts about 14 documents mentioned in it. Well, it is possible. We have individual petitions in the names of Rahul Ji, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, and all other India Bloc leaders. There might be some errors in it, which we will now rectify and repair,” Raut said.
Raut confirmed that he was among the petitioners, saying that leaders and parties involved in Monday’s protest had joined the legal challenge.
“Definitely, I am a petitioner. All the parties that were involved in yesterday's protest are all petitioners,” he said.
The petition challenges aspects of the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raises concerns over alleged irregularities in the exercise of the poll panel’s powers.
Explaining the Opposition’s demands, Raut called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and alleged that political pressure was influencing the Election Commission’s functioning.
“What do we want? We want the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar to resign. We want to stop the scams happening in the Election Commission. We want to stop the political pressure that is being exerted on the Election Commission. We want to stop the ECI. They have deleted the names of 13 crore people, and we want them to restore them,” he said.
The allegations concerning electoral-roll deletions and the Commission’s functioning remain contested.
Raut said Rahul Gandhi had invited Opposition leaders for tea on Tuesday evening, after which they would discuss their next course of action.
“Rahul Gandhi invited everyone for tea this evening. After that, we will decide the future direction. I won't call it a strategy, but what the future direction is, that will be decided. We are all staying in Delhi, and until the future direction is finalized, we will stay here,” he said.
Earlier, Raut accused the Centre of restricting democratic expression by imposing curbs on protest sites such as Jantar Mantar in Delhi. He targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the restrictions were intended to suppress dissent.
“Modi and Shah have become so scared that their bodies tremble and they lose sleep upon hearing the voice of the people. To prevent the protest from happening in Delhi, they have put a ban on Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is closed. This is fear. The soul of democracy was at Jantar Mantar. The government has done the work of choking that democracy and silencing its voice by stopping the movement at Jantar Mantar,” Raut said.
He also praised Gandhi for leading Monday’s demonstrations and argued that restrictions on protest locations would not prevent public opposition.
“By putting a ban on the locations of the movement, you cannot stop the movements against you,” Raut added.
The Supreme Court Registry’s objections relate to procedural and documentary deficiencies in the petition and do not constitute a ruling on the merits of the INDIA bloc’s allegations.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The protest was organised by members of the Thane City Journalists Association on Monday, following remarks made by Jadhav during an October 9 demonstration by Opposition parties over the deteriorating law and order situation in Thane and the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar.
During the rally, Jadhav allegedly accused some journalists of being “sold” and publishing news favouring leaders of the ruling parties while overlooking pressing public issues.
The association condemned the remarks, asserting that insulting media personnel and questioning their integrity in such terms would not be tolerated. It demanded that Jadhav issue an unconditional public apology.
The protesters said journalism plays a vital role in a democratic system by raising public concerns, highlighting injustices and holding authorities accountable. They maintained that labelling journalists as “paid media” undermines the credibility and integrity of the profession.
The association acknowledged that disagreements over news coverage and criticism of media reporting are part of a democratic society. However, it stressed that such criticism should be based on facts and specific concerns rather than derogatory remarks directed at the profession as a whole.
Jadhav was unavailable for comment on the matter.
The Thane City Journalists Association also condemned the alleged manhandling of journalists by Delhi Police while they were covering youth-led protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The association’s objections highlighted concerns over the treatment of journalists while reporting on demonstrations and other public events.
The protest in Thane comes amid tensions over Jadhav’s remarks and the association’s demand for an apology. The journalists reiterated that the media must be able to carry out its responsibility of reporting public issues and questioning those in power without being subjected to personal insults.
The allegations against Jadhav remain a matter of dispute, and he had not provided a comment at the time of the report.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>3 month pregnant Female journalist Richa Parashar was thrashed by Rahul Gandhi when she was covering her protest! Female journalist is admitted in the hospital, and she recounts the horrror! Every person should listen to this horror to know how big a goon Rahul Gandhi is& how hollow is his slogan Smash The Patriachy!
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) October 12, 2026
In the video, reportedly recorded while she was admitted to the hospital, Parashar recounts her alleged experience during the protest. She said, “During the protest, I went close to Rahul Gandhi to get his quote, Rahul Gandhi grabbed my left shoulder and pushed me away.”
Parashar further added, “After being pushed away by Rahul Gandhi, his bodyguards came and dragged me away.”
The incident has triggered questions about the safety of journalists covering political demonstrations and the conduct of political leaders towards members of the press.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Tuesday alleged that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, manhandled a woman journalist while she was covering a protest on October 12.
Speaking to the media, Bhandari said, “You all saw the video showing how Rahul Gandhi shoved a female journalist, using his elbow and grabbing her, causing her to fall; her condition became so serious that she is currently hospitalised. We went to visit her, and she told us that Rahul Gandhi himself grabbed her by the shoulder, yanked her, and threw her to the ground. She wasn't even asking him questions; she was simply covering the protest,” as per PTI.
Bhandari further alleged that no Congress worker came forward to help the journalist and instead attempted to cast aspersions on her.
“Rahul Gandhi, who speaks of 'smashing the patriarchy', behaved like a goon today. You might have seen how he shoved his own Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, backwards. He elbows his own workers, and the way he manhandled a female journalist makes it clear that Rahul Gandhi is a man filled with hatred, in every fibre of his being, for this country's democracy and its women,” Bhandari further added.
The BJP spokesperson also questioned the Congress leadership's response to allegations of sexual harassment involving Congress MP Bimole Akoijam, stating that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remained silent on the matter.
He added, “That is why Rahul and Priyanka remain silent when a JNU professor sexually harasses eleven girls, yet they grab a female journalist, who was merely covering their protest without even asking questions, by the arm and elbow, throwing her to the ground,” as per PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>It may be recalled that the film has already been cleared by the Censor Board for release with an U/A certificate.
Get ready for the ride!🚂 #Train storms into cinemas worldwide on *DECEMBER 4!* @mysskindirector @shrutihaasan @nasser_kameela @ksravikumardir @ira_dayanand @itsNarain @preethy_karan @KalaiActor @ActorRohan02 #YugiSethu @fowziafathima @editorsriwat #TapasNayak #StreetLight @vijaytelevision @RIAZtheboss @parasriazahmed1 @saregamasouth @teamimpr
— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) October 12, 2026
Producer Kalaippuli S Thanu, whose production house V Creations is producing the film, took to his social media timelines to drop the update.
Thanu wrote, "Get ready for the ride!#Train storms into cinemas worldwide on 'DECEMBER 4'!"
A couple of months ago, Thanu had announced the news that the film had been cleared by the Censor Board for release. He had then said, "Train censored U/A."
For the unaware, director Mysskin's fast-paced action thriller, 'Train', featuring actor Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs ever since the makers released a teaser recently.
The high-octane 43-second teaser shows a speeding train under the control of some vicious people. Scared passengers fearing for their lives look on as one man (Vijay Sethupathi) wages a lone battle. It's evident from the teaser that the train, which resembles a speeding monster, is not halting at any station that it is scheduled to stop at. More significantly, those who seem to have taken control of the train seem to have come well prepared. What is their mission? Who are these people? And who importantly is the person trying to take them on? Like all other Mysskin thrillers, 'Train' too promises to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Train, which is being produced by V Creations and directed by Mysskin, will feature a host of stars including Nasser, Shruti Haasan, Yugi Sethu, Narain, KS Ravikumar, Sampath Raj, Kalaiyarasan, Ira Dayanand and Preethy Karan.
The film has cinematography by Fowzia Fathima and music by Mysskin himself.
Interestingly, Narain in a post on social media last year had released pictures of himself on the sets of Train. The pictures revealed that he was playing a police officer in the film. The disclosure led to speculation if whether Mysskin was attempting to build a Mysskin Cinematic Universe with Train. The reason for the speculation was that Narain had also played the role of a cop in Mysskin’s superhit film ‘Anjaathey’. However, there has been no confirmation regarding this.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>She emphasised that there is no such thing as an effortless ‘bounce back’ after childbirth. In an exclusive conversation, the actress spoke about balancing her professional commitments with motherhood, admitting that leaving her babies even for two to four minutes has become difficult as they begin to grow and explore their surroundings.
Divyanka, who has resumed work while navigating the demands of caring for her newborns, spoke about how caring for her twins is becoming a different experience as they grow.
While the babies currently spend time sleeping and feeding, she knows that the next stage of their development will bring new challenges.
“Handling babies is actually easier at this stage because they sleep and feed. But I know the crawling stage will come. They have already started pushing themselves around slowly. For me, it is also difficult to leave them alone even for two to four minutes. So, I have to take them along to the set. It is not easy. None of it is easy,” Divyanka shared.
She also said people have expressed surprise at how quickly she has returned to work.
“I have always said this in the past, women don’t simply ‘bounce back’. There is nothing like that. Look, you can work in front of the camera, and we are doing our jobs, but there are difficulties. There are aches in the body, there is a fog in the brain, and yet we know that we have to keep working. We may not have had to return to work so soon, but here we are, doing it,” she said.
She further emphasised that women should not be compared with one another when it comes to returning to work after motherhood. Pointing out that every individual's circumstances are different, she encouraged women to trust their own journeys instead of feeling pressured by someone else's experience.
“I am saying this so that nobody compares one woman with another and says, ‘Oh, Divyanka has done it.’ No, it is difficult for everyone. Everyone returns to work at their own pace. So, just go at your own pace, and I am following mine too,” she said.
Divyanka also acknowledged the support system that has helped her navigate this phase. She credited her family and husband Vivek for standing by her and giving her the confidence to manage both motherhood and work.
“I am showing a lot of strength, but a lot of that strength comes from Vivek. He stands by me. My family tells me, ‘You will manage it. It will happen. Don’t keep thinking about whether you should wait; you will never get started if you keep waiting.’ I also feel that working is good for our mental health. Being with you is good for my mental health,” she added.
For the uninitiated, Divyanka and Vivek welcomed their twin baby boys on May 26, 2026, sharing the happy news with fans through a joint social media announcement. The couple announced the arrival of their sons nearly 10 years after tying the knot on July 8, 2016.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The actress recently said that she has "passed" on a new series because of all the sex scenes. The 40-year-old star has opened up about how her attitude to intimacy on screen has changed over the years, and she finds the scenes "weirder" as she's got older.
She recently spoke with Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin during a panel at the Hamptons International Film Festival.
She said, "I passed on a show where I would have to have sex all the time because of the sex. “Doesn’t matter (who it’s with). I don’t wanna do it. I’m uncomfortable with it. I’m not into it right now”.
She further mentioned, “Maybe if (the project) came along again (at a later point), maybe I’d be in a different space. But I don’t wanna deal with being naked with a stranger”.
The actress didn't reveal the role in question, but she admitted she never used to have the same issue with more intimate scenes.
She went on, "Our jobs are weird. And as I get older, it gets weirder. We have to be romantic with people that we’re not romantic with. Sometimes it’s great. Sometimes it’s really uncomfortable. But I can’t believe back in the day I was just like, ‘We gotta make out. Great! This is awesome. I know how to make out’ (laughs). And it used to be so fun. It was a non-thing. It was like, ‘I get to make out with a hot person today … And they’re paying me’.”.
She also shared how she has learned to set boundaries and say "no" since becoming a mother, as she said, “I have kids now who are paying attention to what I do. And so I have to be less of a pushover”.
“The other day, this is so silly, but Nina, my daughter, and I were walking across the street (in Manhattan), and a person on our side of the street asked for a picture, and I looked at my daughter, and I said, ‘No, I’m sorry’. And then we walked across the street and I was like, ‘How was that for you, Nina? Was that okay?’ She’s like, ‘I’m very proud of you, mama’. And then we go to the coffee shop, and the coffee shop barista was like, ‘Can I have a picture?’ And I was like, ‘No, I’ll come back later’. My daughter’s like, ‘I’m so proud of you for saying no’. And I was, 'What the f***?' She shouldn’t be saying this to me. I should be saying no”, she added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The roofless stretch along Nehru Road connects the Western Express Highway to the St Anthony’s Church junction in Vakola. Residents say the lack of cover leaves pedestrians exposed to intense heat and rain, forcing some to use traffic-heavy roads instead.
Ivan Pais, a resident and member of the St Anthony’s Street Welfare Association, said, “My main doubt is why it will take until the next monsoon for the work to begin. But anyway, we want the work to be done. I have contacted multiple authorities on the matter. Our corporator told me that the Standing Committee should pass it in about two weeks, so we are looking forward to the work starting.” He said he would follow up with the authorities again after two weeks to seek a firm start date.
The skywalk extension had remained without a roof and adequate lighting for years. Residents repeatedly approached civic authorities to address both issues on the pedestrian route. In March this year, following reports by mid-day, the BMC installed lights along the stretch. However, the roof remains pending, leaving commuters without protection from the weather.
The demand has gained urgency amid increasingly difficult summer and monsoon conditions. Residents say pedestrians must choose between using the exposed skywalk and walking along Nehru Road until the Vakola junction on the Western Express Highway.
A senior engineer in the BMC’s Bridges Department, told mid-day that the roof design was ready but the project was awaiting Standing Committee approval.
He said, “The design for the roof and all is already in place. Currently, we are waiting for the Standing Committee to approve it. All the paperwork and other necessary work will be done in about 15 days to a month, after which the work will start by the monsoon of 2027.”
]]>When asked about her remark that she would ‘never date an actor’, Sobhita said, "I think I was... we do evolve, don't we? And also I think I was stereotyping it at that point. Maybe because that's what I saw around me... So yeah, that was probably me being narrow in that definition at that time. It's like how people who never change their opinions are more scared of them. I'm okay with having different opinions at different points in time; I'm okay with myself adapting."
Sobhita also discussed handling the spotlight on her personal life and her marriage to Naga Chaitanya. The Made in Heaven actress said, "Society has weather, you know? It's like weather, it comes and goes. And if you over-identify with the weather, you're going to be lost when the weather changes. I think it's important to be centred in who I am and be with my eyes open to what the reality is. You've got to be centred, and I think that's a choice you make."
Sobhita and Chaitanya's relationship made headlines before they made it official. According to reports by Hindustan Times and Times of India, the couple reportedly began dating in 2022 and maintained a low profile about their relationship. After getting engaged in an intimate ceremony in Hyderabad on August 8, 2024, Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya tied the knot on December 4 that year in a traditional Telugu wedding at Annapurna Studios. The ceremony was attended by close friends and family members.
Chaitanya had revealed that he was fond of Sobhita's work, and their developing bond eventually led to a relationship. Their romance drew major public attention, particularly because Chaitanya was previously married to actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The two announced their separation in October 2021, after four years of marriage.
]]>In an editorial published in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over what it described as their silence on the alleged police excesses. The editorial claimed that the handling of protests had created a situation resembling civil war, while accusing the authorities of using excessive force against demonstrators.
The editorial alleged that police personnel in Delhi and Mumbai had used force against peaceful demonstrators, including students, women and journalists. It also referred to Supreme Court directions concerning the use of batons against protesters when there is no rioting.
According to the editorial, women protesters and journalists in Delhi faced high-handed treatment, while several political figures, including MP John Brittas, CPI general secretary M.A. Baby and Kerala Opposition leader P. Vijayan, were allegedly dragged, beaten and taken away in police vans during a satyagraha.
The publication claimed that similar scenes unfolded in Mumbai, where students and female college students staging a protest near Shivaji Park were allegedly dragged into police vehicles.
These allegations were presented by the party in its editorial criticising the handling of the demonstrations.
The editorial accused Shah of disregarding court directions and using force against peaceful protesters, alleging that the response was increasing public anger towards the Prime Minister.
It also criticised Modi for visiting Chennai to review metro-related presentations and speak about development while, according to the editorial, remaining silent on the reported unrest.
The publication further accused Shah of remaining behind armed security personnel and focusing on the BJP’s by-election victories in states such as West Bengal and Puducherry rather than addressing the protests.
The Saamana editorial also criticised prominent award-winning personalities, including recipients of the Bharat Ratna, Padma awards, Jnanpith Award and Sahitya Akademi Award, along with film and theatre figures, for what it described as their silence on the alleged police action.
Drawing comparisons with the conduct of intellectuals and artists during the regimes of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, the editorial cited writer Harishankar Parsai, saying the country's intellectuals are "nominal tigers who merely play band in a jackal's wedding".
It alleged that some actors and public figures who deliver strong messages on screen remain silent when confronted with political and social crises.
In contrast, the editorial praised actor Prakash Raj, actor Naseeruddin Shah, MP Jaya Bachchan and former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar for voicing opposition to what it described as police high-handedness.
The Thackeray camp argued that public figures should speak out against alleged abuses of power and warned against treating celebrities who remain silent as politically neutral.
The editorial concluded by condemning intellectuals who, it alleged, remained silent in the face of atrocities, describing them as "enemies of society and of no use to the nation".
]]>The epicentre was located 32 kilometres southwest of Soná, in the western province of Veraguas, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The earthquake struck at 6.20 pm local time on Monday (2320 GMT).
The latest tremor came two days after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake jolted Panama on October 11, according to the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.
The earlier earthquake occurred at 1711 GMT, with its epicentre initially located at 7.71 degrees north latitude and 81.63 degrees west longitude. It was also recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres.
The latest seismic activity follows a powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake that struck the country on Friday, prompting authorities to assess damage and coordinate relief operations.
Panama declared a state of emergency on Saturday to coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance to communities affected by Friday’s earthquake.
Presidency Minister Juan Carlos Orillac said at a press conference at the presidential palace that the declaration would ensure government agencies remained on standby and had the resources required to help affected residents.
Orillac said President Jose Raul Mulino had ordered the formation of a commission to coordinate relief operations, manage resources and address the needs of affected communities.
The magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck at 12.56 pm local time on Friday, with its epicentre located about 39 kilometres northwest of Tonosí in Los Santos province.
The tremor damaged homes, schools, healthcare facilities, roads and public buildings in several parts of the country, according to the report.
Authorities have continued to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response efforts.
The government has established donation collection centres to support people affected by the earthquake. One such centre has been set up at Omar Park in Panama City, while provincial government offices are also serving as collection points.
Officials are coordinating the collection and distribution of resources as relief operations continue.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Initially, Buttler retired hurt before returning to the crease during England's second ODI match at the Headingley on September 24.
During the match, he achieved a historic feat. Buttler played a knock of 69 runs off 49 deliveries. His knock was laced with five boundaries and the same number of maximums.
With this, Buttler became the first batsman from his country to reach an aggregate of over 10,000 runs across ODIs and T20Is combined.
Currently, in 204 ODI matches, he has garnered 5678 runs with 11 centuries and 30 half-centuries. His best score in the 50-over format is an unbeaten 162 runs. In the T20Is, he has played 163 matches and has smashed 4384 runs, with two tons and 30 half-centuries.
Across his 367 white-ball outings and 326 innings, Buttler has managed 10,062 runs at an average of 37.12, including 13 centuries and 60 fifties, with a best score of an unbeaten 162 runs.
Buttler shared a story on his official social media handle. In the picture, the cricketer is seen giving a thumbs-up from his hospital bed, with his left leg secured in a brace.
"Successful surgery and on the road to recovery, Feeling more motivated than ever!," he captioned his story.
He has already been ruled out of the upcoming tri-series in Pakistan as England's squad is set to depart later this week. The 36-year-old will also likely miss England's white-ball tour of Australia in November. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will soon announce the squad for Australia's tour.
Buttler's injury has brought an untimely end to an impressive run of form for England's former white-ball captain and two-time World Cup winner. After a difficult T20 World Cup campaign in India earlier this year, where he managed just 87 runs as England reached the semi-finals, Buttler bounced back strongly, scoring 466 runs across his next nine white-ball internationals.
His resurgence included a blistering 69 off 49 balls, featuring five sixes, in the innings during which he sustained the hamstring injury.
On Monday, Buttler and fellow England white-ball veteran Adil Rashid were handed one-year contract extensions by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The extensions mean Buttler's current deal is set to expire before the start of next year's 50-over World Cup in South Africa.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>Mohanlal expressed his appreciation after watching Drishyam The Conclusion and congratulated director Abhishek Pathak, producers Kumar Mangat Pathak, Alok Jain, and Ajay Devgn. "I watched Drishyam: The Conclusion and I am truly impressed with the way they have brought a much-loved journey to a befitting end," he said in the video. He then congratulated the cast and crew on "a job so well done."
View this post on Instagram
A fan commented on the video shared by Star Studios, saying, "Massive respect for this, it takes a huge secure personality to appreciate someone else like this (sic)." Similarly, another user wrote, "The goat himself wishing well done team (sic)." Actor Tabu also commented on the post with heart emojis.
Notably, Mohanlal's message comes after Ajay Devgn earlier expressed that he wished for the Malayalam actor to watch the film.
Ajay's Drishyam franchise began with the 2015 film, which was a remake of Mohanlal's 2013 Malayalam film of the same name.
Drishyam: The Conclusion marks the final chapter in the Hindi crime-thriller franchise. Meanwhile, the Malayalam version has been renewed for a fourth instalment. The third instalment tracks the ongoing legal and personal struggles of Vijay Salgaonkar as law enforcement reopens the high-profile murder investigation and threatens his family.
Helmed by Abhishek Pathak, who has also co-written the screenplay alongside Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh,=. The film sees Ajay Devgn reprising his role as Salgaonkar. The ensemble cast also features returning actors Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta, and Mrunal Jadhav, who reprise their roles, while Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the franchise.
The project is produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Ajit Andhare, and Alok Jain under the banners of Panorama Studios and Star Studio18. Drishyam 3 was released on October 2, 2026.
]]>While posting on social media handle X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said several other team members, including Ajinkya Shinde, had also been detained.
Dipke said, "Cockroaches with the Tiranga sneaked into Jantar Mantar early this morning before they were picked up by Delhi Police," as cited by PTI.
He said Ranka, Das, Shinde, and other team members have also been detained by the Delhi Police. Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi also added, "You cannot denotify the resistance."
Ashutosh Ranka waiving the Tiranga at Jantar Mantar 🇮🇳 🫡 https://t.co/94Z8QDpPzY
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 13, 2026
Dipke also shared a video that showed the CJP members jumping over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar and raising slogans like "Bharat Mata ki Jai." Police personnel are seen rushing and grabbing them.
The detentions come amid heightened security in New Delhi following calls for protests by different organisations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Following the protest, Delhi Police has deployed a large number of personnel across the city to maintain law and order.
Earlier on Monday, Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the Delhi Police's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, warning that the move would not stop people from raising their voices against the government.
In a post on X, Dipke said, “They have removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Yes, it's no longer a protest site as anyway it was turned into a war zone by the coward dictator. Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega!”
His remarks came after Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11, removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues and naming three alternative locations for demonstrations.
In another post on social media, Abhijeet Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of targeting the right to protest and warned that the decision could have wider implications for democratic expression.
“Today, Modi denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Tomorrow, he will denotify democracy itself. The dictator's problem was never the protest site. It was the very idea of people protesting,” Dipke said.
The CJP founder's remarks came amid heightened political tensions in the national capital, with Opposition leaders protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, reported the PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>At the Jailer 2 Super Show, Rajinikanth shared an amusing anecdote about Mithun Chakraborty's casting. The superstar revealed that Mithun wanted clarity on his character and was particularly curious about whether he would be essaying the antagonist who gets beaten up by Rajinikanth's character. Recalling the conversation, Rajinikanth said, "He is a very good friend of mine. When the production team approached him, he asked what role he would be playing. ‘Am I the villain? Should I take beatings from Rajinikanth? Get lost."
Rajinikanth revealed that he met Mithun at an edition of the WAVES Summit, where the two interacted about the film. Mithun eventually agreed to be part of the project, but had one condition.
“Later, during an edition of the WAVES Summit, I met him. When the conversation reached this topic, he told me, ‘If you say, I will do it.’ But he had one condition: ‘You should neither beat me up nor shoot me.’ I said, ‘Let me ask the director and get back.’ But I was sure he was just saying it (for the sake of it),” Rajinikanth added.
Helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar and backed by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, Jailer 2 is the sequel to Rajinikanth's 2023 blockbuster. The film features Ramya Krishnan, SJ Suryah, Mohanlal, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Mithun Chakraborty, among others. Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar and Jackie Shroff are also set to feature in cameo roles. The film's music is handled by Anirudh Ravichander; Vijay Kartik Kannan has been part of the cinematography, and editing was handled by R. Nirmal.
]]>The measures include increased funding for the Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD and steps to strengthen accountability when officers face misconduct allegations.
“When the government uses force against a New Yorker, the standard for accountability must be at its highest. Every New Yorker deserves to know that force will be used lawfully, carefully and only when necessary,” Mamdani said in a statement.
Mamdani, a Democrat and democratic socialist, campaigned on promises to reshape policing, including shifting some responsibilities from police officers to mental health professionals.
However, the implementation of those plans has been slow, drawing criticism from supporters who want more substantial changes to the department.
The mayor has also faced scrutiny over his decision to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who served under the previous administration and is viewed as a moderate within the department’s leadership.
Last week, Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist ally of Mamdani and the Democratic nominee for a House seat covering parts of Manhattan and the Bronx, called for Tisch to step down after federal immigration officers shot a man in New York City. The Democratic Socialists of America also urged Mamdani to dismiss the commissioner.
City Hall said Monday’s announcement followed the retirement of an officer facing internal disciplinary charges over the 2024 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Win Rozario during a mental health crisis.
The officer was not criminally charged and was able to retire before the disciplinary proceedings concluded.
Tisch said the department should have informed the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board during the retirement process.
“As a result of human error, we failed to do so, and I apologise for that mistake,” she said.
Mamdani said the NYPD had since introduced a system to prioritise the completion of disciplinary proceedings before officers retire.
The department will also formalise its practice of notifying state officials when officers leave while disciplinary charges remain pending. The measure is intended to help prevent officers from moving to other policing agencies without the pending cases being disclosed.
The planned use-of-force review, described by City Hall as the first of its kind in a decade, will take place over the coming months and include input from community members.
Patrick Hendry, president of a New York police union, criticised the proposed measures, arguing that they were intended to appease the mayor’s progressive supporters.
“The mayor's radical base wants a wholesale dismantling of the NYPD, and it's clear this announcement is an attempt to appease them. It won't work, and it won't make New Yorkers any safer,” Hendry said in a statement.
(With inputs from AP)
]]>Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the meeting.
Describing the gathering as a historic occasion, HM Shah on Monday said the meeting underscores "our shared resolve to combat terrorism, transnational organised crime, narcotics radicalisation, trafficking, illicit financial flows, and cyber threats".
"Through decisive coordination, we remain committed to building a safer, stronger, and more secure BIMSTEC," the Home Minister said.
Officials from the member countries are expected to participate in the meeting.
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for BIMSTEC member nations to discuss common security concerns and explore ways to enhance cooperation in addressing threats that extend across national borders.
The gathering also highlights the importance of coordinated regional efforts to counter terrorism, organised criminal networks, drug-related threats, human trafficking and cybercrime.
BIMSTEC, an acronym for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organisation comprising seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
According to the organisation's official website, BIMSTEC works to strengthen collaboration in areas such as agriculture and food security, the blue economy, connectivity, culture, disaster management, energy, environment and climate change, fiscal and monetary policy, health, human resource development, fisheries and livestock, and people-to-people relations, among other fields.
In July this year, the 5th Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs was held in New Delhi, where the National Security Advisers and heads of delegations exchanged views on various measures to combat terrorism and organised crime; ensure security in the cyber, maritime and energy domains; enhance connectivity; facilitate efficient disaster management; and tackle new and emerging security threats.
The meeting adopted the BIMSTEC Guidelines for the Maritime Component of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. The guidelines will help BIMSTEC member states undertake relief operations in the region in an expeditious manner.
They also endorsed a set of Guiding Principles on the Conduct of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies during Interactions at Sea. These principles are expected to provide reference points for increasing predictability and promoting safety during maritime engagements among member states.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Funding in the first nine months of 2025 stood at USD 1.9 billion. The number of rounds dropped to 153 from 260 a year ago, the data intelligence platform said in a report.
This year's funding is still only about 40 per cent of the peak of USD 5.5 billion recorded in the first nine months of 2021.
The five largest rounds together brought in about USD 1.1 billion. CRED's USD 540 million Series H round in June, backed by Meta, alone accounted for about a quarter of all funding.
The others were KreditBee's USD 220 million Series E in April, Weaver's USD 103 million Series B in March, Slice's USD 100 million Series D in September and Navi's USD 100 million Series C in August.
Late-stage funding, which includes Series C and later, private equity and pre-IPO rounds, nearly doubled to USD 1.5 billion from USD 751 million, despite fewer deals (25 against 30). It made up 67 per cent of all capital raised and was the only stage to grow.
Early-stage funding (Series A and B) fell 33 per cent to USD 668 million across 52 rounds, from USD 1 billion across 82 rounds. Seed funding dropped 57 per cent to USD 73.8 million across 76 rounds, from USD 173 million across 148 rounds.
The number of companies raising funds for the first time nearly halved to 30 from 59, the report said. Existing investors in the sector fell to 125 from 192, and first-time investors fell to 33 from 48.
By segment, digital lending attracted the most funding at USD 809 million, followed by payments at USD 776 million and investment tech at USD 450 million.
Bengaluru's share of fintech funding rose to 62 per cent (USD 1.4 billion) from 52 per cent a year earlier. Mumbai followed with 24 per cent and Gurugram with 7 per cent.
The sector produced three new unicorns, startups valued at USD 1 billion or more: Square Yards, KreditBee and Neo Group, compared with two a year earlier.
There were three initial public offerings, up from two. They were led by Augmont, which had a market capitalisation of USD 757 million at its IPO in August, followed by Turtlemint (USD 471 million, June) and Kissht (USD 305 million, May).
Acquisitions fell 45 per cent to 11 from 20. The largest was Indiabulls Group's USD 110 million purchase of Fintech Cloud, followed by Oxyzo's acquisition of GoldenPi for USD 4.4 million and Choice's purchase of Fintoo for USD 1.1 million.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Forex traders said measures including a dedicated dollar window for oil marketing companies through designated banks and higher costs for certain foreign exchange hedging transactions, are expected to reduce dollar demand in the spot market and curb speculative positions against the rupee.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.53, then gained ground to touch 94.96, registering a gain of 82 paise over its previous close.
On Monday, the rupee appreciated 93 paise, logging its steepest single-day gain in more than six months, to close at 95.78 against the US dollar.
"With the RBI's measures supporting the rupee, we expect USD/INR to move towards 95.00–94.80 range in the near term," CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari said.
The RBI on Saturday tightened rules governing forex derivatives trades to curtail speculative bets against the rupee and asked banks to create a 20 per cent reserve for dollar purchases of over USD 2 million.
In another set of measures announced on Saturday on the derivatives front, the RBI said authorised dealers (AD) should not permit users to rebook any foreign exchange derivative contract involving the INR, whether deliverable or non-deliverable, which has been cancelled.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading lower by 0.15 per cent at 102.43.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading lower by 1.11 per cent at USD 105.47 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex climbed 305 points to 72,224.15, while the Nifty was up 93.40 points to 22,458.50.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,708.48 crore on a net basis on Monday, according to exchange data.
On the macroeconomic front, retail inflation in the country rose sharply to 5.54 per cent in September on the back of high onion and other food prices, remaining just within the RBI's tolerance band, government data released on Monday showed.
The consumer price index (CPI) based headline inflation was 4.83 per cent in August, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The announcement came a day after South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected multiple ballistic missiles launched from the Pyongyang area towards the East Sea.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s missile administration conducted the test on October 12 to assess improvements to an important component of its weapons technology.
The missile administration “test-fired a tactical ballistic missile on October 12 to confirm the success in the research for the technical upgrading of an important core element,” Yonhap reported, citing KCNA.
The administration described the upgrade as “a big success heralding an important change in improving the performance and sophistication of all offensive weapon systems”.
North Korea did not disclose further details about the missile, its specifications or the precise nature of the technological improvements. State media described the test as part of the country’s regular activities.
South Korea’s JCS said North Korea had launched multiple types of ballistic missiles, with one travelling more than 900 kilometres. South Korean and US authorities were analysing the specifications of the projectiles.
“They may have fired a short-range ballistic missile at maximum range, or it is also possible that they fired a medium-range ballistic missile at a reduced range,” JCS spokesperson Capt. Jang Do-young said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Short-range ballistic missiles generally have a range of 300 to 1,000 kilometres, while medium-range ballistic missiles typically cover distances of 1,000 to 3,000 kilometres.
Jang reiterated that South Korea and the United States maintained a strong combined defence posture and were “fully capable” of detecting and intercepting North Korean missiles.
Japan’s Defence Ministry said North Korea had fired at least two ballistic missiles on Monday. One travelled approximately 220 kilometres, while the other covered more than 910 kilometres.
US Pacific Command (PACOM) also said Monday’s launches involved two ballistic missiles.
The launches marked North Korea’s 16th ballistic missile launch of the year, according to the report, and came nine days after its previous launch on October 3.
The latest North Korean launches came four days after South Korea announced the successful test-firing of a domestically developed hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). President Lee Jae Myung attended the event.
Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds of Mach 5 or faster and can manoeuvre along unconventional trajectories, potentially making them more difficult to track and intercept.
South Korea’s disclosure of the test was viewed as a demonstration of its deterrence capabilities amid tensions with North Korea. The announcement followed a land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 21 that injured three South Korean soldiers.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Blair was at central booking at Queens Criminal Court on Monday afternoon. She was taken into custody when the police responded to reports of a physically abusive passenger aboard the flight arriving at John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), the Port Authority stated.
The actor was later transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Her representative, earlier on Monday, said that Blair had experienced a “medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct”. She was given immediate medical attention and was in stable condition, the representative noted.
According to the Port Authority, two flight attendants reported injuries as one of them had to be taken to a hospital for further evaluation. A dispatch audio obtained by CNN from ATC.com suggests that medical personnel had initially been asked to meet the arriving flight to attend to two crew members.
The audio later revealed minor injuries, including a bloody nose and bite marks, although it did not specify who had sustained them. The audio also mentioned that the passenger may have hit her head against the aircraft's bulkhead. The FBI is currently investigating the incident.
Later on Monday, the actor appeared at Queens Criminal Court, wherein an Attorney for Blair said the actress suffers from multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. They added that she missed several doses of "a powerful medication" that she consumed to manage her severe neurological symptoms, and that she struck her head during the flight.
Blair's lawyer, Shawn Barnes, told the judge, "These factors, coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation."
Meanwhile, another attorney representing the actress was reportedly seen wiping tears from Blair's eyes as she broke down while pleading not guilty to the assault charges for the attacks on the police officer and nurse in Queens Criminal Court on Monday. The actor was eventually released after posting bail set at USD 0,000 cash. Additionally, she also faces federal charges for the incident on board.
]]>In a letter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), police requested that the deployment, which was scheduled to end on Monday, be extended to maintain law and order and respond to any potential situation.
According to a source, a total of 301 CAPF companies had been approved for deployment in Delhi. Of these, 221 companies were cleared on October 6, while another 80 were approved on October 8.
However, 28 of the additional 80 companies had not reported to Delhi Police as of Monday, the sources said.
Police have flagged the possibility of demonstrations at several sensitive locations in the capital, including Jantar Mantar, the Election Commission of India, Parliament House and India Gate.
Potential protests by the Bhim Army, student organisations and other political groups have also been cited among the concerns prompting the request for an extension.
The move comes amid demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in different parts of Delhi.
Over the weekend, security arrangements across the national capital were significantly intensified, with a large deployment of security personnel, the closure of 45 metro stations and intensive checks at the city’s border points.
Thousands of protesters, including leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party and former chief ministers, were detained during the demonstrations, according to the report.
The protests have brought increased security attention to key locations in the capital, with police anticipating the possibility of further demonstrations by political and student groups.
The extension request is aimed at ensuring that adequate security personnel remain available to maintain public order and respond to any potential law-and-order situation.
The requested deployment would continue until October 20 if approved by the Union Home Ministry. The final decision on the extension rests with the ministry.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The 30-share BSE Sensex surged 683.61 points or 0.95 per cent to 72,608.29 in the initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty soared 212.55 points or 0.95 per cent to 22,575.90 in the initial deal.
Among the 30 Sensex firms, 25 had gained in the early deals. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, and Trent were among the gainers. Shares of TCS were trading 5.07 per cent, while that of HCL Tech that posted strong Q2 FY27 results, were trading 4.63 per cent higher.
NTPC, Power Grid, Maruti Suzuki, Ultra Tech Cement and Axis Bank were among the laggards.
On Monday, the Sensex slipped 547.65 points, or 0.76 per cent, to settle at 71,924.68. The Nifty shed 157.10 points, or 0.70 per cent, to end at 22,363.35.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.08 per cent to USD 105.5 per barrel, according to news agency PTI.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,708.48 crore on Monday, according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors were net buyers and purchased equities worth Rs 3,045.02 on Monday.
"There are no triggers to change the ongoing trend of sustained FII selling and DII buying in the cash market. The restrictions imposed by the RBI by limiting trading in forex derivatives and raising the cost of trading have brought some relief to the rupee which appreciated by 0.99 per cent to 95.77 to the dollar at market close yesterday. This has helped to reduce FII selling to Rs 1708 crore yesterday," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments said.
"But with the US 10-year bond yield hovering above 5.2 per cent, chances are that FIIs will continue to sell in the cash market. With the net inflows into mutual funds touching a record high of Rs 38,307 crore in September, the DIIs will continue to absorb all the selling from FIIs," he added.
In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hang Seng index all quoted lower.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Currently, he is recovering from the injury under the supervision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Medical Team. His availability for the third match will be decided, considering his fitness levels.
The board has named Kumar Kushagra as his replacement for the first two matches.
"Rishabh Pant, whose availability for the India A tour of New Zealand was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the first two matches. The wicketkeeper-batter had sustained a left-side strain while leading Rest of India in the Irani Cup. He remains under the care of the BCCI Medical Team and is recovering well. A decision on his availability for the third match will be taken at a later stage. The Men's Selection Committee has named Kumar Kushagra as Pant's replacement for the first two matches," BCCI said in a statement.
🚨 News 🚨 Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the first two India A matches against New Zealand A. Kumar Kushagra has been named as his replacement in the squad. More Details ▶️ https://t.co/GlNfm5b5or #NZAvINDA
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2026
Experienced players such as KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and Washington Sundar will also participate in India A series against New Zealand. Their inclusion will also boost India A's batting depth as the side gears up for the challenging overseas series.
India A will clash against New Zealand in the three-match unofficial Test series, which will begin from October 24. The games will be played in Lincoln and Christchurch.
Currently, Team India under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer is busy featuring in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Dhruv Jurel [C] [WK], Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar, Kumar Kushagra [WK] (1st and 2nd matches).
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>The FIRs have been registered at Barakhamba Road and Tilak Marg police stations, according to Delhi Police. The cases relate to alleged damage to barricades and graffiti during the Opposition’s demonstration against the Election Commission of India’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
On Monday, INDIA bloc leaders and supporters, led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, marched through Barakhamba Road towards the Supreme Court. Subsequently, 11 Opposition leaders filed a writ petition in the apex court challenging aspects of the poll panel’s decisions concerning the SIR exercise.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Registry has flagged 14 defects in the petition filed by Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and nine other Opposition leaders.
The petitioners include Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, CPI(M) MP MA Baby, CPI leader D Raja, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Majhi, NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule and Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Mohammed Basheer.
The Registry has also sought clarification on why Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi have been named as respondents in the petition. The objection concerns the inclusion of these individuals in a writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.
The Opposition leaders have approached the Supreme Court alleging irregularities in the exercise of the Election Commission’s powers during the SIR process. They have sought judicial examination of the manner in which the poll panel took and implemented decisions relating to the revision of electoral rolls.
The Registry’s objections are procedural and do not amount to a judicial finding on the merits of the petition.
Separately, Rahul Gandhi has invited Opposition MPs for high tea at his residence on Tuesday, a day after the INDIA bloc’s march towards the Supreme Court.
Earlier, Gandhi thanked Opposition leaders for supporting the protest and said the alliance would continue its fight.
"We needed to show the government that the people of India are not going to be intimidated. You cannot beat us, threaten us, frighten us. We will not accept being bullied. As I said in my press conference, there are no parallel protests. It’s one protest, and it’s a protest where everybody is standing together. Every single person is going to stand against these killers of our Constitution, these killers of our democracy. And we’re not going to back down," he said.
The protest and subsequent legal move mark the Opposition’s continuing challenge to the Election Commission’s SIR exercise, which has become a major point of political contention.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Taking to Instagram stories, the actor wrote, "I've lost 3000 followers since the start of the most recent protests; I have family members asking me to keep quiet, but I just keep thinking of my great grandfather Sir.M.Venkatasubba Rao The first Indian to be appointed 'puisne judge of the Madras High Court' (he used to sneak into the high court to handle cases his British counterpart deemed unworthy or when he was on vacation, he bore insults and racial slurs throughout his career but never gave up, the trees he planted to mark our independence still stand in our homes) and his wife 'Lady Andal' one of the first feminists of Tamil Nadu, highly educated and respected she was a symbol of the independence movement for the women of Chennai!" (sic)
She went on to add, "Or what about my German Grandmother (their daughter-in law) who started multiple educational and charity organisations in their honour, carried on by her children until today!" (sic)
Rochelle further added, "Or my British grandfather on my mother's side, who chose to stay and build this country rather than return with the British and receive a great pension and all the comforts of life!" (sic)
Reflecting on their works, she shared, "What would they say, if I sat in fear and silence while the youth of this nation were beaten and broken and our freedom was robbed from us, right in front of our eyes!!" (sic)
Further lashing out at trolls, she wrote, "And for everyone that wants to call me 'rice bag' go ahead, I'll proudly hand out rice to anyone who needs it and while I'm at it I'll also uplift the downtrodden and speak for the voiceless, because that's my legacy, a legacy that built this country!!"(sic)
Earlier, Kritika Kamra also raised her voice, announcing that she is returning to X after Instagram restricted her posts about the protests.
The ongoing anti-CEC protests across India are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demand also includes a complete rollback of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
]]>In its objections notified on October 12, the Registry also sought clarification on why Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had been named as respondents in a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.
The petitioners have alleged irregularities in the exercise of the Election Commission’s powers during the electoral-roll revision and sought judicial scrutiny of the decisions taken and implemented by the poll panel.
The Registry raised an objection over the inclusion of the three election officials as respondents, seeking clarification from the petitioners on the issue.
It also asked them to correct the respondent’s name in the listing proforma, rectify respondent details on page 9 and provide the correct respondent number in the prayer section.
Another objection concerned the absence of a mandatory similarity paragraph under the Supreme Court Rules. The petitioners have been asked to state whether they had previously approached the court against the challenged order or judgment and, if so, provide the outcome of those proceedings.
The Registry recorded the objection twice as “SIMILARITY PARA NOT FOUND.”
The Registry directed the petitioners to attach a copy of the decision dated June 24, 2025, referred to in prayer (a). It also flagged a mismatch between the date of Annexure P-2 and the details mentioned in the petition.
Further objections included a discrepancy in the case number of Annexure P-5 and a direction to submit a pen drive for Annexure P-6.
The Registry also noted that vakalatnamas were missing for petitioner Nos. 3 to 11 and sought a clear copy of the identity card of petitioner No. 2. The petitioners have additionally been asked to deposit Rs 220 towards the court fee.
The Registry sought colour copies of pages 57 and 64 and flagged several issues relating to the presentation and legibility of the documents.
These included dim or illegible pages, small font, missing pages, a vernacular page and discrepancies in pagination. The Registry noted that the defects would be identified after the final printout was taken.
Filed on October 12 under Article 32, the petition raises questions about the Election Commission’s collective functioning in connection with the SIR, changes to Form 6, the functioning of ECINET and ERONET, and the process used to mark electors for deletion or restoration.
The petitioners have sought the production of the ECI’s files, agendas, minutes, notings and objections relating to the disputed decisions. They have also requested scrutiny of whether the Commission acted in accordance with Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 18 of the 2023 Act.
Among the other reliefs sought are an independent audit of electoral-roll databases and deletions, and directions to ensure that no elector is deleted without notice and a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
The petition was filed after a written communication from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on October 11 indicated that matters raising similar issues were listed for hearing on October 13.
The communication stated that the petitioners could file their plea on October 12, either physically or through electronic filing.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>“I may, yeah,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday when asked whether he planned to meet Kim during the trip. He did not specify where or when a meeting could take place.
Trump is scheduled to attend regional summits in the Philippines and China in November, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in meeting Kim again. In August, he said he expected to meet the North Korean leader later this year, fuelling speculation that the APEC gathering could provide an opportunity for talks.
The two leaders previously held three face-to-face meetings during Trump’s first term, beginning a period of high-profile personal diplomacy between the United States and North Korea. However, no new meeting has been officially announced.
Trump is scheduled to travel to Manila on November 16 for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit before proceeding to Shenzhen, China, for APEC-related engagements later in the month. He is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit.
The possibility of a Trump-Kim meeting has been discussed amid renewed speculation about efforts to restart diplomatic engagement between the two countries. However, neither side has publicly confirmed plans for a summit.
Trump and Kim met for the first time in Singapore in June 2018, becoming the first sitting US president and North Korean leader to hold a summit. They agreed to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
Their second summit, held in Hanoi in February 2019, ended without an agreement. In June that year, Trump briefly crossed into North Korea at the Demilitarized Zone in Panmunjom during a meeting with Kim, becoming the first sitting US president to set foot in the country.
Diplomatic talks subsequently stalled, while North Korea continued expanding its nuclear and missile programmes. Recent missile launches have added to regional security concerns.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>From Uttar Pradesh to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the weather has changed, with the effects of rainfall also being felt in the hilly states, as per IANS.
According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast for Tuesday, October 13, rainfall is expected in 23 states and union territories. The weather forecasting agency also forecasted that heavy rain is likely to come down in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Moderate rainfall is expected in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Lakshadweep. Light rain is also possible in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds are likely in isolated areas, as per PTI.
After a relief from extreme October heat, Delhi-NCR has witnessed cloudy skies, strong winds, and rainfall since Sunday night, bringing a significant change in weather conditions.
Rain continued to lash the national capital and its adjoining areas, lowering temperatures and making mornings and nights cooler. People stepping out early on Tuesday experienced a noticeable chill, with some opting for light warm clothing.
The changing weather has also begun to affect daily routines, offering relief from daytime heat while making early mornings and late evenings more comfortable.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed Delhi in the early hours of Monday, bringing the city its highest October rainfall since 2022.
The showers lowered temperatures and improved air quality, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the 'satisfactory' category for the first time this month. However, the rainfall also caused waterlogging in some areas and prompted traffic diversions, as per IANS.
According to the IMD, the Safdarjung observatory, Delhi's base weather station, recorded 41.6 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Monday. The last time the observatory recorded higher October rainfall was on October 9, 2022, when it received around 74 mm.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The city is expected to have mainly clear skies, with maximum and minimum temperatures forecast at around 37 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.
According to the IMD’s 8.30 am weather report, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory registered 38.2 degrees Celsius.
The forecast indicates that temperatures could remain high through the day, with hazy sunshine and daytime temperatures expected to reach around 36–37 degrees Celsius.
Residents have been advised to take precautions against heat and humidity, particularly during the afternoon.
Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 84 on Tuesday morning, placing the city in the satisfactory category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app.
Air quality in this category may cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
Among Mumbai’s monitoring stations, Deonar recorded the highest AQI at 133, followed by Bandra Kurla Complex at 107 and Worli at 102. Borivali recorded an AQI of 90.
Ghatkopar registered an AQI of 64, while Colaba recorded 62 and Byculla stood at 80.
Air quality across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) also remained in the satisfactory category on Tuesday morning.
Thane recorded an AQI of 81, while Navi Mumbai registered 80 and Kalyan recorded 86.
Meanwhile, people across several parts of the country are gradually finding relief from the heat as rainfall has brought pleasant weather to some regions, while a chill has begun to set in during the mornings and nights elsewhere. After overnight showers in Delhi-NCR, Tuesday morning brought a noticeable dip in temperatures.
From Uttar Pradesh to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, the weather has changed, with the effects of rainfall also being felt in the hilly states.
The natural coolness following the showers has offered people greater relief than air conditioners. If temperatures continue to fall during the mornings and evenings in the coming days, people may need to reduce fan speeds and bring out warm sheets and quilts at night. However, daytime temperatures could remain relatively high under the sun.
According to the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast for October 13, rainfall is expected in 23 states and union territories. Heavy rain is likely in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Moderate rainfall is expected in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Lakshadweep. Light rain is also possible in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds are likely in isolated areas.
]]>"No economic settlement has been reached within the Venu Srinivasan family. The larger TVS family partition, agreed in 2020 and implemented subsequently, was undertaken through a process involving the relevant stakeholders," Lakshmi Venu and Mallika Srinivasan said in the statement.
"No comparable process involving transparent valuation, discussion and mutual consent has taken place concerning the economic interests within the Venu Srinivasan family. No agreement dividing these economic interests has been concluded," the statement added.
The statement comes amid differences within industrialist Venu Srinivasan's family over succession.
Both Lakshmi Venu and Mallika Srinivasan stated that the family had neither agreed that all assets belonged exclusively to an individual nor established that any single person could distribute them unilaterally. They also maintained that the allocation of management responsibilities did not amount to a division of family assets or replace family members' economic interests.
The 115-year-old TVS industrial group was divided among the different branches of founder T V Sundaram Iyengar's family in 2020. The settlement included asset valuation, an agreed distribution of businesses and compensation for family members. The Venu Srinivasan family gained control of key companies within the group, as part of the arrangement.
Differences emerged within the family after TVS Holdings revealed that Sudarshan Venu, son of Venu Srinivasan and chairman and managing director of TVS Motor Company, had been identified as a significant beneficial owner (SBO) through trust structures.
The family/promoter group holds a 74.45 per cent stake in the company in TVS Holdings, according to the company's annual report, of which Venu Srinivasan holds 66.55 per cent through VS Trust. TVS Holdings owns 56 per cent of TVS Motor, according to PTI.
The family had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in March 2024, which outlined the use of the TVS brand across various business segments and included a non-compete agreement.
However, Lakshmi Venu and Mallika Srinivasan said arrangements related to trademarks, brand usage and non-compete obligations cannot be treated as an economic settlement, as no such settlement had been part of those arrangements, according to PTI.
Lakshmi Venu, head of automotive component maker Sundaram-Clayton, has been seeking to reach a fair settlement of the family's wealth through discussions and dialogue, according to PTI sources. Similarly, Mallika Srinivasan has been encouraging family members to work toward an equitable resolution rather than let the differences escalate.
Mallika Srinivasan also clarified that tractor manufacturer TAFE is a separate family business group in which she is a shareholder and should not be considered as an economic settlement with the Venu Srinivasan family.
"TAFE forms part of the amalgamations Group, a separate family business group in which Mallika Srinivasan is a shareholder. TAFE has no bearing on the economic settlement within the Venu Srinivasan family and should not be conflated with it. Presenting her longstanding association and custodial role with TAFE as evidence of an equitable distribution of economic interests within the Venu Srinivasan family is fundamentally misleading," the statement said.
Lakshmi Venu and Mallika Srinivasan argued that arrangements made unilaterally cannot be considered fair or consensual. They pointed out that any equitable settlement must recognise all parties' legitimate economic interests through transparent valuation, discussion, and agreement.
"The fundamental issue is not about management positions which have been compensated appropriately and commensurately. It is about the fair recognition of rightful economic ownership, which remains unresolved. We believe that an early, fair and amicable resolution is in the best interests of the family, its businesses and all their stakeholders. We remain committed to resolving these matters through constructive dialogue, with dignity, grace and equity," they added.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the centre to the nation on October 11 and released C-STROKE, the world's first 3D atlas of a human brain affected by an ischaemic stroke.
According to a press release issued by IIT Madras, C-STROKE is part of a global effort to generate whole-brain 3D maps at cellular resolution, covering developmental stages from the foetal stage to old age and encompassing neurological disorders.
The atlas features more than 1,000 annotated sections, linking pre-mortem MRI scans at millimetre-scale resolution with histological images at micron-scale resolution. It maps markers associated with neuroinflammation, hypoxia and axonal injury.
The computational mapping was carried out using the Param Shakti supercomputer, with support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the release said.
The multidisciplinary initiative brings together more than 200 researchers and technicians, over 10 Indian medical institutions and more than 30 international collaborators. The research has received philanthropic support from Fairfax Financial Chairman Prem Watsa and Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>[popcorn number="Six" desc="Tushar Deshpande becomes the sixth Mumbai bowler to claim a hat-trick in Ranji Trophy after Jehangir Khot, Umesh Kulkarni, Abdul Ismail, Royston Dias, and Shardul Thakur" class="Default"]
Mumbai dominated Chandigarh with both bat and ball on Day Two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘D’ match at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
India pacer Tushar Deshpande starred with a sensational 5-17 as his fiery spell rattled the visitors, who were bowled out for just 78 in 19.1 overs in reply to Mumbai’s 429.
Tushar Deshpande (centre) celebrates one of his dismissals with his Mumbai teammates at Wankhede on Monday. Pic/Ashish Raje
Following on, Chandigarh lost opener Vishu Kashyap without scoring and were still trailing by 351 runs at stumps.
Chandigarh’s batters struggled to display the temperament required to counter Mumbai’s bowlers.
Deshpande, who represented India ‘A’ against Australia ‘A’ last month, was particularly devastating, ripping through the visitors’ top order.
He struck in his fourth over, clean bowling left-handed opener Arslan Khan (2). The 31-year-old then dismissed Arjun Azad (20) with a bouncer that the batter attempted to hook, only to find deep fine-leg fielder Sylvester D’Souza. Deshpande followed it up by bowling No. 4 batter Shivam Bhambri (0) with a beautiful outswinger before completing his hat-trick by inducing Dipender Kush (0) to edge another outgoing delivery to first slip, where Yashasvi Jaiswal took the catch.
Playing his 50th first-class match, Deshpande claimed his sixth five-wicket haul when he trapped Raj Bawa leg-before, leaving Chandigarh reeling at 29-6. His first spell of seven overs included a maiden, with just 17 runs conceded. Deshpande became only the sixth Mumbai bowler to take a Ranji Trophy hat-trick. Pacer Mohit Avasthi chipped in with 3-9, while D’Souza claimed 2-51, including the wicket of top-scorer Nishunk Birla (33).
Earlier, Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad, who was unbeaten on 80 overnight, added six runs before falling to Bawa (4-73). Lad’s 86 included nine boundaries.
Mumbai’s lower order then extended the team’s overnight total of 249-5 by 180 runs. All-rounder Tanush Kotian scored 58 (5x4), Avasthi remained unbeaten on 56 (6x4, 2x6), Deshpande contributed 44 (4x4, 2x6), while Shams Mulani made 39 (4x4, 1x6). For Chandigarh, pacer Rohit Dhanda claimed 4-78.
“I wanted to make this game special as it was my 50th match. But I wasn’t thinking about a hat-trick or anything like that. I just wanted to give my 100 per cent today [Monday]. When I was batting, I noticed some patches on the wicket where the ball was doing a bit. So, my only focus was to bowl as many deliveries as possible in the right areas, and it paid dividends,” Deshpande told reporters after the day’s play.
The pacer also revealed that he wanted to bowl his best delivery to claim his maiden first-class hat-trick.
Asked about missing out on selection for India ‘A’s upcoming New Zealand tour, Deshpande said he had reset himself ahead of the Ranji Trophy match. “There is always motivation to play Test cricket for India, irrespective of whether I am selected for the India ‘A’ tour or not. I thought about the non-selection for a day, but I have always told myself that I want to chase performance, not selection. So, I came back to the Wankhede Stadium, reset myself, went back to my process and bowled again,” Deshpande said.
Ranji Brief scores
Mumbai 429 all out (S Lad 86, M Khan 65, T Kotian 58, M Avasthi 56*, A Mhatre 48, T Deshpande 44; R Bawa 4-73, R Dhanda 4-78) vs Chandigarh 78 all out (N Birla 33; Deshpande 5-17, Avasthi 3-9, S DSouza 2-51) & 0-1 (Deshpande 1-0)
Riding on unbeaten half-centuries from Avneesh Sudha (75 not out) and Jagadeesha Suchith (50 not out), Uttarakhand reached 260-4 in reply to Railways’s 278 all out on Day Two at the Brabourne Stadium on Monday. Kunal Yadav claimed 3-70 for Railways.
]]>Four
No. of catches taken by Smith during South Africa’s first innings on Sunday to go atop the all-time catches list
Five
Most number of catches taken by Smith in an innings; joint-highest in Test cricket
Nathan Lyon
65
No. of catches claimed by Smith off Nathan Lyon’s bowling; the second-best fielder-bowler combination after Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan (77)
62
No. of catches taken by Steve Smith against England; the most by any player against a single opponent in Tests
29
No. of catches by Smith in 2016; the second-most for a player in a year after SA’s Graeme Smith (30 in 2008)
The Brownsville Police Department received a call at 12:50 pm local time. When officers arrived at Mitte's residence in Brownsville, Texas, they found him dead, according to People. Subsequently, a judge declared hin dead at 1:32 pm local time.
At the time, the Brownsville Police Department told the portal, “The cause and manner of death are still pending, as there is currently an ongoing investigation." His official manner of death was expected to be determined following an autopsy. Meanwhile, the judge also ruled out the possibility of foul play, noting there were no signs.
According to a PEOPLE report, Mitte's representatives have now confirmed that the actor died by suicide. However, the exact reason for his suicide remains unknown while further investigations are underway.
Mitte's representative confirmed his death and remembered the actor for his contributions in a statement earlier on Monday. The statement read, "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of beloved actor, philanthropist, and passionate disability rights advocate RJ Mitte."
"Drawing from his own experience living with cerebral palsy, Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform for disability awareness and inclusion," it added.
Mitte rose to fame and international recognition through Breaking Bad, in which he played Walter White Jr., the son of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston's. The series revolves around White, a terminally ill high school chemistry teacher who enters the criminal underworld by manufacturing crystal methamphetamine.
Notably, Mitte was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in real life, and thus brought a personal understanding of the condition to his performance. Also known by the nickname Flynn, his character used crutches and had speech difficulties in the series.
The series aired from 2008 to 2013 and is widely regarded as one of television's most celebrated dramas. It its five-season run, Breaking Bad has won 16 Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.
Apart from his Breaking Bad role, Mitte also worked in television and film and used his public profile to advocate for greater disability representation. He also served as a Screen Actors Guild spokesman for performers with disabilities. Additionally, he also worked as a celebrity ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy.
]]>After opting to bat, SVIS made a steady start through Prajwal Taware (18) before Bobade took control. Facing 169 deliveries, he smashed 15 boundaries and nine sixes.
Bobade received support from Shauryakant Upadhyay (29), Lovish Bali (23), Kiaan Nair (21) and Jayant Wadghule (18). For General Education Academy, leg-spinner Abhirup Patil claimed four wickets, while Samsuddin Mansebdar and Vihaan Wade picked up two wickets apiece.
The 130th edition of the Harris Shield was officially inaugurated with former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who urged Mumbai’s school cricketers to embrace the city’s traditional cricketing culture.
]]>On day 11, the Ajay Devgn-starrer collected Rs 6.25 crore net at the Indian box office, according to entertainment tracking portal Sacnilk. With this, the film's domestic gross collection stands at Rs 378.24 crore, while its net collection has reached Rs 315.25 crore. The film registered these numbers across 13,594 shows on Monday.
The second weekend gave the film a solid boost. On Day 8, Drishyam 3 earned Rs 14.5 crore, followed by an increase in numbers to Rs 26.50 crore on Day 9, across 14,903 shows. The film raked in another Rs 22.50 crore on Day 11, from 14,872 shows. Although Sunday's earnings were 15.1% lower than Saturday's, the film had a solid weekend and crossed the Rs 300 crore milestone within ten days of release.
In international markets, the crime thriller earned Rs 2.50 crore gross on day 11, taking its overall gross collection to Rs 111.50 crore. The film is now set to surpass the Rs 500 crore mark worldwide, with its overseas gross collection currently standing at Rs 489.74 crore, according to Sacnilk.
Helmed by Abhishek Pathak and backed by Panorama Studios and Star Studios, the film serves as the sequel to Drishyam 2 (2022). Unlike its predecessors, it has an original story and has no reference to its Malayalam counterpart. Released on October 2, 2026, the film features Ajay Devgn, Jaideep Ahlawat, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Prakash Raj, and Ishita Dutta in key roles.
An excerpt from Mid-Day reads, "Drishyam The Conclusion delivers the twists, tension and performances expected from the franchise, culminating in a climax that largely makes the ride worthwhile. As Jaideep Ahlawat’s Rajveer says, “Is kahani pe sequel bana, blockbuster hogi,” a line that neatly sums up the film’s mood."
]]>After a goalless result at the end of regulation time, goalkeeper Royston Lobo produced four crucial saves in the shootout to help Don Bosco secure victory. Clyde Mendonca and Daksh Gaikwad were on target for the Mumbai school.
]]>City boss Enzo Maresca has made a flawless start to the daunting task of replacing Pep Guardiola, winning all eight games across competitions.
Enzo Maresca
But the future of City’s title challenge likely rests on the outcome of the club’s appeal against the verdict of an independent commission which found them guilty of breaching 114 financial regulations.
“It was not easy for the players after the last few weeks but they dealt with the situation very well. We needed to learn how to deal with the outside noise, and make our own noise on the field by winning games. Our fans were singing at the end, so the noise was from us,” said Maresca.
City took full advantage after a red card for Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch on the hour mark swung the momentum their way.
Erling Haaland (65th min), Jeremy Doku (68th min) and Rayan Cherki (78th min) struck in a 13-minute spell after Gravenberch’s dismissal as City won at Anfield for only the second time since 2003.
“To win 3-0 at Anfield is a great result for sure. In this moment all the organisation needs this kind of win,” added Maresca.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Alvarez has not scored this season for Atletico after trying to force his way out of the club in the summer with a move to Spanish champions Barcelona.
Diego Simeone
“I think strikers with Julian’s characteristics always need goals. He had a good second half against Alaves and we hope that he can keep growing and get back to his best,” said Simeone.
Atletico Madrid have won their last four games, while United are winless in four matches across all competitions. Nevertheless, Simeone isn’t expecting the tie to be a cakewalk.
“The game will be long, and tough. We have to manage our efforts to compete well,” said Simeone.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Sindhu, a former world champion, arrives in Denmark with mixed recent results. She won the Japan Open in July, but suffered a quarter-final exit at the Asian Games against China’s Chen Yu Fei. At last week’s Arctic Open, she went down fighting against Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the last-eight stage.
In the men’s event, Lakshya Sen too has a tough game at hand as he takes on third seed Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The teachers Nimisha, Jayasree Devan and Shalu Paulose of Ponmudi Government Upper Primary School in Thiruvananthapuram, began using the money they saved through the Priyadarshini free travel scheme to provide food to students after financial difficulties faced by sponsors threatened the school's evening meal programme.
The teachers continue to contribute from their own resources to ensure that the children, and in some cases their family members, do not go hungry, according to an official statement.
John invited the teachers and students to his official residence and felicitated them for their initiative, describing their efforts as an inspiring example of social responsibility and compassion.
The teachers also requested an additional KSRTC bus service on the route during school hours, which the minister said he would consider, it said.
Under the Priyadarshini scheme introduced by the state government, women can travel free of cost in KSRTC ordinary services, a key poll promise of the Congress-led UDF.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>In a post on X, Modi offered salutations to the goddess, who is worshipped on the third day of the nine-day festival and is associated with courage, peace and divine power.
नवरात्रि में आज साहस, शांति और दिव्य शक्ति की देवी मां चंद्रघंटा की करबद्ध वंदना! उनकी कृपा से सबका कल्याण हो। सभी का जीवन सुख-सौभाग्य एवं सफलता से सदैव परिपूर्ण रहे, यही मंगलकामना है। https://t.co/kvNaBwkXQZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 13, 2026
“On this Navratri, heartfelt salutations to Devi Chandraghanta, the goddess of courage, peace, and divine power! May her grace bring welfare to all. May everyone's life forever be filled with happiness, prosperity, and success - this is the auspicious wish,” he said.
The Prime Minister also shared a YouTube link to a bhajan dedicated to Goddess Durga, titled ‘Chottanikkara Baghavathi’. He further shared a Sanskrit verse describing the goddess as Vaishnavi Shakti, the supreme Maya and the seed of the universe. The verse conveys that the world unfolds through her divine will and that her grace guides beings towards liberation.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also extended greetings on the third day of Shardiya Navratri, offering prayers to Maa Chandraghanta and wishing peace, prosperity and well-being for people across the country.
In a post on X in Hindi, Gupta described the goddess as a symbol of courage, strength and peace. She referred to Maa Chandraghanta’s crescent moon-adorned forehead and her depiction seated on a lion, saying the goddess dispels the fears, crises and sorrows of devotees and blesses them with fearlessness and well-being.
“O world-benevolent Maa Chandraghanta, may your boundless grace ever remain upon all the people of our land. May every home be filled with happiness and prosperity, every heart with peace, and every life with auspiciousness,” she added.
The third day of Shardiya Navratri falls on October 13 this year. Devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta, the third manifestation of Goddess Durga, and seek her blessings through prayers, pujas and other religious rituals.
Shardiya Navratri began on October 11 and is being observed across the country with traditional ceremonies, fasting and temple visits. The nine-day Hindu festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, with each day associated with a different manifestation of the goddess.
Maa Chandraghanta is traditionally depicted with a crescent moon shaped like a bell on her forehead and is associated with courage, strength, peace and protection from negative forces. Devotees pray to her for confidence, spiritual strength and well-being.
The festival culminates in Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, which symbolises the victory of good over evil.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The reserve administration has objected to releasing monkeys from outside the protected forest area, citing potential risks to wildlife and the natural ecosystem.
The Bareilly Municipal Corporation had planned to capture the monkeys, conduct health examinations and release them at a suitable location. It wrote to the chief conservator of forests in Bareilly on September 29 seeking help in identifying an appropriate site.
Chief Conservator of Forests P Singh said monkeys living in urban areas frequently come into contact with humans and depend on garbage or food provided by people.
"Releasing such monkeys into a forest environment can alter their behaviour and feeding habits and affect the natural ecosystem. If they are carrying an infectious disease, there is also a risk of transmission to other wildlife," he said, adding that releasing animals from outside into the protected Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was not appropriate.
A senior scientist in the wildlife department at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, A M Pawde, said monkeys could transmit diseases such as tuberculosis to wildlife.
Contact with the saliva, faeces, urine or other bodily secretions of infected monkeys could increase infection risk, he said, stressing that health screening and identification of a suitable release site were necessary before relocating them to any forest area.
Pilibhit Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh also expressed concern that the sudden arrival of urban monkeys could disrupt the natural food cycle.
Unlike monkeys accustomed to forests, those captured from residential areas might struggle to adapt to the new environment, he said.
Their presence could also damage bird nests and rare vegetation, he added.
Bareilly Divisional Forest Officer Diksha Bhandari said animals captured in urban areas could not simply be released into forest areas and that a decision on identifying a suitable natural habitat was still pending.
Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Maurya said the municipal corporation was responsible for capturing the monkeys, while the animal husbandry department was responsible for examining their health. No permission had so far been received to release them in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, he said, adding that the forest department would have to identify a suitable site.
The municipal corporation will seek the formation of a joint committee at the district magistrate's level, comprising officials from the forest department, municipal corporation and animal husbandry department.
The proposed committee will decide on the capture of monkeys, their medical examination, selection of an appropriate location and arrangements for their safe relocation.
The plan remains on hold until a suitable site is identified and the concerns regarding wildlife safety are addressed, officials said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>A statement issued by Fonseca’s press office on Monday read: “Virginia and Vini Jr are no longer together. There was no fight, just the mutual understanding that they’ll no longer continue as a couple.” This brings an end to a relationship that the two had re-kindled in June, after announcing an initial split in May.
Reports about their split emerged a few days ago when Fonseca — a social media influencer and TV presenter — was seen in Miami without the winger.
]]>View this post on Instagram
Earlier in the day, Sachin shared a series of pictures of the father-daughter duo with his 51.6 million Instagram followers, and wrote: “There was a time when I was the one showing you the way. Now, more often than not, I’m simply happy to see where you go. Happy birthday, Sara. Love you.”
]]>They said a joint press conference of INDIA bloc leaders would precede the tea at Gandhi's 5, Sunehri Bagh Road residence.
The invite sent by LoP Rahul Gandhi on Monday said, "Following today's March for Democracy and the submission of the petition ... a joint press conference of INDIA leaders will be held tomorrow afternoon, followed by tea. I invite you to join me at my residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, New Delhi, at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 13th October," as per PTI.
Sources further said that deliberations on the strategy for joint protests against "vote chori" (vote theft) and to press for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation are also expected to take place during the meeting at Gandhi's residence.
This comes a day after the raging protests over the vote theft charge reached the Supreme Court's doorstep. Opposition stalwarts, joined by activists and civil society members, undertook a "March for Democracy" on a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against SIR and alleged poll irregularities in a major show of strength in the national capital.
A mammoth crowd carrying flags and posters descended on central Delhi's Connaught Place, with Leaders of Opposition (LoPs) in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav; TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, CPI's D Raja, CPI-M leader M A Baby, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, besides NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule, among those joining the march.
While the protesters breached one barricade at the Bhagwan Dass Road, they were finally halted at the second barricade on the road. Later, top leaders of the INDIA bloc went to the Supreme Court to file their petition.
The petition has made the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, and other Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi parties in the case.
The development came after the Chief Justice of India declined a request for a meeting with the LoPs on the issue, saying the matter is sub judice.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>With a keen interest in nature, Tillu discovered the Miyawaki method during the pandemic and with help from local residents and 22 artistes from Mumbai, he developed the forest as a shared community effort.
Rupesh Tillu
“I always wanted to build an artist residency where you can just go and work and have your own place. I combined that with my love for nature as I grew up with my grandmother for a few years in Karjat and experienced nature very closely. That’s when I felt that I should try to invest in a space that combines both my passions,” Tillu explains.
That is where the idea of a Miyawaki forest came through. Developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, the method involves planting native trees close together to create dense forests while increasing the tree cover. For Tillu, it is about rebuilding an ecosystem. “A healthy forest needs three layers: tall canopy trees, medium-sized trees and bushes as forests are not isolated trees; everything is connected,” he says.
Saplings of different native species at the Miyawaki forest in Palghar
The plantation is home to species like banyan, peepal, harda, parijat, karanj, kadamb, arjun, bel, jamun, kokum and amla among others. These native species are suited to local conditions and can support birds, insects and pollinators. “The more you learn about trees, the more you realise how much is happening beneath the soil. Everything is connected, but we have learnt to see things in isolation,” he says.
For now, the plantation is a small experiment with a much larger goal to complete by the end of the year. Tillu hopes that as the forest grows, local residents will be encouraged to create similar green spaces on unused land. As he explains the science behind the importance of Miyawaki planting, he adds, “People need to see that it works. Once they see the forest growing, they may feel inspired to plant more. For those who are curious, anyone can join in. The more, the merrier,” he signs off.
Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki
At The Fools Paradise, Gargaon-Ambepada Road, Grampanchayat- Gargaon, Wada, Jawhar, Palghar.
Log on to @foolsparadiseresidency
. Source your saplings right: Approach local nurseries or forest department nurseries for native tree saplings suited to your region. Always check which species are available before planning the plantation.
. Gather your materials: Source rice husk from local rice mills or agricultural suppliers, vermicompost from compost producers or nurseries, and dried leaves from gardens or existing green spaces.
. Prepare the soil: Dig to around three feet and mix the excavated soil with dried leaves, rice husk and vermicompost before returning it to the ground.
. Let it rest: Allow the enriched soil to settle for a few months before planting.
. Choose native species: Select trees indigenous to the region to support local biodiversity.
. Plant in layers: Combine tall canopy trees, medium-sized trees and smaller plants or bushes, planting them close together.
. Build an ecosystem: Aim to support soil health, insects, pollinators and birds.
Information Courtesy/Rupesh Tillu
]]>Celebrate Navratri with this vegetarian thali that brings a desi twist to classics. Dig into Subz Shikampuri Kebab, Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Khatte Meethe Kaddu before rounding off the meal with Kesar Badam Milk Cake served with Pear Murabba.
AT Comorin, Nilaya Anthology, Lower Parel.
CALL 35387627 Cost R1299 onwards
Make Sundays yummy with this Thai-inspired brunch featuring Bangkok-style breakfast plates, Thai Corn Ribs, Thai Chilli Prawn Toast and Mango Sticky Rice 2.0. Pair your picks with refreshing drinks from the Thai-inspired Spritz Bar.
AT Sweeney, Khar West.
CALL 7304295000
COST Rs 3500 for two
Let your tastebuds travel across India with this new menu with dishes such as Himachali Mushroom Siddu to Darjeeling Jhol Momo, and Spinach and Cheese Kataifi among others.
AT Kona Kona, Veera Desai Industrial Estate, Andheri West.
CALL 9867880076
COST Rs 1500 for two
The Stop-Gaps Junior Choral Ensemble
The presentation in December will mark another milestone for the academy — a decade since their first performance in Goa in 2016 where young choristers performed the 16 Ave Marias in different churches, including the historic Basilica of Bom Jesus. We learn that it was another concert in the state in February this year that inspired director Alfred D’Souza to bring the big festive showcase to Goa.
Sharon Prabhakar
Local choirs in Margao will be in great company, thanks to choristers from Mumbai and Chennai joining the grand harmony. A tad nostalgic, D’Souza will admit. The choir ensemble traces its root to Chennai’s Chinnamalai, where it was established to raise funds to alleviate the sufferings of the communities who lived on the banks of the overflowing Adyar River.
Alfred D’Souza
The times are a-changin’ and the 54-year-old choir knows it well. The festive tunes will be followed by dance-y Broadway renditions in Mapusa. On The Beautiful Big Musical Path will draw inspiration from the likes of Cats, Matilda, and Oklahoma, featuring The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble, the Stop-Gaps Gaps Junior Choral Ensemble and leading soloists from the Mumbai stage and theatre such as Sharon Prabhakar, Asif Ali Beg, Delna Mody and Marie Paul.
“The young choristers are pumped to experience Christmastime in Goa. Many of them have their exams lined up in Mumbai as soon as they return to the city,” Pereira chuckles.
Asif Ali Beg
Mumbai’s audiophiles need not fret. We are told that the city is still on the radar. “Same time, same place?” we ask. Not quite. For the first time, the performance plans to move out of the Nariman Point venue of the National Centre for the Performing Arts, into the St Andrews Auditorium in Bandra West. With tickets for the multi-city celebrations out as soon as October 15, we’re already rehearsing our sing-alongs.
The Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble at their first Festival Of Festive Music at the NCPA in 1985
Goa
ON December 5 (Margao); December 6 (Mapusa)
AT Ravindra Bhavan, Margao; The Ark Auditorium, Mapusa.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
Mumbai
ON December 19 and 20 AT St Andrews Auditorium, Bandra West.
LOG ON TO @thestopgaps for details
Born in Odisha but raised in Mumbai, Das learnt about her birthplace through her parents, who made sure its traditions and cuisine travelled with them. Her husband and in-laws later helped her reconnect with those roots, turning a childhood inheritance into a relationship she continues to discover. Now, through GupChup Table, her Mumbai-based supper club, she is opening that personal archive to others with a traditional Odia Dussehra Puja Bhoji.
Guests gather around the table for the Dussehra Puja Bhoji
“I’ve always felt that food is one of the most beautiful ways to keep a culture alive and bring people closer to their roots,” she says. The tables are intimate; dishes arrive course by course, and conversation has as much room as the food. Guests are encouraged to linger, exchange stories and discover a culture without feeling as though they are sitting through a lesson in it.
For Odias living in Mumbai, the gathering might stir memories of family celebrations and familiar festive rituals. For those encountering the cuisine for the first time, it offers a way into Odisha through the people, traditions and stories behind the meal. “We want them to feel like they’ve been invited home for a meal,” she says.
Rasmita Das
It is a fitting ambition for a supper club named GupChup Table. The name evokes both a beloved Odia street food and the chatter that makes a meal memorable. Das hopes guests arrive curious about the culture and leave having made connections of their own.
ON October 17 and 18
AT Dahisar East (location and time revealed upon registration)
LOG ON TO @GupChup_table (for the registration form)
COST Rs 1350 onwards
. Tanka Torani: A tangy fermented rice-water drink with curd, mango ginger, lemon and spices
. GupChup: Crisp puris filled with spiced potato and tangy flavoured water, an Odia street-food favourite
. Dahi Bara Aloo Dum: Soft urad dal dumplings in seasoned yoghurt, served with spicy potato curry
. Kanika: Fragrant rice cooked with ghee, spices, sugar, nuts and raisins for festive occasions.
. Dalma: Lentils simmered with seasonal vegetables and traditional spices
. Chhui Aloo Besara: Potatoes and drumsticks cooked in a robust mustard-based gravy
. Tamatar Khajuri Khata: Tomatoes and dates cooked with spices for a sweet-and-sour accompaniment.
. Bhoji Kheeri: Creamy rice pudding slowly simmered in milk, it is the festive feast’s sweet finale
Anondo Mela
Explore Bengali home cooking at this festive mela, featuring traditional dishes, family recipes and sweets prepared by home cooks.
ON October 16 to 21; 7 pm to 9.30 pm
AT SNDT Women’s College, Kidwai Marg, Matunga East.
LOG ON TO hoyichoyianondo.com
Kalbadevi Sarvajanin Durga Puja
Experience Mumbai’s 97-year-old community puja, with traditional rituals, festive gatherings and a taste of Bengali bhog.
ON October 15 to 21
AT Madhav Baug, Kalbadevi, Charni Road.
LOG ON TO kalbadevisarvajanin.om
Durga Maa knife-painting workshop
Create artwork of Goddess Durga using a palette knife at this painting workshop.
ON October 20; 3.30 pm onwards
AT PizzaExpress, Bandra Kurla Complex.
LOG ON TO bombaydrawingroom.com
COST Rs 2299
The two leaders also discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict through negotiations, according to an official readout issued by the US State Department.
The conversation highlighted the importance both governments attach to protecting maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with international shipping routes.
Secretary of State Rubio and Foreign Secretary Miliband “reiterated their shared commitment to safeguarding transit in the Strait of Hormuz and the importance of holding Iran to account for its actions,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
The discussion came amid continuing concerns over regional security and the potential impact of instability in the Gulf on international shipping and energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz remains particularly important for major Asian energy consumers, including India, which depend on international maritime routes for substantial portions of their crude oil and liquefied natural gas imports.
Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the waterway could affect global energy prices, transportation costs and supply chains.
However, the State Department did not announce any new restrictions, naval deployments or operational arrangements following Monday's conversation.
Rubio and Miliband also discussed continued cooperation to protect American assets in Britain.
According to the State Department, the two officials emphasised “continued collaboration to secure U.S. assets in the United Kingdom.”
The readout did not identify the facilities involved or provide details of any specific threat.
The reference to American assets in Britain came as Washington and its European partners continued to coordinate on defence and regional security issues.
The two officials also addressed the broader economic implications of international conflicts, including the need for stability in energy markets.
“Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the value of our close partnership to stabilize global energy markets while also bringing the Russia-Ukraine conflict to an end through a negotiated settlement,” Pigott said.
The statement linked transatlantic energy cooperation with diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
The conversation took place on the same day President Donald Trump renewed his call for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach an agreement.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Ohio, Trump said both leaders needed to end the fighting and reiterated his belief that a negotiated settlement was possible.
The State Department readout did not indicate whether Rubio and Miliband discussed Trump's latest comments or any specific ceasefire arrangement.
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]]>Devastating waves leave California beach homes on brink of collapse https://t.co/9hMaONSB83 https://t.co/C51oINX9KZ
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 13, 2026
Tropical Storm Rachel brought less rain than forecasters had predicted but the heavy surf -- driven by a confluence of factors including the abnormal storm system, high tide, the impact of El Nino and human-caused climate change -- was enough to severely damage some coastal properties.
Dramatic photos and video footage showed homes along the city's peninsula teetering precariously, while its historic boardwalk was partially swept away.
"These kind of impacts are not normal. They're unprecedented for our community," said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson during a weekend press conference.
"This is a sobering reminder of the power of nature," he added.
Some residents who lived on particularly threatened blocks were issued mandatory evacuation orders through Tuesday.
Richardson urged people to take seriously warnings to prepare, including picking up city-provided sandbags, saying "our infrastructure was not built for this."
"This accelerates all of our urgency to address climate resiliency on our coastline," he added.
The local leader pointed to warnings that El Nino's effects will worsen into the winter and are expected to wreak more havoc along California's coast.
City official Tom Modica detailed a plan at the press conference for immediate and longer-term resiliency strategies, including repair of the damaged boardwalk as well as its failed bulkhead, a vertical retaining structure that's meant to stabilize waterfront property.
Modica also pointed to a dredging project intended to widen the beach by about 200 feet (60 meters) by adding some 415,000 cubic yards (317,000 cubic meters) of sand, a project he said was now accelerated to begin October 19.
The National Hurricane Center said the worst of Rachel was over but "hazardous coastal conditions" could persist for days, with the highest waves coinciding with high tides, causing life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Pacific hurricanes that impact southern California to this degree are rare.
Rachel was the latest named entrant in this year's unusually active season, weather charged by the recurring El Nino pattern that this time around is particularly extreme.
El Nino raises surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean and causes global changes in winds and rainfall.
In the Atlantic, it tends to rein in the strength and frequency of hurricanes, but in the Pacific it has the opposite effect.
Human-caused climate change can worsen El Nino's impacts. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, allowing rains to turn more intense.
Paris Henken, a US competitive sailor, said in a viral Instagram post that she had been a tenant of one of the buildings now on the brink of collapse.
"An ocean front 1 bedroom that had everything we could have ever wanted. As an Olympic sailor aiming for LA2028 I was steps away from my playground (maybe a little too close)," she wrote in the caption.
"To see three storms undo a place that brought so much peace is devastating," Henken continued.
She also referenced the chorus of criticism that many homes along California's coast belong to the wealthy or are second homes, and that they never should've been built on such a vulnerable landscape.
"Although it's true the Peninsula is home to many multi-million-dollar homes, our little community was far from that," wrote the athlete.
"We are renters and can get up and move, but the sense of stability this apartment gave us was everything to me."
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]]>As per PTI, the Maharashtra government on Sunday named senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, the FDA commissioner acclaimed for strictly enforcing food safety regulations, as secretary of the panel.
The committee formed by the government will probe the tenure of present as well as past chairpersons and members of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said while proposing the panel last week.
Other than Mundhe, the committee will have ex-judge Dilip Bhosale as its chairman, IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, ex-IAS officer Ganesh Patil, and retired judge P D Naik as members.
State minister Shivendraraje Bhosale conveyed the decision on the composition of the probe panel on Sunday, after meeting MPSC aspirants at SM Joshi Bridge in Pune, where they had been agitating for 10 days in support of their demands, including reforms in the commission. The agitating aspirants later ended their protest, as per PTI.
Subsequently, MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced he had proceeded on leave till the inquiry was completed.
Maharashtra Minister Bhosale told the protesters that their other demands would be addressed too.
These included withdrawing cases against some representatives of the agitation, recruiting for 70,000 posts over three years, increasing the number of seats in the Group C examination scheduled for January, and conducting background checks on the MPSC chairman and secretary before their appointment.
Rohit Pawar welcomes Tukaram Mundhe’s inclusion in the inquiry committee
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who had been protesting alongside the MPSC aspirants, welcomed Mundhe's inclusion in the committee.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said, "The scope of the committee will be to probe the alleged irregularities in the conduct of exams and also probe the tenure of current and past chairpersons and other members of MPSC. We are sure that with Mundhe in the committee, the probe will be transparent," as per PTI.
He also added, "We hope that the committee will have the freedom to work properly."
Last week, Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed his government's readiness to form an inquiry committee to probe paper leaks and alleged irregularities in MPSC exams.
He said MPSC aspirants' demand was to remove the present chairman Bhimanwar for the paper leaks that had taken place when he was not the recruitment body's chief.
Fadnavis said, "They demanded that the state government should send a recommendation to the President of India for the ouster of the present chairman. The state government proposed a judicial inquiry committee which would probe current as well as the past chairpersons and officials (members) of the MPSC," as per PTI.
If the committee finds any misconduct on the part of the chairperson, its recommendation would be sent to the President as per Article 317 for appropriate action.
Article 317 of the Constitution deals with the removal and suspension of the chairman and members of a Public Service Commission (such as UPSC or SPSCs).
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>“I think, actually, Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky,” Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for a political rally in Ohio.
His remarks came as reporters pressed him on Russia's continued strikes against Ukraine and whether Moscow had agreed to his proposal for halting attacks on energy infrastructure.
Trump insisted that both countries supported the ceasefire initiative, although a reporter pointed out that Putin had not publicly committed to it.
“I think they both support it. I think they want to make a deal, but they don't know how. But we're going to get them to make a deal,” he said.
Asked specifically how he intended to persuade Putin to abide by the proposed ceasefire, Trump again placed emphasis on securing Zelensky's agreement.
“Well, I think what's happening is he wants to make a deal, and we have to get Zelensky to want to make a deal,” the President said.
The exchange underscored Trump's continued confidence that he could broker an agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, despite the absence of a publicly confirmed ceasefire accepted by both governments.
When a reporter challenged his earlier assertion that Russia and Ukraine had already agreed to a ceasefire, Trump stood by his account.
“Well, they agreed, you know why? Because I said you agree, that's why. They agreed because I said they agreed and that thing has to get settled,” he said.
The President did not provide details of any formal understanding between the two countries or explain how the proposed arrangement would be monitored and enforced.
Asked about reports that Russia had violated the ceasefire by attacking Ukraine overnight, Trump said he needed to examine the circumstances.
“I'm not sure about that and we'll take a look,” he said.
He subsequently suggested that responsibility for violations was not confined to Moscow.
“Well, I'd have to look at it and see because there's been violations on both sides,” Trump said.
The President also cited what he described as mounting casualties in the conflict, arguing that the continued loss of life made a negotiated settlement urgent.
“This month, they lost 32,000 people in that war, and it's ridiculous. So, they have to get together and get it done,” he said.
Trump later repeated the figure, describing those killed as predominantly young soldiers. He did not identify the source of the estimate, which could not be independently verified from his remarks.
Asked what message he had for Putin after Zelensky reportedly expressed support for an energy ceasefire, Trump maintained that an agreement remained possible.
“Well, we're going to see what happens. We'll get it done,” he said.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and has produced years of fighting, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and heavy military and civilian casualties. Both governments have repeatedly accused the other of attacking energy facilities and other targets.
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]]>Trump, speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Ohio, said the matter was being handled by the Justice Department, even as he launched a personal attack on the Somali-born lawmaker.
“Well, I understand they're looking at it very carefully. I've always found them to be totally crooked personally, but that has nothing to do with me,” Trump said when asked about the investigation.
“I think she's a terrible person, just a complainer. She comes from a country that is a non-country, and then she comes over here and she complains about our Constitution,” he added.
Trump insisted that he had no role in the investigation.
“I think she's a terrible person, but that's really up to the DOJ; I have nothing to do with it,” he said.
His remarks followed a search of Omar's Washington residence by agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative arm of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Justice Department confirmed that agents executed a judicially authorised search warrant as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.
The department did not publicly disclose the precise nature of the investigation or identify any criminal charges against Omar.
CBS News reported that the inquiry concerned immigration documents dating to Omar's childhood, including paperwork completed by her late father when the family came to the United States.
Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and one of Trump's most outspoken congressional critics, rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.
Her office described the search as an abuse of federal law enforcement powers and maintained that she had done nothing wrong.
The congresswoman also accused the administration of seeking to intimidate her through politically motivated investigations.
The search drew a sharp response from Representative Jamie Raskin, the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, who questioned both its timing and justification.
“Federal agents appear to have searched a sitting congresswoman’s home not to investigate any real crime or threat, but to carry out a campaign of political retribution against one of President Trump’s most outspoken critics,” Raskin said in a statement.
He accused the Justice Department of violating its policy governing politically sensitive investigative actions close to elections.
“Just 22 days before the elections, this is blatant political intimidation and an attempt to interfere with the Congresswoman’s reelection,” Raskin said.
The allegation of political interference has not been independently established. The existence of a judicially authorised warrant does not, by itself, establish whether the investigation was politically motivated.
Raskin said House Judiciary Committee Democrats would seek accountability over the decision to conduct the search.
“House Judiciary Committee Democrats stand with Rep. Omar against this outrageous abuse of power, and we will be demanding transparency and accountability as to who authorized this abusive search and who carried it out,” he said.
The confrontation comes weeks before the November 3 congressional elections, when Republicans and Democrats will compete for control of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Omar, who represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, was first elected to Congress in 2018. Born in Somalia, she arrived in the United States as a refugee and later became an American citizen.
She is among the first Muslim women elected to the US Congress and has frequently clashed with Trump over immigration, foreign policy and his administration's treatment of minority communities.
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]]>He termed the event as “disgraceful” and “unprecedented”, saying LoP Rahul Gandhi is trying to “throw the country into the fire of chaos”.
“I think no opposition leader has ever done anything like this before,” he stressed.
The Rajya Sabha MP criticised (LoP) Rahul Gandhi for allegedly “running across to the other side, breaking through the security cordon, and trying to enter from another gate”, calling it evidence of one losing his mental balance or being driven by some “suspicious powers where he appears ready to go to any length to create disorder on the streets of India”.
Trivedi also alleged that on Monday itself, the Congress-Muslim League coalition government of Kerala, through the state unit of the Congress, posted a very lowly comment on social media X, where words like “Dear Suryakant” were used to address the Chief Justice of India.
It added that the Chief Justice should resign if he is not able to uphold law and order, saying that they will appoint someone new in his place.
“Crores of fellow citizens should understand that law-and-order is anyway not really a matter for the court,” he pointed out.
“The Congress party of just one state is saying that you should resign, and we will make a new alternative. This clearly shows what they intended: first, they wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, then Home Minister Amit Shah, then Prime Minister Modi, and now they want Chief Justice Suryakant to resign,” charged the BJP National Spokesperson.
This, he added, clarifies the stand taken by the Kerala unit of the party, where the Congress is in government in alliance with the Muslim League, and both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi have represented it.
“So now it's clear that the Congress has become the Maoist Congress of the Muslim League, going to any extent like a ‘dimagi Naxal’, totally shameless and brazen to destroy every constitutional institution and create chaos on the streets of India,” he stated.
“I think the crores of countrymen should keep in mind that, right now, the Congress party and the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have become the biggest threat to India's constitutional bodies and the Constitution of India,” he added.
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]]>Forest staff launched a search after finding Asha with only four of her five cubs during routine monitoring.
The missing cub was subsequently found dead, the Field Director of Project Cheetah at Kuno said.
"During morning monitoring, Asha was observed with four of her five cubs. A search was undertaken to locate the missing cub, which was subsequently found dead,” the Field Director said in a statement.
The cause of death is yet to be established and will be known after the post-mortem report is received, the official said.
The death has reduced Kuno’s cheetah population to 53, including 40 Indian-born animals.
Of these, 15 are currently roaming freely in the wild, while the others are in enclosures or under monitoring.
Asha gave birth to five cubs around eight months ago. The litter was a significant development for Project Cheetah, which seeks to establish a self-sustaining population of the species in India, where cheetahs were declared extinct in 1952.
The latest loss highlights the challenges facing the reintroduction programme, which has recorded births of cubs in India but has also witnessed deaths of adult cheetahs and young animals since its launch.
India began Project Cheetah in September 2022 with the translocation of eight cheetahs from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Sheopur district.
Another 12 cheetahs were brought from South Africa in February 2023 as part of efforts to restore the species to its historical range.
The programme involves international cooperation with African countries and requires sustained habitat management, adequate prey, veterinary care and scientific monitoring to help the animals survive and breed in Indian conditions.
Besides Kuno, four cheetahs are currently housed at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and two at Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, taking the total number of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh to 59. Of these, 41 were born in India.
Forest officials said monitoring of Asha and her four surviving cubs would continue following the incident.
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]]>A Monday statement from the Regional Prosecutor’s Office of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine said Russian forces had attacked an energy facility on the outskirts of the city. This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that while he “welcomed” Trump’s announcement, Russia was still hitting energy infrastructure in the capital Kyiv and in Kharkiv.
Trump’s social media post on Sunday announcing the purported agreement to mutually cease attacks on energy sites said only that the ceasefire took effect immediately, adding: “Do not break it!”
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]]>The accident took place around 8 am when a bus carrying staff members of a private school in Hathras was coming here from Aligarh.
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]]>That number only includes those buried by authorities in Djibouti. Others have been buried by the migrants themselves but they won’t be added to the official count until authorities can verify the bodies, Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti, told the AP via the phone.
“What is terrible is that they were buried with no names, in a common grave, like in a war situation,” Coissac said. “They all have a mother, a father, and we may never learn what happened.”
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]]>The 80-year-old leader was admitted to hospital in the morning, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said. He is in the ICU, where doctors are keeping him under observation, it said. Rajapaksa’s hospitalisation comes amid legal proceedings involving his family over alleged financial irregularities.
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]]>Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, speaking at a press briefing, said Tehran remained deeply concerned about the developments in the region and was willing to use its diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between the parties.
Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson
“Our request is that this situation be truly resolved through dialogue and interaction. As I said, such a situation is definitely not in the best interest of the Islamic Ummah and our region,” Baghaei said while responding to a question about the recent developments in Yemen.
Baghaei’s remarks came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held a telephone conversation with his Saudi counterpart amid the deteriorating situation in Yemen.
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]]>The flooding in the Budhi Gandaki River on Sunday comes less than two months after the August 26 Bhotekoshi disaster.
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]]>Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued the standing order on October 11, naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground as the new designated sites for protests and demonstrations.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had constituted a committee to examine alternative proper venues for citizens right to organise protest/demonstrations in place of the existing designated site,” the order read.
Meanwhile, minutes after announcing the reopening of entry-exit gates of six metro stations, the DMRC on Monday took a U-turn and extended the closure until 5 pm, citing security reasons. The entry and exit gates at Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road have remained closed since 6 am.
“Ye mera mudda nahin hai. [This matter doesn’t pertain to my domain,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said on Monday, when asked about protests against the CEC in Delhi over the past few days and the associated restrictions.
The CJI, when asked by reporters about these protests and the restrictions on movement, said the matter was related to law and order.
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]]>Officials, while briefing about the incident, said that the incident was reported at around 2.02 am on October 13, opposite Adarsh Vidyalaya, behind Diva National English School Hall in Sabegaon, Diva.
As per officials, the fire engulfed the auto-rickshaw and 22 two-wheelers parked along the road. Local residents and fire brigade personnel responded to the incident and worked to extinguish the flames.
Police personnel and fire brigade teams were present at the spot, with one fire engine and one rescue vehicle deployed. The blaze was completely extinguished at around 3.16 am, and the situation was brought under control.
All 23 vehicles were completely burnt and damaged in the incident, including the auto-rickshaw.
Among the damaged two-wheelers were motorcycles and scooters belonging to several residents, including Hero, Honda, Suzuki, TVS, and Bajaj models. The vehicles included a Hero Passion Pro, Honda SP 125, Honda Activa, Honda Shine, Suzuki Avenis, TVS Jupiter, TVS Ntorq, Bajaj Pulsar, and Hero Splendor.
While ownership details of 15 vehicles have been identified through their registration numbers, the details of 8 other vehicles are yet to be known, along with the auto-rickshaw.
No injuries were reported, and the situation was under control after the fire was extinguished. While the cause of the fire is yet unknown.
Further investigation is underway.
In a separate incident on October 8, seven gas cylinders exploded after a fire broke out at a labour camp at a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation PAP project in Tata Nagar, Navghar Road, Mulund East, on Thursday afternoon, raising concerns about safety arrangements at the crowded workers’ accommodation.
The fire was reported at 1.54 pm, following which the fire brigade arrived at the spot. The fire was declared Level-I by the Mumbai Fire Brigade officials at 2.05 pm. According to officials, all the workers were evacuated safely, and no casualties were reported.
]]>The CJI said this in a letter declining the request for a meeting by Kharge and Gandhi who sought to submit a memorandum on issues concerning the Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, the alleged arbitrary arrest of several students, closure of metro stations and cancellation of trains.
CJI Justice Surya Kant. Pic/PTI
The CJI declined the meeting on Monday and told them that discussing pending cases would be improper and urged them to file a petition with the court either physically or online.
Meanwhile, Opposition stalwarts, along with hundreds of supporters and activists, undertook their “March for Democracy” to the Supreme Court on Monday on a heavily barricaded route and filed a joint petition against SIR and alleged poll irregularities, in another show of strength after a series of street protests over the “vote chori” charge.
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]]>These scenes unravelled on the final day of the travelling exhibition called Becoming that wrapped up on Sunday. It was an exhibition curated by children’s author and Pickle Yolk Books publisher, Richa Jha and showcased 125 illustrations by 75 past and contemporary illustrators from books published by 26 publishers. Originated in Delhi, the Mumbai edition was patronised by organisations like Tata Trusts (PARAG), Takshila, Jaipur BookMark and Coforge Public Libraries, and was ably supported by Sangeeta Bhansali of indie bookstore, Kahani Tree.
Going by the nuggets of information that I was privy to, from parents, children, and educators who were in attendance, it appeared to have served its purpose. For most of them, it was their second, and with some families, their third visit! It was a sight to behold, as I doubled up as a fly-on-the-wall, soaking in all the chatter, and the pitter-patter of tiny feet in an otherwise very ‘adult’ space of an art gallery.
In a space-starved city like ours, it’s tough enough to plough through the red-tapism and babudom to develop creative spaces for adults. For kids, it’s an even bigger, Herculean task to find opportunities and tiny windows of wonderment, where they can let their minds wander, and allow the ideas in their heads to find safe, immersive landing spaces. What we witnessed across the first level of the PL Deshpande Hall in Prabhadevi was a delightfully created ecosystem, carefully curated for kids to discover art, adventures, stories, fantasies and just about every visual experience inside a gallery space, which refreshingly, didn’t feel intimidating or overwhelming.
One of the most fascinating parts was dedicated to the artworks by the pioneers of illustration in children’s books in India—stalwarts like Abanindranath Tagore, Upendranath Kishore Roychowdhury, Sukumar Ray, Nandalal Basu, and Satyajit Ray.
Over the days of the exhibition, I learnt that students across age groups and from diverse backgrounds — municipal schools and international schools with affiliations to overseas educational institutions — had participated in a host of activities. There was also large and enthusiastic participation from libraries, NGOs, and not-for-profit organisations working with children. Art workshops and performances around children’s books were quite the hit, with the aim of bringing children and the world of art and literature closer.
This, according to me, is a win-win in so many ways. After all, how many such ideas can boast of such a seamless coming-together of children and the world of books? Not just that, even parents, educators and names associated with young minds in some way or the other could be seen engaging with fellow members of this community.
It wasn’t a festival. It wasn’t a fair. It wasn’t a children’s weekend special. Here was an exhibition that emerged from a simple idea into a living-breathing ecosystem where literature and art organically blended to allow kids to just ‘be’ and have fun in a space that they could call their own for the duration of this unique experience.
The exhibition wrapped up with the cutting of cakes, to celebrate the event’s success and the people who made it happen. For us, the clincher was when Jha unabashedly admitted that the response was far better in Mumbai than in her home city, Delhi! That utterance underlined two things: Mumbai makes time for such endeavours despite being pooh-poohed often for always being a tearing hurry with little or no inclination for such pursuits, and secondly, that we desperately need more such immersive, and discovery-driven experiences so our kids can step out and experience books in novel ways; an ideal escape from their gadget-filled lives.
It’s said it takes a village to raise a child. In this case, it was heartwarming to see how a community got together to do their best to raise lit-meets-art-happy children.
mid-day’s Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana
Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com
The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
]]>Do not go by alarmist social media messages but by credible reports that say authorities will need to regulate and prioritise water supply.
Shut the tap when not needed, ensuring that we have zero wastage during daily chores. At times, taps are on while some other kitchen work is on, as one is preoccupied or feeling too lazy to lean over and shut the tap. Buckets may overflow because one has simply ‘forgotten’ the bucket is being filled.
As Diwali approaches, several households are in cleaning mode, and it is a pride and joy for the festive season. Yet maybe practice mindful cleaning, using cloth swabs, minimising water usage as much as possible or using water extremely wisely, so that we can clean effectively with less water.
We all know bucket baths help save water more than showers, so that is an option. Then, there is watering plants, where water is 100 per cent needed, but even here be careful about good use and no wastage.
Any and all leakages need to be promptly repaired. Building society committees must ensure that there is no leakage in pipes too. Prompt attention is of utmost importance, as even a day of wastage is significant.
In the end, children need to learn these lessons at a very young age, so that it becomes part of growing up and their lives.
]]>A humanoid robot shows off its garba moves at a Navratri festival in Bandra Kurla Complex. Pic/Shadab Khan
The troupe before the performance at Cheonhan. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Some Matunga kids caused a Gondhal in Cheonan, Korea. A group of 29 performers from the Nrutyeshwar International Folk Art People were the only Indian representation at the five-day Cheonan International Dance and Street Festival held from October 1 to 5. “Led by Shashin Mestry, the group, parents and students mainly from Shishuvan school, Matunga, performed four folk forms from India including Gondhal, Lezhim, Songi Mukhawata, Bhangra, Ghoomar, and Dangi,” shared group manager, Siddesh Mestry. The troupe will have a chance to return the favour as they plan to host seven countries at the debut of the Mumbai International Folk Festival that will take place between January 10 to 16, 2027.
A scene from a dance routine on stage in Korea
A moment from the shoot at Jogeshwari; (below) Anand Bhaskar. Pics Courtesy/@anandbhaskarcollective
If you are looking for a moody aesthetic, you might want to drop by at the Jogeshwari Station. The Anand Bhaskar Collective did just that as part of the video snippet for their new single, Rihaa. “It is part of our next album, Jo Na Hua, Kyun Na Hua. The song has a moody feel to it, and is all about not letting your mistakes take control of you. So, we just went with the feel to shoot on the move. Some parts of it were shot at Jogeshwari, while others at Marine Drive station. We also shot in the Alps for a section though,” shared vocalist Anand Bhaskar.
Karan Shah (left) and Samyukta Nair
Juhu seems to be the place for chefs and restaurateurs, and foodies for that matter, this month. Karan Shah of the popular foodie haunt, Swati Snacks and Samyukta Nair, LSL Capital (Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, and Mimi Mei Fair) have teamed up to give Mumbai foodies a taste of Gujarati home fare with their new venture, Makaan, that opens doors on October 21. The 58-cover space will deliver warm Gujarati, home flavours from the delicious Locho, Pudla, Gatta Shaak, filling Satpadi Rotis, and Panki, rounded out by the ever popular Shrikhand. In the midst of cosmopolitan and international flavours, this is a delicious change we look forward to.
A view of the interiors of the bar
Versova will get a taste of the retro world of speakeasies with Trapdoor on October 26. Inspired by the covert drinking dens of the Prohibition-Era and the progressive Omakase cocktail experience, the space will welcome patrons through a telephone booth entrance, where an access code will reveal a hidden trapdoor. “Trapdoor was never intended to be just another bar. We wanted to create a world with its own personality, a place that feels intriguing when you discover it, memorable when you experience it, and compelling enough to return to,” Arka Mukherjee, managing partner, confirmed with us.
]]>The initiative aims to help people access and share their digital health records when seeking treatment, reducing their dependence on carrying physical medical reports between healthcare providers.
The system could be particularly useful for Mumbai’s migrant population. People who travel to their native places or relocate for work may be able to share their health histories with healthcare providers elsewhere, subject to the applicable consent and access arrangements.
“The objective of this 100-day mission is to ensure that more and more citizens are brought under the ABHA framework so that their healthcare records can be accessed digitally whenever required. We want to make healthcare more accessible and seamless, irrespective of where a person seeks treatment,” Prajakta Verma-Lavangare, additional municipal commissioner (city and health), told mid-day.
[popcorn number="Oct 2" desc="Day the BMC launched the 100-day drive " class="Default"]
Reaching Mumbai’s constantly moving population remains a challenge. Many residents are away from home during regular working hours, making conventional door-to-door registration drives difficult.
To address this, the civic body has trained ASHA workers to facilitate registrations at ration shops, which attract substantial public footfall.
The first 10 days saw approximately 12,000 to 13,000 registrations, despite two holidays during the period, the official said.
“The larger goal is to build a digital health ecosystem in which registered patients do not have to repeatedly produce physical records and government doctors across the country can access their medical histories through the authorised system. Thus, we also urge those who are young and tech-savvy to register themselves and their family members,” Prajakta
Verma-Lavangare said.
Website: Visit abha.abdm.gov.in and select “Create ABHA Number”.
Choose a method: Select Aadhaar-based registration and enter the Aadhaar number, or use another registration method offered on the portal.
Verify details: Complete the required OTP or authentication process and check the personal details displayed.
Create an ABHA address: Set an address, such as name123@abdm, where prompted.
Download the card: Once generated, the 14-digit ABHA number and card can be saved for future use.
Keep in mind: An ABHA account is a digital health identifier, not health insurance. It does not, by itself, guarantee free treatment or automatically give every doctor access to a person’s medical records.
]]>According to the police, the accused would visit garment shops, select clothes and obtain the shopkeeper’s mobile number.
They would then send a fake message claiming the payment had been credited to the shopkeeper’s bank account and leave with the goods.
One of the incidents took place on September 11 at Shop No. 2, Shubhra Apartments, Khar West, owned by Rajesh Narsi Patel, according to the police. “The accused sent a fake message claiming that the amount had been credited to the shopkeeper’s account and escaped with the goods. When the shopkeeper realised he had been cheated, he approached the police and registered an FIR,” a police officer said.
. Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Mohitkumar Garg
. Senior Inspector Santosh Kate
. Police Sub-Inspector Shailesh Chaudhary and team
Acting on a tip-off and technical surveillance, the Khar police tracked the accused — Sameer Parhan, 30; Mohsin Shaikh, 19; and Kaif Saha, 24 — to Qureshi Nagar in Nashik and arrested them. The police also recovered 240 garments, including shirts, trousers, sweaters, jeans, and track pants, along with mobile phones used to send fake payment confirmations.
Acting on a tip-off and technical surveillance, the Khar police tracked the accused — Sameer Parhan, 30; Mohsin Shaikh, 19; and Kaif Saha, 24 — to Qureshi Nagar in Nashik and arrested them. The police also recovered 240 garments, including shirts, trousers, sweaters, jeans, and track pants, along with mobile phones used to send fake payment confirmations.
. Verify payments through your bank account before handing over goods
. Contact your bank to confirm a payment if in doubt
. Ignore collect requests claiming to offer incoming funds
. Never enter your UPI PIN to receive money or unlock a payment
. Avoid unknown links and APK files received through WhatsApp, SMS or email claiming pending refunds, KYC updates, or cash prizes
Several students supporting Wakode have also been on a hunger strike inside the campus, which entered its 11th day on Monday, with nearly 30 students participating.
Sahil’s mother, Sonali Wakode, said she was in no condition to speak when approached for comment.
Deepali Salve, general secretary of the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association (AIISCA)
‘The groups in support of Sahil’s parents will stage a protest at Azad Maidan on October 16’
Following the death of Wakode, the student body at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay staged a campus-wide protest, putting forth 18 demands. After a town hall with the IITB administration, the protest was rolled back, while a faction of students continues a hunger strike on campus.
Deceased Sahil Wakode’s parents, Sonali and Ravindra Wakode
The protests began after 20-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room. He was allegedly caught cheating during a mid-semester exam earlier that morning. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
His parents and students are demanding the immediate arrest of Prof Suryanarayana Doolla and IITB Director Dr Shireesh Kedare. Students are also seeking a new committee to probe the death, alleging possible bias towards faculty.
[popcorn number="30" desc="Approx. no. of students on a hunger strike on campus" class="Default"]
IIT Bombay announced reforms to student wellness and examination procedures over the weekend. However, the changes have failed to satisfy the protesters. The students have sought a dialogue with the administration, provided the internal committee probing Sahil’s death is scrapped and replaced with an independent external committee.
IIT Bombay students appeared for their mid-semester exams over the weekend after they were postponed following protests over Wakode’s death. The exams were conducted under revised standard operating procedures (SOPs), under which students caught cheating would be given a fresh answer booklet.
According to IIT-B students, the institute has also begun distributing forms for invigilators involved in such incidents to fill out. Students will be given an optional form to explain their side of the story. The institute has also reportedly told students of their plans to recruit new on-campus counsellors to strengthen student wellness services.
In a social media post
“There is no word on accountability, no apology for the institute’s first statement linking Sahil to cheating, and no mention of Sahil’s family. Every measure is “being formed”, “underway” or “being explored”; none has a date, members or terms of reference. And a student’s death cannot be answered with wellbeing apps and extended delivery hours, both of which appear in the same email. We need the names, the dates, the terms of reference, and the will to change what is breaking students. Until then, we will continue with our peaceful protest and hunger strike.”
A source close to the production revealed, “The cast and crew resumed shooting on Sunday. From October 12, they began filming an action sequence with Shah Rukh at a studio in Andheri East. The idea is to wrap up all the action portions by mid-October after which Siddharth will turn his attention to the song that has been recently added.”
Suhana Khan. Pics/Instagram, Youtube
We’re told it’s a dance number that will showcase Suhana’s skills. The source added, “Choreographers Piyush Bhagat and Shazia Samji are working on the track. It will be shot at a massive set in Film City. Simultaneously, the team is wrapping up the movie’s visual effects ahead of its December 24 release.” King also stars Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, and Jaideep Ahlawat.
]]>Around 5 pm, people began gathering near the Meenatai Thackeray statue outside the park, carrying tricolour flags and wearing black ribbons on their sleeves and over their mouths as a mark of protest. Anticipating a large turnout, the Mumbai Police had beefed up security in the area.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray gestures to the crowd that gathered for the silent protest
Among the leaders present at the protest were Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai, MLAs Anant (Bala) Nar, Sunil Prabhu and Varun Sardesai, as well as Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of Uddhav Thackeray.
Addressing the crowd near the Meenatai Thackeray statue after being urged to speak by a section of the crowd, Aaditya alleged, “[Former Union Education Minister] Dharmendra Pradhan was not saved, but Gyanesh Kumar is being saved as this government was formed because of vote chori and election theft.”
Protesters march on
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader added, “We have always praised the Mumbai Police, but what we saw them doing yesterday and the day before [October 11 and 10] makes us think if they are obeying orders coming from Delhi.”
Aaditya also said he and his party would stand behind everyone fighting against vote chori, appealing to Mumbaikars to participate in the silent protest at Shivaji Park on Monday.
Bandra resident Sonam Solanki, who brought her child to the protest. Pic/Aditi Alurkar
Hundreds of people turned up for the protest, including workers from Shiv Sena (UBT), the MNS and Congress. However, no one was seen carrying any political party flags.
Bhayander resident Esha Shetty and Borivli resident Shakti. Pic/Aditi Alurkar
The MNS, meanwhile, set up a booth as part of a signature campaign, outlining five demands against the Election Commission: voting via only ballot papers, total cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision process, clean and transparent voter lists, taking all political parties into confidence before election, and the resignation of Kumar. After arriving at the spot, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray took part in the signature campaign.
Protesters seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Shivaji Park on Monday evening. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Younger protestors told mid-day they were there to fight for democracy. “What has been going on concerning the Election Commission has put our democracy at risk. As the youth of this country, we need to make sure that every vote counts and that’s why we are taking to the streets,” said 25-year-old Esha Shetty, who travelled from Bhayander to attend the protest.
Her friend, Shakti, said several issues were interconnected. “Be it votes [alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls], women’s safety, or the education system, it’s all been very uncertain. As citizens, it is crucial to take interest in these issues,” said the 30-year-old Borivli resident.
Bandra resident Sonam Solanki brought her child to the protest, and they had been attending previous demonstrations, too. “It is crucial to show children all of it [life], not just the rosy parts. It started with education-led protests and then those related to corruption. Countries like France, Spain, and Brazil have also seen protests against the system, and, as the youth of the country, we should take it up too,” said Solanki.
Comedienne Aditi Mittal said, “I am at this protest because I want to see how many slogans can rhyme with ‘Gyanesh’ and ‘Vote Chor.’ This time I learned — ‘Kisne becha mera desh, Gyanesh, Gyanesh’ and ‘Vote Chor, Gaddi Chodd.’ I’m sure I’ll learn more in subsequent protests in the coming days.”
7PM
Time demonstration ended on Monday
Deepika Padukone, Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna
It’s been a busy 2026 for Thakur with four releases — Do Deewane Seher Mein, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Dacoit: A Love Story, and the recent Pooja Meri Jaan. While the Hindi Zee 5 film won her praise, none of her theatrical outings was a success.
Allu Arjun in ‘Raaka’. Pics/Instagram
But that doesn’t mean the actor is not flooded with offers. “I am at the top of offers. But I don’t resonate with the stories that are being made. So, I have chosen to take some time off because I don’t want to question why I’m on set every day,” she said.
Is it the dominating genre of action spectacles that has put her off? The choice stems from a deeper place. “I have to spend 120 days on a movie set. So, it’s my conscious effort to sign movies that give me not just love and recognition, but also creative satisfaction. When I go to bed, I don’t want to think that I did bad work. I want to do good work that will be remembered even 30 years down the line.”
[popcorn number="Four" desc="Releases Mrunal Thakur has had in 2026 so far" class="Default"]
]]>Somaiya wrote on his X account that he visited Gamdevi police station on Monday and asked for action against Khan. He added that the police have assured him they will summon the actor.
I visited Gamdevi Police Station & asked action against Imran Khan. Police assured to Summon Imran Khan Police has sent a report to FRRO Foreign Citizen Division also I also filed complaint with FRRO Immigration Division at Mumbai Airport. I talked to the FRRO Officer also. https://t.co/3All9zLXhI
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 12, 2026
Somaiya also posted that he filed a complaint with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer Immigration Division at Mumbai airport.
Somaiya alleged, “Everybody knows Khan was born and brought up in the USA and is a US citizen. He has knowingly violated certain conditions.”
Asked about accusations that Khan’s selfie inside a police van and his social media post stating, “apparently I'm going for a drive,” were for attention, Somaiya responded, “I have nothing to say to all this, and cannot comment whether this is for attention or whatever. I have nothing to do with his personal life or career. I reiterate that he should be deported. That is all I am concerned with.”
Khan did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment on the same.
]]>Snapshots of the post being unavailable
As he checked into it, Sharma learnt that Instagram had removed it in India after “receiving a legal request to restrict content.” “I learned about it on Saturday evening, when I saw that there was no notification around that post and checked my account centre,” he recalled of the post that has disappeared from his Instagram feed.
The reason provided. Pics/Instagram
According to the screenshots shared by Sharma with mid-day, the platform informed him that the legal request was made in relation to Section 69A of the Indian Information Technology Act. Under the act, the central government can issue orders to digital platforms to block public access to online information.
Upset at the development, Sharma questioned citizens’ freedom if access to a mere poem is also restricted by the State. He asserted, “This poem speaks about peaceful protests, the legacy of our ancestors, and the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters. If an artiste can’t even post a poem about what such protests have given to this country, what freedom is left for us to exercise?”
]]>The action includes the cancellation of licences at Krishnam Retails LLP, which operates under the Brijwasi brand in Malad West, and a Zepto warehouse in Bhandup, according to the information provided by the department. The inspections reportedly found deficiencies in food handling, sanitation and hygiene compliance.
In the Taloja area of Raigad district, FDA inspectors reportedly found a dead lizard in the paneer preparation room at Maheshwari Foods. The department destroyed 119 kg of paneer at the premises. At Sawariya Milk, which reportedly supplies around 68 food outlets daily, the FDA disposed of more than 5394 litres of suspected adulterated buffalo milk. Inspectors also flagged the absence of a proper drainage system and discrepancies in billing records. At Royal Foods, officials seized another 1,019 kg of curd over suspected quality violations.
The Zepto warehouse in Bhandup
The crackdown extended to seven eateries and roadside stalls in Pune. Garden Vadapav Centre and Engineer Vadewale were reportedly ordered to stop business for operating without valid licences. Separately, the FDA intercepted 9675 kg of edible oil suspected to be substandard across Pune, Solapur, and Sangli. In Ahilyanagar, officials seized 2065 kg of jaggery that allegedly lacked date markings and was suspected of adulteration.
The FDA also stepped up action against banned gutkha and scented tobacco. During highway checks near Manor Gate on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway, officials seized a sealed container truck carrying gutkha valued at Rs 1.30 crore. Eight people were booked in connection with the case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further raids in Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar reportedly led to six arrests and the seizure of multiple vehicles. The department put the value of the wider crackdown at more than Rs 1.73 crore, though the precise scope of this total needs confirmation. The FDA’s actions are part of its wider drive to prevent the sale of unsafe food, enforce licensing requirements and curb the distribution of prohibited products.
]]>The test relies on a colour change. According to the demonstration shared by the food safety regulator, a sample of melted ghee is mixed with concentrated hydrochloric acid and sugar. A crimson-red or pink colour in the acid layer indicates possible adulteration, while pure ghee shows no such colour change in the demonstration.
A screengrab of a video shared by the FSSAI on social media platform X
The demonstration uses 1 ml of melted ghee and 1 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a test tube. Half a teaspoon of table sugar is then added, and the mixture is shaken vigorously for at least two minutes before being allowed to settle into separate layers.
The colour reaction is linked to the formation of compounds when the acid reacts with sugar. These compounds can react with substances present in vanaspati or certain oils, producing a red or pink colour.
However, there is an important safety caveat: concentrated hydrochloric acid is corrosive and can cause serious burns. Consumers should not attempt this chemical test in their kitchens. It is safer to leave such testing to trained personnel using appropriate protective equipment.
Adulteration can involve the mixing of cheaper fats or oils with ghee, affecting its quality and authenticity. But a colour-based screening method cannot establish the complete composition or safety of a product.
A negative result should not be treated as a guarantee that the ghee is pure. Similarly, a suspicious colour change is not conclusive proof of adulteration. Consumers concerned about a product should retain its packaging, purchase details and batch information, and approach the relevant food safety authority for guidance and, where necessary, laboratory testing.
FSSAI also provides consumer-awareness material on detecting common food adulterants through its ‘Check Adulteration at Home’ initiative.
The message for consumers is straightforward: stay alert to food adulteration, but rely on proper testing rather than appearance or a single home experiment to establish whether the ghee on your plate is genuine.
[popcorn number="Two minutes" desc="Time test tube containing ghee, acid, and sugar must be shaken" class="Default"]
]]>Around 12 to 14 community groups are expected to participate in the protest, with an estimated 3000 people likely to join, according to a community leader. Organisers are mobilising fishing communities from Palghar to Mumbai, seeking to stop a project they fear could affect marine ecosystems, traditional fishing grounds and livelihoods.
The groups have called for a united front to “save fishermen, farmers, and sons of the soil of Manori, Gorai, Malvani, Bhati, Madh, and Uttan by stopping this destructive project that threatens our oceans, our lands, and our livelihoods”.
File pic/Satej Shinde
A civic official said environmental impacts had been considered before the project was finalised, pointing to desalination plants operating in Chennai and abroad.
“We had considered all the factors, including environmental impact, before we finalised this project. Similar plants are operational in Chennai and abroad, where they follow certain techniques and no negative impact is reported for marine life. The discarded output will be released at a deeper level,” the official said.
The groups listed by the organisers include:
. National Fishworkers’ Forum
. Maharashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti
. Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti
. Marol Bazaar Masali Vikreta Koli Mahila Sanstha
. Madh te Gorai Machhimar Sangharsh Samiti
. Sarva Koli Jamat Patil and Panch Mandale
. Manori Fisherman Sahakari Society Ltd
. Manori Sagardeep Machhimar Sahakari Society Ltd
. Manori Machhimar Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Society Ltd
. Daryavardi Mahila Sangh, Mahim, Mumbai
. Gorai Villagers Welfare
Oldin Vasaikar
Oldin Vasaikar, chairman of the Gorai Fishermen Society, said local communities had not been adequately consulted before the land was transferred to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the project.
“Our RTI replies show that the Collector has transferred the land to the BMC for the desalination project. This move wasn’t in consultation with the locals who depend on the sea and the grazing land. We are mobilising to show our strength to the authorities,” Vasaikar said.
Fishermen are concerned that the discharge of concentrated brine and chemicals from the plant could affect marine life, fish-breeding grounds and fish production. They also fear disruption to traditional fishing routes and access to fishing areas. The community has questioned the classification of grazing land as barren land and alleged that information submitted to authorities for project approvals was inaccurate. Vasaikar said the project could affect the livelihoods of fishing communities across 10 surrounding villages. He urged the government to protect traditional fishing rights and the coastal ecosystem while exploring alternatives such as repairing leakages, rainwater harvesting and improving existing water resources.
Community groups are circulating flyers, social media posts and banners urging people to support the bandh. One flyer asks visitors to ‘avoid Manori and Gorai on October 19’ and stand in solidarity with the protest. A community leader told mid-day that local businesses, including shops and fish markets, would remain shut. Local ferry operators have also informed the Maharashtra Maritime Board that they intend to run limited services, primarily for emergencies and students, the leader said.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, president of the Society for Indoor Environment and former head of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute’s (NEERI) Mumbai zonal centre, said the Manori desalination project’s potential impact could not be assessed without detailed technical data.
“Without exact data, it’s tough to judge the project. What is known is there are cases where these projects have been successful, but there are also cases where they failed because of the negative impact,” Kumar said. He said the discharge of concentrated brine must be designed to ensure adequate dilution in the sea. This could be more challenging along Mumbai’s relatively shallow coastline, he said, and would require careful planning of the discharge location and pipeline.
“Regular checks of water concentration will be needed once the desalination plant is up to detect whether appropriate dilution is taking place,” he said.
]]>The number of closures was lower than the 33 recorded in 2025. However, a permanent solution to the recurring flooding remains years away, with civic officials saying the intervention will take time.
Of the 24 closures this year, 19 occurred in July, when Mumbai received more than 60 per cent of its annual average rainfall. June recorded four closures, while September saw one. In 13 instances, the subway remained shut for an hour or longer.
The highest water level recorded was 5.5 feet on July 1, when the subway remained closed for three hours. The longest disruption occurred on July 4, lasting eight hours and 40 minutes. The last recorded flooding before the end of September occurred on September 29, and the subway remained closed for an hour.
Waterlogging at Andheri subway during the monsoon. File pic/Atul Kamble
A senior civic official said the flooding issue was being addressed under the BMC’s Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Plan, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). “An intervention for the Andheri subway’s persistent flooding issue is one of the components of our Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Plan, which is in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority. The intervention cannot be immediate and will take two to three years,” the official said.
Dhaval Shah, co-founder of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens’ Association, said the prolonged delay was disappointing and urged authorities to study the location’s specific challenges before finalising a solution.
“Years ago, when authorities started finding a solution for this problem, I honestly didn’t expect it to stretch this long. Authorities are taking their time; they should deeply study the problem to come up with a solution. What worked at other spots in the city won’t necessarily be successful here.
The spot is uniquely complex in its problem. The solution should be implemented after all factors are considered; otherwise it will lead to just another expense with no long-term solution,” Shah said.
The Andheri subway is a crucial east-west connector. When flooding forces its closure, traffic is diverted via Gokhale Bridge, adding around 1.5 km to the journey, or via the Balasaheb Thackeray Flyover, adding roughly 3 km. The subway is particularly vulnerable to monsoon flooding because it lies in a low-lying catchment area connected to Mogra nullah.
Earlier this year, civic chief Ashwini Bhide said solutions were available to mitigate flooding at the location and that the BMC was exploring them. As mid-day had previously reported, BMC dropped a flyover proposal because space constraints made it difficult. It subsequently considered sump pits and underground water-holding tanks, similar to those installed at Hindmata and Gandhi Market to reduce waterlogging. The Andheri subway is among the locations covered under the BMC’s R13K crore flood mitigation plan.
Closures in 2026
24
Total downtime
Nearly 39 hours
Highest water level
5.5 feet
Longest closure
8h 40m, July 4
I recently broke up with someone because I thought I was in love with someone else. It was a huge mistake because the person I began dating turned out to be completely different from what I expected. I have been trying to get my ex-boyfriend back, but he doesn’t even return my calls. How do I get him back? I am genuinely sorry that I made such a huge mistake and hurt him so much.
You may be genuinely sorry but the onus of accepting you back into his life is still your ex-boyfriend’s. All you can do is send him a message putting across your point of view and hope that he finds a way of moving past it. Ask him if he is open to a chat over coffee, if nothing else.
The inbox is now open to take your most carnal and amorous queries. Send your questions on email to lovedoc@mid-day.com
]]>Aries
March 21 – April 20
A friend planning to divorce seeks practical advice. Don’t get involved in delusional ideas.
Cosmic tip: Only be polite and courteous to someone from the past.
Taurus
April 21 – May 20
Important documents are received in a day or two. Quietly follow your heart and intuition. Don’t ignore a cough or a cold.
Cosmic tip: Work through struggles peacefully as they make you mentally stronger.
Gemini
May 21 – June 21
Some may have to fall in with migration plans. A show of strength from your side finds an echo within the mind.
Cosmic tip: Live life in a carefree manner though sometimes walking the razor’s edge.
Cancer
June 22 – July 23
A call in the morning brings peace of mind. Younger Cancereans deciding on a career must discuss this with professional career counsellors.
Cosmic tip: Remember, you can’t buy happiness or peace.
Leo
July 24 - Aug 23
Being older and wiser is why it’s easier to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Cosmic tip: Consciously allow new energy into life as this is being brought to you by working through karmas.
Virgo
Aug 24 – Sept 23
The more things collected, the more there is to organise. Practise minimalistic living if possible.
Cosmic tip: Deal immediately with a repeating issue.
Libra
Sept 24 – Oct 22
Working towards keeping the atmosphere at home calm is achieved by being aware, even though an important decision is imminent.
Cosmic tip: Let your manner of reacting to an argument heal.
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 22
Financial stability and investments are highlighted today. The Tarot advises practicality, not irrational scenarios.
Cosmic tip: Don’t lose interest in a project that’s taking longer to materialise.
Sagittarius
Nov 23 – Dec 22
Don’t quit just because plans fell through. Exercising regularly brings multiple benefits.
Cosmic tip: Talk clearly and candidly when discussing a relationship. Don’t be coy about questions.
Capricorn
Dec 23 – Jan 20
It’s a good day for therapists, doctors and others in a ‘helping’ profession. Delegating repetitive work is the best way to make sure all is ready on time.
Cosmic tip: Be aware of unnecessary expenses.
Aquarius
Jan 21 – Feb 19
An investment may not bring in the amount expected. A relationship is resolved.
Cosmic tip: Make a list of ‘to do’ points in an assignment, so no adjoining link is missed.
Pisces
Feb 20 – March 20
Plan in detail for an initial meeting so you’re not fumbling for the ‘right’ answer. You maybe aware of something wrong that needs taking it in hand.
Cosmic tip: Consider all angles to give precise answers.
Esha and Bharat announced their separation in February 2024, ending their marriage of nearly 12 years. In a joint statement reported by The Indian Express, they said they had “mutually and amicably decided to part ways” and emphasised that the welfare of their children would remain their priority. The former couple married in June 2012 in a traditional ceremony at Mumbai’s ISKCON temple. They have two daughters, Radhya, born in 2017, and Miraya, born in 2019.
Although their marriage ended, their public interactions have indicated that they continue to share parenting responsibilities. In May 2026, The Indian Express reported that Esha and Bharat reunited for lunch with friends. The gathering offered another glimpse into their relationship after separation.
Esha Deol has previously spoken about the importance of maintaining a healthy family environment after a separation. In an interview with The Indian Express, she explained that parents should continue to support their children together, even when their relationship as a couple has ended.
“For your kids, you have to be a unit. That unit can’t break,” she said, adding that parents should keep trying to preserve that bond for their children.
Her latest birthday message has drawn attention in the context of those comments. While a social media post cannot reveal the full nature of a private relationship, its affectionate wording reflects the cordial public equation the former couple have maintained.
]]>The victory in Maharashtra cooperative polls came amid a contest involving rival leadership and a panel backed by Sharad Pawar and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), led by Yugendra Pawar.
A last-minute political realignment by Purushottam Jagtap was one of the challenges faced by her camp.
The result assumes significance following the demise of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, with the victory being projected by Sunetra Pawar’s office as a continuation of his political legacy and grassroots support in the Baramati region.
Sunetra Pawar was reportedly personally involved in the candidate selection process and interviewed more than 300 aspirants. The office attributed the panel’s performance to its candidate selection, organisational coordination and grassroots engagement.
The Someshwar Cooperative Sugar Factory election is a key local contest in Baramati, where cooperative institutions have long played a role in the region’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, last week, Sunetra Pawar-led NCP named sitting Maharashtra Legislative Council member Satish Chavan as its candidate for the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates constituency in the upcoming biennial elections to the state legislature's upper house.
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare issued an official letter announcing Chavan's candidature for the constituency, which was earlier known as the Aurangabad Graduates constituency.
Chavan has represented the constituency in the Legislative Council for three consecutive terms since 2008, according to the NCP. His nomination gives the ruling party a candidate with previous experience representing the same electorate.
Chavan has been a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council since 2008 after being elected from the graduates' constituency. The NCP has once again chosen him as it prepares for the upcoming contest.
The constituency is among five seats for which biennial elections are being held to the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
The NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The alliance has worked out a seat-sharing arrangement for the five constituencies going to polls. Under the formula, the BJP will contest three seats, while the NCP and Shiv Sena will contest one seat each.
]]>“No, I have not been transferred from FDA,” Mundhe said in a post on X.
No, I have not been transferred from FDA. नाही, माझी FDA मधून बदली झालेली नाही. I continue to serve as Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra. Our fight against unsafe, substandard, adulterated food and spurious, substandard drugs goes on. मी अन्न व औषध प्रशासन, महाराष्ट्र येथे आयुक्त म्हणून कार्यरत आहे. भेसळयुक्त अन्न आणि निकृष्ट औषधांविरुद्धची आमची लढाई सुरूच आहे. #TukaramMundhe #Trust
— Tukaram Mundhe (@Tukaram_IndIAS) October 12, 2026
Mundhe reiterated that he remains the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner and said the department’s efforts to tackle food and drug safety violations would continue.
“I continue to serve as Commissioner, FDA Maharashtra. Our fight against unsafe, substandard, adulterated food and spurious, substandard drugs goes on,” he said.
His clarification comes after the Maharashtra government appointed him secretary of a committee constituted to investigate alleged irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) recruitment examinations and examine complaints raised by candidates amid protests in Pune.
The five-member committee is headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale. Its other members include IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P D Naik.
The committee was announced by Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale following discussions with protesting MPSC aspirants, who have been demanding action over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks.
Among the candidates’ demands are the withdrawal of cases registered against protesters, recruitment to 70,000 posts over the next three years and an increase in vacancies for the Group-C examination scheduled for January. The aspirants have also sought the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar.
The state government has sent Bhimanwar on compulsory leave until the inquiry into the alleged paper leak is completed. The decision followed an 11-day protest by aspirants in Pune demanding his resignation.
After meeting the protesters, Bhosale said cases registered against students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn. He also assured them that strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the alleged MPSC paper leak case.
The MPSC had initiated a preliminary inquiry after receiving complaints about alleged malpractice in the screening examination for the Drug Inspector post, held on March 22.
The commission had issued an advertisement for the post on July 29, 2025. The screening examination was conducted offline at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra, and its results were declared on June 12.
Following the examination, 506 candidates were found eligible for interviews. Interviews were subsequently conducted for 488 candidates between July 1 and July 22. The commission later published a provisional general merit list containing 488 candidates, including 485 eligible and three ineligible candidates for the post.
Between July 22 and July 26, the commission received complaints through email from candidates and public representatives alleging malpractice in the screening examination. The complaints claimed that some candidates had received the question paper or questions before the examination, on March 20, and that the material was subsequently circulated through social media or electronic media.
The MPSC cancelled the entire recruitment process for the post following the alleged irregularities.
Mundhe’s latest clarification makes clear that he continues to head the Maharashtra FDA while also being named secretary of the committee examining the MPSC-related complaints. His statement also reiterates the department’s stated focus on action against unsafe and adulterated food products and substandard drugs.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>The terrorists have been identified as top LeT commander Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Ishtiyaq, Mohammad Waqas and Mohammad Asim.
All four were residents of Mandla, Madarpur, in Hajira tehsil of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir's (PoJK) Poonch district, news agency IANS reported.
Officials said the group was attempting to cross the LoC in the Nangi Takri area of the Krishna Ghati (KG) Sector late Monday afternoon when its members triggered a landmine.
The powerful explosion killed all four terrorists on the spot, officials added.
The blast occurred in the Satwal-Naki/Nangi Takri area, a traditionally known infiltration route used by cross-border operatives attempting to enter Indian territory.
The infiltrators reportedly entered a heavily fortified forward minefield that forms a key part of the Indian Army's anti-infiltration obstacle grid.
Following the incident, security forces stepped up surveillance and placed the region on high alert. Ambush parties and border patrols have been deployed in the area to examine the perimeter and rule out any coordinated breaches.
Officials noted that forward areas remain heavily fortified with landmines.
However, recent heavy rainfall in the region has occasionally washed away topsoil, causing older or deeply buried anti-personnel mines to surface or shift unexpectedly.
Just days before Monday's incident, the Army's Bomb Disposal Squad located and safely defused five other weathered landmines exposed near the border fence in the neighbouring Mendhar sector.
Traditional infiltration routes in the Poonch and Rajouri districts, which lie south of the Pir Panjal mountain range, are characterised by dense forests, rugged ridges and seasonal streams, locally known as nallahs.
Historically, these border corridors have served as routes for operatives crossing the LoC from launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to reach the higher ridges of the Pir Panjal range. From there, they either establish transit hideouts in local forests or travel northwards through alpine passes to enter the Kashmir Valley.
Local security agencies classify the highly active sectors and traditional infiltration routes in these two districts into several key zones.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>The appointments include four new Governors, Dr Sudha Yadav, Dhal Singh Bisen, Braj Mohan Ram and Dushyant Kumar Gautam, while Om Prakash Mathur and Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar have been transferred from their existing gubernatorial assignments to new states.
The appointments bring leaders with extensive political, organisational, legislative and grassroots experience to constitutional positions.
Of the six leaders appointed or assigned new gubernatorial responsibilities, three belong to Scheduled Caste communities and two to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), according to the profiles provided. The four newly appointed Governors are senior BJP leaders who have served the party in various organisational capacities at the local, state and national levels for periods ranging from 25 to 45 years, IANS reported.
Under the reshuffle, Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur has been appointed Governor of Kerala, while incumbent Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has been appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Braj Mohan Ram has been appointed Governor of Odisha, Dr Sudha Yadav Governor of Karnataka, Dhal Singh Bisen Governor of Uttarakhand, and Dushyant Kumar Gautam Governor of Sikkim.
Dr Sudha Yadav, an OBC leader belonging to the Yadav community of Haryana, brings a background of public service, political experience and academic distinction.
She is the widow of BSF Deputy Commandant Sukhbir Singh Yadav, who was killed during the Kargil War. Following her husband's death, she entered public life and went on to represent Mahendragarh in the Lok Sabha. She is also a member of the BJP Parliamentary Board, IANS reported.
Yadav holds an MSc and a PhD in Chemistry from IIT Roorkee. She served as a member of the National Commission for Backward Classes from 2019 to 2022.
Her appointment recognises her contributions to public life and the OBC community, as well as the sacrifice made by the families of personnel who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.
Gautam, a Dalit leader belonging to the Chamar community and hailing from Delhi, has spent nearly five decades in organisational work associated with the RSS and the BJP, with a particular focus on advancing the interests of Scheduled Castes, IANS reported.
He has served as the BJP's national general secretary and as the national president of the party's Scheduled Caste Morcha. Rising through the organisational ranks, he began his electoral career as a councillor in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and subsequently became a Rajya Sabha member.
His appointment recognises his long-standing contribution to grassroots politics, party organisation and public life, as well as his work among Dalit communities.
Bisen, an OBC leader belonging to the Bhoyar Pawar community of Madhya Pradesh, brings decades of legislative and administrative experience to his new assignment, IANS reported.
A four-time MLA and former Lok Sabha member from Balaghat, he has also served as a Cabinet Minister in the Madhya Pradesh government, handling important portfolios, including school education, forests, transport and mines.
He also chaired the Fourth State Finance Commission of Madhya Pradesh. An Ayurveda practitioner by profession, Bisen has a keen interest in Indian systems of medicine and their convergence with modern medicine.
His appointment recognises his nearly five decades of association with the BJP and his long record of public service.
Ram, a Dalit leader belonging to the Dhobi community and hailing from Jharkhand, comes from a farming family and has a long record of legislative and social service, IANS reported.
He served as an MLA in undivided Bihar before being elected to the Lok Sabha from Palamu on three occasions: in 1996, 1998 and 1999.
In addition to his electoral career, he has served as the in-charge of the State Scheduled Caste Morcha and has been associated with the Dhobi Mahasangh. He has also worked towards establishing educational institutions in Chandwa.
His appointment recognises his contribution to grassroots leadership, the empowerment of Dalit communities and decades of legislative and social work.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>She shared detailed information about what happened to her, Imran and Zayn Marie on the day of the protest. “On Saturday around 5 pm, Zayn Marie, Nuzhat (Imran’s mother), my partner Imran, myself and others walked towards August Kranti Maidan to ask about friends of ours who had been detained.”
She further shared how Imran was hounded by the media and fans. “He responded to the questions of the media, saying we have no demands, we are not part of an organisation, we are just individuals. Before he could even finish his sentence, with the weight of the media from one side, loud, incessant whistle-blowing disrupted everything.”
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“A stream of uniformed persons grabbed both Zayn and me, bruising us. They forced us all into the vehicle and then drove us around for a couple of hours. Subsequent to that, they did not allow us to take public transport,” she alleged.
She added, “Hilariously, we were stuck in traffic for a lot of it. The entire evening has been documented in detail. It is important to note that we are individuals in a position of privilege and that far worse is being done to others.”
“I believe in equality and respect for all, and at some point, we must collectively find our voices to speak the truth. Thank you,” she concluded.
Actor Imran Khan was detained by Mumbai Police at August Kranti Maidan, the proposed protest venue in support of CJP’s protest in Delhi.
Addressing the media, Imran said, “Sir, I don't have any demands. I don't have any status to demand anything from people. Nor am I a part of any organisation, so I don't speak as a representative.”
Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against actor Imran Khan and others who were detained. Zayn Marie Khan, Aamir Khan’s niece, has also shared a video showing painful bruises after being detained.
]]>Shinde is a resident of Thane, while co-accused Santosh Kanojia alias Talli and Amit Singh alias Paplu were apprehended by a Thane Police team in Prayagraj last week.
Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the murder of Purnekar, who served as the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's ward chief in Manpada. He was killed on the night of September 29. The other two arrested accused are Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar.
Shinde, Kanojia and Singh were produced before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate SB Sable, said advocate Sameer Hatle, who represented the complainant in the case.
After hearing submissions from the police and the complainant's counsel, the court extended Shinde's police custody by a day and remanded Kanojia and Singh to seven days of police custody, Hatle said.
He added that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder produced Kanojia and Singh before the court after bringing them to Thane from Prayagraj on transit remand.
During the proceedings, investigators told the court that custodial interrogation of the two accused was crucial to establishing the full extent of the alleged murder conspiracy. They specifically sought to investigate who funded the duo's 13-day stay in Uttar Pradesh following Purnekar's murder.
The police also plan to question the arrested accused face-to-face to cross-check their statements against those given by witnesses. Investigators are examining how logistical support, weapons and getaway vehicles were arranged.
The probe has also revealed that one of the absconding suspects was allegedly provided with a new SIM card to maintain communication while keeping his original number inactive.
Investigators told the court that accused Nitesh Pawar was spotted with co-accused Shinde at around 8.45 am on the day of the murder. Shinde then allegedly went directly to Purnekar's office and remained there until the fatal attack took place.
The prosecution described the murder as a calculated and meticulously planned conspiracy.
Authorities also said that a car seized during the investigation was allegedly provided to the killers by Shinde to facilitate the crime and their subsequent escape.
According to the police, around six rounds were fired during the attack, two of which hit Purnekar. Three empty shell casings and one live cartridge were recovered from the crime scene. The attackers also allegedly assaulted him with a chopper, a sharp-edged weapon, after opening fire.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>“With every experience, I’ve had the opportunity to grow, discover new sides of myself and create memories that I will always cherish. There is something truly magical about the IIFA stage, the energy, the scale, the audiences and the incredible coming together of talent from across our industry. To now be returning to IIFA 2027 in a completely new role as a co-host to IIFA Awards makes this experience even more special.”
“To have the opportunity to be on that stage and celebrate some of the biggest stars, stories and achievements of Indian cinema is something I’m genuinely excited about. And to do it in Abu Dhabi, where my IIFA journey began, makes it even more meaningful. I can’t wait to be back, create new memories and celebrate the magic of Indian cinema with audiences around the world.”
Varun Dhawan added, “IIFA has always been a celebration that feels very close to the heart of every actor because it brings our entire film fraternity together in one place and then takes that celebration to the world. I have had some incredible memories with IIFA over the years, from performing on its stage to being part of its unforgettable celebrations in Abu Dhabi.”
The ‘Student of the Year’ actor further mentioned, “There is an incredible energy at IIFA that is difficult to describe until you experience it — the audience, the artists, the music and that feeling of Indian cinema coming together on one global stage. To return to Yas Island and host the IIFA Awards is a huge honour. Abu Dhabi has become such a special part of IIFA’s journey, and I am thrilled to be coming back to a place where we have created so many incredible memories. IIFA has grown beyond an awards night into a celebration of everything that makes Indian cinema so loved around the world. I cannot wait to share the stage, celebrate our incredible talent and hopefully create a few more unforgettable IIFA moments along the way.”
Karan Johar, on bringing his signature energy back to the IIFA stage, said, “IIFA and I go back a long way, and some of my most memorable moments on stage have happened here. Six times as host sounds like a lot, but the excitement, the nerves and the sheer unpredictability of a live IIFA night never get old! There’s a wonderful madness and magic to IIFA that you simply have to experience. Coming back to Abu Dhabi makes it even more special, and I’m ready for the laughter, the surprises and everything IIFA 2027 has in store.”
The 27th Edition Of IIFA Weekend & Awards is set to take over Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on January 22 – 23, next year.
]]>Saudi authorities on Monday extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s international airport following a series of deadly Houthi attacks.
Strikes on the airport in recent days have killed at least 18 people, including 13 on Saturday in the deadliest attack on the kingdom in more than a decade. Hundreds of people were also wounded.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement that it had “announced the extension of the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport”.
It said the extension was necessary to “complete the necessary procedures to verify the safety of the facilities and their operational readiness”.
The authority did not specify when operations would resume.
A senior aviation source who oversees flights to the Gulf for an airline said operations would remain suspended for the rest of the working week in Saudi Arabia, according to messages sent to the carrier by Saudi aviation authorities on Monday.
“They told us it would be until at least Thursday. There are no flights until the end of the week,” the source told AFP.
The source added that Terminals 3 and 4 had been damaged, along with the airport’s radar and communications equipment, while the runways had yet to be assessed.
The UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, announced on Monday that it was cancelling all flights to and from Riyadh until next week due to “regional disruption”.
It has also suspended flights to the Saudi cities of Dammam and Jeddah for the week.
Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, also said it was cancelling all flights to Riyadh until Saturday.
A senior official from the Riyadh Metro told AFP that authorities had suspended transport services to three stations serving the airport.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Akriti titled her new Instagram statement “A personal clarification” and shared why they parted ways. “When I called off our engagement, I let the opinions of people close to me — who seemed to know our relationship better than we did — influence how I saw my fiancé and our relationship. I feel I was misguided, and I made a decision without giving us the honest conversation we deserved,” she wrote.
Akriti also took responsibility for the decision and the hurt it caused, adding, “We have since spoken openly, understood each other and chosen to be together again. Together, we are enough for each other, and we don’t need anyone else. This time, I want our future to be guided by our own understanding, trust and love,” she wrote, before ending the note with, “Please respect our decision as we begin again.”
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Prithvi Shaw and Akriti Agarwal announced their engagement in March 2026. The cricketer had shared pictures from their engagement ceremony on social media, publicly announcing their relationship.
However, soon after, their relationship came under public scrutiny when Agarwal posted a cryptic note on social media in July. The post about cheating sparked speculation that she was hinting at Shaw.
Later, she shared a clarification, saying she was not talking about Shaw but about her friends. In September 2026, she announced that they were calling it quits. In an emotional note, Akriti stated, “With a heavy heart, I would like to share that my fiancé and I have decided to part ways due to different goals and circumstances for our future. As much as we love and care for each other, we've come to accept that our paths are not meant to be together. With our responsibilities and the circumstances we are currently facing, we have mutually decided to go our separate ways.”
]]>The 'Jigra' actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram handle and uploaded a selfie wearing a special eye mask featuring the words, “So Jaa Warna Hastar Aa Jayega,” a memorable reference associated with 'Tumbbad '.
Wishing the entire team of 'Tumbbad' she added the text, "Happy 8 years to the entire #Tumbbad team (sic)," followed by a devil emoji.
Sohum Shah also reacted to Alia's post saying, "Looks like Hastar has a new favourite! Thank you @aliabhatt" (sic).
Refreshing your memory, Alia confirmed being a part of the second instalment of the 'Tumbbad' franchise in July this year. She will be joining Sohum Shah and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the primary cast of the sequel.
Sharing the update with the netizens, Sohum Shah welcomed Alia onboard with a post that read, "A new chapter unfolds. Welcome to #Tumbbad2, @aliaabhatt #PralayAayega." He even dropped a few fun pictures with the 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' actress.
Spilling her excitement about being a part of the mysterious world, Alia said in a statement, “Tumbbad has stayed with me ever since I first watched it. Very few films create a world that feels this original and immersive, and even fewer continue to grow in people’s imagination years after they’ve released. That’s what makes this opportunity so exciting.”
She added: “To now become a part of that world is incredibly special. I’m looking forward to working with Sohum and Nawaz, two artists I’ve admired for a long time, and to exploring a character that belongs to a story as rich, mysterious and unforgettable as Tumbbad. I can’t wait for audiences to experience what we’re creating together.”
Released on October 12, 2018, 'Tumbbad' has managed to create a special place in the hearts of cinema lovers.
]]>In the first pic, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika posed with the Chief Minister for a happy pic. Following this was a still of the three indulging in a fun discussion.
In the last photo, the 'Liger' actor was seen hugging the actor-turned-politician, while Rashmika can be seen smiling at the two.
In the post, VD revealed that he and Rashmika discussed 'life, work and the world' with the CM.
"Had the most beautiful time with the dearest Thalapathy Vijay Sir. Even after a long day he received us with so much love and shared such personal insights into life, work and the world. One meeting and sir is already a favourite (red heart emoji) Until next time, My love and respect. Vijay Deverakonda :)," he published on the photo-sharing app.
Rashmika also treated the netizens to some more glimpses from the meet and expressed her admiration for Thalapathy Vijay.
Reflecting on her journey from being a fangirl to the 'Beast' actor to a co-star, she penned the caption, "After such a long time, went to meet @actorvijay sir. From fangirling him for longer than I can remember to having the opportunity to work with sir to today admiring him for the Chief Minister he is! His journey is nothing short of incredible! Biggest love and best wishes to you always sir! (sic)."
For those who do not know, Rashmika shared screen space with Thalapathy Vijay in the 2023 release 'Varisu'. Directed by Vamshi Paidipally, the project has been backed by Dil Raju and Sirish under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations and PVP Cinema.
On the other hand, Thalapathy Vijay and Vijay Deverakonda have not come together for a project.
]]>The Indian passenger was intercepted at Terminal 3 on October 10 based on profiling, an official statement said.
During the examination of her trolley bag, officials recovered six polythene pouches containing suspected ''hydroponic'' (water-grown) cannabis weighing 16,041 grams (net), the statement said.
The suspected contraband was seized under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the woman was arrested under relevant sections, according to the statement.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>However, the final electoral rolls will be published on November 16, 2026, as per the original schedule. The extension is part of the ongoing Special Summary Revision programme, based on the qualifying date of October 1, 2026.
The draft electoral rolls for the state were published on August 31, 2026. The period for submitting claims and objections, initially scheduled to run from August 31, has now been extended to October 26.
The issuance of notices and the resolution and disposal of submitted claims and objections will take place between August 31 and November 10, 2026, according to an official release. The final voter list will be published on November 16, 2026.
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Maharashtra has urged all eligible citizens, including first-time voters, to use the extended period to verify their details and complete the necessary registration formalities.
"Voters are encouraged to utilise this period to register new names in the electoral list, correct existing errors in personal records (such as spelling, address, or age) and raise necessary claims or objections regarding entries.”
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra, has also issued an official notice detailing the measures being undertaken as part of the Special Summary Revision drive directed by the ECI.
The initiative aims to ensure that no eligible voter in the state is left out of the electoral list. Following the publication of the draft rolls across all Assembly constituencies on August 31, 2026, electoral authorities have been undertaking procedures to include new names, delete invalid entries and make necessary corrections.
To facilitate registration and verification, special four-day camps were conducted across 1,53,000 polling stations in Maharashtra on October 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2026.
A dedicated five-day special drive was also organised at colleges and universities across the state from October 5 to 9, 2026, to encourage young people and first-time voters to enrol.
Citizens with grievances or registration-related queries can contact designated electoral officials across the state. These include 1,53,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 7,100 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 288 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 36 District Election Officers (DEOs).
The Chief Electoral Officer's office reiterated its commitment to maintaining error-free voter lists and ensuring that every eligible citizen retains their right to vote.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Speaking during the third edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), where he features for the India Champions franchise, Pathan expressed confidence that the team management and the BCCI are providing world-class rehabilitation and medical support to help sidelined stars recover.
The Indian men's team faces significant selection dilemmas with key players suffering fitness setbacks ahead of crucial upcoming events and long-term preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. All-rounder Hardik Pandya, keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, fast bowler Harshit Rana, and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy are among those currently dealing with injury issues, raising questions regarding squad depth and player workload management.
"There is a lot of cricket being played these days, and injuries are sometimes an unavoidable part of the game. However, the team management and the BCCI are taking good care of the players and have put excellent support systems in place. I’m sure these injuries are purely accidental and happen in the course of playing the game. The players will recover, and I’m confident that the Indian team and the BCCI will continue to provide them with the best possible care and support," Pathan said to ANI.
Reflecting on his participation in the third season of the World Championship of Legends, Pathan shared his excitement about reuniting with former international colleagues and entertaining supporters.
“The experience of playing in the WCL has been fantastic. This is our third season, and we continue to enjoy it immensely. Whenever we reunite, it brings back so many wonderful memories. At the same time, we know that the fans come to watch us play good cricket and entertain them, and that’s something we always strive to do," he said.
India Champions kicked off their WCL 2026 tournament with a dominant 46-run victory over Australia Champions on October 3. However, they subsequently suffered consecutive defeats against England Champions (21 runs), South Africa Champions (four wickets on October 10), and Bangladesh Champions (three runs on October 11).
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Anand will visit India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 13 to 16, Global Affairs Canada announced on Monday.
The visit comes amid renewed high-level engagement between the two countries, whose bilateral trade reached USD 30.4 billion in 2025, including USD 11 billion in goods.
During her visit to India, Anand will meet EAM Jaishankar to advance cooperation on priorities identified in the bilateral roadmap, including trade, energy, people-to-people ties and security and defence.
The meeting will be the 11th between the two foreign ministers since September 2025, reflecting the frequency of diplomatic contacts between Ottawa and New Delhi.
The Canadian government described the continuing engagement as part of a growing bilateral relationship.
The planned discussions cover areas that both countries have identified as priorities for expanding their economic and strategic partnership.
In New Delhi, Anand will also participate in the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, joining a panel discussion on middle powers and the changing global order.
According to Global Affairs Canada, she will emphasise the importance of multilateral and plurilateral cooperation at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.
The minister will also highlight Canada's role as a reliable partner for India and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
The visit comes as Canada seeks to deepen engagement with major international partners amid changing global economic and security conditions.
The Canadian announcement places trade, energy and defence cooperation alongside diplomatic engagement, indicating the range of issues expected to feature in Anand's discussions with Jaishankar.
The two countries have maintained nearly 80 years of diplomatic relations and share extensive people-to-people connections.
Their economic relationship includes trade in goods and services, with bilateral exchanges reaching $30.4 billion last year, according to figures released by the Canadian government.
The latest diplomatic engagement follows a period of renewed contact between the two governments.
Following her engagements in India, Anand will travel to the United Arab Emirates for talks with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing economic cooperation, security and shared prosperity.
Anand will also meet senior government officials and business leaders to explore opportunities for expanding commercial partnerships.
The Canadian government identified defence and security, artificial intelligence, innovation and people-to-people ties as key areas for cooperation with the UAE.
The visit will build on commitments made during Carney's November 2025 visit to the UAE, the first by a Canadian prime minister in more than four decades.
That visit established a roadmap for closer cooperation in trade, investment, regional security and exchanges between the two countries.
Canada has described its relationship with the UAE as one of its fastest-growing partnerships in the Middle East, built on more than 50 years of diplomatic ties.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey says, "I am resigning from my party known as Shiv Sena (UBT). I am completely dissociating myself from both my primary membership and the position of national spokesperson. For the past four or five years, I consistently articulated the party's stance on issues ranging from Maharashtra-specific matters to national and even international affairs. So, what changed? Nothing happens overnight. For several months, I had been suffering in silence, feeling deeply distressed... I find myself unable to voice the very ideals of Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma that I hold so dear. Every party has an ideology. I am a party worker who believes in Veer Savarkar and follows the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. I am an activist who looks up to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as my role models. Somehow, the line I am supposed to deliver just doesn't sit right with me...My heroes are not Sharjeel Imam or Umar Khalid; my hero is not Dhruv Rathee. My hero is Smit Machchhar—the man who demonstrated to the entire world, not just India, the immense power of Bajrangbali. Yet, not a single tweet came from our party..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
Announcing his decision, Dubey said he was stepping down from both the party's primary membership and his post as national spokesperson, bringing an end to his association with the organisation.
“I am resigning from my party known as Shiv Sena (UBT). I am completely dissociating myself from both my primary membership and the position of national spokesperson,” he said.
Explaining his decision, Dubey said his resignation was not sudden and followed months of personal distress over the party's ideological direction. He said he had represented the party on Maharashtra-specific, national and international issues for the past four to five years.
“For several months, I had been suffering in silence, feeling deeply distressed,” he said, adding that he found it increasingly difficult to articulate the party's position on issues close to his heart.
Dubey said he believed in Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma but felt unable to express these ideals through the party's current political stance.
Explaining his ideological beliefs, Dubey said he drew inspiration from Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Swami Vivekananda, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
“Every party has an ideology. I am a party worker who believes in Veer Savarkar and follows the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. I am an activist who looks up to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as my role models,” he said.
Dubey added that he was finding it difficult to reconcile his personal beliefs with the positions he was expected to defend as a party spokesperson.
Dubey also referred to public figures Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and Dhruv Rathee while explaining his differences with the party's ideological approach.
“My heroes are not Sharjeel Imam or Umar Khalid; my hero is not Dhruv Rathee,” he said.
He cited Smit Machchhar, whom he praised for demonstrating what he described as the power of Bajrangbali, and criticised the party for not posting about him on social media.
“Yet, not a single tweet came from our party,” Dubey said.
Dubey also dismissed claims of electoral malpractice, taking a swipe at those alleging that votes had been stolen.
“They claim that votes were stolen... Votes are not being stolen; it is the minds of some people that have been stolen,” he said.
His resignation marks a significant development within Shiv Sena (UBT), with Dubey citing ideological differences as the reason for ending his association with the party.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended Zepto Limited’s food licence for its premises in Bhandup, Mumbai, with immediate effect from October 9, 2026, following an inspection that revealed serious hygiene and sanitation violations. The action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act and the regulations governing food business licensing.
— Mid Day (@mid_day) October 12, 2026
The FDA inspected the premises of Zepto Limited at Gopal Estate, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, in Bhandup, on October 7.
According to the department, the inspection revealed serious violations of hygiene and sanitary requirements under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The establishment's FSSAI licence, number 11524013000117, was suspended with immediate effect on October 9 under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, read with Regulation 2.1.8(4).
The FDA did not specify the hygiene and sanitation deficiencies found at the facility.
The FDA inspected M/s Krishnam Retails LLP, which operates under the Brijwasi name in Malad West, on October 9 as part of its statewide special inspection drive during the festive season.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has suspended the FSSAI licence of M/s Krishnam Retails LLP, operating as Brijwasi in Malad West, Mumbai, with immediate effect from October 10, 2026. The action followed an inspection conducted on October 9 during the statewide festive-season food safety drive. According to the FDA, the inspection revealed deficiencies that posed a serious risk to public health. The licence was suspended under Sections 32(1) and 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
— Mid Day (@mid_day) October 12, 2026
According to the department, the inspection revealed deficiencies posing a serious risk to public health. The establishment's FSSAI licence, number 11526010000059, was suspended with immediate effect from October 10 under Sections 32(1) and 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The food safety regulator did not detail the violations found at the premises of the eatery.
The FDA seized banned gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco worth Rs 1.30 crore from a truck in Palghar district on October 9, with the total seizure, including the vehicle, valued at Rs 1.51 crore.
Acting on confidential information, officials from Palghar Division-1 inspected a truck near Hotel Manor Gate on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway in the Wade Khadkuna village area, under the jurisdiction of Manor Police Station.
The banned products were valued at Rs 1,30,86,000, while the truck was valued at approximately Rs 20 lakh. The total seizure amounted to Rs 1,50,86,000.
An offence was registered at Manor Police Station against the driver, cleaner and six other accused under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act on October 9.
The FDA inspected milk and milk-product manufacturing and storage facilities in Taloja, Raigad district, on October 8 and 9, suspending the licences or registrations of three establishments and taking action against products worth a total of Rs 3,88,740.
Sawariya Milk and Milk Products
At M/s Sawariya Milk and Milk Products, officials found milk being stored without a valid licence or registration. The establishment allegedly failed to produce purchase and sale bills and other records. The premises also had extremely unsatisfactory hygiene and no wastewater drainage system.
The FDA said the establishment supplied milk to around 68 food business operators daily. Officials had serious doubts about the source of its buffalo milk and suspected that skimmed milk was being mixed with it.
A total of 5,394 litres of milk valued at Rs 2,76,864 was destroyed on the spot. The establishment's registration certificate was suspended with immediate effect.
Maheshwari Foods
At M/s Maheshwari Foods, a lizard was found in the paneer production room. The premises were reportedly extremely unhygienic and foul-smelling, and lacked a wastewater drainage system. Purchase and sale records were also unavailable.
The FDA destroyed 119 kg of low-fat paneer valued at Rs 30,340 on the spot and suspended the establishment's food licence with immediate effect.
Royal Foods
At M/s Royal Foods, officials found a discrepancy between the nutritional information printed on the curd label and the laboratory analysis report. The establishment was also found to lack a valid manufacturing licence and had allegedly committed serious violations of the hygiene provisions under Schedule 4.
The FDA placed 1,019 kg of curd valued at Rs 81,536 in safe custody and suspended the establishment's food licence with immediate effect.
The action covered milk and milk products worth Rs 3,88,740, including 5,394 litres of milk, 119 kg of paneer and 1,019 kg of curd. While the milk and paneer were destroyed, the curd was kept in safe custody. Further legal proceedings are underway.
In Nashik division, the FDA seized banned food products worth Rs 11,39,600 during an inspection of an establishment on October 11. A vehicle valued at approximately Rs 8 lakh was also seized, taking the total seizure to Rs 19,39,600. An FIR was registered, leading to one arrest.
Meanwhile, officials seized banned stock worth Rs 27,049 during an inspection on October 10 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division. A vehicle valued at approximately Rs 50,000 was also seized, taking the total seizure to Rs 77,049. One FIR was registered and two persons were arrested.
In Nagpur division, inspections of two establishments on October 10 and 11 resulted in the seizure of banned products worth Rs 1,72,113. Two FIRs were registered and three persons were arrested.
The FDA seized 9,675.2 kg of edible oil valued at Rs 21,94,797 during inspections conducted on October 10 and 11 in Pune division. The action involved cases of suspected substandard or unsafe edible oil and alleged violations of rules.
The establishments where the stock was found included:
M/s Bansal Trading Company, Market Yard, Gultekdi, Pune: 1,061 kg valued at Rs 6,38,500.
M/s Sanket Traders, Waghdari Road, Akkalkot, Solapur district: 796.8 kg valued at Rs 1,23,004.
M/s Snehal Oil Mill, MIDC, Mangalwedha, Solapur district: 884 kg valued at Rs 1,85,640.
M/s Rameshlal & Sons, Market Yard, Gultekdi, Pune: 2,109 kg valued at Rs 6,73,219.
M/s Tulsi Agency, Industrial Estate, Tasgaon, Sangli district: 4,540 kg valued at Rs 7,71,817.
M/s Mahesh Trading Company, Somwar Peth, Miraj, Sangli district: 284.4 kg valued at Rs 63,200.
The FDA took action against seven hotel and dhaba establishments in Pune division on October 9 and 10. Three were found violating hygiene requirements under Schedule 4, while four operating without a licence or registration were directed to stop business.
The three establishments found violating hygiene requirements were:
M/s Punjabi Dhaba, operated by Vijay Pal Singh, at Shop Nos. 6, 7 and 8, Ground Floor, Patil Estate, Wagholi Road, Lohegaon, Pune.
M/s Khan-e-Khas, at S. No. 12/5, Kausar Baug, near Cafe Bun Maska, Kondhwa Khurd, Pune.
M/s Hotel Sonai, near Sonai Garden, Uruli Devachi, Pune.
The following four establishments were directed to stop business on October 10 for operating without a licence or registration:
M/s Garden Vadapav Centre, Boti Street, Camp, Pune.
M/s Balaji South Indian Food, Ganga Ashiyana Road, Thergaon, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
M/s Engineer Vadewale & Thali, Rahatani, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
M/s G.K. Hotel Pure Veg, Rahatani, Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The FDA seized 2,065 kg of 'Kohinoor' jaggery valued at Rs 1,73,920 during inspections at M/s Pyarelal Popatlal Bhalgat and M/s Gugale Cold Storage in Shendi, Ahilyanagar district, on October 10.
The jaggery was suspected to be substandard and adulterated. Officials also found that the labels did not mention the manufacturing or expiry dates.
The FDA has urged consumers to report complaints regarding food quality or malpractice through its toll-free number, 1800 222 2365, or the department's grievance portal at https://complaints.mahafda.in.
The action was announced by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe as part of the department's statewide crackdown on food safety violations.
]]>A contestant named Vinamra was on the hot seat of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati and sought the veteran actor's advice on dealing with negativity on social media. He also pointed out that people of his generation often find it difficult to handle criticism.
Drawing from his experience, Amitabh Bachchan recalled how he initially viewed social media as a platform to express his thoughts freely. He further revealed that his approach changed after reading the comments posted by users.
Big B detailed his journey on social platforms, saying, “At first, I thought this was a very good platform, where I could express what was in my heart... Then, when I started reading the comments, I stopped writing only. 'What does he think of himself, this old man... Why is he talking like this?' You come across such kinds of language, and it feels very strange. So now, I have stopped writing as much.”
The actor then ended the conversation on a lighter note, leaving Vinamra and the studio audience in splits. He said, “And brother, let me tell you one thing? Ever since I started writing less, my followers have continued to increase.”
To note, he began writing his personal blog in 2008 and has, over the years, remained active across various digital platforms.
For the uninitiated, Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his 84th birthday on October 11. He marked the occasion by continuing his annual tradition of stepping out of his home to greet fans who had gathered to wish him on his special day. In videos surfacing online, a few young fans are seen trying to breach security to meet the actor and shake hands with him.
Meanwhile, his bodyguards are seen intervening and moving them away. Amid the chaos, he continued greeting the crowd with folded hands. He was also seen politely declining a female fan's request to shake hands with him.
]]>The updated lineup includes 30 centrally contracted players alongside nine recipients of England Development contracts for the 2026/27 campaign. This represents an expansion compared to the previous 2025/26 term, which totalled 30 players overall, according to the ECB website.
Several players have secured their maiden Central Contracts, including Tom Banton, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Emilio Gay, Matt Fisher, and Dan Lawrence. Additionally, Ollie Robinson has made his way back onto the list, having previously held central deals in 2022 and 2023.
Multi-year contracts have also been handed out, with Sonny Baker upgraded to a two-year deal, while Jordan Cox and Henry Crocombe earned two-year agreements for the very first time. In total, 11 athletes are now secured on two-year terms.
Meanwhile, James Coles, Mason Crane, Ben McKinney, Liam Patterson-White, Thomas Rew, and Matthew Revis earned their inaugural England Development contracts. Crane's inclusion arrives concurrently with his recall to an England squad for the first time in over eight years.
Nine players from last year's squad extended their terms through September 2028: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Joe Root, and Josh Tongue.
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Adil Rashid, and Jamie Smith are currently serving the second year of their multi-year agreements, lasting until the conclusion of England’s 2027 home summer.
Two-year contracts: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Joe Root, Josh Tongue (to 30 September 2028).
One-year contracts: Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Shoaib Bashir, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (to 30 September 2027).
Development contracts: James Coles, Mason Crane, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Liam Patterson-White, Thomas Rew, Matthew Revis, Mitchell Stanley (to 30 September 2027).
No longer contracted: Zak Crawley, Tom Lawes (development), Ben Stokes (retired), Luke Wood, Mark Wood (retired).
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The promo also sets the tone for the season's opening episode. In it, Karan says, "Yeh season kahi bhi jaa sakta hai (This season could go either way)" Salman responds, "Jaa hi sakta hai. Ye to gaya hai, gaya hai (Yes, it can. It has gone, definitely gone)." Salman also promised that it will be worth the watch. The caption on the post read, "One last time a coffee with the one & only bhaii (sic)."
View this post on Instagram
Salman Khan's appearance comes as Karan Johar is gearing up to bring the long-running celebrity chat show to an end. The Bollywood superstar last appeared on Koffee With Karan in Season 5 in 2016, alongside his brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan. The 100th episode revisited his much-talked-about debut appearance in Season 4, when he claimed that he was still a virgin. When Karan Johar recalled the remark, Salman maintained that nothing has changed.
The episode also featured the star brothers sharing memories about their childhood and how they stand in solidarity when it comes to being one family.
Koffee With Karan premiered on Star World in 2004, with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as its first guests. The first season also featured Amitabh Bachchan with his son Abhishek Bachchan, while Aishwarya Rai appeared with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Kareena Kapoor appeared with her then co-star Rani Mukerji.
Up to 2019, the program ran for six seasons on Star World. In 2007, Star One also simulcast Season 2. By Season 6, episodes were available to stream on Hotstar, which was owned by Star India at the time, just like Star World.
]]>
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Sule alleged that large-scale “vote theft” had taken place during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections and demanded that the investigation begin in her constituency, where she was elected.
“Those in power ask me how vote theft could have taken place when I won the Lok Sabha Election. My open challenge to them is to start the investigation into vote theft from my constituency,” she said.
Sule claimed that the Baramati Lok Sabha Constituency had seen a reduction of around seven lakh voters, including approximately 2.5 lakh in Khadakwasla. She questioned the changes in the electorate between the Lok Sabha and assembly elections and sought an explanation from the authorities.
According to Sule, Khadakwasla had around five lakh voters during the Lok Sabha Election, while the number reportedly increased by 50,000 for the assembly election before subsequently declining by approximately 2.5 lakh.
“Could these voters be duplicates? Could some have changed their homes? Give us the information. Explain how 2.5 lakh voters disappeared and how 50,000 additional voters were added,” she said.
Sule said she was willing to have the voter lists examined in both assembly segments where she had recorded positive and negative results. She also demanded that the authorities disclose which names had been deleted and explain the changes.
Her remarks come amid the Opposition's objections to the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Sule also criticised the Maharashtra government over the alleged delay in providing relief to farmers despite declaring a drought, and raised concerns over rising inflation.
“The Maharashtra government has declared a drought, but farmers have not received assistance yet. We are fighting against the drought. Inflation is rising. How are people supposed to survive?” she asked.
She accused the ruling establishment of failing to address issues such as unemployment, inflation and alleged electoral irregularities, and questioned its reluctance to engage in discussions with the Opposition.
“Questions cannot be resolved merely through resignations. Changes must be brought into the system. In a strong democracy, issues can be resolved through discussion. We are ready to talk, but are those on the other side willing?” she said.
Sule added that the Opposition had approached constitutional authorities, including the Lok Sabha Speaker and the President, seeking redressal over its concerns, but had not received the response it wanted.
Sule also questioned the Delhi Police's alleged action against a 14-year-old boy who, she said, was stopped while walking alone at Jantar Mantar.
According to Sule, the boy questioned the police about Section 144 and argued that he could not be stopped or arrested while walking alone.
“Why are you arresting a young boy? I do not understand what is going on in the minds of the Delhi Police. It appears that the country is moving towards an Emergency,” she said.
]]>The previous heatwave alert was issued on October 9.
The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Colaba issued a weather bulletin on Monday evening, October 12, warning of heatwave conditions in isolated pockets of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri. The conditions are expected to ease from Wednesday, with dry weather forecast across much of the state.
According to the IMD forecast, heatwave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets of Mumbai and Thane on Monday, followed by hot and humid weather on Tuesday, October 13. Conditions are expected to turn dry from Wednesday.
Raigad and Ratnagiri are also likely to experience heatwave conditions in isolated areas on Monday, with hot and humid weather continuing on Tuesday before conditions improve towards the middle of the week.
The IMD has advised residents to take precautions against the heat and humidity, particularly during the afternoon.
"The Santacruz observatory in Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius on Monday, October 12, which was 5.1 degrees Celsius above normal, while Colaba recorded 36.5 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees Celsius above normal," weather scientist K.S. Hosalikar wrote in a post on X.
He stated that the city experienced a very warm day, with the heat likely to linger until late evening.
Northern Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha are expected to experience mainly dry weather through the week.
In Sindhudurg, conditions are likely to remain dry over the next few days. However, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are forecast in isolated areas on Friday, October 16.
Parts of southern Maharashtra and the Ghat regions are also likely to receive rain towards the end of the week. Weather is expected to remain dry in Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Solapur until Thursday.
On Friday, isolated pockets of Sangli, Solapur and Kolhapur, along with the Ghats of Satara, may receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers.
The weather experts advised residents to stay hydrated and avoid direct exposure to the sun during peak afternoon hours.
People have also been cautioned against taking shelter under tall trees during lightning and thunderstorms. They should unplug electronic equipment during thundershowers to reduce the risk of damage from electrical surges.
The IMD has issued an advisory for farmers in areas likely to experience unseasonal rain and gusty winds.
Farmers have been advised to harvest mature crops as early as possible and move harvested produce to covered, dry storage. They should also avoid applying chemical sprays or irrigating fields during the adverse weather.
The advisory further recommends providing physical support to young crops and keeping livestock safely sheltered indoors.
]]>Ticket prices for Jailer 2 vary across cities, with early-morning shows starting as early as 6 am in parts of the South. In Bengaluru, premium tickets are reportedly priced at Rs 1,600, while opening-day tickets across the city average around Rs 800 to Rs 1,000. Shows are scheduled to begin at 6 am in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while Tamil Nadu’s earliest shows are currently listed for 8:30 am.
In Mumbai, ticket prices reportedly touch Rs 1,000. The update comes after the makers clarified that the movie will be released for Hindi audiences. Chennai, however, offers more affordable options, with tickets ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 400 and most theatres charging Rs 250 or less. In Kochi, morning-show tickets are priced between Rs 200 and Rs 550.
As per a report in The Indian Express, Jailer 2 will cost moviegoers more in Andhra Pradesh during its opening week. The state government has approved a temporary increase in ticket prices for the film across theatres. The order allows single-screen theatres to charge Rs 50 above the usual admission rate, while multiplexes can add Rs 75 to their standard ticket price. The hike will remain in place for seven days, from October 15 to October 21, and will apply to five shows per day.
Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 brings Rajinikanth back as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner and features an ensemble cast, including SJ Suryah, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu and Mirnaa. A few days ago, the film was cleared by the CBFC with a U/A certificate ahead of its release.
To note, Jailer 2 is releasing during Dussehra and will witness a box-office clash with Vijay Deverakonda’s Ranabaali. Mythri Movie Makers, the producers of Ranabaali, recently issued a statement denying reports that they had sought a ticket-price increase.
]]>Bergs closed out the contest with his ninth ace on his first match point, marking his first career win over Alcaraz in their second meeting. The Belgian struck 24 winners compared to 16 from Alcaraz during their round-of-32 match.
Bergs broke Alcaraz for a second time to claim a 6-5 lead in the first set, capitalising on his fourth set point after Alcaraz found the net. In the second set, Bergs broke again for a 6-5 lead but failed to serve out the match, allowing Alcaraz to break back and push for a tiebreak. Fresh off a title victory at the Japan Open, Alcaraz rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the tiebreak to level at 4-4, but Bergs won the final points to seal the victory.
Elsewhere in Shanghai, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Dalibor Svrcina 6-2, 6-3 in his second match since his China Open disqualification. Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime ousted Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, while Stefanos Tsitsipas fought back to eliminate 11th seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Alcaraz's third-round exit assured that the 29-year-old Zverev will finish as year-end No. 1 for the first time, capping a remarkable season where he claimed his maiden Grand Slam trophies at the French Open and US Open.
"It's been a fantastic season for me, winning in Paris and New York and knowing that I will finish the year on top of the rankings is just a dream come true. So much work and effort have been put into achieving this goal, especially after coming back from the ankle injury," Zverev said.
With current No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined for the remainder of the season due to right knee inflammation, Zverev is set to overtake him before the year ends, becoming the oldest first-time year-end No. 1.
]]>The blocks are part of a 12-day programme being carried out from October 7 to 18 for pre-non-interlocking, non-interlocking and post-non-interlocking work, along with the extension of the Up Yard line towards Igatpuri.
Central Railway has announced changes to suburban services, cancellations, rescheduling, diversions and delays to several Mail and Express trains during the October 14-16 period.
Suburban services between Asangaon and Kasara will not be available during the block periods.
The blocks are scheduled as follows:
- October 14: 3.35 pm to 8.35 pm
- October 15: 3.35 pm to 7.35 pm
- October 16: 3 am to 6 am and 3.35 pm to 7.35 pm
During the block period, four CSMT-Kasara local trains scheduled to depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) at 1.10 pm, 2.17 pm, 2.46 pm and 4.50 pm will terminate early at Asangaon.
Similarly, four Kasara-CSMT locals scheduled to depart Kasara at 3.35 pm, 4.16 pm, 5.02 pm and 6.17 pm will instead originate from Asangaon at 4.12 pm, 4.54 pm, 5.39 pm and 6.54 pm, respectively.
Central Railway has also announced changes to the last and first local services to and from Kasara during the block period.
- Last local from CSMT to Kasara before the block: 12.30 pm
- Last local from Kasara to CSMT before the block: 2.42 pm
- First local from CSMT to Kasara after the block: 6.28 pm
- First local from Kasara to CSMT after the block: 8.15 pm
Passengers travelling on the Kasara route have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
- Two Howrah-CSMT Duronto Express services have been cancelled in connection with the block.
- Train 12262, Howrah-CSMT Duronto Express, scheduled to run on October 13.
- Train 12261, CSMT-Howrah Duronto Express, scheduled to run on October 14.
However, the CSMT-Howrah Duronto Express scheduled for October 15 will operate after being rescheduled to depart CSMT at 12.20 am on October 16, instead of 5.15 pm on October 15.
A number of Mail and Express trains departing from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and CSMT will leave later than their scheduled timings.
Trains rescheduled on October 14
| Train | Revised departure | Original departure |
| 11081 LTT-Gorakhpur Express | 5.50 pm | 4.35 pm |
| 12107 LTT-Sitapur Express | 5.35 pm | 4.25 pm |
| 13380 LTT-Dhanbad Express | 6.05 pm | 4.55 pm |
| 11071 LTT-Ballia Kamayani Express | 5.05 pm | 1.50 pm |
| 13202 LTT-Rajgir Express | 5.20 pm | 2.45 pm |
| 22221 CSMT-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express | 5.15 pm | 4 pm |
| Train | Revised departure | Original departure |
| 11079 LTT-Gorakhpur Express | 5.35 pm | 3.45 pm |
| 12153 LTT-Rani Kamlapati Express | 5.50 pm | 4.25 pm |
| 22584 LTT-Chhapra Express | 6.05 pm | 4.35 pm |
| 11071 LTT-Ballia Kamayani Express | 5.05 pm | 1.50 pm |
| 13202 LTT-Rajgir Express | 5.20 pm | 2.45 pm |
| 22221 CSMT-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express | 5.15 pm | 4 pm |
Central Railway will divert five trains via the Kalyan-Karjat-Pune-Manmad route.
The affected services are:
- Train 12598, CSMT-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express, on October 14.
- Train 11043, Dadar-Ballia Express, on October 14.
- Train 12188, CSMT-Jabalpur Garib Rath Express, on October 15.
- Train 11047, Dadar-Gorakhpur Express, on October 15.
- Train 12139, CSMT-Nagpur Sevagram Express, on October 14 and 15.
Some trains will be held at intermediate stations to manage traffic during the block.
Among the affected Up services, the Gorakhpur-LTT Express will be regulated at Igatpuri on October 14 between 6.10 pm and 7.15 pm. The Ayodhya Cantt-LTT Tulsi Express will be regulated at Igatpuri on October 15 between 6.15 pm and 7.25 pm.
The Subedarganj-LTT Amrit Bharat Express will be regulated at Igatpuri on October 16 between 6.10 pm and 7.15 pm. The Gomti Nagar-CSMT Pushpak Express will be regulated at Igatpuri between 6.30 pm and 7.25 pm on all three days.
The Howrah-CSMT Gitanjali Express will be regulated on the Bhusaval division for one hour on October 14, 15 and 16.
Among the Down services, the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express will be regulated at Khardi on October 14 between 5.44 pm and 7.35 pm. The LTT-Nanded Express will be regulated at Atgaon on October 15 between 6.56 pm and 7.35 pm.
The CSMT-Balharshah Nandigram Express will be regulated at Atgaon on October 14 and at Khardi on October 15.
Central Railway has warned that several other trains may be delayed by 15 to 25 minutes between October 14 and 16 because of regulation and the bunching of trains.
The affected services include the Sitapur-LTT Superfast Express, Amritsar-CSMT Express, Nanded-CSMT Tapovan Express, Sainagar Shirdi-CSMT Vande Bharat Express, Ballia-LTT Kamayani Express, CSMT-Manmad Panchavati Express, CSMT-Nanded Rajyarani Express, CSMT-Gondia Vidarbha Express, CSMT-Firozpur Punjab Mail, LTT-Shalimar Superfast Express, CSMT-Nagpur Duronto Express and CSMT-Amravati Express.
The dates on which each service will be affected vary.
The block work is being carried out as part of the Asangaon-Kasara third-line project, which forms part of the wider third and fourth-line project between Kasara and Kalyan.
The additional line is intended to separate suburban and Mail and Express traffic, improve operational flexibility and allow smoother regulation of train movements. It is also expected to support an increase in train-handling capacity once the wider project is completed and commissioned.
Central Railway said details of the blocks scheduled for October 17 and 18 would be announced later. It appealed to passengers to bear with the railway administration for the inconvenience caused by the work.
]]>Resuming from their overnight score of 249 for five, Mumbai relied on solid lower-order contributions to build a total of 429 in 136.5 overs, putting themselves in total control of the match.
Chandigarh suffered a severe collapse during their first innings with the bat, losing six wickets with only 29 runs on the board before being bowled out in just 19.1 overs at the Wankhede Stadium.
Deshpande spearheaded the bowling attack, finishing with figures of 5 for 17 from seven overs, while pace colleague Mohit Avasthi chipped in with 3 for 9 in six overs. Sylvester D'Souza bagged two wickets while giving away 51 runs. Deshpande finished with figures of 5/17, his sixth career five-wicket haul, in Chandigarh’s first innings.
Nishunk Birla provided some resistance for Chandigarh, hammering a rapid 33 off 15 deliveries featuring five boundaries and a six, though he found little support. Arjun Azad was the only other batter in double figures with 20.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad, who restarted his knock on 80, made 86 off 192 deliveries, narrowly missing out on a century, while all-rounder Tanush Kotian struck 58 off 91 balls. Avasthi also starred with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 56 off 119 balls with six fours and two sixes.
Deshpande added vital runs late in the innings as well, scoring a quick 44 off 47 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. On the opening day, Musheer Khan (65) and Ayush Mhatre (48) had provided the platform for Mumbai's big total.
For Chandigarh, Raj Bawa and Rohit Dhanda were the standout bowlers, picking up four wickets apiece with figures of 4 for 73 and 4 for 78 respectively.
Mumbai 1st innings 429 all out in 136.5 overs (Siddhesh Lad 86, Musheer Khan 65, Tanush Kotian 58, Mohit Avasthi 56; Raj Bawa 4/73, Rohit Dhanda 4/78)
Chandigarh 78 all out (Nishunk Birla 33; Tushar Deshpande 5/17, Mohit Avasthi 3/9) and 0/1.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The civic body said below-average rainfall in 2026, influenced by climate factors such as El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), has affected the available water stock.
The appeal comes as Mumbai continues to face a gap between its daily water requirement and actual supply. The city and its suburbs require around 4,664 million litres of water per day (MLD), while the average supply from available sources stands at approximately 4,100 MLD.
The BMC has urged citizens to use drinking water judiciously, avoid wastage and adopt conservation measures in their daily lives to ensure that the available reservoir stock lasts longer.
The BMC implemented a 10 per cent Mumbai water cut from May 15, 2026, following directions from the Maharashtra government's Water Resources Department. The cut remains in force, with the civic administration focusing on preserving the available water stock amid concerns over potential shortages.
The BMC is also planning water availability up to August 31, 2027, in accordance with the state government's directions and considering future drinking water requirements.
The civic body has issued a series of instructions for residents, housing societies, commercial establishments, industries and public institutions to reduce drinking water consumption.
Key measures include:
Avoid water wastage: Residents should not leave taps running unnecessarily and must promptly repair leaking taps and water pipelines.
Swimming pools: Drinking water must not be used to fill swimming pools.
Construction work: Treated water from sewage treatment plants or borewell water should be used for construction activities that do not require drinking water.
Vehicle washing and gardening: Wells, tubewells and borewells should be used to wash vehicles, water gardens and clean roads and surrounding areas.
Road washing: Treated sewage water or borewell water should be used instead of drinking water for road washing.
Public toilets: Organisations managing public toilets and washrooms should use alternative water sources wherever possible.
The BMC has also stated that the existing 20 per cent reduction in water supply to industrial and commercial establishments and sports clubs will continue.
The BMC's Hydraulic Engineer Department has formed special teams to prevent water losses caused by leakage. The teams have been directed to prioritise leak prevention and address reported cases within stipulated timelines.
The civic body has urged housing societies, educational institutions, commercial establishments and other organisations to prioritise water conservation and use alternative water sources wherever possible.
The civic administration has warned that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found misusing drinking water supplied by the BMC.
Appealing to Mumbaikars to support its conservation efforts, the civic body said that saving water was a collective responsibility. Residents have been urged to avoid using drinking water for non-essential purposes and maximise the use of alternative sources to help preserve the city's available water stock.
]]>During the episode, Madhuri appreciated Sonali for overcoming the illness. Sonali, however, shared a different approach, stating that she had never chosen to look at it as a challenge. Instead, she emphasised understanding her body, treating it with care and learning from one of the toughest times.
Reflecting on her experience of dealing with cancer, Sonali said, "I mean, you know, actually, we always say that someone has overcome cancer. But, all jokes apart, we say all these things while laughing and joking. But at that time, the actual intention was not to overcome it. It was to understand why this was happening and what I could learn from it. And trust me, I actually learnt a lot from it. And that is how I looked at it."
Sonali stated that her approach to the disease involved changing how she looked at her body and the pain she was going through. She explained why the language of fighting or overcoming cancer made her feel against her own body. The actress said, “Because I feel that when we say we have overcome something, it somehow feels like a fight. There is a sense of negativity somewhere. And, after all, it is our own body, isn’t it? The cancer cells are also our own cells. So, how can we fight ourselves? So how do I love my body the way it is? And I thought that maybe I should treat it with love. It’s very difficult to love something that was giving you so much pain. But I think that’s probably what worked for me. And that’s where it went.”
After being declared cancer-free in 2021, Sonali made a comeback to acting. She continued to explore a variety of roles across films and television. She recently starred in web shows like Raakh and The Broken News. She also turned host for the reality game show Pati Patni Aur Panga with comedian Munawar Faruqui.
]]>On her YouTube channel, Farah Khan asked Dr Shriram Nene about not knowing the extent of Madhuri Dixit’s stardom when they were getting married. He reasoned, “Because I grew up on Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Star Wars. I didn’t watch Hindi films. Then we met and dated for three months. We just hit it off and got along, and after three months, I proposed to her.”
Farah then recalled the grand reception Madhuri and Dr Nene hosted for the film industry. He mentioned, “I didn’t know anyone. It was like Prom King; you just waved at everyone and later looked at the wedding album because you don’t know anyone. The only person I knew was Amitabh Bachchan because I had seen Amar Akbar Anthony.” When Farah asked Dr Nene whether he did not even know Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, he confirmed that he did not.
Madhuri married cardiovascular surgeon Dr Shriram Nene on October 17, 1999. Their wedding came as a surprise to many fans, as the actor was at the peak of her career. The couple’s relationship began after Madhuri’s brother introduced them. Following their wedding, Madhuri moved to the United States and took a break from her acting career to focus on family life. The couple welcomed their first son, Arin, in 2003, followed by their second son, Ryan, in 2005.
Previously, in a chat with Hindustan Times, Madhuri Dixit recalled her time with Dr Shriram in the US and said, “In Denver, it was smooth and nicer because there were fewer Indians there. Where I lived, mostly there were Americans. For a long time, they didn’t know who I was; I was Mrs Nene there. I had my kids, Arin and Ryan; I would go to school to drop them.”
Work-wise, she was recently seen in Mrs Deshpande and the film Maa Behen, alongside Triptii Dimri and Dharna Durga. The film garnered a rave response for her performance and storyline. She is currently hosting Kon Honar Crorepati.
]]>Munde chaired a review meeting at the BMC headquarters, which was attended by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the civic body.
The BMC has launched the Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System (MDCTS) to monitor the management, transportation, processing and disposal of construction and demolition (C and D) waste generated across Mumbai.
According to the civic body, 255 establishments have registered on the platform so far. The system aims to improve oversight of debris disposal and help prevent improper dumping.
Efforts are also underway to eliminate 231 garbage-vulnerable points (GVPs) across Mumbai. The BMC is also developing projects to generate energy from waste as part of its solid waste management initiatives.
The civic body informed officials that seven sewage treatment plants (STPs) are expected to become operational in Mumbai by around 2028. The projects are part of the BMC’s efforts to improve sewage treatment infrastructure.
Munde said the civic administration was taking effective measures to address Mumbai’s waste management challenges. However, she stressed that waste segregation needed to improve further.
She urged citizens to maintain cleanliness and segregate waste before handing it over for collection, highlighting the importance of public participation in improving the city’s waste management system.
Munde also expressed satisfaction with the BMC’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the Mithi River, noting that the work was being undertaken in phases.
She said the state government was establishing a mechanism to support the rejuvenation of rivers across Maharashtra. Munde also described the sewage treatment plants being developed by the BMC as effective measures towards improving sewage management.
The meeting reviewed the civic body’s initiatives in solid waste management, construction and demolition debris disposal, sewage treatment and river rejuvenation.
]]>The writ petition, filed on Monday, names the ECI, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as respondents, news agency IANS reported.
According to the case status on the Supreme Court's website, the petition was filed on Monday under diary number 64196/2026 and is currently pending.
The other petitioners include Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader MA Baby, CPI leader D Raja, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Mahua Majhi, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) lawmaker Supriya Sule and Indian Union Muslim League leader ET Mohammed Basheer.
The legal challenge comes amid an escalating confrontation between the Opposition and the poll body over the SIR exercise. INDIA bloc leaders have alleged that the revision process threatens electoral fairness and could lead to eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls.
Earlier on Monday, Gandhi said Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant had advised Opposition leaders to approach the Supreme Court through a formal petition after they sought an appointment to raise their concerns over the SIR exercise.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said he and Kharge had written to the CJI, expressing concern over electoral fairness and what they described as an “attack on democracy”.
Gandhi announced that INDIA bloc leaders would jointly approach the apex court to initiate legal proceedings. He also appealed to citizens to join their campaign in support of the Constitution and democracy.
The Opposition leaders had also begun a protest march towards the Supreme Court, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the INDIA bloc, accusing it of turning the SIR controversy into a political spectacle.
BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan, speaking to IANS, dismissed the Opposition's allegations and said the Supreme Court had already ruled on the constitutional validity of the SIR exercise.
“This is baseless... They are lying. The Supreme Court has already ruled on the constitutionality of SIR,” he said.
Paswan further alleged that the Congress was losing elections across the country, including those conducted using ballot papers. He cited local elections in Silchar in Assam, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh to support his argument.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>A third person was grazed in the shooting in the southern town of Aubagne near Marseille, while the headmaster and teacher were not in critical condition, police said.
The perpetrator fired several shots inside the school. Staff then subdued the teenager and law enforcement intervened, France 3 television reported.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said on X that a pupil at Joseph-Lakanal school was suspected of carrying out the shooting.
"This unacceptable act is yet further evidence of the rise of unchecked violence in our society, against which we must all take a stand," Geffray said on X.
The Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed an arrest, but did not give further details.
The prime minister's office said the interior and education ministers were heading to the scene.
Authorities said there did not appear to be a link with high school protests that have rocked France in recent weeks.
"The middle school was not affected by the high school students' protest," police told AFP.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Expressing that he is feeling more nervous than he does on screen, the actor said, "Andar se dara hua hoon! I believe for an actor that fear and scare is very important when you go on the stage, and this is the role of Shri Ram, so all the more reason to get it right… In the subconscious mind it's always there that any mistake does not happen."
Citing differences between films and theatre, he said, "You can't afford to go wrong or improvise and have to stay within the bound script and character. I can have all the experience, but after all we are humans and anyone can commit mistakes! I try to give my 100% and that has resulted in the success of my roles in Mirzapur The Movie, Maamla Legal Hai and Laapatta Ladies."
Being a son of a priest, the actor has grown up listening to tales of Ramayana and Mahabharat. "It's not only about that act – chahrey pe soumyata, shaleenta, saiyam, ekagrita, because you portray the character of puroshon mein uttam Shri Ram. The entire world will watch and on live telecast over 50 crore people will watch it on Doordarshan, OTT and YouTube live streaming."
While talking about his prepartion, the actor said, "The great thing is that we are in Navratri and I am fasting, so with a shudh body and pure soul I will essay the role. I am a vegetarian and have been on a special diet to look lean. Before the Ram Leela I will shave off my moustache and am keeping myself calm and composed so that I can portray the role perfectly."
On the professional front, Ravi Kishan recently starred in Mirzapur: The Movie.
]]>Held at Bhavana Estate in Agra, the event marked Gaurav’s first time portraying the revered deity on stage. The actor’s transformation received an enthusiastic response from viewers, with several describing his appearance as divine. The performance also brought together a cast of actors portraying key characters from the epic.
View this post on Instagram
Gaurav took on the role of Lord Ram for the stage presentation of the Ramayana, alongside Vindu Dara Singh as Lord Hanuman, Rajan Modi as Lakshman, Aarya Babbar as Raavan and Prachi as Sita.
The occasion was particularly special for Gaurav as his parents were present to watch him perform live on stage for the first time. They were seen recording the performance and watching their son with pride, adding an emotional moment to the event.
Finally Found the video of #GauravKhanna parents 🥹Their instinct to capture him reminds me of our parents recording us, wanting to preserve every little moment. Aunty and Uncle are so adorable, the way their faces light up with pride and happiness watching him perform ❤️ https://t.co/S6EwQeySJt
— ASGARDIAN WARRIORS (@THOR____LOKI) October 11, 2026
As clips from the performance circulated online, viewers complimented Gaurav’s look and the calmness he brought to the character. One social media user wrote, “Gaurav Khanna as Shree Ram so divine and beautiful.” Another commented, “He looks so divine as Lord Rama.”
Gaurav’s portrayal prompted some social media users to compare him with Ranbir, who is set to play Lord Ram in Ramayana. While viewers praised Gaurav’s look, some also expressed a preference for his portrayal over the Bollywood actor’s casting.
One user questioned the choice of Ranbir for the film, writing, “I don't know why they took Ranbir Kapoor in Ramayana, GK would have been better than him.” The comparisons come as audiences await Nitesh Tiwari’s ambitious adaptation of the epic, which features Ranbir in the role of Lord Ram.
His latest stage appearance has now put the television actor in the spotlight for a very different reason, with viewers discussing his portrayal of one of Hindu mythology’s most revered figures. On the work front, Gaurav was last seen on Rohit Shetty’s stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 15. He exited the show, citing an elbow injury.
]]>The order concerns the appointment of nominated corporators, members of the transport committee, the standing committee and other important committees of the civic body. Their formation had remained pending, prompting Advocate Sagar Kadam to approach the HC seeking intervention.
The delay had raised concerns over the functioning of the municipal corporation’s committee system, which plays an important role in civic administration, policy decisions and scrutiny of municipal affairs.
The standing committee is among the corporation’s key decision-making bodies, while the transport committee deals with matters related to civic transport. The appointment of nominated corporators and the formation of other committees are also part of the municipal governance process.
With the court allowing the petition and setting an eight-week timeline, the civic administration and the authorities concerned will now have to work towards completing the pending process within the stipulated period.
According to Kadam, the legal intervention was aimed at ensuring that the process of constituting the committees was not kept pending indefinitely.
“The purpose of approaching the High Court was to ensure that the democratic and administrative processes within the Thane Municipal Corporation move forward without unnecessary delay. The court has allowed our petition and directed that the committees be constituted at the earliest, within eight weeks. We hope the directions will be implemented within the stipulated time,” Kadam said.
Senior advocate Sanjeev Kadam and advocate Sachin Pawar represented the petitioners during the proceedings.
The development is significant for Thane’s civic administration, as the constitution of the committees is necessary for the municipal corporation’s institutional functioning. The court’s directive places the pending appointments and committee formations under a defined timeline.
]]>The accused, identified as Mayur Chandrakant Thakre, was arrested by the Property Cell of the Crime Branch on October 12, police said.
Thakre was produced before a court and remanded to police custody until October 17. Further investigation into the case is underway, officials said.
According to the police, the arrest was made in connection with Mumbai Crime Branch case, registered in connection with the alleged MPSC examination paper leak.
Thakre was a wanted accused in the case before his arrest on Monday. The police are continuing their investigation to establish the roles of those allegedly involved in the paper leak.
With Thakre’s arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the case has risen to 12.
The accused’s police custody will continue until October 17, during which investigators may question him as part of the ongoing probe.
The MPSC cancelled the recruitment process for Drug Inspector Group-B posts under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following a preliminary inquiry into alleged malpractice in the screening examination conducted earlier this year.
The MPSC earlier received complaints regarding alleged irregularities in the screening examination.
The complaints claimed some candidates had received the question paper or questions before the examination and that the material was subsequently circulated through social media and other electronic platforms, the commission said in its statement.
]]>“Back to this hellhole of a platform to amplify truthful voices because Instagram is censoring me and because I feel HOPE again. We, the people, are in this together. To everyone fighting the good fight for our rights and our Constitution, I salute you and I’m deeply grateful.” While several people congratulated her on her comeback, some expressed confusion over Instagram censoring her opinion.
Back to this hellhole of a platform to amplify truthful voices because @instagram is censoring me and because I feel HOPE again. We, the people, are in this together. To everyone fighting the good fight for our rights and our constitution, I salute you and I’m deeply grateful.
— Kritika Kamra (@Kritika_Kamra) October 12, 2026
She later tweeted, “All the self-proclaimed gyaanis and gyaanus trying to engagement farm with their cute little insults, sit down. I’m not new here.”
Reflecting on the constant attention that comes with fame, Kritika Kamra said in an interview with News18, “I’m not bothered by it, to be honest. Overwhelmingly, there is more love than negativity, at least on my pages. It’s not like I can monitor myself for my views or my behaviour. I don’t know if I can alter myself for perception. I am who I am. And some people are going to like me and some people are going to agree with me and some are not going to like. And that’s just how life also is.”
Actress Kritika Kamra, whose latest release is Matka King, has officially locked her next feature film, an upcoming drama by debutant Pushaan Mukherjee, known for writing the Kunal Kemmu-starrer Abhay. The actress is set to headline the drama, currently carrying the working title Dumbbell, with shooting scheduled to commence in June. The film is expected to showcase the actress in a distinctly new space, further strengthening her reputation for choosing layered, performance-driven projects. While the makers are maintaining confidentiality around the storyline, industry sources confirm that Dumbbell is being mounted as a drama.
Apart from this, she is returning as Gulrukh in Matka King 2. Kamra is eager to return to her role, which she is confident will find a stronger voice as the episodes roll.
“I’ve always been drawn to women who have contradictions and don’t fit neatly into a box. That’s something I recognise in Gulrukh as well. She has vulnerability, ambition, intelligence, and strength. That complexity makes her so compelling to me,” Kamra told mid-day.
]]>In his letter to Shah, Kumar cited instances involving journalists from mainstream news organisations as well as social media platforms, alleging that they were confined, prevented from reporting, or detained while covering the protests.
"A video showing several detained journalists displaying their identity cards from inside a police detention bus represents the state of press freedom in the national capital," Kumar said in the letter.
Questioning the police's insistence that journalists must possess Press Information Bureau (PIB) accreditation to cover the protests, Kumar said the requirement was untenable and failed to account for changes in the media landscape.
He argued that independent journalists, digital news platforms and social media-based news channels also perform legitimate journalism without PIB accreditation, which cannot be treated as a prerequisite for reporting from public spaces.
The CPI MP also referred to the Supreme Court's intervention on the issue and concerns raised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, saying these underscored the urgency of ending the restrictions.
"By obstructing independent reporting, the authorities only reinforce the public perception that the government is attempting to conceal police excesses against peaceful protesters," the letter said.
Kumar urged Shah to issue clear instructions to Delhi Police to stop the alleged harassment, arbitrary detention and obstruction of journalists, ensure their access to areas where they are lawfully discharging their duties, and prohibit discrimination against those lacking PIB accreditation.
He also demanded investigations into instances of alleged unlawful confinement, intimidation and assault, and called for accountability to be fixed.
"The government cannot claim to uphold democracy while using the police to prevent journalists from informing the people," he said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Large crowds on Monday evening began gathering at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Monday after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray appealed to Mumbaikars to join a silent protest between 4 pm and 7 pm over the detention of demonstrators protesting against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest call came a day after Mumbai Police registered a case against 25 people, including Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, in connection with a demonstration held outside Shivaji Park Police Station.
The leaders had protested against the detention of demonstrators who had raised allegations of irregularities in the electoral process and demanded CEC’s resignation.
Mumbai Police on Monday registered a case.
Apart from Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray, other leaders named in the FIR include MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Varun Sardesai and Mahesh Sawant, according to ANI.
Police have invoked provisions relating to unlawful assembly and alleged disobedience of orders issued by public authorities. The sections cited in the report include Section 189(2), along with Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135.
The case comes amid heightened tensions following demonstrations in Mumbai against Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process and called for the CEC's resignation.
On Sunday, Aaditya and Amit Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station, demanding the release of people detained during the demonstration.
The protest drew attention from leaders of both parties as they challenged the police action against demonstrators.
Aaditya accused the BJP-led government of being afraid of citizens who take to the streets to protest.
He alleged that people participating in demonstrations were being arrested.
“Those who ran away from us and joined the BJP, all those traitors, what are they saying now? Where is Eknath Shinde hiding? Where are the six MPs who went with him hiding? Where are all their allies?” he said.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>In a conversation with News 18, Shriya reflected on essaying Ishita's mother in the Drishyam franchise. The actress said, "Yeah, I mean, it doesn’t make sense. I did think about it. I was like, how does it make any sense? I had to be a child to give birth to another child (laughs). But the story is so impactful and strong that you don’t think about all these things."
The actress admitted that the film industry tends to stereotype female actors; however, she appreciated the makers of Drishyam for justifying the age gap. As the conversation continued, she talked about collaborating with Ishita, revealing how their personal bond has evolved over the years. "When we began working on Drishyam, we were both literally children! By the time we shot for Drishyam 2, she had just gotten married, and I remember us speaking a lot about life. By the third film, we were discussing children," she said.
The actress further revealed that Ishita's son Vayu is nearly the same age as her daughter Radha; the actresses would only have most of their discussions around classes. She also called Ishita a 'wonderful mother.'
Meanwhile, Drishyam: The Conclusion hit theatres on October 2, taking a stellar box office opening of Rs 62 crore. In just ten days of its theatrical run, the Ajay Devgn-starrer has hit the Rs 300 crore milestone in India, and it is ready to cross the Rs 500 crore mark globally.
]]>Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Minister Vishwas Sarang says, "Spreading chaos has become a habit for Rahul Gandhi. If the Election Commission were acting wrongly or making mistakes, how would Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have reached the Lok Sabha, and how would your governments have been formed in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala? Creating chaos and confusion is Rahul Gandhi's habit, and he is constantly seeking to pursue a politics of divisiveness in the country."
— IANS (@ians_india) October 12, 2026
Sarang's remarks came amid the Congress-led INDIA Bloc protest towards the Supreme Court, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, IANS reported.
Opposition leaders have alleged irregularities in the revision exercise and raised concerns over the electoral rolls, while the BJP has defended the process and accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
Speaking to IANS, Sarang launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader repeatedly attempted to create confusion and unrest in the country.
"Spreading chaos has become a habit for Rahul Gandhi. If the Election Commission was at fault, how would Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have reached the Lok Sabha, and how would your governments have been formed in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala? Creating chaos and confusion is Rahul Gandhi's habit, and he is constantly seeking to pursue a politics of divisiveness in the country," Sarang said, IANS reported.
INDIA bloc leaders had also sought an appointment with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to discuss their concerns. However, the CJI declined their request and advised them to approach the court through a petition in accordance with the established legal procedure.
Rahul Gandhi announced that Opposition leaders would march towards the Supreme Court later in the day to initiate the legal process. He also appealed to citizens to join their campaign in support of the Constitution and democracy.
Following the announcement, a bus carrying Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders departed from the Constitution Club of India towards the Supreme Court.
Speaking to reporters, Congress MP Manish Tewari said the Opposition intended to submit a representation to the Supreme Court.
"We want to submit a representation to the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Therefore, the entire Opposition is collectively going to Barakhamba Road. Let’s see where it goes from here," Tewari said, the news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the BJP was apprehensive about losing power.
"The BJP is scared. They know that power will not remain with them for much longer," he told IANS.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Meanwhile, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will miss Punjab's opening Ranji Trophy match against Assam in New Chandigarh.
Shubman Gill to miss Punjab's Ranji opening match against Assam
Team India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will miss Punjab's opening Ranji Trophy match against Assam in New Chandigarh, with the possibility of turning out in the team's second game against Chhattisgarh.
Punjab will be led by former India U-19 captain Uday Saharan in the match against Assam.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior red-carded for pulling hair of Villarreal player
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was sent off with a direct red card for pulling the hair of a Villarreal player in their La Liga game.
Vinicius was celebrating after scoring for Madrid when referee Isidro Diaz de Mera was called by the video assistant to review the moments before his goal.
The referee waived off the goal and pulled out a red card for Vinicius for having tugged hard on the hair of Villarreal's Nathan Saliba when they were sprinting down the field.
Smriti Mandhana named UNICEF India celebrity advocate on International Day of the Girl
Newly appointed India women's cricket captain Smriti Mandhana has been named a celebrity advocate by UNICEF India, with the organisation seeking to leverage her influence to promote equal opportunities, health and well-being for adolescent girls.
Matt Renshaw surpasses Virat Kohli's record for most runs with tail-enders in Test innings
Australian batsman Matt Renshaw has surpassed Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored while batting alongside lower-order batters and tail-enders in a single Test innings, achieving the feat during the match against South Africa.
Walking in with Australia in big trouble, Renshaw scored 174 runs while batting with the tail (numbers 8 to 11) during his career-best innings of 190 off 397 balls in the first innings of the ongoing Test. His knock helped Australia to 390 all out on the second day of the match at Kingsmead.
Indian star Kohli held the previous record with 171 runs scored alongside the tail during his 235-run knock against England at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in 2016.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir visits Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain
Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.
"Baba has blessed me again and called me for darshan, for which I am truly grateful. May his blessings remain upon us all and the entire nation, and may our country and the Indian team continue to do well," he said.
]]>Meanwhile, in football, Manchester City thrash Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield to stay on top of the Premier League table.
Indian hockey team enters ACT as tournament's most successful side
The Indian men's hockey team will enter this month's Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Punjab as the most successful side of the tournament, having won the title five times since its inception in 2011.
India's triumphs include a dramatic shootout victory in the inaugural edition to defending their crown in China in 2024. The upcoming edition begins on October 27 and will be conducted in Jalandhar and Mohali till November 5.
New Zealand name split ODI squad for series against Team India
Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Seifert will make their return to New Zealand's ODI setup, while Rachin Ravindra returns from a shoulder injury for the upcoming five-match series against India beginning November 4.
Due to the Test series that follows the white-ball games, the selectors have named a split squad, withdrawing red-ball specialists after the third match.
Reports of India-Sri Lanka ODI moving from Delhi to Ahmedabad not accurate: BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has denied reports that the opening ODI of the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka has been moved from Delhi to Ahmedabad.
In a brief statement, Saikia said the match, to be played on December 13, was allotted to Delhi as per a standard policy and no change has been made to the venue.
McSweeney: Watching Kohli, Smith videos of facing spin helped in spin-friendly conditions against India A
Australia A batter Nathan McSweeney credited rigorous preparation, including watching videos of Indian star Virat Kohli and former Australia captain Steve Smith, for his performance in the team's 2-1 one-day series win over India A in Puducherry
Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield
Manchester City secured a 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, with Ryan Gravenberch’s sending-off proving costly for the hosts in the Premier League 2026-27 clash.
After withstanding Liverpool’s early pressure, Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 65th minute, shortly after Gravenberch was sent off for a second yellow card. Jeremy Doku doubled City’s lead with a stunning strike before Rayan Cherki sealed the win late in the match.
]]>The criticism came after the Delhi Police denotified the historic protest venue and designated three alternative locations for demonstrations.
Ramesh accused the government of restricting peaceful protests.
In a post on X, Ramesh alleged that the decision reflected the panic within the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“It is a definite sign of the extreme panic that has gripped the PM-HM duo that the historic Jantar Mantar will no longer be a place where our democracy is given a daily booster dose,” Ramesh wrote.
He further accused the government of dealing harshly with peaceful protesters in recent days and questioned its commitment to democratic values.
“The poisonous pair is embattled, and we have seen in the past few days how brutally they have dealt with peaceful public protests. Democracy no longer matters to them. It is all a matter of Demokursi,” he added.
CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke also criticised the decision, alleging that removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites was an attempt to undermine democratic rights.
“Today, Modi denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Tomorrow, he will denotify democracy itself. The dictator’s problem was never the protest site. It was the very idea of people protesting,” Dipke wrote in a post on X.
His remarks came amid criticism from opposition leaders and activists over restrictions on demonstrations and the handling of recent protests in the national capital.
According to an official notice, Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for organising protests and demonstrations on Monday.
The three alternative locations designated for protests are:
- Ramlila Ground
- Burari Ground
- CBD Ground in East Delhi
The notice stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had constituted a committee to examine alternative venues where citizens could exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest venues, the notice said.
The decision marks a change in the arrangements for organised demonstrations in Delhi, with protesters now directed towards the three newly designated locations.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made the clarification while hearing a fresh petition raising concerns over the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the changes to Form 6. The modified form requires applicants seeking registration as new voters to disclose whether they or their parents were mapped in the previous SIR.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Supreme Court had clarified on October 5 that it had not approved the modified Form 6, while the ECI had claimed that the revised declaration had received the top court's approval.
Responding to the submission, Justice Bagchi said the Supreme Court had not adjudicated on the new Form 6, pointing out that the revised form did not exist when the judgment in the Bihar SIR case was delivered.
"There is no adjudication on the new Form 6," he observed, clarifying that the apex court's earlier oral remarks could not be interpreted as either approving or disapproving the modified declaration.
CJI Surya Kant cautioned against selectively interpreting the top court's observations for media reports, saying, "Please don’t pick words for news items."
The clarification comes amid a political row over the modified Form 6 declaration, with questions being raised about the circumstances in which the changes were introduced and whether they were implemented despite objections from two Election Commissioners.
The controversy intensified after the ECI issued a press release on September 26 suggesting that the Supreme Court had upheld the revised declaration in its May 2026 judgment concerning the Bihar SIR exercise.
However, the modified declaration was introduced after the judgment, and the Supreme Court had no occasion to examine its contents while deciding the Bihar SIR matter.
Under the revised declaration, applicants seeking registration as new voters must state whether they or their parents were included in the previous SIR. The earlier version of Form 6 used during the SIR exercise in other states did not contain this requirement.
The changes have also triggered allegations concerning the ECI's decision-making process, with objections reportedly raised by two Election Commissioners. They argued that the declaration could not be modified without an amendment to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, by the Central government.
The controversy over the revised Form 6 also sparked a political exchange, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleging that the form had been altered unilaterally and illegally to benefit the BJP.
The BJP rejected the allegations, with party spokesperson Sambit Patra maintaining that the Supreme Court had neither declared the form illegal nor rejected it. He also disputed the interpretation that the apex court had established any illegality in the modification.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>The makers have now released a statement and rubbished the rumours. They have confirmed that the Hindi version will arrive in cinemas on October 15, 2026, as originally planned.
The statement read, “In light of recent media reports suggesting that Jailer 2 will not be releasing in Hindi, we would like to officially clarify that the film’s Hindi version is scheduled for a theatrical release on Thursday, 15th October 2026, alongside its other language versions, as originally planned.”
It further continued, “There has been no change to the scheduled Hindi theatrical release. We request all media publications and platforms to take note of this clarification and refrain from circulating any unverified information regarding the film’s release. We appreciate the media’s continued support and cooperation.”
According to SCREEN, the Hindi version of Jailer 2 will not release in national multiplex chains such as PVR INOX and Cinepolis, but will be available in other theatres. Sun Pictures has reportedly struck a deal with a major OTT platform to stream the film in all languages within a four-week window after its theatrical release. Since Hindi films typically require an eight-week gap between theatrical and OTT releases, the makers have decided to premiere all versions on streaming on the same day in November.
Rajinikanth returns as the lead in Jailer 2, along with Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa and Rithvik, who will reprise their roles from the first instalment. The upcoming sequel will also see the addition of several actors to its cast, including S. J. Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vidya Balan, Anna Rajan and Jatin Sarna.
Helmed by Nelson, Jailer 2 is scheduled to release in theatres on October 15, 2026, coinciding with the festive window of Dussehra 2026. A few days ago, the film was cleared by the CBFC with a U/A certificate ahead of its release.
]]>During the interaction, the host posed a playful question, asking Yami whether she would still check the autorickshaw meter if Brad Pitt were seated beside her. Without hesitation, the actor made it clear where her attention would lie.
View this post on Instagram
“My eyes will only be on Aditya Dhar,” she replied, indicating that her eyes would be on Aditya. Her affectionate response prompted cheers and applause from those present, with the exchange offering a glimpse into the actor’s fondness for her husband.
A video of the interaction has since drawn attention, adding a personal moment to Yami’s ongoing promotions for Nayyi Navelli, which is scheduled to release in theatres on October 16.
Yami’s answer stood out for its simplicity, turning a light-hearted question about one of Hollywood’s biggest stars into an affectionate shoutout to Aditya. The actor and filmmaker have generally kept their relationship away from the public spotlight, making such candid moments all the more noticeable.
The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Himachal Pradesh on June 4, 2021. Since then, they have largely maintained a private personal life, occasionally sharing glimpses of their relationship with fans.
Yami and Aditya also embraced parenthood in 2024 with the birth of their son, Vedavid. They announced his arrival after he was born on Akshaya Tritiya, which fell on May 10 that year. The name Vedavid has Sanskrit origins and refers to someone well-versed in the Vedas.
As part of the film’s promotional campaign, Yami has been interacting with audiences, with the Ahmedabad event producing a memorable exchange that shifted attention briefly from the film to her personal life. While the release date approaches, her response about Aditya has offered fans a light-hearted moment to enjoy alongside the film’s promotions.
Meanwhile, Yami is gearing up for the release of Nayyi Navelli, which is scheduled to arrive in theatres worldwide on October 16. Directed by Tamil filmmaker Balaji Mohan, the film features Addinath M. Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar, Mita Vasisth, Aaditya Kulshreshth, Susmita Mukherjee and Prateek Pachori in pivotal roles.
]]>View this post on Instagram
Depending on the model and features, the BMW i7 might cost more than Rs 2 crore. The purchase comes after BMW India named Ranveer as its brand ambassador.
The BMW i7 is reportedly the second electric vehicle in Ranveer Singh’s collection, after the GMC Hummer EV. Known for his love of high-end automobiles, the actor owns a luxurious collection of swanky cars. His collection reportedly includes a Lamborghini Urus, a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, a Range Rover and an Aston Martin Rapide S.
On the professional front, Ranveer Singh will next star in Pralay, a zombie drama. A source confirmed to Pinkvilla: "Ranveer Singh’s next is tentatively titled Pralay. The title is in sync with the world of the film, which is hit by an unexpected disaster – both natural and man-made. While the world of Pralay is unlike anything seen before, the film is more of a human story based on how far a man can go to save his family in the most difficult circumstances." Directed by Jai Mehta, the film also stars Kalyani Priyadarshan. The film officially went on the floor in August 2026.
On the personal front, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone recently became parents to their second baby girl on September 19, 2026. The couple shared the heartwarming news in a collaborative Instagram post that read, "Welcome baby girl," along with an evil eye emoji. Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Kriti Sanon were among those who congratulated the couple on social media.
]]>Featuring in his maiden international T20I series, Dhir picked up important wickets of Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer as India defended their total by 14 runs in the third T20I, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
"It helps to be a batter because you understand the batter's stance, where his backlift is coming from, his guard and the kind of shots he can play. I keep observing these things when I bowl," Dhir stated to JioStar following the match.
During the 11th over, Nicolas Pooran targeted Dhir with three consecutive sixes before the Indian off-spinner struck back on the final delivery to dismiss the batter.
"I didn't plan to concede three sixes and then take a wicket. For instance, when Kamil Pooran was batting, he was looking to play every shot towards the leg side and create room to free his arms, so I wanted to cramp him for room," he added.
"I made a couple of errors in the first two deliveries. I knew I was bowling my third over, the batter was set, and with the run rate being high, he was bound to take a chance."
Detailing his role within the squad, Dhir admitted that he feels more of a batting all-rounder who bowls part-time.
"I am a batting all-rounder. I got an opportunity to bat in this game, but I am a bit disappointed that I couldn't capitalise on it. However, it's not as if I don't bowl. The Impact Player rule in the IPL means I get fewer opportunities to bowl there, but I have been bowling ever since I started playing cricket, and I really enjoy it," he said.
"As far as my role is concerned, the coaches and captain have told me that I will bat at number six or seven, depending on the situation, so that role is flexible. With the ball, my responsibility is to bowl two or three overs economically whenever the team needs me," he concluded.
]]>"The laureates' work has provided us with a stable theoretical foundation for the models that are now used by central banks and governments around the world," the jury at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement.
"With them, we are better equipped to deal with shocks in the economy, such as energy crises or sudden changes in how much households consume," John Hassler, chair of the prize committee, said in the statement.
During the oil crises in the 1970s, the existing Keynesian models long used to determine when and how measures should be implemented to tackle recessions or other economic fluctuations no longer worked.
That prompted Hall and Woodford to develop new tools for understanding which policy responses could be the most effective.
"Rather than basing the models on statistical links between macroeconomic variables, such as inflation, production and consumption, they chose to build them on a microeconomic foundation," the academy jury said.
"This encompasses an understanding for how the total mass of individual households and businesses affect the economy through their actions."
The economics prize is the only Nobel not among the original five created in the will of Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896.
It was created instead through a donation from the Swedish central bank in 1968, leading detractors to dub it "a false Nobel".
But like the Nobels in chemistry and physics, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences chooses the winner and follows the same selection process.
Last year, the award went to American-Israeli Joel Mokyr, France's Philippe Aghion and Canada's Peter Howitt for research into how technology drives and affects growth.
Like the other Nobels, the economics prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a $1.2 million cheque.
The laureates will receive their prizes at formal ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of the death in 1896 of scientist Alfred Nobel, who created the prizes in his will.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Telangana ATM robbery took place between 1 am and 1.30 am at an ATM in Gandhari village. According to police, the burglars used gas cutters to break open the machine and escaped with the cash. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras, IANS reported.
The CCTV footage shows the suspects arriving at the spot in an ambulance, wearing masks, caps and gloves. They allegedly used gas cutters to damage the ATM, removed the cash and fled.
The suspects appear to be men in the footage. However, police have not ruled out the involvement of women, citing a recent ATM theft in Karimnagar district in which a woman was allegedly involved.
Telangana ATM robbery came to light on Monday morning when locals noticed the damaged ATM and alerted the police. A police team reached the spot, registered a case and collected evidence with the assistance of a clues team, IANS reported.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage to identify the suspects and trace their movements before and after the robbery. The exact amount stolen has not yet been confirmed, as police are verifying the ATM’s cash balance to establish the loss.
Police are also investigating whether the ambulance used in the robbery was genuine or was deployed as a disguise to avoid suspicion and conceal the suspects’ movements.
The incident comes weeks after burglars allegedly damaged two SBI ATMs and stole cash in Telangana’s Karimnagar district on September 19.
The two robberies took place at Durshed, under the Karimnagar Rural Police Station limits, and Thimmapur, under the LMD Police Station limits. In both cases, the offenders allegedly used gas cutters to break open the ATMs. The incidents were also captured on CCTV cameras, the news agency reported.
At Durshed, the accused allegedly sprayed a liquid on the CCTV cameras before breaking into the ATM. Police identified the alleged involvement of a woman based on the footage.
According to the police investigation, two suspects, including a woman, arrived at the Durshed ATM in a car. They were allegedly wearing caps, spectacles, gloves and masks.
After damaging the machine, the accused fled with Rs 8 lakh in cash, police said.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>In her 10 years as an actor, Saiyami believes that success and failure have served as essential learning experiences. "The biggest learning is not facing rejection as defeat, because that is something you face every single day as an actor,” she says.
Even though Saiyami doesn’t have the privilege to be picky, she refuses to be in films where women are treated as props and prefers character substance and narrative impact over screen time. “I’ve never had the luxury of having 10 scripts at my dining table, and that could also be because of the choices I’ve made. My debut film didn’t make 100 crores, which is a quintessential measure of success. For me, success is building relationships, gaining knowledge, and learning meaningfully. Of course, the greed and hunger is to do films like Choked and Ghoomer, but these opportunities, unfortunately, for women are still not so frequent,” she adds.
Saiyami, who made history as the first Indian actress to complete the gruelling Ironman 70.3 triathlon multiple times, says it is extremely unfortunate how nasty social media has gotten lately, especially about how an actress looks. She cites Katrina Kaif and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, emphasising that women go through different life and health phases, and society should respect their privacy and happiness instead of judging them.
She states, “We have started celebrating being voyeuristic. I don’t know Katrina personally, but she has been fit all her life. I don’t think anybody has the right to comment on someone’s life just because they’re a public figure. She is going through a phase in life where her happiness matters. She is a very secure person and has a lovely husband and family. I recently bumped into Aishwarya at the airport, and she is the most beautiful woman the country has seen, and even she has gone through it.”
“People need to understand that it can take time for them to come back, and even if they don’t want to and are happy with the life they’re leading, you’re no one to comment,” asserts Saiyami.
Saiyami credits veteran actor Waheeda Rehman for a subconscious influence on her, courtesy of the rich persona outside of cinema. “She’s 88, goes deep-sea diving, and loves photography and food. She’s very true to herself, and I love her vulnerability on and off screen. Sports has been an integral part of my existence growing up. I was advised to tone it down by my managers. A lot of people told me it’s not what actresses do. But if I wasn’t being true to myself, I would be unhappy. Maybe it has cost me certain films, but at the cost of my happiness, it’s worth it,” she signs off.
]]>Hosted at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, the Festival promises five incomparable days of thought-provoking literary dialogue, intellectually stimulating conversations, and a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange.
Celebrating two decades of bringing writers and readers, thinkers and audiences, India and the world together, the Jaipur Literature festival 2027 will feature an extraordinary voices spanning literature, science, journalism, history, economics, law, technology, food, fashion, culture and the arts.
Among the first speakers announced are Anamika, Tahmima Anam, Omar El Akkad, Avni Doshi, Steve Brusatte, Drummond Money-Coutts, Homi K. Bhabha, Shrabani Basu, Louise Kennedy, Prabal Gurung, Sanjoy Hazarika, Isabella Hammad, S.Y. Quraishi, Indira Jaising, B. Jeyamohan, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Karan Mahajan, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Damodar Mauzo, Dame Meera Syal, Marcus du Sautoy, Geetanjali Shree, Molly Crabapple, Vali Nasr, Esther Duflo, David Van Reybrouck, Sudha Murty, Olga Tokarczuk, James Wood, Lyse Doucet, and Radhavallabh Tripathi, among many others.
The line-up brings together some of the most distinctive literary and intellectual voices of our time with writers and thinkers representing globally renowned as well as India's extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity. From Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Assamese, Konkani, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Sindhi, Manipuri and other Indian literary traditions to major international voices, the 20th edition will celebrate the many languages and perspectives that shape contemporary literature and ideas.
Among the scientific and intellectual voices are Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford; palaeontologist Steve Brusatte; and leading economists, academics and public intellectuals whose work engages with some of the defining questions of our time.
The festival will also spotlight India’s rich and diverse literary traditions, bringing together writers from across its many linguistic cultures. The line-up includes Radhavallabh Tripathi, a distinguished Sanskrit scholar and writer; Anamika, a renowned Hindi poet, Dhrubajyoti Borah, an acclaimed Assamese writer; Makarand Sathe, a Marathi playwright and writer Paul Zacharia, one of Malayalam literature’s leading voices; Damodar Mauzo, a celebrated Konkani writer; Vasudhendra, writing in Kannada; Gautam Choubey, a bilingual writer of Hindi and Bhojpuri; Raam Mori, a prominent Gujarati writer showcasing unique Gujarati literature; and Jeyamohan, a bilingual writer of Tamil and Malayalam.
From the global politics of our time and histories of empire and migration to questions of caste, democracy, conflict, identity and belonging, Jaipur Literature Festival 2027 will create a space for ideas to encounter one another across disciplines, geographies and generations.
Like its previous editions, the festival will also bring literature into conversation with other forms of creative expression, with voices such as Dame Meera Syal and Prabal Gurung representing the worlds of performance, popular culture and fashion, alongside magician and storyteller Drummond Money-Coutts.
]]>The accused, identified as 25-year-old Sripad Vadar, allegedly tried to cover up the crime by telling his family that the woman, identified as Tarannum,23, had gone missing.
Police said they became suspicious after noticing discrepancies in his account and subsequently recovered her body from the gorge.
According to Inspector Sandip Jagtap of Bhudargad police station, Vadar and Tarannum, both residents of Gargoti town, had been in a relationship for four to five years, as per the PTI.
However, Tarannum’s marriage had been fixed about four months ago, following which she reportedly started avoiding Vadar.
Upset by the change in her behaviour, Vadar allegedly took her to a tourist spot near Patgaon village in Bhudargad taluka on the afternoon of October 9 for what he described as a final meeting before her wedding, the news agency reported.
During the meeting near Naikwadi Waterfall, Vadar allegedly asked Tarannum to marry him. When she refused, the two got into an argument, following which he allegedly pushed her into the deep gorge, police said, according to the PTI.
Vadar later returned home and told his family that Tarannum had gone missing. He allegedly claimed that he had parked his motorcycle and gone to fetch water for her when she disappeared, reported the PTI.
Initially treated as a missing-person case, the incident took a different turn after police noticed inconsistencies in Vadar’s account.
During sustained questioning, he allegedly confessed to the murder, Inspector Jagtap said.
Police then sought assistance from the Sahyadri Rescue Team from Amboli to retrieve the body. Tarannum’s body was recovered from the gorge on Saturday, the official said, the news agency reported.
Vadar has been remanded in police custody for five days, police said.
Officials said that further investigations into the matter was underway.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>Taking to X, Sardesai said he was informed about the FIR and questioned whether raising concerns about democracy and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls had become a crime.
I have just been informed that Mumbai Police has registered an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray ji, me and others for yesterday’s protest. What exactly is our crime? Raising our voices to safeguard democracy? Demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar? Protecting young protesters from police brutality? I have said it before, and I say it again: You can silence one of us. You can silence some of us. But you cannot silence all of us. Gyanesh Kumar must resign. We demand a free, fair and independent Election Commission.
— Varun Sardesai (@SardesaiVarun) October 12, 2026
“What exactly is our crime? Raising our voices to safeguard democracy? Demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar? Protecting young protesters from police brutality?” Sardesai wrote.
Reiterating his party’s demand for accountability, he added that the CEC must resign and called for a “free, fair and independent Election Commission”.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police registered a case against 25 people, including Aaditya Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, Varun Sardesai, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Mahesh Sawant, in the Mumbai protest row.
According to reports, the demonstration was held outside Shivaji Park Police Station to oppose the detention of protesters who had gathered over alleged irregularities in the electoral process and demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Police invoked provisions relating to unlawful assembly and alleged disobedience of orders issued by public authorities.
On Sunday, Aaditya and Amit Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station, demanding the release of those detained during the Mumbai protest.
Aaditya accused the BJP-led government of being afraid of citizens who take to the streets to protest. He also criticised the arrests of demonstrators and questioned the whereabouts of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and six MPs who had joined his faction.
The protest further intensified the political confrontation between opposition leaders and the authorities over police action against demonstrators.
The latest case comes after Mumbai Police registered a separate FIR against organisers of a joint march held by the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) on October 4.
The case was registered at Azad Maidan Police Station after the march towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters allegedly proceeded without the required police permission and in violation of prohibitory orders in force in South Mumbai.
The march targeted CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police sources said around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar for a demonstration led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protest was also linked to demands concerning the Election Commission and alleged electoral irregularities.
The developments in Mumbai and Delhi have brought police action against protesters and demands for greater accountability in the electoral process into sharp political focus.
]]>The visitors have made two changes to their playing XI. Romario Shepherd will make way for Quentin Sampson, and Keemo Paul will come in place of Akeal Hosein.
After winning the toss, Hope said, "I think we all know what I'm going to do, so we're going to bowl first this time again. [Wicketkeeping, all the runs scored - how tough has the tour been on your body?] You just have to remind me that I'm a bit tired every now and again, but it's going to be challenging, obviously, playing all three formats and you're putting your heart out for West Indies. But like I always say, once I cross that line, it's just about putting the best foot forward and try to do as best as I can for the team to win games".
When asked about the tips, he has shared with his teammates, the skipper said, "Yeah, just about learning as quickly as we can, these conditions. A few of the guys have not played here, so just about learning and using the experiences from the first two games and finding the best ways that you can formulate your plans to make it more difficult for them in the long run. Yes, for sure. Again, we always know that catches determine a lot of games sometimes. If we take those chances in that second game, maybe we would be chasing 210, who knows. So you still got to look at the cricket in total. This is T20 cricket, and if we cover all the bases right, we're going to give ourselves the best chance to win games".
Hope then said that his side will enter the clash with two changes, "(Romario Shepherd) He's okay, but obviously slight niggle, so he's (Romario) actually been rested today, and Quentin (Sampson) is going to come in, and Kimmo Paul is going to come in for Akeal".
On the other hand, the "Men in Blue" will enter the clash with one change, where Prince Yadav will come in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
Team India's captain Shreyas Iyer said, "Well, (the) dew factor played a massive role in the previous game, but we played exceptional cricket. I still feel that our bowlers were out of plans, but on a given day it happens, and we just got to forget about it and see to it that we are in (with) a fresh mindset today when we arrive. And yes, the toss isn't in your control, but as a player, as a professional, I would say that you need to put your A-game whenever you step onto the field. [Do you go extra aggressive now that you are batting first?] See, it's important that we adapt and assess the wicket as quickly as possible, because on a given day you never know how the wicket is going to play. So the quickly we adapt, it's easier for us, and see to it that we can (post) a very commendable total".
He then spoke about the team's combination for the third clash and also said that he wants his teammates to be completely involved in the match rather than thinking about dropped catches.
"Yes, we've got two changes. Instead of Shivam Dube, Nitish Reddy comes in, and for Kuldeep Yadav, Prince Yadav comes in. Obviously, considering the dimensions of the ground and also seeing that we need an extra seamer in the team, especially to open, execute those crucial overs in pressure situations, and also seeing to it that we limit the boundary-hitting capability which the opponents have. On a given day, you see brilliant catches taken here and there. So it's part and parcel, and I just want to see that we are completely involved in the game rather than thinking about dropping catches," he added.
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (C) (WK), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Shamar Springer, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
]]>Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, presided over the commissioning ceremony. He said the induction of INS Mangrol assumes particular significance amid rising geopolitical tensions and an increasingly contested maritime environment, reported news agency PTI.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: INS Mangrol, the third ship of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft, is being commissioned into the Indian Navy today. https://t.co/sIM9wqVuIh
— IANS (@ians_india) October 12, 2026
"The seas are no longer merely avenues for trade and connectivity but also arenas of strategic competition, technological change and emerging security challenges," he said.
For India, with its extensive coastline, islands and vital maritime trade routes, maintaining a credible, responsive and combat-ready Navy is indispensable, Vatsayan added.
U Sharan Kumar, Commanding Officer of INS Mangrol, said the Indian Ocean region is geopolitically very, very important, adding that the deployment of submarines by many foreign countries has increased tremendously over the years.
"So underwater threats, the chance of underwater threats and the requirement to detect and neutralize them have become far more important than what it was before," Kumar added.
"So in this spectrum of events, INS Mangrol will play a crucial role in strengthening Navy's defence in particular and maritime interest of India on the whole," Kumar said.
Kumar said the underwater domain remains an extremely challenging operational environment, as threats cannot be seen directly from the surface.
"Like over the surface, one cannot see what is underwater. Therefore, the first challenge is going to be in detecting something underwater. Second is classifying what is underwater. Third is prosecuting what is underwater," he said.
"This is a very niche domain. Not many countries in the world have the capability to undertake these kinds of operations. India is one of the very few countries able to do this operation. And INS Mangrol will be playing a very vital role in doing so," Kumar said.
He further said INS Mangrol can operate in shallow waters, an operational environment that larger warships cannot access as effectively.
Highlighting the ship's versatility, Kumar said it could also be deployed for Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
"Therefore, we can say that the ship is going to be strengthening the Navy's strength in a multi-dimensional way," Kumar said.
Built with over 80 per cent indigenous content, INS Mangrol reflects India's growing capabilities in warship design, construction and the integration of advanced weapons and sensors, the Navy said.
The ship is designed to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters. Its equipment includes the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System.
Powered by three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, the vessel offers high manoeuvrability for shallow-water operations. It can also undertake underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare-related tasks.
Named after Mangrol, a coastal town and prominent fishing harbour in Gujarat's Junagadh district, the ship carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol (M85), a minesweeper that served the Indian Navy until April 2004. The name continues the Navy's tradition of preserving the legacy of its former warships.
Vatsayan said the expansion of the Indian Navy's fleet reflects a strategic imperative. The Navy has commissioned 10 ships in 2026, with another eight likely to be commissioned by the end of the year.
"We currently have 151 platforms, comprising 131 ships and 20 submarines. We presently have 42 ships under construction at Indian shipyards with Acceptance of Necessity accorded for another 69 Ships, six submarines and 120 fast interceptor craft," Vatsayan said.
The Navy's fleet is projected to grow to over 170 platforms in the next few years, with a new ship being commissioned every 40 to 50 days, the Vice Admiral added.
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
]]>In an interview with Zoom TV, Maniesh recounted how Katrina would come to his award shows and feel at ease with him because he never joked about her Hindi. "Jab main un dino bahut hosting kar raha tha, toh Katrina, every award night, she would come. And she would feel comfortable when I would be there. Why? Kyunki maine kabhi unki Hindi ka mazaak nahi banaya," he said.
Maniesh clarified that it is not appropriate to make fun of someone for not being able to speak Hindi well. Additionally, he said that making constant jokes about Katrina's Hindi was "boring" and that he occasionally felt pressured by television channels to do so. But he refused to back down and assured them he could make the crowd laugh without targeting the actress.
“Kayi baar channel bhi pressure deta tha... lekin I used to say, ‘Aapko fun karna hai na? Aapko 3 minute ka laughter chahiye na? Main dila dunga," Maniesh recalled. The television host underlined that making someone laugh shouldn't come at the expense of making someone feel uncomfortable or ashamed.
Katrina Kaif recently faced online trolling over her post-pregnancy appearance after she was spotted with her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal. Responding to social media criticism at the recent Kay Beauty event in London, the actress said, "I think we really need to be careful of letting the narrative on social media affect our self-worth and our value, because there are so many opinions out there."
]]>On Monday, Kanagaraj took to his official Instagram handle and uploaded a picture of himself engaged in an intense conversation with the 'Pushpa' actor.
Piquing the interest of the movie buffs, the director penned the caption, "Interesting updates coming soon (sic)." He also tagged AA in the post.
The post gains significance as recently there were speculations going around that 'AA23' might have been shelved, but Kanagaraj has effectively put the rumour mills to rest with his latest social media update.
Back in January this year, the first collaboration between Allu Arjun and Kanagaraj was officially announced on social media. The announcement video featured a lion firmly standing its ground while a group of foxes circled around it in an attempt to assert control.
The clip did not divulge any major details regarding the plot of the much-discussed drama; however, it surely managed to create a massive buzz regarding what Allu Arjun and Kanagaraj are going to come up with next.
Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the tunes for 'AA23' will be composed by Anirudh Ravichander. It must be noted that Mythri Movie Makers had also backed Allu Arjun's blockbuster 'Pushpa'.
In the meantime, Allu Arjun is presently occupied with Atlee's 'Raaka'.
With Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone as the leading lady, the project will mark the Tollywood actor's primary association with the 'Pathaan' actress. However, Deepika has already worked with Atlee in 'Jawan', featuring Shah Rukh Khan as the lead.
For the unaware, the official announcement for 'Raaka' was made on Allu Arjun's 44th birthday on April 8th this year, along with the first look poster for the protagonist.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The deceased, identified as Akash Sangle, was among the firefighters who suffered severe burn injuries when an explosion destroyed their fire tender during firefighting operations on October 5.
Sangle succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Latur on Monday morning, the official said. Twelve other people who sustained serious injuries in the incident are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
The firefighter was injured when a series of explosions occurred as fire personnel battled the blaze at the godown.
A massive fire broke out at a warehouse storing firecrackers in Marwadi Galli, a densely populated residential area in Hingoli district.
Two people were killed in the initial blaze, while several others were injured as firecrackers exploded intermittently. The explosions also caused severe damage during firefighting operations, including the destruction of a fire tender.
The incident has now claimed four lives, with several injured people continuing to receive medical treatment.
According to the PTI, the massive fire and explosions also damaged some nearby houses. Two-wheelers parked along the narrow lane were also damaged in the incident.
Residents reported panic as repeated explosions were heard from the godown while firefighters attempted to bring the blaze under control.
The location of the godown in the older and densely populated part of Hingoli town posed a major challenge for emergency responders.
The congested area and narrow lanes made it difficult for fire engines and other emergency vehicles to reach the site.
A large crowd of onlookers also gathered in the area, further complicating firefighting and rescue operations.
Authorities disconnected the power supply to the affected area as a precautionary measure.
Firefighting operations were continuing, with officials working to bring the blaze fully under control.
The exact cause of the fire will be determined after the firefighting and cooling operations are completed, the official said.
Authorities are also expected to assess the extent of damage to nearby properties and investigate how the firecracker stock was stored in the godown.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>Arshdeep took three key wickets, playing a key role in restricting the opposition, specifically dismissing in-form opener Hope for 5 and Sherfane Rutherford for 32. He knocked over the stumps of both batters as India successfully defended a target of 223.
This bowling display proved crucial following the previous fixture in Ranchi, where Hope's century and Rutherford's blistering 84 powered West Indies to a record-breaking chase of 250.
"Before the match we had planned how to target Shai Hope, to keep things tight and execute that plan on the field; seeing the result feels great," said Arshdeep in a video posted by the BCCI.
"A lot of credit goes to coaches for walking us through the plan and highlighting what we could apply in the match. It was executed well, supported by brilliant bowling overall."
"Mayank kept the pressure building from the other end and all six bowlers chipped in. It feels good when there is a bit of pressure on execution … it is good fun," added Arshdeep.
Although Mayank Yadav went wicketless, his pace proved vital in haunting the WI chase, giving away only 34 runs across his four overs.
Arshdeep also praised the team's unity and positive dressing-room atmosphere for the team's success.
"The atmosphere in the dressing room is completely relaxed and chilled ... it is not like someone who has played more matches or fewer matches gets treated differently, and a very relaxed environment is maintained."
"And I try to see what I can learn from any bowler who has a different skill set, and there is always that willingness to learn and improve my game. I feel that as long as there is that hunger to learn, I will keep enhancing and refining my game, and that is my effort every time," he concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>On the Multi Commodity Exchange, yellow metal contracts for December delivery traded lower by Rs 1,280, or 0.84 per cent, at Rs 1,50,219 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 2,622 lots.
Analysts attributed the decline in precious metal prices to weaker spot demand.
Globally, gold futures declined by 0.25 per cent to USD 4,183.59 per ounce in New York.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>In the episode that aired on Sunday, Salman lashed out at Scout for his behaviour throughout the week, particularly after he stopped Love Gill from taking food to Qazi.
During the conversation, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor asked Scout why he had stepped in when Love was already going to get food for Qazi. Questioning his decision, Salman asked whether Scout had a problem with Qazi and why he had not allowed Love to take the food to him.
Salman also questioned Scout's intentions, suggesting that he might have wanted to present himself in a favourable light on television. Asking whether he wanted to show the audience that he was helping a sick contestant, Salman said, "Gesture dikhana tha ki yaar dekho beemaar aadmi ko main khana khila raha hu? TV pe bohot achha dikhega? (Did you want to make a public gesture to show everyone that you were feeding a sick person? Wouldn't that make you look good on TV?)"
Scout denied the allegation, saying, "Mera aisa koi intention nahi tha genuinely (I genuinely didn't have that intention)."
However, Salman did not seem convinced by his explanation and questioned the way Scout had treated Qazi while serving him food. Calling his behaviour "heartless", Salman said, "Aapka tareeqa bada hi wahiyaad, bada hi heartless hai (Your way of handling things is absolutely awful and completely heartless)."
The Bigg Boss host went on to compare the incident to how prisoners are treated when they are served food, pointing out that even they receive their meals with basic care and respect.
"Jail mein bhi pyaar se mug mein dete hain. Roti dete hain, thaali dete hain. Woh bhi pyaar se hota hai jail mein (Even in jail, people are treated with some dignity when they're given food, whether it's served in a mug or on a plate. At least there, people show some kindness when feeding others)," Salman said.
As the discussion continued, Qazi suddenly broke down in tears. The singer tried to compose himself before asking Salman for a chance to speak. "Can I talk, sir?" he asked.
Mahhi Vij also joined the discussion and shared her concerns about how the contestants were treated when it came to food. Supporting Qazi, she told Salman, "Sir, inka bas chale toh humare haath se khaana le lein. Itne gande se khaana dete hain ye log humko (Sir, if they had their way, they'd snatch the food right out of our hands. That's how terribly they treat us when serving our meals)."
The incident also drew reactions from outside the house. Former Bigg Boss winner Gauahar Khan had earlier criticised Scout's way of serving food to Qazi and questioned the lack of basic kindness shown in the situation.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>In a post on X, Dipke said, “They have removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Yes, it's no longer a protest site as anyway it was turned into a war zone by the coward dictator. Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega!”
His remarks came after Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11, removing Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest venues and naming three alternative locations for demonstrations.
In another post on social media, Abhijeet Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of targeting the right to protest and warned that the decision could have wider implications for democratic expression.
“Today, Modi denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Tomorrow, he will denotify democracy itself. The dictator's problem was never the protest site. It was the very idea of people protesting,” Dipke said.
The CJP founder's remarks came amid heightened political tensions in the national capital, with Opposition leaders protesting against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, reported the PTI.
According to the standing order issued on October 11, Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi have been designated as alternative venues for protests and demonstrations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to examine alternative locations where citizens could exercise their right to organise demonstrations. The decision to denotify Jantar Mantar was taken based on the committee's recommendations, according to the PTI.
The Delhi Police said a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising protests at the three new venues would be issued separately. The order partially modifies an earlier standing order dated April 28, 2022.
Jantar Mantar has traditionally been a prominent location for political protests and public demonstrations in Delhi. The decision to remove it from the list of designated protest sites has drawn criticism amid the ongoing political dispute over electoral roll revision and the functioning of the Election Commission.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The rally comes amid protests by opposition leaders in New Delhi, where Banerjee is currently present. While her participation in the Kolkata rally has not been officially confirmed, party insiders indicated that she could lead the march if she returns to the city by Tuesday, IANS reported.
“Till now we are saying that her presence at the Kolkata rally is tentative since she is still in New Delhi to be part of the protest movements there. But if she returns tonight or even tomorrow morning, she will surely lead the rally in Kolkata,” a leader from the faction said on Monday.
The faction has described the proposed rally as a “massive protest march” in a pamphlet circulated on Monday. Apart from demanding the CEC’s resignation, the protest is expected to target the Central government over allegations of “suppression of democracy”.
According to the pamphlet, the march will also highlight the alleged detention of Banerjee in New Delhi and what the faction has described as the “oppression” of opposition leaders and protesters, including members of the younger generation.
The faction has appealed to students, youth, women and workers to participate in the march, IANS reported.
According to the pamphlet, the rally will begin in the Rajabazar area of North Kolkata and conclude at Park Circus in central Kolkata. Both areas have significant minority populations.
However, it remains unclear whether the Kolkata Police will grant permission for the proposed march, with potential traffic disruptions emerging as a key concern.
The police’s decision is likely to determine how the rally proceeds. The faction’s next course of action, should permission be denied, also remains to be seen.
The state BJP leadership has criticised the proposed rally, alleging that it is a deliberate attempt to disturb Kolkata’s festive atmosphere ahead of Durga Puja, which begins later this week, IANS reported.
With the rally planned ahead of the festival, the police’s decision on permission and the possibility of Banerjee’s participation are likely to shape the political developments in the city on Tuesday.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Ahead of the series, there were several reports that the first ODI match between the teams is being shifted from Delhi to Ahmedabad. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has denied the reports by saying that they are "not accurate".
He said the match, to be played on December 13, was allotted to Delhi as per a standard policy, and no change has been made to the venue.
"Reports suggesting that the India-Sri Lanka ODI match scheduled in Delhi may be shifted to Ahmedabad are not accurate. There has been no such decision by the BCCI," said Saikia.
"Further, it needs to be reiterated that bilateral matches are primarily allotted by following a standard policy," he added.
The reports stated that the match has been moved to Ahmedabad as there is ongoing construction work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The first ODI match between Team India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to be played on December 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The second game will be played on December 16 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the third clash on December 19.
Later, the teams will lock horns with each other in the first T20I match, which is scheduled to be played on December 22 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The second and third T20I matches will be played on December 24 and 27, respectively. The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack will host the second match, whereas the fans will witness the action for the third T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Currently, Team India is busy featuring in the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies. The "Men in Blue" have won two matches, following which they are leading the series by 2-1 against the Caribbean side.
The fourth T20I match between the teams will be played on October 14 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>The Kartavya actor shared his first post with the caption, “Pataudi Library.. Judging books by their cover.” The post has sparked curiosity among fans, who have long relied on Kareena and other family members for glimpses of the actor’s life away from the screen.
View this post on Instagram
Saif’s Instagram debut comes as a surprise to fans familiar with his preference for keeping his personal life private. Unlike several Bollywood celebrities who regularly share updates about their films, holidays and families, the actor has generally maintained a low profile on public social media.
His first post references the Pataudi Library, connecting the update to his family heritage. Saif's decision to follow only Kareena has also drawn attention, with fans welcoming the actor and leaving messages in the comments.
Some users wrote “Welcome to Instagram” and “King is here and forever”, while another joked that the “oldest member from Gen Z is finally on Insta”.
Saif’s entry into Instagram also recalls Kareena’s own debut on the platform in March 2020. The actor joined Instagram around the time of her association with sportswear brand Puma, with her first posts tied to the campaign.
Kareena initially maintained a relatively limited social media presence but gradually began sharing family moments, professional updates and glimpses of her life with Saif and their children. Her Instagram has since become a popular window into the couple’s personal and professional lives.
For now, the prospect of Saif joining Instagram has generated interest, especially because the account follows only Kareena. Whether he will share more updates or keep his presence limited remains to be seen.
On the work front, Saif continues to be associated with film and streaming projects. Saif was last seen in Haiwaan, and his upcoming projects include Devara: Part 2 and a Bengali-based biopic.
]]>The process of making the song was as important to Krishan as the song itself. It was a big chance for him to work with established artistes and watch the creative process firsthand and how the contributions of individuals combine to make a track. “I guess there’s something special about every song, especially for the artiste. For Tera Banke Rehna, the special part for me was the process. To be a part of the song-making process with such fine artistes and amazing people around me is something that is going to stay with me,” he says.
The collaboration also gave him a front-row view of how a song takes shape musically. He recalls watching Pani build the soundscape from scratch, describing the experience as almost magical. “It was really amazing. I witnessed Vaibhav Pani make the soundscape for the song from scratch right in front of me, and it was truly magical how everything came together. He is undoubtedly a master at his craft,” Krishan says. He is equally appreciative of Setia's contribution, pointing to how her voice and performance in the music video added to the song. “Regarding Shirley, I don't know what to say - her voice, her acting in the music video and everything she did added so much to the song!”
Beyond the collaboration, it is the song's emotional honesty that makes it particularly personal for him. Krishan says he connects deeply with its story because it comes from a place of unfiltered thought rather than an attempt to dress up an emotion. “I definitely connect with the story of the song deeply. The song is really close to me because it is based on raw, unfiltered thoughts and just says what it means to say, as it is,” he says. That directness is also central to his approach to songwriting, where the emotion behind a track matters as much as the way it is eventually presented to listeners.
His growing recognition, particularly through ‘Kol Mere’, has also changed the way he views his work. While the response has not necessarily altered his musical approach, it has made him more conscious of the responsibility and possibility that come with putting a song out into the world. “Not how I approach my music, but probably it changed the seriousness with which I approached it. I witnessed the impact a song can have. I saw people connecting to the song, and for me that became my purpose,” he says. For a young artiste still finding his footing, that connection has become a reason to keep writing and releasing music, rather than simply a marker of success.
Krishan's move to Mumbai has been another defining part of that evolution. The city has exposed him to new people, experiences and ways of looking at music, making the transition both challenging and rewarding. “The journey has been challenging, yet rewarding. When I look back, I find myself to be a completely different person, both generally and as a musician, after shifting to Mumbai. Maybe that's what they call the ‘Mumbai’ effect!” he says. “I have learnt so much in this city and met so many amazing people who I think I would have never met had I not shifted to Mumbai. I'm enjoying the journey!”
If there is one lesson he has taken away from the experience so far, it is the importance of patience. In an industry where success can feel like it happens overnight Krishan believes that building a sustainable career is all about consistency and trusting the process. “One of my biggest learnings has to be patience. It's not a one-day, one-month or even one-year job. It takes time, and one needs to be patient, trust the process and consistently put one's best work forward,” he says.
With more music in the pipeline, Krishan is keen to move beyond the sound listeners have come to associate with him so far. His upcoming releases will explore a different sonic direction, reflecting an artiste who is still experimenting and evolving. “They can expect something different. A new soundscape, distinct from my other works. I have been working on lots of new stuff, and I cannot wait to share new music!” he says.
]]>The film is slated to arrive in theatres on November 20.
The tagline of the poster reads, "Torn between his past and present, he uncovers the truth," hinting at a narrative driven by mysterious secrets and unresolved trauma. Deol's brooding avatar adds to the film's intensity, marking another gritty role for the actor.
View this post on Instagram
Suryaa: Ant Se Aarambh Tak, which translates to From End to Beginning, marks Malayalam filmmaker M. Padmakumar's Bollywood debut. The film is a Hindi adaptation of the critically acclaimed 2018 Malayalam thriller Joseph, written by Shahi Kabir.
Deol reportedly essays a retired police officer who is drawn into an investigation that compels him to confront a web of dark secrets, crime and mystery from his past. The film sets the stage for a gripping mystery drama driven by emotion, confrontation and the consequences of unresolved truths.
Apart from Deol, the ensemble cast includes Ravi Kishan, Pragya Jaiswal, Jisshu Sengupta, Tinu Anand, Manish Wadhwa, Tanushree Chakraborty, Rohit Tiwari and Anoop Trivedi. Helmed by M Padmakumar and presented by Kamal Mukut, the film is backed by Deepak Mukut, Hemmant Mukut and Lokesh Mukut under the MM Moviez banner. Zee Music Company is linked with the film's music.
]]>On the Multi Commodity Exchange, silver contracts for December delivery declined by Rs 1,067, or 0.47 per cent, to Rs 2,24,688 per kg in a business turnover of 1,739 lots.
Analysts said a sell-off by participants mainly weighed on silver prices.
Globally, the white metal was trading 0.16 per cent up at USD 60.91 per ounce in New York.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>All too often, the idea of fasting for nine days slowly devolves into eating as little as possible. Some people survive on a minuscule portion of fruit and a handful of nuts, trying simply to drag themselves through the day. Others lean heavily into greasy vrat snacks like kuttu puris, potato chips, or deep-fried sabudana, convinced they are sticking to a diet because it carries the label of fasting.
But clinical nutritionists warn that severe calorie restriction triggers a profound survival response, spikes cortisol, and ultimately wreaks havoc on your metabolic rate. This Navratri, nutrition experts help you look beyond the superficial drop on the bathroom scales and understand how the body actually responds to prolonged restriction.
One of the most frustrating phenomena of festival fasting is the post-fast rebound. Why do people so often gain back all the weight, plus a little extra, the moment they transition back to a normal diet?
According to Dr Rohini Patil, author, nutritionist, and founder of Nutracy Lifestyle, the rapid weight gain after Navratri is rarely a direct consequence of the fasting ritual itself. Instead, it is a reflection of how strict the diet was and how the body is treated afterward.
Dr Patil explains, “The weight rebound is not mainly because of Navratri fasting itself; it is more about how strict the diet was and what follows that period. When a fast is very strict, people eat fewer calories and may lose a little body weight. However, the first drop in weight can also come from changes in glycogen and water stores. When normal food is eaten again, those stores refill, so a bit of weight return is completely normal."
The true danger lies in the psychological and physiological reward eating that follows nine days of deprivation. As Dr Patil points out, "The bigger problem is the reward eating that can follow nine days of restriction. People often eat portions of fried Navratri fasting foods, sweets, refined carbohydrates, and calorie dense snacks. Furthermore, severe restrictions can also make it hard to maintain eating habits later." While research shows that intermittent fasting can help with weight loss, the nutritionist emphasises that long term success depends on steady energy intake and good food quality, not fasting alone.
To prevent the dreaded rebound, she recommends a gentle, intentional transition, "To avoid rebound, I recommend a transition. Bring back meals that have enough protein, vegetables, fibre rich carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Keep physical activity and do not treat the end of Navratri as a free pass to overeat. The goal should be a routine, not a cycle of restriction followed by indulgence."
When someone slashes their calorie intake drastically for nine days, the body does not quietly sit back and burn fat unhindered. Dietician and certified diabetes educator Archana Batra explains that the body immediately begins making adjustments because it has less energy coming in.
Batra details the physiological shift, "When people suddenly cut their food intake drastically, the body doesn't just sit quietly and burn fat. It starts making adjustments because it has less energy coming in. Your body can reduce energy expenditure, hunger can increase and you may also lose lean tissue along with fat."
While the term ‘survival mode’ is frequently thrown around in diet culture, Batra notes, “It is not a switch that suddenly turns on after a few days. The body gradually makes adjustments when energy intake stays very low." When a person eats very little for multiple days, Batra highlights her primary concern, "I would be more concerned about what they are losing along with the weight. The body needs energy not only for exercise but also for basic functions, and when food is very restricted, it has to make changes."
Fasting often coincides with hectic schedules, warm weather, and long hours without fluids, making proper hydration an essential pillar of health. However, Dr Patil clarifies a common misconception: dehydration does not directly slow down your metabolism. Instead, "What it can do is cause symptoms like fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and constipation. These symptoms can make a person feel tired. Affect how they function daily."
To protect your energy levels and safeguard your metabolism, Dr Patil advices to keep these core hydration principles in mind:
1. Distribute fluids evenly: The first thing to focus on is making sure non-fasting hours are used well. It’s better to drink water throughout the day instead of trying to drink a lot all at once.
2. Leverage water-rich produce: Incorporate hydration-friendly whole foods into your meals, as "Foods with water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, citrus fruits, and other fresh fruits, also help with fluid intake.
3. Approach electrolytes sensibly: Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are vital for fluid balance, but healthy individuals usually don’t need to use commercial electrolyte drinks every day. If someone loses a lot of fluid due to sweating, vomiting, or diarrhoea, then replacing electrolytes might be necessary.
4. Limit caffeine reliance: Be mindful of your stimulant intake because caffeine can sometimes worsen dehydration. Cause jitters.
5. Recognise warning signs: Fasting may lead to dizziness, extreme weakness, confusion, or very little urine output. If your body sends critical distress signals, it’s important to stop the fast and seek medical advice right away.
Another major concern during strict fasting is the elevation of stress hormones. Batra notes, "Fasting can increase cortisol, particularly when the restriction is severe." However, she warns against oversimplifying the science, stating that it would be too simple to say that cortisol alone causes belly fat. "Cortisol should not be blamed for every bit of abdominal fat. It is only one part of a much bigger picture."
She lists factors that influence physical health and composition:
1. Lifestyle variables: Sleep, stress, overall food intake, activity, hormones and body composition all these things also matter a lot.
2. The hidden cost of stress: The bigger concern with extreme fasting is that you are putting your body under unnecessary stress while also not giving it enough nutrition.
3. The reality of scale weight: During a strict crash diet, a person may see the scale drop quickly during a prolonged fast, but that number is not pure body fat. Water and fat-free mass can also fall.
4. Protecting lean muscle: She cautions that while the quick drop on the weighing scale can feel exciting, but I don't want people to assume that all of it is fat. Losing muscle is not something I would consider a success just because the number on the scale is lower.
For individuals who experience extreme fatigue, headaches, or mood swings while fasting, the structure of their meals makes all the difference. Dr Patil points out that many people mistakenly turn fasting days into an excuse to consume refined carbohydrates and sugary treats, "The main thing is not to make fasting meals about refined carbs or sweet things. When people end a fast with items like candy, large amounts of potatoes, or heavily processed snacks, they might take in a lot of calories but not enough protein, fibre, or important nutrients."
Instead, Dr Patil suggests practical, wholesome modifications, "I suggest making each meal include a source of protein, carbs that have fibre, healthy fats, and veggies or fruit. During Navratri, based on how each person fasts, good choices can be milk or yogurt, paneer, nuts and seeds, plus fruits. Allowed whole-food sources of carbs include amaranth, buckwheat, or other traditional grains used for fasting. The specific options should respect the person's fasting rules and their health needs."
Batra echoes this sentiment, emphasising that "Fasting does not mean that you have to survive only on kuttu puris, potato chips or sabudana that is fried in a lot of oil. Instead, meals can also include kuttu or rajgira roti with curd, paneer with vegetables, makhana, fruits, nuts and seeds, depending on the person's fasting rules." Batra poses, “The idea is not to make Navratri another crash diet. Have proper food when you are eating, add some protein, include vegetables or fruit, use nuts and seeds sensibly and don't depend only on fried vrat snacks.”
Ultimately, a balanced fasting day can be both spiritually fulfilling and physically nourishing. Dr Patil prefers to view Navratri as a time to simplify one's diet and focus on food quality, "I don’t see it as a period of starvation or a way to boost metabolism quickly. There is no food that can magically speed up metabolism. What really matters is getting nutrients, eating the right amount of energy, staying active, getting good sleep, and being consistent."
A balanced daily routine can be structured around the following elements:
1. The morning start: Begin with water and a nutrient-rich breakfast, such as fruit with curd plus some nuts and seeds.
2. The primary meal: You can have a permitted grain like buckwheat or amaranth along with vegetables, curd or paneer, and a small amount of healthy fat.
3. Thoughtful snacking: If needed, a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts makes a snack.
4. The evening meal: The evening meal should include protein, vegetables, and a source of allowed carbohydrates. It's not about surviving on potatoes, sabudana, fried snacks, or sweets just because they are often seen as fasting foods.
Summarising her golden rule, Dr Patil states, "My golden rule is simple: Do not confuse fasting with starving. A religious fast should not mean depriving the body of essential nutrients for nine days. The objective should be to follow your practice while still respecting your body's nutritional requirements."
Batra reminds us that "The goal during Navratri is not to see how less quantity of food can someone survive for nine days. A fasting routine can still include enough nourishment to support energy, muscle and everyday functioning of the body." Ultimately, the healthiest fast is one that harmonises faith and wellness, ensuring that you nurture your body rather than sacrificing your long-term health for the sake of temporary restriction.
]]>He revealed how Anuradha Paudwal’s decision to stop singing for films and focus on T-Series worked in Alka’s favour.
The filmmaker who was recently a part of trade analyst Komal Nahta's podcast Game Changers: The Music Series along with Kumar, reflected on the rise of legendary playback singers and the changing dynamics of the Hindi film music industry during the 1990s.
While speaking about Alka Yagnik’s rise in popularity, Ramesh Taurani shared, “Back then, Lata Ji and Asha Ji were already established. When we used to make music, Lata Ji was our first preference, followed by Alka and Anuradha. The idea was that in the ’90s, when new singers like Shanu, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan came in, these four made it big. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Aashiqui, Saajan and Phool Aur Kaante were hits, and their songs became superhits.”
He added, “The idea then was that Anuradha Paudwal was the new Lata Mangeshkar, while Alka Yagnik became the new Asha Bhosle. Luckily, Anuradha Ji stopped singing for films and made herself exclusive to T-Series. This worked in Alka Ji’s favour, as she got both Lata Ji and Asha Ji type songs, whether they were solos, duets or shayari. The situation was such that, among Udit, Sanu and Sonu, Alka Ji was getting the most songs.”
For the uninitiated, Anuradha Paudwal was among the leading playback singers of the late 1980s and early 1990s, delivering popular soundtracks such as Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin and Saajan.
For the uninitiated, Anuradha Paudwal had previously explained that she had decided to step away from film playback singing while she was at the peak of her career. She gradually shifted her focus towards devotional music and became closely associated with T-Series.
Meanwhile, Alka Yagnik continued to establish herself as a leading voice in Hindi cinema, singing for a large range of composers and becoming a regular choice for romantic songs, duets and other musical sequences.
Alka’s collaborations with composers such as Nadeem-Shravan and Anu Malik helped cement her position during the decade, with films such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Saajan and Phool Aur Kaante initially.
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]]>Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour is the highest civilian award bestowed by the French Republic.
Mittal has been conferred the distinction in recognition of his longstanding commitment to deepening economic ties between India and France, as well as his outstanding achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, a company statement said.
Ambassador of France to India Thierry Mathou said that Mittal has been a friend of France for more than 30 years, dating back to the early days of Airtel in 1992.
"He has unflaggingly nurtured these ties over the decades and shown what French and Indian business endeavours can achieve together. Today he advances these relations as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, at a time when our two countries are moving forward jointly in space and digital technology.
"In awarding him the Legion of Honour, the President of the Republic recognises an outstanding business leader who has contributed to making France a lasting partner in India," he said.
The insignia will be conferred at a ceremony to be held on October 28, 2026, at the Embassy of France in New Delhi.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Mittal thanked the French Republic.
"My association with France began at Airtel's inception in 1992, when Compagnie Generale des Eaux joined hands with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India.
"It continues today through my role as Co-Chairman of Eutelsat, the European satellite champion. I accept this honour with gratitude to the President of the French Republic, HE Mr Emmanuel Macron, and with a renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France," Mittal said.
In 2007, Mittal was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours.
In 2024, he became the first Indian citizen to be honoured as a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>While speaking at a promotional event, Nelson revealed Vidya was initially worried about playing a character strong enough to stand her ground against Rajinikanth. The scene featured in the Jailer 2 trailer further seemed to test of her confidence.
Nelson recalled, "The scene shown in Vidya ma'am's trailer was the one we had to shoot on the first day. Hers is a powerful character who stands opposite Rajinikanth sir. However, she said she was scared to play such a strong character. When I told her to smoke a cigarette and blow the smoke into Rajinikanth sir's face, her tension doubled."
He also shared how Vidya's visibly shaky hand caught his attention on the monitor. This made him doubt if the shot would work.
"When we were taking the shot, I looked at the monitor. Ma'am was holding the cigarette and shaking her hand as if she were applying lipstick. At that moment, I thought this wasn't going to work. It was only on the third take or so that we got it right. Even now, when you watch the scene, you can see a little tension in ma'am's eyes," Nelson revealed.
He shared that eventually the scene came together after a few attempts. It offers a glimpse of the dynamic between Vidya's character and Rajinikanth's Tiger Muthuvel Pandian.
Jailer 2 is the sequel to Rajinikanth's 2023 blockbuster film. The sequel marks the return of Rajinikanth back as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian, the retired jailer. The upcoming film also has Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa and Rithvik, among others reprising their roles. Meanwhile, the sequel introduces a new cast of S.J. Suryah, Vidya Balan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Mithun Chakraborty, and Vijay Sethupathi.
Jailer 2 is scheduled to release in theatres on October 15, 2026.
]]>The inflow was higher than the Rs 29,329 crore recorded in August, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) on Monday.
Among equity categories, small-cap funds attracted the highest net inflow of Rs 9,039 crore, followed by mid-cap funds at Rs 7,835 crore. Large-cap funds, meanwhile, saw net inflows of Rs 860 crore during the month.
"Equity inflows jumped sharply in a month when markets were under pressure. Much of that reflects the lasting faith Indian investors have in equities as one of the best long-term routes to wealth creation. Part of it may also have come from money leaving debt and hybrid funds," Nirav Karkera, Head of Research and Fund Manager at W by Groww, said.
In contrast, debt mutual fund schemes witnessed a net outflow of Rs 1.83 lakh crore in September, significantly higher than the outflow of Rs 8,127 crore recorded in August.
Consequently, the mutual fund industry reported an overall net outflow of Rs 1.33 lakh crore during the month, compared with a net inflow of Rs 41,353 crore in August.
The industry's total assets under management (AUM) declined to Rs 82.64 lakh crore at the end of September from Rs 87.07 lakh crore at the end of August.
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]]>The protest centres on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns over the functioning of constitutional institutions. Several Opposition leaders accused the authorities of failing to protect democratic principles and citizens' voting rights.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the call for unity had come from Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as the INDIA bloc sought to launch a broader movement.
“We are gathering the people to start a movement,” Chowdhury said. “Rahul Gandhi summoned everyone to walk unitedly," according to the ANI.
Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna alleged that constitutional institutions were not responding favourably to the Opposition's concerns.
“We are trying to reach all constitutional bodies, but they are not favouring or upholding the Constitution,” he said, the news agency reported,
LIVE: Chalo Delhi | March For Democracy | Barakhamba Road to Supreme Court | New Delhi https://t.co/KaXt3KX2ZB
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 12, 2026
Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi described the protest as a long-term struggle, saying it was a people's movement that would continue beyond the immediate political developments.
“This is the people's battle and it will continue,” Nadvi said.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad also stressed the importance of protecting democratic values.
“Public is the top priority in democracy and we are going there to save democracy,” he said.
Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of using the Delhi Police to suppress Opposition protests.
“It is PM Modi and the police who are flaunting their power; for us, it is a fight,” it said, as per the ANI.
He also questioned why the Opposition was not being allowed to meet Gyanesh Kumar and alleged that the government was protecting the Chief Election Commissioner because of his actions.
“The Delhi Police is displaying its might on the orders of Amit Shah. If we want to meet Gyanesh Kumar, we should be allowed. Why is the government protecting him? Because he is working for them,” it alleged.
दिल्ली वोट चोर - गद्दी छोड़ के नारों से गूंज रहा है✊ https://t.co/6TCHRcZTJw
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 12, 2026
He further claimed that people had begun to feel that the country was being betrayed.
These remarks reflect the Opposition's allegations against the government and the Election Commission.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said Opposition leaders were gathering at the Constitution Club and had yet to decide on their next course of action, as per the ANI.
“It is yet to be decided where we would march, but everyone is gathering at the Constitution Club,” Roy said.
He added that the leaders had taken note of the Supreme Court proceedings and would decide on their next steps.
The Opposition's protest comes amid demands for action over alleged irregularities in the SIR process and calls for greater accountability from the Election Commission.
The demonstrations coincided with the Delhi Police's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations.
According to an official notice issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi have been designated as alternative protest venues.
#WATCH | Delhi: A bus carrying Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the INDIA bloc ready to leave from the Constitution Club of India. The alliance has called a march to the Supreme Court today. They have also announced that they would file a petition before the apex court in connection with CEC Gyanesh Kumar matter and their allegations with respect to the SIR process.
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to examine alternative locations where citizens could exercise their right to organise protests and demonstrations. The decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated venues was taken based on the committee's recommendations.
The police said a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organising demonstrations at the three new venues would be issued separately. The order partially modifies an earlier standing order dated April 28, 2022.
The change comes amid heightened security in the national capital following calls for protests against alleged electoral irregularities and demands for the CEC's resignation.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>Building on the F Series' 10-year imaging legacy and enduring connection with Indian consumers, the F35 Series brings the Group Selfie Expert experience to a new generation, led by its 50MP Ultra-Wide Natural Selfie Camera with a 100° field of view, designed to bring more people and more of the moment into every frame.
The OPPO F35 Series will be available across offline stores, OPPO India E-Store, Flipkart, and Amazon.in from 11th October 2026. The OPPO F35 Pro will be available in 6GB + 128GB at INR 45,999, 8GB + 128GB at INR 49,999, and 8GB + 256GB at INR 54,999, in Sunrise Orange, Wave Blue and Twilight Brown. The OPPO F35 will be available in 6GB + 128GB at INR 38,999 and 8GB + 128GB at INR 42,999, in Wave Blue, Titanium Grey and Mist Pink.
As part of the festive offers, customers purchasing the OPPO F35 Pro can avail of up to 18 months Zero Down Payment, up to 10% Instant Cashback with up to 9 months No-Cost EMI, up to 10% Exchange Bonus, and 50% off on OPPO Enco Buds 3 Pro+.
Customers will also receive a free 1-year Extended Warranty and 20% discount on 1-year SDP and ADLD, valid from 28 September to 21 October 2026. For the OPPO F35, offers include up to 15 months Zero Down Payment, up to 10% Instant Cashback with up to 6 months No-Cost EMI, up to 10% Exchange Bonus, and 50% off on OPPO Enco Buds 3 Pro+. Customers will also receive a free 1-year Extended Warranty and 20% discount on 1-year SDP and ADLD, valid from 28 September to 21 October 2026.
The F35 Series features a 50MP Ultra-Wide Natural Selfie Camera with 100 degree FOV, 0.6x ultra-wide lens, autofocus and AI Auto Wide-Angle Switch, making it easier to fit more people and the surrounding moment into every frame. The F35 Pro 5G adds Natural Tone 2.0, a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide rear camera, enhanced Portrait Mode and upgraded Ultra-Bright Dual Rear Flashlight. It also supports 4K video recording on both front and rear cameras, Ultra-Steady, Dual-View Video, AI Popout and AI Remix Collage, while the F35 supports up to 2.5K front and rear video recording.
The F35 Series runs on ColorOS 16, bringing AI-powered experiences such as AI Recording, AI Ultra-Clear Documents, AI Call Guard and One-Tap Security Guard. The All-New Trinity Engine, Extended Use Care 2.0 and six-year smoothness protection are designed to support a faster, smoother and more consistent experience over extended use.
Built for long days, both smartphones feature a 6-Year Durable 8000mAh Large Battery with 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge, with the battery designed to retain over 80% of its original capacity after up to 1,800 charge cycles. The series also supports 5G++ connectivity and AI LinkBoost 4.0.
For durability, the F35 Series features IP69K, IP69, IP68 and IP66 water and dust resistance, along with Rainstorm Touch and Military-Grade Shock Resistance. The F35 Pro is available in Sunrise Orange, Wave Blue and Twilight Brown, while the F35 comes in Wave Blue, Titanium Grey and Mist Pink.
For performance, the F35 Pro 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 MAX and features a 5000mm² Supercool VC System, while the F35 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6360 MAX. The F35 Pro features a 17.22cm 1.5K 144Hz AMOLED Ultra-Bright Display, while the F35 comes with a 16.69cm FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Ultra-Bright Display, delivering an immersive viewing experience across everyday use.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma issued notice on Khan's petition, which also alleged constant surveillance and phone calls from police, and questioned the police's counsel on the conduct of the police personnel.
Although the bench acknowledged that the police have the right to deny permission for holding a protest, it orally questioned during the hearing, "How can you enter the house of this man? You have your right to conduct your duty (but) how can you do it in such a way? Where is your cause to confine him?"
The petitioner's counsel claimed that on September 29, two police personnel visited his residence-cum-office and restrained his movement throughout the day.
The counsel alleged that he has been under constant surveillance and urged the court to declare that such conduct amounted to "harassment and arbitrary behaviour".
The petitioner's lawyer said the Supreme Court recently passed directions on ensuring free movement of people.
The police's counsel submitted that the petitioner was not detained in any manner, saying he even travelled to Kolkata last week and sought time from the court to bring their stand on record.
The police's lawyer also assured that the petitioner would not receive further phone calls.
The court was informed that the petitioner had earlier sought permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on September 29, which was denied. The police's lawyer contended that certain personnel visited him only for a "query" based on information that he was going to participate in the agitation despite the denial.
Khan, who is the national secretary of the Association of Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and the founder of United Against Hate initiative, moved the high court last week, alleging that he was confined at the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind headquarters in Abul Fazal Enclave by police officials attached to Shaheen Bagh Police Station on September 29 from around 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, to prevent him from participating in a protest.
APCR, Monitoring Committee of Indian Muslims and other civil society groups had called for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on September 29 against alleged repeated attacks on places of worship.
The petitioner alleged that he was neither formally arrested nor provided with written grounds for his confinement. He also claimed that no arrest memo was prepared, no relative was informed and that he was not produced before a magistrate.
Khan further alleged that police personnel continued to contact him regarding his whereabouts in connection with subsequent protests on October 2 and October 5, creating apprehensions of further restrictions on his movement.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>After the match, West Indies' all-rounder Shamar Springer said that his team's "Plan B" was to be defensive against Team India's explosive batsman Abhishek Sharma.
"He is a world-class player. Kudos to him, for sure. But I guess our plan B is to just be as defensive as possible and try to make him get singles and twos, running at moments. Nothing too extravagant," he said.
"It was just a matter of trying to pull him back and be as impressive as possible. Because there's not much control you can really have here. The wickets are so good and those players are world-class players and they're the best for a reason. So, it's not really much you can really do besides be defensive," added Springer.
In an attempt to chase a target of 224 runs, the visitors managed to reach 209 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
West Indies' skipper Shai Hope was dismissed on five runs in five balls, including a boundary. Fellow opening batsman Kamil Pooran played a knock of 42 runs in 27 balls, including three boundaries and the same number of maximums. Shimron Hetmyer returned to the pavilion after delivering a knock of 43 runs in 26 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Rovman Powell managed to score five runs in seven balls.
Sherfane Rutherford smashed 32 runs in 20 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Quentin Sampson also scored 21 runs in 15 balls, including a boundary and a maximum. Keemo Paul was dismissed on 10 runs in six balls, including a maximum.
Shamar Springer and Roston Chase stayed unbeaten on 35 and five runs, respectively.
Team India's Arshdeep Singh returned with the figures of three wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Naman Dhir bagged two wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav went wicketless in the third T20I match against the Caribbean side.
Earlier having been put to bat first, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma lost his wicket on 28 runs in 16 balls, which included four boundaries. Naman Dhir was also dismissed on 10 runs in five balls, which included a maximum. Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to score 21 in 14 balls, with the help of three boundaries. Facing 14 balls, Axar Patel registered 20 runs, with the help of two boundaries. Arshdeep Singh also scored 11 runs in eight balls, including a maximum, whereas Mayank Yadav was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Prince Yadav stayed unbeaten on 13 runs in six balls, including three boundaries. With this, the "Men in Blue" were bowled out for 223 runs in 20 overs.
West Indies' Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, and Shamar Springer bagged two wickets each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie also claimed one wicket each.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>Over 100 businesses from a range of sectors have travelled with UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Angela Eagle alongside seven mayors from Northern England.
The so-called Great North mission comes almost three months on from the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on July 15.
"Our trade deal with India opened the door, and now regional businesses are walking through it with our northern Mayors leading the way in building partnerships to drive jobs, investment and growth," Reynolds said in a pre-visit statement.
"From advanced manufacturing to education, we want to continue to deepen ties with one of the world's fastest-growing economies to bring opportunity for businesses and consumers in all corners of both countries," he said.
The deals announced to coincide with the visit include a 50 million pounds investment from Meta for Data Technologies (MFD) to fund AI research in the UK, and leading UK aviation services company, Menzies Aviation, seeking to generate over 600 million pounds in revenue with an expanded footprint in India.
The UK trade department said the package highlights the UK's ambition with one of the world's fastest growing economies and means that deals worth nearly 12 billion pounds have now been announced since the signing of the "landmark" CETA in July last year.
"Our free trade agreement was hard won and will now open up a big market for high-quality products like salmon and whisky," said Scotland Secretary Alexander.
"I am determined to make sure Scotland's producers can turn the trade deal into real business wins, by helping them access and navigate this valuable market.
"Scotland's success in markets like India is supported by the strength, reach and influence that come from being part of the UK. Boosting export opportunities and encouraging inward investment in Scotland means real benefits back at home in economic growth and jobs," he said.
The visit this week reflects the breadth of opportunity offered by the UK-India relationship with representatives on the trip including those from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), British Meat Processors Association, Fever Tree, Kendamil, the National Farmers' Union, Salmon Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and Walker's Shortbread.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) minister Angela Eagle said: "This government's landmark deal with India opened the door to one of the world's fastest-growing markets – and we are working to turn its commitments into outcomes for British farmers and food and drink companies.
"We're in India alongside food and drink exporters helping them showcase the best of British produce, build new trading relationships, and unlock the export opportunities for communities across the UK."
During the visit, Reynolds is set to meet his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, in Delhi and co-chair the UK-India Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
He will also co-chair the UK-India Science and Innovation Council alongside Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
In Mumbai, the Business Secretary will meet the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, to launch closer regional economic cooperation.
He is also set to attend a major trade marketplace showcasing innovative British products and services in this exciting and fast-growing market.
According to official estimates, the India-UK CETA is expected to boost bilateral trade in the long run by 25.5 billion pounds every year.
Among some of the other deals struck in time for this week's trade mission, London-based AI agent startup Asika has secured partnerships with multiple hospital groups in Hyderabad to reduce administrative burden.
Organicco, which helps businesses turn difficult waste into useful products, has progressed export opportunities in India with an estimated value of 2 million pounds and Arup has secured 1.4 million pounds Mumbai Metro Design review contract, targeting 7 million pounds pipeline.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>As per ABP Majha, Madhu Kambikar died following prolonged health issues in Pune. She had suffered a stroke in 2016, which significantly affected her health and forced her to step away from acting and dance performances.
On November 27, 2016, Kambikar's life changed forever when she returned on stage to perform at Lavanyasangeet, a program conducted in Yashwant Natya Mandir, Matunga, Mumbai after nearly 12 years. She reportedly began feeling ill during the event, however, she continued with her Bhairavi act despite the discomfort. Later, when she entered the makeup area, Madhu experienced a stroke that affected her right hand.
The news of her passing comes just days after her Yeshwant co-star Nana Patekar died of heart attack.
Madhu was a prominent figure in Marathi entertainment. Some of her iconic films include Zapatlela, Debu, Binkamacha Navra, Majha Chakula and Ek Hota Vidushak. In her career spanning nearly four decades, the actress appeared in over 75 films and a dozen plays, transitioning from vibrant folk performances to complex, emotionally layered roles in mainstream cinema.
Kambikar was often seen playing motherly roles like moms, mothers-in-law, and more, through which she added warmth and emotional depth to family bonds on screen. Her most memorable roles including playing Nana Patekar's on-screen mother despite being two years younger than him in the 1997 film Yeshwant.
Beyond Marathi cinema, Madhu also made appearances into Hindi and Gujarati films, appearing in Bollywood movies like Shola Aur Shabnam, Hum Dono, Saatwan Aasman, Apnapan, and Yeshwant.
She was last seen in the film Aabhraan, which released in 2015, marking her last onscreen appearance. Despite the severe stroke in November 2016 that forced her away from active stage and screen work, she contonued her legacy through the sickness through roles such as in the Zapatlela franchise.
]]>During the match, Abhishek Sharma played a crucial knock of 69 runs, which came in just 30 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Reflecting on his knock, the left-handed batsman said that he knew that the West Indies' bowlers had a plan against him and he wanted to play better than that.
"I wouldn't say it was deliberate, but it was there in my mind that they had a plan against me. (With the) off-spinner bowling against me, it was just a battle between him and me. I gave him respect in the first over because he is bowling really well in this series, so it is just the plan that went pretty well for me as well," he said.
"In the powerplay, I was trying to just get a few runs and they had a plan for me, and I had to play better than that," added Abhishek.
During the match, he entertained the crowd by smashing five towering maximums. Speaking on the sixes, he said that it just plays the shots according to the field placement.
"I don't think and play deliberately. It just happens when I see the field placement, whenever they have a field placement which allows me to just give myself room and play those shots," said the 26-year-old cricketer.
In an attempt to chase a target of 224 runs, the visitors managed to reach 209 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
West Indies' skipper Shai Hope was dismissed on five runs in five balls, including a boundary. Fellow opening batsman Kamil Pooran played a knock of 42 runs in 27 balls, including three boundaries and the same number of maximums. Shimron Hetmyer returned to the pavilion after delivering a knock of 43 runs in 26 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Rovman Powell managed to score five runs in seven balls.
Sherfane Rutherford smashed 32 runs in 20 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Quentin Sampson also scored 21 runs in 15 balls, including a boundary and a maximum. Keemo Paul was dismissed on 10 runs in six balls, including a maximum.
Shamar Springer and Roston Chase stayed unbeaten on 35 and five runs, respectively.
Team India's Arshdeep Singh returned with the figures of three wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Naman Dhir bagged two wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav went wicketless in the third T20I match against the Caribbean side.
Earlier having been put to bat first, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma lost his wicket on 28 runs in 16 balls, which included four boundaries. Naman Dhir was also dismissed on 10 runs in five balls, which included a maximum. Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to score 21 in 14 balls, with the help of three boundaries. Facing 14 balls, Axar Patel registered 20 runs, with the help of two boundaries. Arshdeep Singh also scored 11 runs in eight balls, including a maximum, whereas Mayank Yadav was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Prince Yadav stayed unbeaten on 13 runs in six balls, including three boundaries. With this, the "Men in Blue" were bowled out for 223 runs in 20 overs.
West Indies' Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, and Shamar Springer bagged two wickets each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie also claimed one wicket each.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>The report came from X account BBTak, known for sharing updates about the show, which posted the news about Nakul’s elimination and wrote, "BREAKING: BIG FIGHT ERUPTS between Nakul Dhull and Gullu inside the Bigg Boss 20 house LAST NIGHT, which reportedly escalated into PHYSICAL VIOLENCE! Nakul Dhull has been EVICTED from the BB20 house following the physical altercation!"
🚨 BREAKING: BIG FIGHT ERUPTS between Nakul Dhull and Gullu inside the Bigg Boss 20 house LAST NIGHT, which reportedly escalated into PHYSICAL VIOLENCE! Nakul Dhull has been EVICTED from the BB20 house following the physical altercation! 🚨
— BBTak (@BiggBoss_Tak) October 12, 2026
In another post, the account reportedly alleged that Nakul had planned such a fight before entering the show and claimed, "As per sources, Nakul had allegedly planned this fight to get out of the show, but his execution got delayed and finally happened last night. Interestingly, the rumours started on Saturday by his team, but the actual incident happened last night"
Nakul Dhull, popularly known as Mitthu Don, is a content creator and social media influencer from Haryana with around 1.4 million followers. He has gained popularity by making videos built around memes, sarcastic humour and discussions on different topics. Interestingly, Nakul has an engineering background. However, he eventually chose to venture into digital content creation instead of following a conventional career path.
Nakul's outspoken personality, strong opinions and unique style have helped him establish a following, particularly among a younger fanbase on social media.
]]>Expressing support for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Raut said, “We are with what Rahul Gandhi does,” as Opposition leaders and MPs gathered to protest against the Election Commission's functioning and raise concerns over the revision of electoral rolls.
The march comes amid growing Opposition criticism of the SIR process and demands for accountability from the Election Commission.
The INDIA bloc leaders are protesting against alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise, claiming that the process has raised concerns over the inclusion of eligible voters in electoral rolls.
The protesters are also demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, questioning the Election Commission's handling of the revision process.
#WATCH | Delhi | INDIA Bloc's protest march | Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "We are with what Rahul Gandhi does." https://t.co/ZNYV5HfO8C
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
The Election Commission's role in conducting the SIR has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the authorities.
The march comes amid heightened security across Central Delhi, with police deploying personnel and putting barricades in place at several locations.
The Delhi Traffic Police has also issued an advisory warning of possible disruptions at major junctions and roads, urging commuters to plan their journeys in advance.
#WATCH | Delhi | INDIA Bloc's protest march | Security deployed outside the Constitution Club of India ahead of INDIA Bloc's meeting https://t.co/sGjcXrQTc5
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
Leaders of the INDIA bloc on Monday took part in a protest march in the national capital against alleged electoral irregularities and what they described as a threat to constitutional institutions, reported the ANI.
The Opposition leaders have demanded accountability from the central government and called for action over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The march comes amid heightened political tensions and increased security in Central Delhi, with police personnel deployed at several locations.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the march was part of an effort to bring Opposition parties together and launch a broader movement.
“We are gathering the people to start a movement,” Chowdhury said, adding that Rahul Gandhi had called on Opposition leaders to participate in the march unitedly, according to the ANI.
The protest reflects the INDIA bloc's attempt to present a united front against the government's handling of electoral matters and the functioning of constitutional institutions.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>Pati Patni Aur Panga, hosted by Sonali Bendre and Munawar Faruqui, features celebrity couples taking part in entertaining challenges and respond to questions about their married lives. In one of the segments, the participants were asked to list five things their wives had done prior to marriage but have stopped doing afterwards.
Rahul Vaidya claims on national television that his wife Disha Parmar doesn't give him s*x after Marriage.
by u/RockstarRanger247 in IndianTellyTalk
When Rahul was asked the same, he seemed to hint at sexual intimacy through a gesture, without directly saying it. In response, television actor Arjun Bijlani, who is also a contestant on the show, asked, "To bachche kaise hue phir tumhare?" (How were your kids born then)
The exchange has now gone viral, with many viewers questioning why such a personal issue was brought up on national television.
Although Rahul did not directly mention sexual intimacy, many Instagram users discussing the clip have said this is what he actually meant. Some viewers who claim to have seen the full episode also defended the meaning of his gestures in the comments. One user commented, "This is totally about how to insult and disrespect your wife." One user called his gesture "downright cheap." However, some urged not to accuse him without watching the full video. Meanwhile, Rahul Vaidya is yet to comment on the ongoing discussion.
Rahul and Disha got married on July 16, 2021, in a lavish celebration and became parents in 2023 with the birth of their daughter.
On the professional front, Rahul rose to stardom with Indian Idol and subsequently garnered significant fame through Bigg Boss 14. He has also been seen in Laughter Chefs: Unlimited Entertainment. Disha, on the other hand, is popular for her performances in well-known TV series such as Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2.
]]>However, the study, conducted by QuackQuack, shows that the same festive FOMO is producing an unexpected dating response: instead of rushing into a connection, as one would expect, almost 49 per cent of dating singles revealed that they are intentionally delaying it.
The app's founder and CEO Ravi Mittal, added, "Every year we see a spike in activity around this time, along with a rise in matches. But this year, the trend is looking different. While there's more traffic and more chats, the match rate has stayed the same, backing the claims of survey respondents who said that young daters are intentionally delaying matches and being extra cautious about not falling into the FOMO trap."
The study was conducted among 12,000 Indian dating singles between 22 and 35 years of age. Participants were equally divided between metro and suburban regions for a comprehensive understanding of the trend. Singles taking the survey belonged to various professional fields, with a small section of students.
A particularly tricky dating illusion most singles face around the festive season is temporary loneliness, when everyone around them is coupled up, can masquerade as romantic compatibility with someone who, under normal circumstances, would never have been given a chance. This was claimed by more than 43 per cent of women and 36 per cent of men from Tier 1 and 2 cities. But the interesting finding of the survey shows that daters are successfully recognizing the pattern and drawing a line. Arun, 31, from Kolkata said, "I chatted with someone a few months back and we did not click. Suddenly, when all my friends are making plans for this month, all the pandal hopping and everything with their GFs, I am feeling super single, and this same person started looking promising. I am assuming it's the FOMO and am definitely not going to commit right away. Let the season die down; we'll see how we feel then."
Another point highlighted by 4,372 respondents was how the Festive FOMO does not just send you running to new people; sometimes, it can send you back to an ex you broke up with for valid reasons. Festivities come with a wave of nostalgia; 8 out of 10 singles between 23 and 30 years of age, said a familiar tradition, or memories associated with some festival, can suddenly trigger your brain to believe the relationship was rosier than it was. The survey found that 17 per cent of Indian dating singles admitted matching with their exes on the app; among them, 6 per cent actually reconnected. However, the rest of the daters assured it was a dangerous crossover; craving the familiarity of an old relationship during the festive season can easily be mistaken for wanting the person they left for a reason back into their lives.
A very contemporary finding shows that over 45 per cent of Indian dating singles between 27 and 35 years of age, men and women alike, are intentionally delaying commitment to a match or even matching with a compatible person to avoid falling into the FOMO connection, as they termed it. About 27 per cent of Indian dating singles also mentioned that a connection right around festivities can turn into a public spectacle before it has found its footing. These singles are also being cautiously slow to protect a potential connection from getting overwhelmed.
]]>In a recent survey by Indian matchmaking app, Rebounce, over 10,000 participants shared how festivals can turn private emotions into a public spectacle. The pressure grows higher and more complicated for people who have experienced marriage and the loss of it, not only from society but also from themselves. They are not just looking for someone; they are also deciding whether they want to keep a door open for love. Around 48 per cent of respondents said they start doubting whether they are actually ready for love or simply want it because others have it too.
The app surveyed 10,385 previously married singles between 28 and 45 years of age, from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities. The study highlights three uncomfortable truths about second chances and festivities.
The app's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, "We see a three-step realisation process among users during the festive seasons. First, they start asking themselves the hard truth about really wanting love or wanting to feel caught up with others. Second, they realise that just finding 'someone' won't work for them because of their lived experiences and emotional clarity. Third and the final step is acknowledging that the most important thing is to figure out how they would feel about a connection once the festive competitiveness wears off."
The survey shows that there is a particular type of loneliness that creeps in not when there is no one around, but when you are surrounded by loved ones, with their loved ones. For almost 32 per cent of divorced and widowed individuals between 30 and 40 years, it triggers a sense of unexpected comparison: it makes their single status more pronounced than ever. The survey shows that 6 in 10 respondents said that the festive season makes them feel extra "divorced" or extra "widowed", and in general, it comes as evidence that their lives have stalled while everyone else is moving ahead. But the problem isn't only with this feeling; it lies primarily in the urgency that this feeling brings with it is the urgency that neither existed before nor is necessary in the present.
For first-time singles who are dating, looking for a perfect partner to settle down with, there are a lot of societal expectations in play. But for the divorced singles, there is clarity, lived experience, and their own expectations involved; they know what they want, and they know exactly what signs to never ignore again. Around 36 per cent of women and 29 per cent of men from Tier 1 and 2 cities explained that their past experience stops them from connecting with just 'anyone'. Even with the festive pressure, around 2,324 respondents clarified that they would rather push through the "October loneliness" than lower their very meticulous and deliberately built standards. Arundhati, a 35-year-old lawyer from Delhi, said, "The desire for a partner is much stronger when I see all my peers around me with their own, being so loved. But that does not mean I can just suddenly forget all the filters I have in place since my divorce; they are there for a reason."
"Festivities end and so does the pressure. My real question is, will I still want to work it out with my match as intensely as I am right now?" asks 34-year-old Sameer. Interestingly, nearly 19 per cent of survey participants said that the festive competitiveness for love has made many of them realise they need more time to consider remarriage. While 27 per cent of users above 38 years of age said that their desire for companionship was only heightened by watching their peers in love, and that it was neither merely situational nor would it expire with the end of festivities.
]]>Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued the standing order on October 11, naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new designated protest sites.
In a notice issued by Kumar, the police said the Ministry of Home Affairs had constituted a committee to examine alternative venues that would uphold citizens’ right to organise protests and demonstrations.
The decision was taken based on the committee’s recommendations. The police said a revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for organising protests at the three new venues would be issued separately.
The notice partially modifies an earlier standing order dated April 28, 2022.
The move comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital following calls for protests at Jantar Mantar.
A notice issued by Anurag Kumar, Delhi Police Commissioner, reads: "Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had constituted a Committee to examine alternative proper venues for citizen's right for organizing protest/demonstrations in place of the existing "designated site". Based on the Committee's recommendations, Jantar Mantar as a protest venue has been de-notified. Three new venues viz Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground, East Delhi have been designated as new venues for organizing protest/demonstrations. Detailed and revised SOP for organizing protest/demonstrations at these three venues will be issued separately. This is in partial modification of earlier Standing Order No. L&O/48/22 dated 28.04.2022."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2026
According to the PTI, under the new order, demonstrations and protests can be held at other grounds including Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi.
The decision changes the status of Jantar Mantar, which has traditionally been a prominent location for protests and public demonstrations in the national capital.
The police order comes at a time of increased security in Delhi, with authorities taking measures to manage public gatherings and maintain law and order.
The decision to denotify Jantar Mantar comes amid calls for protests at the site, prompting increased security arrangements across parts of the capital.
The police have been deploying personnel and putting security measures in place at key locations to manage potential demonstrations and minimise disruption.
The new designated venues are expected to serve as alternative locations for protests and demonstrations in Delhi.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday criticised the Delhi Police’s decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, saying the move would not stop demonstrations.
Reacting to the decision in a post on X, Dipke said, “They have removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Yes, it’s no longer a protest site as anyway it was turned into a war zone by the coward dictator. Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega! (The whole country will become Jantar Mantar now)”
They have removed Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Yes, it’s no a longer protest site as anyway it was turned into a war zone by the coward dictator. Ab poora desh Jantar Mantar banega!
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 12, 2026
(with PTI inputs)
]]>According to the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police PRO, security checks were underway at the affected locations following the threats.
"Schools have received bomb threats in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Monday. Bomb disposal teams, dog squads, police officials and fire department teams have been deployed at the sites as security checks are carried out," the PRO said.
Earlier this year, Gautam Buddh Nagar police responded to three bomb threat incidents that later turned out to be hoaxes.
On January 23, ahead of Republic Day, around 20 schools in Noida received threat emails, while 18 schools were targeted on February 19 during the board examination period.
On July 13, a bomb threat was reported at the District Magistrate's office in Greater Noida. All three incidents triggered extensive security checks, but no threat was found to be genuine.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The short clip focuses on Nani getting into character, with his haircut taking centre stage before the reveal is cut short. It ends with a neon-coloured food truck and the words, “The kitchen opens soon”, keeping the film’s food-related theme alive while leaving details about the character under wraps.
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Announced in February on Nani’s birthday, Bloody Romeo introduced the actor as a character who brings together two seemingly contrasting identities: a chef and a gangster. The initial animated promotional video showed him preparing food with precision before the setting transformed into a gangster den.
The film’s tagline, “He’s No. 1 Chef”, was crossed out and replaced with “He’s No. 1 Gangster”, hinting at the duality at the heart of the character. The latest promotional video moves away from animation to offer a live-action glimpse of Nani, although it stops short of revealing his complete look or providing further details about the story.
The food truck and the reference to a kitchen suggest that the culinary connection remains central to the film’s promotional campaign. However, the makers have yet to share more information about the character or the film’s supporting cast and release plans.
Bloody Romeo marks the first collaboration between Nani and Sujeeth, who has previously directed Saaho and They Call Him OG. The actor has described the upcoming project as a departure from The Paradise, particularly in its treatment of violence and action.
While the film features violence, Nani has indicated that it will approach it differently, with a more stylised and theatrical treatment that blends action with humour. “It’s a very theatrical, stylish experience. Sujeeth came up with a twist to that which makes it extremely witty combined with action,” Nani said in a recent interview. “After Paradise, it’s going to be a refreshing watch.”
The actor has recently been associated with action-driven projects, including HIT: The Third Case and The Paradise. With Bloody Romeo, he appears set to explore a different tone, combining stylised action with comedy.
]]>The MEA said the first vessel, MT Petro Dolphin, was reportedly struck by a drone on October 11, leaving two of the 11 Indian seafarers onboard missing.
The second vessel, MT Valthera, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, was struck by an unidentified projectile, triggering a fire onboard. All 11 Indian crew members aboard the tanker have been reported safe.
According to the PTI, MEA said the Embassy of India in Muscat was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities and the respective ship management companies.
The efforts are aimed at locating and rescuing the two missing Indian seafarers and providing all possible assistance to the Indian crew members aboard both vessels.
"The safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority for the Government of India," the MEA said in a statement, the news agency reported.
The ministry also expressed concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region, warning that such incidents could further worsen an already volatile situation.
Strongly condemning the incidents, India said attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz were deeply concerning and posed risks to seafarers and maritime trade.
The MEA reiterated the need for immediate de-escalation and called for the ongoing conflict to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
"Attacks on commercial vessels, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must cease," the ministry said, as per the PTI.
India also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and ensuring the safe and uninterrupted movement of maritime commerce through international waterways in accordance with international law.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It serves as a major route for global energy shipments and international commercial shipping, the PTI reported.
The latest attacks have raised fresh concerns about the safety of merchant vessels and seafarers operating in the region, including Indian nationals working aboard international ships.
India has called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels and urged all parties to pursue diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said it was not inclined to pass restrictive orders that could be difficult to enforce.
“We will not hurt religious sentiments, but at the same time, people should themselves come forward and opt for it. The whole exercise should involve a balancing approach,” the CJI said, emphasising the need to make citizens aware of the health hazards of firecrackers.
Justice Bagchi questioned the religious basis for bursting crackers, prompting the amicus curiae to remark, “Gods would be aghast if they knew that children were suffering and getting sick in their name.”
The amicus, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, cautioned that restrictions would remain ineffective without proper enforcement, observing that it was “impossible for police officers to be in every street all the time”.
The CJI called for a practical approach, suggesting awareness campaigns, restrictions on highly polluting firecrackers and promotion of less harmful alternatives.
“We have to be extremely careful in passing an order unless we are in a position to make it manageable and enforceable,” CJI said.
CJI further observed, “We have to make people wiser, bring awareness and tell them which firecrackers are harmful and which are less harmful. We should promote that kind of culture and persuade people to return to our original culture, where there were only sparklers and the lighting of lamps.”
The bench also discussed measures to prevent stubble burning, with the Centre agreeing to file an updated status report on steps taken and future plans to tackle air pollution. The matter will be heard next on October 15.
The apex court was hearing suo motu proceedings initiated by it on air pollution in Delhi-NCR, including firecrackers, crop residue burning and solid waste management.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The Opposition party alleged that inflation had spiralled out of control, blaming the government for the rising cost of living and accusing it of failing to deliver on its promise of “achhe din”.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh shared a screenshot of a media report claiming that rising prices during the festive season were putting pressure on household budgets, with shoppers paying significantly more for everyday purchases.
“The public is feeling suffocated by the rising inflation under the Modi government. Inflation has spiraled out of control, reaching historic levels,” Ramesh said in his post on X.
“From household kitchens to electronic goods, the pace of inflation - moving faster than a bullet train - is now directly robbing the pockets of poor and middle-class families,” he claimed.
Ramesh said prices of spices, dry fruits and sweets were rising ahead of the festive season. He also pointed to reports of a 10 per cent to 25 per cent increase in the prices of electronic goods, including televisions and refrigerators, as well as kitchenware.
The Congress leader alleged that these increases were adding to the financial pressure on families at a time when household expenses were already high.
He also cited the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to raise the repo rate, arguing that it would increase the burden of loan repayments and equated monthly instalments (EMIs).
“The failure of those who trumpeted the arrival of 'achhe din' has resulted in a situation where running a household has become an ordeal,” Ramesh said.
He alleged that Prime Minister Modi remained disconnected from the public’s financial difficulties and accused him of prioritising political activities over the concerns of ordinary citizens.
“Jumlebaaz Modi ji must answer: how long will the common people have to endure this economic catastrophe?” Ramesh said.
Ramesh said official inflation figures for the previous month were due to be released on Monday evening. He cited economists’ projections that retail inflation could rise for the sixth consecutive month to 5.60 per cent, which would mark a 23-month high.
The Congress had also criticised the government last week over rising dry fruit prices ahead of the festive season, questioning who would bear the additional financial burden on ordinary families.
The party has repeatedly accused the government of pursuing “anti-people” policies and failing to contain price rises. The government, however, has dismissed the Opposition’s criticism and pointed to India’s gross domestic product (GDP) figures.
]]>The Laal Paar Shari, which translates to a red-bordered saree, is a Bengali classic. Its familiar white body and red border make it a traditional choice for puja rituals and festive celebrations. Often paired with a red blouse, gold jewellery and a red bindi, the drape is particularly popular for occasions like Sindoor Khela and other Durga Puja rituals.
Combining Jamdani-inspired motifs with Bengal’s Tangail weaving tradition, this saree offers a slightly more substantial drape than sheer muslin. Its intricate patterns and structured weave make it a versatile choice for festive occasions. The fine motifs, contrasting borders and its light weight make it suitable for every moment from daytime pandal visits to evening gatherings.
Sharoni Sen
For those keen to explore beyond Bengali weaves, Sen suggests Sungudi, Coimbatore and Chettinad sarees from Tamil Nadu. Each originates from a distinct weaving tradition and offers a different option for festive dressing.
Originating in Dhaka, the Dhakai Jamdani is known for its lightweight fabric and intricate hand woven motifs. The weave has a long history, dating back to the Mughal era. Its Persian-derived name combines ‘jam,’ meaning flower, and ‘dani,’ meaning vase or container. Rather than being printed, the motifs are woven into the fabric. Sen advises preserving an original piece, as authentic Dhakai Jamdani can be difficult to source.
Also known as the Cuttack saree, Kotki sarees are distinguished by their ikat patterns, created through a resist-dyeing technique before weaving. Their geometric motifs and intricate borders often draw inspiration from Odisha’s cultural heritage, including the chariot wheels of the Konark Sun Temple. The mix of traditional patterns and vibrant colours gives these handloom sarees a distinctive identity, making them an interesting alternative to the familiar Bengali drapes.
Sen suggests simple looks, and exploring accessories crafted by tribal communities and local artisans. These traditional elements add texture and character to a saree without competing with its weave. Options include:
Oxidised silver; Terracotta; Jute; Bamboo
Oxidised silver
Terracotta
Brass
Bamboo
Jute
. Bengal Handloom Centre
At Padmavati Kripa Building, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Goregaon West.
Call 8779383675
. Handloom Centre
At Kalakar Kanubhai Desai Marg, Santacruz Railway Station Road, Santacruz West.
Call 26487970
. Saree Ghar
At Shop Number 6, N Mercantile Building, Ranade Road, near Nakshatra, Dadar West.
Call 8369861331
. Kalaniketan
At Veer Nariman, Opposite Churchgate Station, Churchgate. (Also at Juhu)
Call 9555779999
. Bailou Bombay
At Ground Floor, Tanna House, opposite YMCA,
Scindia Society, Police Colony, Apollo Bunder, Colaba.
Call 8902495900
. ParamaCalcutta
Log on to paramacalcutta.com
. Balaram Saha
Log on to balaramsaha.com
Rahul Gandhi stated that the President of India had asked the opposition to present "proof" of alleged poll irregularities, asserting that the subsequent denial originated from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) rather than Rashtrapati Bhavan.
200 officers of the Modi government are in our contact. All of them are giving us information from inside ED, CBI, ministries, and so on. Do whatever you can, the power of truth is with us. - Leader of Opposition Shri @RahulGandhi https://t.co/JmDnDIOeOC
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) October 12, 2026
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the highest constitutional office is aware of the situation.
Rahul Gandhi said, "We went to the President of India. The President of India herself said, 'Give me the proof.' We are going to take the proof. I hope you noticed something. There was no denial from the President of India's office. I hope you noticed it. The denial was quietly made by the Prime Minister's Office,” as cited by ANI.
“Even the President of India and her office know what is going on, and she has refused to deny what I said," Gandhi further said.
Elaborating on the opposition's ideological and political confrontation, the Congress leader stressed that the battle is beyond regular street protests.
He added, "So we are not fighting for the street, brothers. We are fighting for the mind. We are fighting for the heart of the Indian people, and we are telling the Indian people that this type of India is dangerous for you. This type of India suits Mr. Ambani, suits Mr. Adani, suits Mr. Modi, and suits Mr. Doval. It is dangerous for you. It is dangerous for your children," as cited by ANI.
Announcing a formal legal move before the judiciary, Gandhi revealed that the opposition had communicated with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and is set to file a petition jointly.
The LoP said, "Congress president and I wrote to the CJI, expressing our grave concern about the murder of Indian democracy and election fairness. CJI responded to us and instructed us to file a petition... Today, INDIA bloc leaders and I will go to the Supreme Court together and file this petition," as cited by ANI.
Directing a sharp attack at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the LoP demanded his resignation.
"This is happening because we are raising the very same question that the two Election Commissioners had asked: why isn't Gyanesh Kumar resigning? Gyanesh Kumar, you have lost your sleep; we will not spare you... We know about your past and your corruption, and we are waiting..." Gandhi alleged.
Claiming sympathy within the ranks of security personnel, Gandhi also said, "Exactly 50 per cent of the police personnel are telling us that what we are doing is right and we should continue. Police, ITBP, CRPF, the people of India are on one side, and Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval, Gyanesh Kumar, and 4-5 members of the Election Commission who are facilitating 'vote chori' and hijacking the country are on the other side. We are increasing this divide..."
Holding up a copy of the Constitution during his address, Rahul Gandhi described it as the sacred voice of the country's youth and urged people to show perseverance against police barricades and crackdowns.
Rahul asserted, "Look, whoever is standing against the government, I want to say this to you: there are crores of youth who want to save democracy... Give me the Constitution. There are crores of youth who want to save democracy, who consider the Constitution their faith, because this is the voice of India. And this voice, the voice of all the people, we consider our sacred duty. And this is being attacked," as per ANI.
"You think that one day we went out, and the police stopped us. We went to Jantar Mantar, and the police stopped us there. Students protested on Sunday; we were stopped there. Today we are going; today they will stop us. This resistance is not a matter of one day. We have been doing this continuously. And do not think that this started five days ago. Its expression is becoming visible now, but this resistance has been going on for years. So my message to you is "perseverance," Gandhi added.
Speaking at a press conference, he said, "If we do it tomorrow, they will stop us. If we do it the day after tomorrow, they will stop us. Let them stop us! This is how a nation is built. A nation is not protected in just two days. Do not think that simply stepping out and unfurling a flag means the nation is," as per ANI.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The bench of Justice Vikas Mahajan passed the interim order on October 8. The court directed Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, to take down any infringing material flagged by Ranaut within 72 hours. The Court also ordered the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications (MEITY) to issue directions to the concerned Internet Service Providers and Telecom Service Providers to block access to websites hosting any such content within the same time frame.
The Court has earlier issued a notice in the matter on October 8, seeking a response from social media intermediaries and entities that have been accused of posting content that violates Kangana Ranaut's personality rights. During the hearing, Ranaut's counsel had raised concerns about fake news circulating online regarding the actress and obscene AI-generated content about her.
During its interim order regarding the removal of offensive content, the Court also granted liberty to Ranaut to approach Meta or other internet intermediaries if she found any additional derogatory content.
"The plaintiff is permitted to notify additional infringing URLs, accounts, channels, or content discovered after the filing of the suit to the defendants who shall thereupon remove or disable access to the same without requiring the plaintiff to institute fresh proceedings," the Court said.
Ranaut's plea will next be heard on February 3, 2027.
The court's latest order comes after a suit was filed by Ranaut seeking protection of her personality and publicity rights. She alleged that fabricated statements, AI-generated content, morphed images and manipulated audio-visual material depicting her were being shared across social media and other platforms.
After examining the plea as well as the accompanying documents, the court noted that Ranaut’s stature gave her proprietary rights over her personality, including the right to protect herself against unauthorised use and commercial exploitation. The court also held that such protection also extends to AI-generated, morphed, sexual and explicit deepfake content.
]]>A bench comprising the CJI and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing submissions by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who raised concerns over the alleged police action against lawyers during the protests.
The bench agreed to list the matter for hearing on Tuesday.
Sankaranarayanan told the court that lawyers had been detained during the demonstrations and alleged that the police had used physical force against protesters, according to the PTI.
He also questioned the absence of an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the public domain.
"There is no Section 163 order available at all in the public domain. We have challenged the vires of one section as well," he submitted, the news agency reported.
The senior advocate alleged that senior advocate Shadan Farasat had been dragged through the streets during the protests, describing the incident as "most unseemly".
He urged the Supreme Court to intervene and ask the police to exercise restraint while dealing with demonstrators.
Sankaranarayanan also alleged that private individuals had attacked protesters while the police failed to intervene effectively, as per the PTI.
Referring to reports of children being struck with lathis during the demonstrations, he said videos of the alleged incidents would be shown to the court on Tuesday.
The senior advocate further claimed that senior advocates Dinesh Dwivedi and Uttara Babbar had been detained in buses during the protests.
He urged the court to send a strong message against alleged police excesses, arguing that lawyers and citizens should not be left without protection while exercising their rights.
Responding to the submissions, CJI Surya Kant said he did not wish to make further observations at that stage. However, he emphasised that lawyers had the right to participate in peaceful demonstrations at designated locations, reported the PTI.
"As of now, I don't want to say anything," the CJI said.
He added that the Supreme Court should not become a platform for developments that could undermine its institutional role.
The CJI reiterated that every lawyer and member of the Bar had the right to participate in peaceful protests at identified locations.
The Supreme Court has listed a plea filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and others for hearing on Tuesday.
The matter concerns allegations of police action against lawyers during demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The CJP founder further demanded that the police release the complete video of the incident instead of what he described as an edited version.
While speaking to the media, Dipke challenged the police to make the entire footage public, claiming it would show him repeatedly requesting permission to speak to his cousin, using his phone for two minutes, and contacting his lawyer, as per PTI.
VIDEO | Hingoli, Maharashtra: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says, "Delhi Police, if you have the courage, release the entire video in which I repeatedly asked them to let me speak to my cousin, give me my phone for two minutes and allow me to speak to my lawyer. Why are you not releasing that video? You are showing an edited version. If you have the courage, show the entire video so that people can understand how you denied me my basic rights. Allowing a person to call their lawyer after arrest or detention is a legal right. Delhi Police did not even allow me that, and now they are taking the moral high ground. They did not tell me, my parents or my lawyers where I was being held, which police station I was in or where in the country I had been taken. They did not inform anyone throughout the day. At 3.30 am, they deliberately wanted me to call my parents and cause them further distress when they had already lost my grandmother. Was I supposed to give them another shock by telling them that their son was going to be jailed for a long time? Delhi Police was mentally torturing not just me but my family as well. Did the Delhi Police tell my family where I was being held? They kept telling me to speak to my parents, but did they tell my parents which jail or police station I was in? If they did not, why not? Why did they not tell them? Did they have no humanity?" (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2026
“Delhi Police, if you have the courage, release the entire video in which I repeatedly asked them to let me speak to my cousin, give me my phone for two minutes, and allow me to speak to my lawyer,” Dipke said.
He alleged that the police were showing only an edited version of the video and said the complete footage would help people understand his account of how he was treated during detention.
Dipke also questioned the police over his alleged inability to contact legal counsel, describing it as a denial of his basic rights. He said that despite repeatedly requesting to speak to his lawyer, he was not allowed to do so.
The CJP founder further alleged that neither he nor his parents and lawyers were informed about his whereabouts during the day. As per Abhijeet Dipke, they were not told where he was being held, which police station he was in or where he had been taken.
He further questioned why the police had not informed his family about his location, even as officers allegedly urged him to speak to his parents.
Dipke said, “At 3.30 am, they deliberately wanted me to call my parents and cause them further distress when they had already lost my grandmother,” he said, questioning whether his family should have been subjected to further anxiety over the possibility of his prolonged incarceration, as per PTI.
Accusing the police of causing distress to both him and his family, Dipke said the authorities should explain why his relatives were not informed about where he was being held.
He asked, “Did the Delhi Police tell my family where I was being held? They kept telling me to speak to my parents, but did they tell my parents which jail or police station I was in?” as per PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The incident comes as Pakistan faces mounting unrest in KP, with the arson incident raising concerns over the worsening law-and-order situation in the province.
However, further details about the circumstances surrounding the fire, the extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately available.
On Sunday, a large number of people in KP took to the streets and staged a protest following the imposition of emergency, which suspends the provincial government led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, media reports said.
PTI's planned march to Islamabad was disrupted on Sunday amid a sweeping security crackdown in KP, where the federal government's imposition of an emergency and governor's rule effectively eroded the party's provincial power base, Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported.
The crackdown saw police arrest 59 PTI workers in Swabi and six in Khyber district. Reports also indicated that ousted Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar had been taken into custody.
Security personnel were deployed at major intersections and highways across the province, while mobile phone and PTCL internet services were suspended in Swabi. The measures came as the federal government moved to take control of the provincial administration.
In a separate development, former chief minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur said he had been placed under house arrest at his residence in Dera Ismail Khan.
Opposition parties on Sunday strongly opposed the federal government's decision to impose governor's rule in KP, terming the move an assault on democracy and pledging to challenge it through legal and public platforms.
In a statement, the PTI warned that the decision had set a "dangerous precedent", describing it as political victimisation intended to weaken the province's elected leadership, leading Pakistani daily Dawn reported.
It called for the immediate release of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar and demanded that the federal government disclose the legal justification, specific charges and procedures underlying their arrests.
The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) also vowed to contest the imposition of governor's rule in courts, assemblies and public forums, asserting that the PTI's planned protest march would go ahead as announced.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Speaking at a press conference, Sule criticised the reported detention of journalists and questioned whether people’s democratic rights were being curtailed. Her remarks came ahead of the Opposition’s march against the functioning of the Election Commission.
“We will peacefully try to seek justice because what is happening in the country is wrong... Yesterday, three journalists were also taken into custody. This is a democracy, and in a democratic setup, everyone has the fundamental right to speak, move freely, and exercise their constitutional rights; will you snatch that away as well?” she said.
The Opposition has accused the authorities of undermining democratic freedoms and demanded accountability over the Election Commission’s functioning. The allegations have been disputed by the ruling side.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called on INDIA bloc members and supporters to participate in the march, using the slogan “Chalo Dilli”.
In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, “March for Democracy. March for Justice. Chalo Dilli.”
The march was scheduled to begin from Connaught Place and proceed towards the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon. The protest was set to go ahead despite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declining to meet Opposition MPs over their concerns.
The INDIA bloc’s demonstration comes amid its demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and concerns over alleged electoral irregularities.
Gandhi has also accused Delhi Police and BJP workers of using violence against students and women during a protest led by the Campaign for Judicial Protection (CJP), which had called for the CEC’s resignation.
The allegations form part of the Opposition’s wider campaign against the Election Commission. The claims remain contested.
Security arrangements were strengthened across central Delhi ahead of the planned march. Barricades were placed at several locations, and police personnel were deployed near Barakhamba Road and Mandi House.
Personnel from the Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed as part of the security arrangements.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The resolution, moved by Chief Minister V D Satheesan, was passed with amendments. Three BJP members opposed it.
The resolution raised concerns over the alleged deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls without clear criteria or prior notice. It also called for changes to the committee responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
According to the ANI, the resolution alleged that irregularities in the SIR process could deprive marginalised communities, minorities, migrant workers and young voters of their voting rights.
It expressed concern over reports of eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls due to technical manipulation and procedural irregularities.
The resolution also referred to media reports alleging that the Election Commission had curtailed the powers of Electoral Registration Officers to prepare voter lists through software systems. It further cited allegations that Form 6, used to apply for inclusion in electoral rolls, had been amended in violation of existing rules, as per the ANI.
The resolution also referred to reports claiming that a majority of the Election Commission's members had expressed disagreement with these actions.
Calling for immediate corrective action, the resolution urged the Election Commission to address the alleged irregularities and restore the voting rights of all eligible citizens whose names had been excluded from electoral rolls.
It said the Election Commission, as a constitutional body, must function independently and impartially, without government influence.
The resolution added that any alleged manipulation of electoral rolls could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and weaken democratic institutions.
The resolution also called for the reconstitution of the committee responsible for selecting the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
It proposed that the selection panel comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India, reported the ANI.
According to the resolution, the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee and changes to the panel's composition had raised concerns about the impartiality of the appointment process.
During the discussion, BJP MLA V Muraleedharan proposed amendments to the resolution, including the addition of the Election Commission's response to reports concerning changes to Form 6.
He also proposed adding a statement condemning attempts by vested interests to discredit the Election Commission, a constitutional body.
The resolution ultimately called on the Election Commission and the Central Government to take steps towards the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner, citing concerns over the Commission's impartiality, as per the ANI.
It said the proposed measures were necessary to protect democracy, uphold constitutional values and safeguard the right to vote guaranteed under Article 326 of the Constitution.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>The case follows a demonstration outside Shivaji Park Police Station against the detention of protesters who had gathered to oppose Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and demand his resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Other leaders named in the FIR include MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Varun Sardesai and Mahesh Sawant, according to ANI.
Police have invoked provisions relating to unlawful assembly and alleged disobedience of orders issued by public authorities. The sections cited in the report include Section 189(2), along with Sections 37(1), 37(3) and 135.
The case comes amid heightened tensions following demonstrations in Mumbai against Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process and called for the CEC's resignation.
On Sunday, Aaditya and Amit Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station, demanding the release of people detained during the demonstration. The protest drew attention from leaders of both parties as they challenged the police action against demonstrators.
Aaditya accused the BJP-led government of being afraid of citizens who take to the streets to protest. He alleged that people participating in demonstrations were being arrested and questioned the whereabouts of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and six MPs who had joined his faction.
The remarks reflected the political tensions surrounding the protests, with opposition leaders criticising the detentions and demanding the release of those held by police.
Mumbai Police had also registered a separate FIR against organisers of a joint march led by MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) on October 4. The case was filed at Azad Maidan Police Station after the march towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters allegedly took place without mandatory police permission and in violation of prohibitory orders in force in South Mumbai.
The march targeted CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police sources said around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar for a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led demonstration. The protest was also linked to demands concerning the Election Commission and alleged electoral irregularities.
The developments in Mumbai and Delhi have brought police action against demonstrators and demands for accountability in the electoral process into focus.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Kim’s appearances added a celebrity spotlight to Hamilton’s race weekend, with the reality star first arriving in a sheer baby-pink ensemble before changing into the vintage creation. Her presence at the Grand Prix comes amid growing public interest in the couple, who have been linked romantically and have increasingly been spotted together at high-profile events.
View this post on Instagram
Kim made a statement in a floor-length, pale pink Roberto Cavalli dress featuring an intricate print of colourful birds, florals and paisley-inspired motifs. The figure-hugging silhouette featured a plunging neckline, a keyhole cut-out and a corset-like waist, bringing a bold early-2000s aesthetic to the race weekend.
She kept her styling relatively understated with delicate gold-toned jewellery and neutral strappy heels. Her long, straight black hair was worn loose with a centre parting, while sculpted cheeks, defined eyes and nude lips completed the look.
Beyond her appearance, Kim’s presence at the Singapore Grand Prix drew attention as she turned up to cheer on Hamilton, who continues to command the spotlight both on and off the track. The couple’s appearances together have made their relationship a talking point, bringing entertainment-world interest to the Formula 1 circuit.
Before stepping out in the archival Roberto Cavalli dress, Kim was seen in a baby-pink outfit from Alaia’s 2024 collection. The ensemble featured a fitted, sleeveless, high-neck bodysuit-style base paired with a sheer, flowing maxi skirt.
kim kardashian in the paddock to support lewis hamilton 📸 🏎️ https://t.co/dccRdDYPfZ
— ray🥤 (@rayontrack) October 10, 2026
She accessorised with a matching pink Hermès Mini Kelly bag featuring Chrome Hearts hardware, keeping the rest of her look minimal. A sleek bun completed the polished appearance.
With two distinct looks during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, Kim brought her signature style to the event while supporting Hamilton. Her appearance blended celebrity glamour with the excitement surrounding one of Formula 1’s biggest race weekends, keeping the couple firmly in the spotlight.
]]>Singapore again ranked the world's most polluted city on Monday, according to Swiss-based air quality monitor IQAir, as the fires on Borneo and Sumatra islands, intensified by a turbo-charged El Nino weather phenomenon, keep emitting toxic haze.
The fires have created severe haze locally, with tens of thousands of cases of respiratory illnesses.
In Singapore, the government activated schemes on Monday that allow citizens to receive affordable care for haze-related conditions.
The subsidies cover conditions including "allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infection, and their complications," the health ministry said in a statement late Sunday.
Treatment is capped at Sg$10 (under US$8) for most eligible Singaporeans, and Sg$5 for senior citizens aged 67 and above.
The city-state last activated its haze subsidy scheme in 2015, when smoke from Indonesian forest fires cloaked Southeast Asia in toxic smoke for weeks, driving up illnesses and leading to school closures and flight cancellations.
In neighbouring Malaysia, schools reopened Monday in most areas as air quality improved slightly, but remained closed across southern Johor state and parts of the capital Kuala Lumpur and central Selangor state.
Indonesia regularly battles wildfires during the dry season, but the fires have intensified this year because of El Nino, set to be one of the strongest since comparable records began four decades ago.
Experts have also pointed to slash-and-burn land-clearing practices that have changed the naturally fire-resistant landscape.
The transboundary haze has also disrupted regional travel.
Malaysian low-cost carrier Firefly cancelled flights between Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport near Kuala Lumpur and Singapore's Seletar Airport from Saturday to Monday as a "precautionary safety measure", the airline said.
"Given the evolving weather situation, Firefly is monitoring developments closely. Further updates on flight schedules will be communicated directly to affected customers," Firefly said in a statement on Facebook.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Speaking to reporters, the CJI said he had received a letter from the Opposition leaders and replied to it on Sunday night, explaining why he could not meet the delegation.
Delhi: On the INDIA bloc leaders' request to meet him, CJI Surya Kant says, "I received their letter yesterday and replied to it last night. The letter was dated the day before yesterday, but I was away, so I received it yesterday. I have given certain reasons in my reply and expressed my inability to meet them. I would request you to ask them about the contents of the letter. I have maintained its confidentiality... The doors of the Supreme Court are open to everyone. Anyone can file a petition, whether they are an ordinary citizen or a member of an elected body. Every citizen of India has the right to approach us. We will hear their grievances in accordance with the law and ensure that those entitled to relief receive it..."
— IANS (@ians_india) October 12, 2026
“I received their letter yesterday and replied to it last night. The letter was dated the day before yesterday, but I was away, so I received it yesterday. I have given certain reasons in my reply and expressed my inability to meet them. I would request you to ask them about the contents of the letter. I have maintained its confidentiality.”
Emphasising that access to justice remains open to all, Surya Kant said citizens could approach the Supreme Court regardless of whether they were ordinary individuals or members of elected bodies.
“The doors of the Supreme Court are open to everyone. Anyone can file a petition, whether they are an ordinary citizen or a member of an elected body. Every citizen of India has the right to approach us. We will hear their grievances in accordance with the law and ensure that those entitled to relief receive it,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, the CJI had declined the Congress-led INDIA bloc's request for a meeting ahead of the Opposition's proposed march to the Supreme Court.
According to reports, he advised the leaders to approach the court through a petition, noting that the issues they intended to raise were already sub judice and were being heard by the Supreme Court.
According to reports, the CJI's response also referred to the fact that the issues raised by the Opposition leaders were already pending before the Supreme Court. The leaders were advised to pursue the matter through judicial proceedings rather than seek an administrative meeting.
The INDIA bloc had sought an appointment to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities, the SIR exercise and demands for Kumar's resignation. The bloc's proposed memorandum also called for a return to paper ballots, according to reports.
Despite the refusal, Opposition leaders were expected to proceed with their planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi maintained that the march was “not of a political party, but of all Indians”, seeking to broaden the campaign beyond the Opposition alliance.
Gandhi has alleged that the government benefited from the SIR exercise, which has become a major point of contention between Opposition parties and the Election Commission. The allegations remain contested.
The INDIA bloc had also submitted a charter of demands to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, outlining four demands concerning electoral reforms and alleged vote manipulation.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Opposition parties have announced a march to the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding an end to alleged “vote chori” and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had sought a meeting with CJI Surya Kant. However, the Chief Justice declined the request, citing the fact that similar matters were sub judice before the Supreme Court, sources told PTI.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis criticised the Opposition's decision to march to the Supreme Court, describing the move as “anti-constitutional”. He also alleged that opposition leaders had used abusive language after the CJI refused to meet them.
“They want to demonise India's institutions, particularly judicial institutions, and are conspiring to erode people's faith in them,” he said.
Fadnavis said opposition parties should pursue their grievances through legal proceedings rather than organise a march to the Supreme Court.
“If you have a grievance, approach the court and fight it there. What I have been saying repeatedly is that they have no faith in the Constitution. They are anti-constitutional, and they have proved this by taking out a march,” the chief minister said.
He maintained that the CJI had acted in accordance with the law and his constitutional responsibilities by declining to meet the political delegation.
Asserting that the Supreme Court's position was correct, Fadnavis questioned why opposition leaders expected the Chief Justice to meet a delegation associated with a protest.
“How can the Opposition expect the CJI to meet a protesting (political) delegation?” he said.
The chief minister also alleged that opposition leaders had used abusive language against the CJI after their request for a meeting was declined.
The proposed march comes amid a broader campaign by Opposition parties seeking Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>According to entertainment tracking portal Sacnilk, advance bookings for the Nelson Dilipkumar-directed film have already surpassed Rs 20 crore in international markets alone. Domestic ticket prices are also gaining substantial lead, with more shows expected to open ahead of the film's release. The figures could increase further as the release date nears.
In India, Jailer 2 has registered around Rs 10.79 crore in gross advance booking for its opening day, October 15. The film has sold approximately 5.69 lakh tickets across 4,843 shows in 771 cinemas spanning 242 cities.
Across the three days, the film has registered Rs 16.56 crore in India gross pre-sales, including Rs 10.79 crore for the opening day. These figures include online advance bookings and change when seats blocked by cinemas are excluded.
Tamil Nadu remains the highest-contributing domestic market, recording Rs 6.34 crore in opening-day advance bookings. Kerala follows with Rs 2.63 crore, while Karnataka has registered Rs 1.22 crore. Telangana has contributed approximately Rs 47.35 lakh. Chennai has topped the list on the opening day, with advance bookings worth Rs 3.15 crore. Bengaluru follows with Rs 1.17 crore, while Coimbatore has registered nearly Rs 58 lakh. The figures indicate the film's massive buzz in Tamil Nadu while also generating interest in neighbouring markets.
Helmed by Nelson Dilipkumar and backed by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner, Jailer 2 will see Rajinikanth reprise his role as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The cast also includes Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa, Mohanlal, Shivarajkumar, Vidya Balan, SJ Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Jatin Sarna, among others. The film is slated to hit theatres worldwide on October 1.
]]>The examinations, scheduled from October 12 to 28, have drawn severe flak from students who argue that the timing directly clashes with traditional regional celebrations, depriving them of the opportunity to participate.
Backed by the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the agitating students have formally approached the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner to seek immediate intervention.
Despite attempts by the police to pacify the crowd and disperse the demonstrators, the standoff persisted outside the gates while examinations continued simultaneously for students who chose to enter, heightening concerns among boycotting peers over the potential academic penalties.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing Delhi Police, told Justice Amit Mahajan that he will take instructions on the issue and inform the court on Tuesday, October 12, as per PTI.
Noting the statement of the ASG, the court then listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday.
On the contrary, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing the petitioner, said that the plea was filed four days back and the police's counsel could have taken the instructions by now. He insisted that the matter be heard today itself.
The IYC has approached the court challenging Delhi Police's denial of permission to protest at Jantar Mantar.
Uday Bhanu Chib President of the Indian Youth Congress, approached the court challenging Delhi Police's October 1 communication.
The Congress' youth wing is demanding the resignation of Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
On the other hand, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists on Monday also visited Parliament Street Police Station to seek a date for holding a protest at Jantar Mantar.
As per ANI, the CJP on October 12 gave Delhi Police a 24-hour ultimatum to respond to their request for organising a protest in the national capital.
Speaking to the media upon arriving at the police station, CJP activist Saurav Das said that the party was willing to let the police decide the date and time for the protest.
Das said, "Police tell everyone to approach them 10 days in advance. We are now saying that they have the choice to tell us the date and time (for the protest at Jantar Mantar). We are giving them a 24-hour ultimatum," as cited by ANI.
CJP activist Ashutosh Ranka also said that the party would ask Delhi Police to provide a date for the protest and expressed hope that the police would respond.
Ranka asserted, "We are going to ask Delhi Police for a date to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. We hope the police will give us a date. If they do not, we will make another call within 24 hours..."
Meanwhile, the meeting comes amid the INDIA bloc's planned protest march to the Supreme Court against the Election Commission.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
]]>In a post on X, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha described the development as a victory for students, young people and the Satyagraha movement, following an 11-day protest by MPSC aspirants in Pune over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations.
“The Chairman of MPSC finally had to go - now there will be a full investigation into corruption. This is a big victory for the students. This is a big victory for the youth. This is a big victory for Satyagraha,” he said.
The Maharashtra government sent Bhimanwar on compulsory leave until the inquiry into the alleged paper leak case is completed. The decision came amid demands from protesting aspirants for the MPSC chairman’s removal.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also welcomed the development, crediting the students’ unity and sustained agitation for the government’s decision.
"Let the victory of the students'' unity prevail! For nearly 11 days, students were forced to protest!! Even though there is a drought in their residential taluka, even though their families are in crisis, they were made to sit on the streets, and yesterday these young students fought against injustice and made the government bow down!"
The government has also constituted a five-member committee headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Dilip Bhosale to investigate alleged irregularities in MPSC recruitment examinations and examine complaints raised by candidates.
Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, has been appointed secretary of the committee. Its other members are IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P D Naik.
Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale announced the committee after discussions with candidates protesting in Pune. The government also said cases registered against students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn, while assuring that strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the alleged paper leak case.
Apart from action against those allegedly involved in the irregularities, the aspirants have demanded the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters, recruitment to 70,000 posts over the next three years and an increase in vacancies for the Group-C examination scheduled for January.
The removal of Bhimanwar was also among their key demands. While the government has now sent him on compulsory leave pending the inquiry, the allegations surrounding the recruitment examinations remain subject to investigation.
Speaking to ANI after meeting the aspirants, Bhosale said, "A positive stance regarding the MPSC has been established; the committee simply needed to make some technical adjustments. We have prepared those changes, and that is what is being submitted now."
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>A few hours after the victory, Team India's star players Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma paid a visit to the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain.
Speaking about his visit to the temple, Kuldeep said, "It felt really wonderful. Whenever we get an opportunity, we always come here to seek the blessings of God. It brings us immense happiness. We sincerely hope to play good cricket and excel in every sport. May God's grace and blessings always be with us".
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Cricketers Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma, and Hockey player Vivek Sagar Prasad offered prayers at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. https://t.co/8nApowb5lG
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
In an attempt to chase a target of 224 runs, the visitors managed to reach 209 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
West Indies' skipper Shai Hope was dismissed on five runs in five balls, including a boundary. Fellow opening batsman Kamil Pooran played a knock of 42 runs in 27 balls, including three boundaries and the same number of maximums. Shimron Hetmyer returned to the pavilion after delivering a knock of 43 runs in 26 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Rovman Powell managed to score five runs in seven balls.
Sherfane Rutherford smashed 32 runs in 20 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Quentin Sampson also scored 21 runs in 15 balls, including a boundary and a maximum. Keemo Paul was dismissed on 10 runs in six balls, including a maximum.
Shamar Springer and Roston Chase stayed unbeaten on 35 and five runs, respectively.
Team India's Arshdeep Singh returned with the figures of three wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Naman Dhir bagged two wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav went wicketless in the third T20I match against the Caribbean side.
Earlier having been put to bat first, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma lost his wicket on 28 runs in 16 balls, which included four boundaries. Naman Dhir was also dismissed on 10 runs in five balls, which included a maximum. Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to score 21 in 14 balls, with the help of three boundaries. Facing 14 balls, Axar Patel registered 20 runs, with the help of two boundaries. Arshdeep Singh also scored 11 runs in eight balls, including a maximum, whereas Mayank Yadav was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Prince Yadav stayed unbeaten on 13 runs in six balls, including three boundaries. With this, the "Men in Blue" were bowled out for 223 runs in 20 overs.
West Indies' Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, and Shamar Springer bagged two wickets each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie also claimed one wicket each.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>Releasing a purported audio clip of Maharashtra Youth Congress in-charge Ajay Chikara, BJP state chief spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that Youth Congress office-bearers had been warned they could lose their positions and election tickets if they failed to reach the national capital by Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Ban claimed Chikara's voice could be heard instructing Youth Congress office-bearers to reach Delhi. He alleged that the clip showed the Congress pressuring its own workers to participate in a demonstration aimed at reviving Rahul Gandhi's leadership.
Opposition parties have announced plans to march to the Supreme Court on Monday, demanding an end to alleged “vote chori” and the resignation of the CEC.
Ban also linked the alleged threats to Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam's departure from the agitation by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants in Pune.
He claimed Kadam had left the protest midway and travelled to Delhi on Sunday because of pressure to participate in the demonstration against the CEC.
The BJP spokesperson demanded that Rahul Gandhi clarify whether Congress workers were being coerced into joining protests. He also accused the party of practising the same authoritarianism it alleges exists in the country.
Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar rejected the BJP's allegations, claiming that the ruling party was making such accusations because it feared losing power.
“The BJP is scared that the sand under its feet is being washed away. They are scared to lose power. Opposition parties are voicing people's outcry, and we will lead them to justice. Such trivial allegations are best ignored,” the former minister said.
The opposition parties have announced a march to the Supreme Court on Monday to demand an end to "vote chori" and the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The Special Edition AirPods 5 also feature a specially crafted festive design on the charging case, giving the earbuds a distinct look to mark the festive season. The exclusive design adds a festive touch to Apple's wireless audio offering in India. The special edition is part of a festive campaign inspired by the traditional Indian art of rangoli.
The festive offer runs from 11 October to 11 November.
The AirPods 5 feature an open-ear design intended to provide all-day comfort. The earbuds also include a force sensor with a swipe-based volume control, allowing users to adjust audio levels directly.
Apple says the Wireless Charging Case provides up to 22 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. The case can be charged using an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified wireless charger.
The earbuds also support Apple's Find My feature, which helps users locate their AirPods. The wireless charging case has a built-in speaker that plays a sound to help users find it.
One of the key features of the Special Edition AirPods 5 is its Live Translation feature, powered by Apple Intelligence. The smart feature is designed to help users communicate across languages.
Supported languages include Mandarin Chinese in Simplified and Traditional Chinese, English in the UK and US variants, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish.
The earbuds also offer hands-free access to Apple's Siri AI, allowing users to interact with a more personalised assistant on their iPhone.
The Special Edition AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are available on Apple's official India online store. As far as the prices are concerned, the festive edition Apple AirPods 5 are available in India at Rs 17,900.
Customers can also explore the latest iPhone lineup, including iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and enjoy festive shopping offers on selected Apple products. These include up to 12 months of no-cost EMI on selected iPhone models, plus Mac and iPad. Customers can also get up to Rs 15,000 instant cashback with eligible cards on selected products. The six-month no-cost EMI offer continues on Apple Watch, AirPods and accessories.
The limited-edition product is available through Apple's India store. Customers can visit the official website to view the product and check the latest pricing and availability.
The launch comes as Apple continues to offer its audio products and accessories to customers in India through its online retail platform.
]]>Navnath Ban, the BJP's chief spokesperson in Maharashtra, alleged that the agitation by MPSC aspirants had taken a political turn despite Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepting their demands from the outset.
The remarks came after MPSC aspirants called off their 10-day agitation in Pune late on Sunday night following the state government's decision to form a committee to examine alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, in the recruitment body.
Bhimanwar announced that he had proceeded on leave until the inquiry into the allegations was completed.
Speaking to reporters, Ban said the MPSC chairman had no connection with the controversy and maintained that no paper leak had occurred during his tenure.
“The entire issue had nothing to do with Bhimanwar. No paper leak had occurred during his tenure as chairman. Nevertheless, he decided to go on leave on moral grounds. I wholeheartedly welcome his decision and thank him,” Ban said.
The BJP spokesperson's remarks came amid demands from aspirants for greater accountability and reforms in the state's recruitment process.
The state government formed a committee with senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary to examine alleged irregularities in the MPSC, including paper leaks.
The committee's formation followed negotiations with the protesting aspirants, who had been demonstrating in Pune for 10 days over recruitment-related concerns.
The agitation ended after the government agreed to address their demands, although the inquiry into the allegations remains a key issue.
Ban claimed that Fadnavis had supported the aspirants from the beginning and accepted all their demands, but the agitation continued and eventually became politicised.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had participated in the protest alongside the aspirants.
The BJP spokesperson said the Fadnavis-led government would continue to support students and work in their interests.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>As per ANI, the CJP on October 12 gave Delhi Police a 24-hour ultimatum to respond to their request for organising a protest in the national capital.
Speaking to the media upon arriving at the police station, CJP activist Saurav Das said that the party was willing to let the police decide the date and time for the protest.
Das said, "Police tell everyone to approach them 10 days in advance. We are now saying that they have the choice to tell us the date and time (for protest at Jantar Mantar). We are giving them a 24-hour ultimatum," as cited by ANI.
CJP activist Ashutosh Ranka also said that the party would ask Delhi Police to provide a date for the protest and expressed hope that the police would respond.
Ranka asserted, "We are going to ask Delhi Police for a date to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. We hope the police will give us a date. If they do not, we will make another call within 24 hours..."
Meanwhile, the meeting comes amid the INDIA bloc's planned protest march to the Supreme Court against the Election Commission.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has raised the pitch and called for the "Challo Dilli" protest march, which will get underway this afternoon from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court against the functioning of the Election Commission.
The protest will continue despite the CJI not giving his assent to a meeting with the opposition MPs on the issue.
Rahul Gandhi has also called for a news conference on the protest. In a post on X, he said, "March for Democracy. March for Justice. Chalo Dilli."
High security is in place in Central Delhi; security has been tightened with barricades at multiple locations, and entry and exit at certain metro stations will remain closed from 4:00 PM on October 12 for security reasons. Security personnel have been deployed at Barakhamba Road, near Mandi House. RAF (Rapid Action Force) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel are also deployed along with Delhi Police personnel.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Speaking to ANI, Raut said the Opposition had sought an appointment with the CJI to raise concerns over alleged electoral fraud and the deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls. He criticised the reported refusal, saying citizens would remember the decision.
"We have come today as the INDIA bloc is organising a major march towards the Supreme Court to meet the Chief Justice. We had requested an appointment... The Chief Justice, whose role is to safeguard the Constitution, is unwilling to meet us... When we are seeking to save democracy amidst the theft of votes and electoral fraud, and the deletion of millions of names from the rolls and wish to meet you to voice our grievance, you say you will not meet politicians. The people will remember this," Raut told ANI.
Raut said the Opposition had initially been given to understand that a meeting could take place within four to five days, but was subsequently informed that political leaders would not be granted an appointment.
He described the development as a setback for those seeking judicial intervention over their concerns about the electoral process.
"This kind of stance, when taken by the Chief Justice of India, is a blow to the millions of citizens in this country who are fighting against autocracy and fighting for the protection of democracy. All doors have been closed. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have installed their own people in every constitutional institution. As a final resort, when we tried to visit the Chief Justice of India, the Chief Justice of India closed the doors. This is a misfortune for the constitution and democracy of this country," he said.
Raut also questioned where citizens should turn if they believed their voting rights and democratic safeguards were being undermined.
The proposed march is part of the INDIA bloc’s campaign against the SIR process and its demand for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including his resignation.
CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Santosh Kumar said the Opposition would continue its agitation despite the reported refusal of the CJI to meet its leaders.
He said the alliance had already held protests outside the Election Commission of India and met the President of India before deciding to seek a meeting with the Chief Justice.
"But we will continue our protests. And today, there is a meeting of India Alliance MPs and leaders, so we will chalk out a further action plan in that meeting. And in the coming days, the demand of Gyanesh Kumar will intensify—I mean, our resignation [demand] will intensify. All India parties are united, and more and more youth and student organizations are also joining. Even though Delhi has become a military zone, we will continue our agitation with full capacity in the coming days also," Kumar said.
The Opposition has maintained that its campaign is aimed at protecting electoral integrity and democratic institutions. Its allegations concerning the SIR process remain claims raised by the alliance.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The exercise, which is being done to commemorate "World Migratory Bird Day" observed on October 10, aims to establish a standardised national population baseline to help track changes in numbers and identify priority areas for conservation, the society said in a statement on Friday.
It has appealed to state forest departments, research institutions, conservation groups, farmers, local communities, educational institutions and citizen scientists to participate in the exercise by visiting sarus crane habitats.
Participants have been asked to record their observations and send their counts to saruscranesurvey@gmail.com.
Launching a synchronised nationwide survey would help track the bird numbers, identify important habitats and generate scientific evidence to protect the species and the landscapes on which it depends, BNHS director Kishor Rithe said.
Dr P Sathiyaselvem, Deputy Director of BNHS and head of its Central Asian Flyway Programme, said the survey would help identify important breeding, feeding and roosting sites, prioritise wetland restoration, map areas vulnerable to power-line collisions and electrocution, and promote crane-friendly agricultural practices.
The findings could also help strengthen community-based conservation and develop evidence-based plans at the national and state levels, he said.
Sarus crane (Antigone antigone) is India's only resident breeding crane species and is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List. It is also included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and accorded protection under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Standing about 1.5 metres tall, the bird inhabits wetlands, marshes, shallow water bodies, grasslands and agricultural landscapes. Its presence is considered an indicator of the health of wetland and agricultural ecosystems.
The BNHS said the species has disappeared from, or become scarce in, several parts of its historical range and is now found largely in pockets across Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, with isolated populations in Maharashtra.
Wetland degradation, changes in agricultural land use, pesticides and other chemicals, power-line collisions, electrocution, human disturbance, poaching and predation by wild and free-ranging dogs are among the major threats to the species.
An earlier international assessment estimated India's sarus crane population at 8,000 to 10,000 birds, with a declining trend. However, these estimates cannot be directly compared with more recent state-level counts because of differences in survey methods, geographical coverage and counting efforts, the society said.
According to the statement, Uttar Pradesh reported nearly 20,000 sarus cranes in its 2024 count, highlighting its importance as a stronghold for the species.
The State of India's Birds report recorded a long-term population decline of 76.84 per cent and an annual decline of 4.33 per cent for the species, it added.
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]]>As per the official statement shared by the Central Railway, coal emerged as the largest contributor to both freight earnings and loading, according to the railway’s commodity-wise freight revenue and loading data.
Central Railway generates revenue worth Rs 4,117.07 crores (Pic/Central Railway)
As per the CR, coal accounted for the highest revenue at Rs 1,852.90 crore, with a loading volume of 20.19 MT. It was followed by containers, which generated Rs 494.45 crore from 5.13 MT of loading during the six-month period.
Petroleum products contributed Rs 373.31 crore to Central Railway’s freight revenue, with a loading volume of 3.48 MT. Cement generated Rs 239.28 crore from 3.42 MT, while fertilisers accounted for Rs 215.81 crore from 1.63 MT.
Iron and steel contributed Rs 194.10 crore, with a loading volume of 2.79 MT. Meanwhile, other commodities collectively generated Rs 747.22 crore, accounting for 4.46 MT of freight loading.
The figures highlight the significant contribution of coal to Central Railway’s freight operations, with the commodity accounting for nearly half of the total loading recorded during the six-month period. Containers and other commodities also made substantial contributions to the railway’s overall freight earnings.
Central Railway’s ticket-checking teams recovered Rs 159.34 crore in penalties from 20.47 lakh passengers travelling without tickets or with improper or invalid travel authority between April and September 2026.
According to the railway, an average of 11,184 offenders were penalised and more than Rs 87 lakh was recovered daily during the period.
The action comes as Central Railway has intensified checks against unauthorised and ticketless travel across its network, with the revision of the minimum penalty for ticketless travel also contributing to the increase in collections.
Between April and September 2025, Central Railway recorded 20.05 lakh cases and recovered Rs 116.46 crore in penalties. The railway said the latest figures represent an increase of more than 37 per cent in penalty earnings.
Central Railway has recorded scrap sales worth Rs 323.50 crore during the first six months of the 2026-27 financial year, the highest among all zonal railways, according to an official statement.
The railway zone recorded scrap sales of Rs 70.42 crore in September alone, its highest-ever monthly scrap sale, as part of its ongoing 'Zero Scrap Mission'.
Central Railway said it disposed of 4,884 metric tonnes of scrap worth Rs 44.24 crore during the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign, held from September 17 to October 2.
The Materials Management (Stores) Department carried out drives across railway premises to identify, segregate and systematically dispose of accumulated scrap and obsolete assets.
]]>A clip from the show has surfaced on social media, and it shows the actress recollecting a parliamentary speech of the politician where he told Mamata Banerjee that her demands won’t be met unless she raises them.
She told him on the show, “I watch all your videos. Sometimes I search your name on Instagram and scroll all your reels. I like you a lot. You look very funny. And your talks make me laugh a lot”.
Lalu Prasad Yadav was in the show for his son Tej Pratap Yadav.
She then recollected the incident from the Parliament, as she said, “They say that it is not right that the rail was asked for. They say that it was not asked for. They say that if it was not asked for, it will not be found. You are very funny”.
Meanwhile, ‘Rise and Fall’ features 15 contestants competing over 42 days in a game built around power, strategy, alliances and shifting fortunes. The contestants are divided between the Rulers, who control the game from the Tower, and Workers, who live in the Basement and fight for opportunities to move up.
Season 2 introduces an additional layer of audience participation, with viewers getting the power to influence who becomes a Ruler or Worker.
Swara Bhasker, Karan Patel, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, Shehzad Poonawalla, Gautam Gulati, Tej Pratap Yadav, Sara Gurpal and Kajal Raghwani are a part of the show. The series marks Virender Sehwag’s streaming debut as a reality-show host
Produced by Banijay Asia, the show is available to stream on Amazon MX Player.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The warehouse, owned by Amit Paswan, is located opposite the Maruti Temple in Sangameshwar. The firefighting operation began at 12.48 am on Monday, with emergency teams working through the night to bring the blaze under control.
The fire spread rapidly because of the large volume of scrap stored inside the premises, raising concerns that it could reach nearby residential buildings and shops, according to IANS.
The Devrukh fire brigade was the first to reach the site, followed by teams from the Chiplun Municipal Council, Ratnagiri MIDC and Ratnagiri Municipal Council.
Fire personnel fought the flames throughout the night before bringing the situation under control at around 7 am on Monday.
Crew leaders Lingappa Halmani, Sagar Talekar and Akash Karande, along with other fire brigade personnel, played a key role in the operation. Their efforts helped prevent the fire from spreading to nearby houses and commercial establishments, averting the possibility of further damage.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Authorities are also yet to release a detailed assessment of the damage caused by the incident.
The preliminary loss estimate stands at more than Rs 2 lakh, while the quantity of scrap destroyed in the blaze has not been specified.
The incident has raised concerns among residents and shopkeepers in the surrounding area, given the proximity of the warehouse to residential and commercial properties.
In a separate incident on October 8, a fire broke out at a ground-plus-one-storey labour camp in the Tata Nagar area on Navghar Road in Mulund East, Mumbai. The incident reportedly involved the explosion of seven gas cylinders.
The labour camp is situated within a project complex in the Tata Colony area, developed for the rehabilitation of families displaced from Dharavi. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group is reportedly developing the project.
The fire was suspected to have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone East 3) Abhaysinha Deshmukh said seven cylinders had exploded during the incident.
“During the incident, seven gas cylinders exploded. All occupants of the premises were safely evacuated,” Deshmukh had said.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>On Sunday, the actor took to his X, formerly Twitter, and quote tweeted a video in which the Chief Spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party Sourav Das can be seen saying that the party, its workers and the protestors won’t go back on their demands, and appealed to the citizens to hit the streets.
Responding to the same, the actor wrote, “Show your numbers in Parliament and the ballot, not the streets! And if the way to those seems unjust, show the courts”.
“That is the democratic way! Hijacking the streets and holding the public infrastructure and law and order machinery to ransom is the actual ‘murder of democracy’”, he added.
The pressure group, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has intensified its agitation demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with protests in Delhi entering their second day on October 11, 2026. The youth-led movement is opposing the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise has disenfranchised millions of voters.
The Election Commission and the BJP have denied allegations of manipulation. On October 10, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and fellow leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving in Delhi for a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Many protesters were also detained as authorities imposed extensive security restrictions. The three leaders were released on October 11, reportedly subject to a condition to maintain public peace for one year. Dipke subsequently vowed to continue the agitation. The CJP has also called for electoral reforms and an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities in voter-list revisions.
The Apex Court during its special hearing on Sunday noted that there will be no detention of the protestors, and the public transport will return to normalcy.
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]]>The limited series is set 50 years after the events of "Blade Runner 2049" in a reborn Los Angeles. Fugitive Cora (Hunter Schafer) takes on a final identity as a Blade Runner and is forced to partner with Olwen (Michelle Yeoh), a near-death Replicant, to hunt down a runaway hiding the truth that could collapse the city.
Prime Video also shared the trailer on their Instagram handle on Sunday.
View this post on Instagram
'Blade Runner 2099' stars Yeoh and Schafer, with Dimitri Abold and Lewis Gribben as series regulars. Katelyn Rose Downey, Daniel Rigby, Johnny Harris, Amy Lennox, Sheila Atim, Matthew Needham, Tom Burke and Maurizio Lombardi are recurring guest stars.
The 'Blade Runner' franchise is based on Philip K. Dick's 1968 novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep"
The first film adaptation, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, released in 1982. 'Blade Runner 2049,' helmed by 'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve, premiered in 2017, with Ford reprising his role from the original film.
Silka Luisa is the showrunner, creator, and executive producer of the series.
Ridley Scott, Alcon Entertainment co-founders Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, Alcon"s President of Television Ben Roberts, Steven Johnson, David W. Zucker and Clayton Krueger from Scott Free Productions, Richard Sharkey, Tom Spezialy, Michael Green, Cynthia Yorkin, Frank Giustra, Tim Gable, and Isa Dick Hackett serve as executive producers.
Jonathan van Tulleken is an executive producer and directed the first two episodes, reported Variety. The series is set to premiere on November 25.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Dipke reached his native village, Santuk Pimpri, in Maharashtra's Hingoli district, late on Sunday night and visited the site where his grandmother's final rites were performed.
In a post on X, Dipke criticised the Delhi Police over the alleged use of force against protesters, journalists and elected representatives during the recent demonstrations in the national capital.
Youth are being assaulted, journalists are being assaulted even MPs are being assaulted by Delhi Police. What makes Gyanesh Kumar so indispensable to Modi that he is willing to wage war against everyone just to protect him?
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 12, 2026
"Youth are being assaulted, journalists are being assaulted, even MPs are being assaulted by Delhi Police. What makes Gyanesh Kumar so indispensable to Modi that he is willing to wage war against everyone just to protect him?" he wrote.
His remarks came amid a security crackdown ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators sought Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Dipke, along with CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, was placed under preventive arrest at Delhi airport on Saturday ahead of the planned demonstration.
The three leaders were released on Sunday on the condition that they would not “breach peace” for a year, according to the report.
Their detention came amid heightened security arrangements in Delhi, where police detained protesters and opposition leaders as authorities attempted to prevent the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP and opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
The revision exercise has become a point of political contention, with the protesters raising concerns about the conduct of electoral roll revisions and seeking accountability from the Election Commission.
Meanwhile, the CJP has renewed its call for a protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday as police continued their heavy security arrangements, with over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel to be deployed in the capital.
The CJP and opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
]]>Starring Austin Abrams, Brolin, Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, Jane Levy and Emily Rudd, the film follows Jay Gardiner (Abrams), who ventures into the waters off California’s central coast to search for his deceased father’s remains. His dive takes a terrifying turn when he is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. With only an hour of oxygen left, Jay must draw on the lessons his father taught him to find a way out.
“I slowed down when I was reading it because I didn’t want it to end,” he said. “I finished it, I put it on my chest, I wrapped my arms around my chest, and I sobbed. I didn’t just cry; I sobbed, because it resonated with me so deeply, and it was poetic and visceral, and emotional.”
Brolin plays Mitt Gardiner, Jay’s father, a local diving legend and passionate member of the Monterey Dive Club. Although Mitt’s death sets the story in motion, the character remains central to Jay’s journey. Producer Allan Mandelbaum explained Mitt’s significance to the narrative, saying, “Our story actually starts with Mitt. He is the catalyst for Jay’s adventure.”
Describing his character, Brolin said Mitt is a tough father with a deep fascination for the sea and the works of writer John Steinbeck. The actor was particularly drawn to the character’s lasting influence on the film’s narrative.
“Mitt is pretty tough as a father,” he said. “I think of him as this seafaring, nautical-obsessed, Steinbeck-obsessed character, and I don’t know if I’ve ever been so willing and happy to dive into something.” Mandelbaum said Brolin’s personality made him a natural fit for the role, while producer Brian Grazer praised the actor’s commanding screen presence and confidence.
Directed by Brian Duffield, Whalefall features a screenplay by Duffield and Kraus. The film brings together a survival premise and a father-son relationship, with Mitt’s influence continuing to shape Jay’s fight for survival even after his death. The survival adventure releases in Indian theatres on Friday, October 16.
]]>Several videos of Amitabh greeting his fans on his birthday outside his home have surfaced online. Among them, a video showed a couple of children trying to push past security to get close to the superstar. Meanwhile, his bodyguards are seen intervening and moving them away.
Amid the chaos, he continued greeting the crowd with folded hands. He was also seen politely declining a female fan's request to shake hands with him. Big B was seen dressed in a red kurta as he posed in front of a giant garland arranged by his fans. He waved to the fans and even thanked them for their love before heading back inside.
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The interaction with young fans has sparked mixed reactions from users online. While some criticised Amitabh for not shaking hands with the girl, others expressed that she should not have breached security to approach him. One user wrote, "He could have just shook hands with her, she came with a lot of hope." On the other hand, others came to his defence and criticised the girl's actions, commenting, "There was no need to do that." Another user wrote, "What's wrong with these people? He is a human being not an alien."
Amitabh Bachchan celebrated his 84th birthday on Sunday, October 11, by greeting fans gathered outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa,
The veteran actor stepped out to greet the sea of fans who had gathered outside his home for a glimpse of their favourite star. He was seen waving at the crowd and greeting them with folded hands as a gesture of gratitude, thanking them for their love and wishes on his special day.
]]>From mirrorwork lehengas and pre-draped sarees to Indo-Western ensembles and statement jackets, fashion is embracing outfits that transition effortlessly from daytime festivities to evening celebrations. Whether you are dressing for Garba and Dandiya or looking to make a statement at a festive gathering, Indian fashion experts say there are evolving trends but say there are styling tips to keep in mind.
Mirror work, intricate thread embroidery, bandhani-inspired prints and artisanal detailing continue to define festive fashion, but their application is becoming more contemporary. Lighter lehengas, structured kurta sets, pre-draped sarees and Indo-Western separates offer alternatives to heavily layered traditional outfits.
Raghav Aggarwal, founder of Twamev, says, “Festive fashion is moving beyond the predictable this season, with people looking for pieces that let them bring more of their personality into occasion dressing.” He has been observing embroidered bomber jackets, statement jackets, Indo-Western sets and kurta-jacket combinations take centre-stage beyond conventional festive wear.
While festive fashion is about making a statement, comfort is essential when celebrations involve hours of dancing. Lightweight fabrics, secure drapes and manageable dupattas allow greater freedom of movement without compromising on style.
Raghav recommends dressing according to the energy of the occasion. “For a daytime puja, keep things lighter with breathable fabrics and softer colours; for an evening Garba night, bring in colour, movement and a little more drama,” he says.
Pre-draped or ready-to-wear sarees are a practical option for those who want the elegance of a saree without repeatedly adjusting the pleats is a good option, he says. Sharara sets and anarkalis also offer movement-friendly alternatives for long celebrations. When choosing Garba outfit tips, prioritise breathable fabrics, well-fitted blouses and dupattas that stay securely in place while dancing. Comfortable juttis, mojaris, embellished flats or low block heels are preferable to footwear that restricts movement. Breaking in new footwear before the event can also help prevent discomfort during extended celebrations.
Even as you are deciding what to wear, brothers Saurabh, Shishir and Nishit Gupta, who are the founders of Mumbai-based fashion label KALKI highlight how traditional craftsmanship is being reimagined across contemporary festive silhouettes, and if you are a fashionista you should definitely experiment with your outfit to be trendy. “This festive season is seeing a beautiful interplay of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary silhouettes,” says Saurabh, pointing to mirror work, intricate thread embroidery, bandhani-inspired details and artisanal surface techniques across lighter lehengas, pre-draped sarees and modern Indo-Western separates.
Shishir adds, “For Navratri, the focus is on movement-friendly silhouettes that create impact on the dance floor. For Durga Puja, timeless sarees, elegant anarkalis and refined kurta sets in red, ivory and gold continue to take centre stage.”
He says, “Festive dressing should balance visual impact with comfort. For Garba and Dandiya nights, lightweight fabrics, secure drapes and manageable dupattas allow ease of movement without compromising on style. Traditional outfits can be refreshed with a contemporary blouse, corset-style top or statement jacket.”
On the other hand, an ivory or neutral ensemble can be elevated with red accents through the blouse, dupatta, jewellery or makeup is perfect for Durga Puja. “Fluid silhouettes and softer colours work well during the day, while jewel tones, metallic details and defined silhouettes transition beautifully into evening celebrations,” he adds.
Accessories can transform an outfit, and this season's jewellery trends are leaning towards individuality, versatility and pieces that can be worn beyond the festive calendar.
Nishit highlights that oxidised silver jewellery, layered chokers, jhumkas and statement cuffs complement colourful Navratri ensembles particularly well. “For Durga Puja, traditional gold-toned jewellery, temple-inspired designs, pearls and bold earrings pair beautifully with sarees and classic occasionwear,’ he says, continuing, “Balance is essential. A statement necklace can be paired with smaller earrings, while an intricately detailed neckline may only need bold earrings or a sculptural cuff.”
Raghav adding to Nishit says that you can mix jewellery pieces for a more contemporary, fashion forward look. “Try adding a statement choker to a clean kurta-pant look or wearing a structured jacket over a festive outfit. For men, a brooch on a jacket or an Indo-Western set can be an easy way to move away from the predictable kurta while still feeling occasion-ready,” he adds.
While Nishit and Raghav highlights the changing times, Sheetal Srivastava, design manager at Shaya, the Indian contemporary silver jewellery brand by CaratLane, keeping it simple reminds that the easiest way to update a traditional festive look is to change the jewellery. She says, “Try pairing a classic saree with contemporary silver earrings, ear cuffs, or add stacked rings and bracelets to a simpler kurta or lehenga. For Durga Puja, traditional sarees work particularly well with sculptural or oxidised silver, while colourful Navratri outfits can be balanced with clean silver pieces that let the outfit do the talking.”
This festive season, the design manager says they are seeing jewellery become more individual and versatile. “Statement earrings, oxidised silver, layered necklaces and stackable rings are strong trends, especially for younger consumers looking to give traditional festive wear a more contemporary feel,” she highlights, while adding that there is a growing preference for jewellery that can be re-worn beyond the festive season.
If you are wondering how to go about it, Sheetal says let the neckline guide your choices: statement earrings work well with detailed necklines, while simpler necklines offer room for layered necklaces. “Mixing silver with gold-plated pieces can introduce a contemporary touch to traditional styling. If your outfit features heavy embroidery, choose one statement accessory rather than layering too many pieces. With a minimal ensemble, bold earrings or a sculptural cuff can provide the finishing touch,” she shares.
Ultimately, festive fashion does not have to follow a fixed formula. Whether you choose a colourful chaniya choli, an Indo-Western ensemble, a classic saree or a kurta paired with a statement jacket, the aim is to wear something that reflects your personality and suits the occasion.
This Navratri, let colour, craftsmanship and creativity guide your choices, but make sure your outfit allows you to enjoy every Garba step and Dandiya spin with confidence.
]]>Mumbaikars also lead fast-paced lives, with long working hours and lengthy commutes. While it isn’t usually a problem for those living closer to their offices, there are others who travel to the island city and Mumbai suburbs from as far as Ambernath, Virar and Palghar. For people travelling from these areas, the daily commute can stretch to several hours.
Despite these challenges, many devotees observe the fast with faith and devotion.
To know more about how office-goers can navigate fasting during Navratri despite their busy schedules, mid-day.com spoke to Amreen Sheikh, who is the chief dietician at KIMS Hospitals, Thane, and Fauziya Ansari, a dietitian at Apollo Spectra Hospital Mumbai. They not only highlighted the challenges but also shared tips and meal plans to help Mumbaikars be better prepared during the fasting period.
Sheikh: Office-goers may experience hunger, low energy, headaches, acidity or difficulty concentrating, especially if meals are delayed. Long meetings, limited fasting-friendly food options and frequent tea or coffee can make it harder.
People also tend to rely on packaged fasting snacks, which may be high in salt, sugar or fat. Staying hydrated and planning meals and snacks in advance can prevent energy dips and make fasting more manageable through the workday.
Ansari: Long working hours, commuting, meetings, and irregular meal timings can make fasting more challenging. People may also experience tiredness, headaches, acidity, or difficulty concentrating if they do not eat and hydrate properly. Planning meals and keeping suitable fasting foods handy can help maintain energy through the workday.
Sheikh: It can be more challenging because office routines often involve fixed schedules, commuting, meetings and limited control over food. At home, it is easier to prepare a fresh meal or rest when energy levels fall. At work, people may ignore hunger or depend on whatever is available nearby. The key difference is planning. Carrying a home-prepared meal, keeping suitable snacks handy and drinking enough fluids can help maintain energy during the day.
Ansari: It can be more difficult because office-goers have fixed schedules, long commutes, and limited access to freshly prepared fasting food. At home, it is easier to rest when needed and plan meals according to hunger and energy levels. At work, people need to manage fasting along with meetings, deadlines, and travel.
Sheikh: Yes, requirements can differ with age, activity levels and existing eating habits. Younger adults may skip meals, eat out frequently or depend on caffeinated drinks, which can worsen fatigue during fasting. Middle-aged adults should pay greater attention to protein, fibre, hydration and portion control.
Across age groups, meals should include healthy carbohydrate sources, protein sources such as milk, curd, paneer or nuts, healthy fats and fruits or vegetables permitted during the fast.
Ansari: Younger adults should avoid relying mainly on fried or packaged fasting foods.
Across age groups, adequate hydration and sufficient calories are important to prevent weakness and poor concentration.
Sheikh: Preparation should start before the commute. Have a balanced pre-work meal rather than leaving home on an empty stomach. Carry a water bottle and a small fasting-friendly snack such as fruit, roasted makhana, nuts or a homemade paneer preparation. Those with long commutes should avoid depending on roadside or packaged fasting foods. If fasting permits fluids, hydrate regularly rather than drinking large quantities at once. Planning meal timings around travel can also prevent long gaps between meals.
Ansari: A proper meal before leaving for work can help prevent excessive hunger and tiredness later in the day. Adequate water intake is also important, particularly for people spending several hours travelling.
Sheikh: Keep meals simple and balanced. Options include a sabudana khichdi with peanuts and vegetables allowed during the fast, a fruit-and-curd bowl with nuts, or a paneer and potato bowl. Rajgira or kuttu rotis with curd can work for a more substantial meal. Carry food from home whenever possible.
Keep portions moderate, especially with sabudana and potatoes, and include protein and fibre to stay fuller for longer.
Ansari: Choose simple meals such as sama rice khichdi or a potato and peanut bowl. Fruits, makhana, nuts, and plain yoghurt can be convenient options for snacks during office hours. Prefer homemade, lightly cooked meals and avoid making every meal deep-fried simply because it is a fasting food.
Sheikh: A one-bowl meal can be prepared with minimal effort. Try a fruit, curd and nut bowl; a paneer, boiled potato and cucumber bowl; or a curd bowl with roasted makhana, peanuts and permitted vegetables. A simple kuttu or rajgira roti with curd can also be packed together. The idea is to combine a carbohydrate source with protein, healthy fats and fibre rather than eating only a starchy fasting food.
Ansari: A sama rice bowl with vegetables, curd, and peanuts can be filling and easy to carry to work. A boiled potato, paneer, or curd bowl with cucumber and roasted peanuts is another quick option. Fruit with yoghurt, nuts and seeds can also work as a simple meal or snack when time is limited.
Sheikh: Sabudana vadas, puris, chips, namkeen and sweets can provide plenty of calories without keeping you satisfied for long. Excessive tea or coffee can also contribute to acidity, disturbed sleep and inadequate hydration. Packaged “fasting” foods should be limited because some are high in salt, sugar or fat. Choose fresh, minimally processed foods and keep portions sensible throughout the workday.
Ansari: Fried fasting foods can make you feel heavy and sluggish. Very spicy foods should also be limited if fasting tends to trigger acidity or digestive discomfort.
Sheikh: First-time fasters should not suddenly make extreme changes to their diet. Start the day with a nourishing meal, stay hydrated and avoid long gaps between permitted meals. Keep a snack with you in case of weakness or excessive hunger. Listen to your body; persistent dizziness, faintness, severe headache or unusual weakness should not be ignored. People with diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems or those taking regular medication should speak to their doctor before fasting.
Ansari: Do not suddenly make your fasting very restrictive. Carry water and a small healthy snack, plan your meals around your work schedule, and listen to your body's hunger and energy levels. People with diabetes, kidney disease, those who are pregnant, or those with other medical conditions should speak to their doctor before fasting.
]]>After the match, the visitors' skipper Shai Hope said that they could have executed their plans better with the ball and used the pitch conditions well.
"Little things that you pick up can be defining moments, whether you get off your line. Winning team as opposed to losing one. So, probably with the ball, could have executed a little bit better, maybe used the surface a bit more, and a few runs we probably let through on the boundaries. Those small little margins could be the deciding factor at the back end of any game," he said.
In an attempt to chase a target of 224 runs, the visitors managed to reach 209 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
West Indies' skipper Shai Hope was dismissed on five runs in five balls, including a boundary. Fellow opening batsman Kamil Pooran played a knock of 42 runs in 27 balls, including three boundaries and the same number of maximums. Shimron Hetmyer returned to the pavilion after delivering a knock of 43 runs in 26 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Rovman Powell managed to score five runs in seven balls.
Sherfane Rutherford smashed 32 runs in 20 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Quentin Sampson also scored 21 runs in 15 balls, including a boundary and a maximum. Keemo Paul was dismissed on 10 runs in six balls, including a maximum.
Shamar Springer and Roston Chase stayed unbeaten on 35 and five runs, respectively.
Team India's Arshdeep Singh returned with the figures of three wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Naman Dhir bagged two wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav went wicketless in the third T20I match against the Caribbean side.
Earlier having been put to bat first, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma lost his wicket on 28 runs in 16 balls, which included four boundaries. Naman Dhir was also dismissed on 10 runs in five balls, which included a maximum. Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to score 21 in 14 balls, with the help of three boundaries. Facing 14 balls, Axar Patel registered 20 runs, with the help of two boundaries. Arshdeep Singh also scored 11 runs in eight balls, including a maximum, whereas Mayank Yadav was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Prince Yadav stayed unbeaten on 13 runs in six balls, including three boundaries. With this, the "Men in Blue" were bowled out for 223 runs in 20 overs.
West Indies' Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, and Shamar Springer bagged two wickets each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie also claimed one wicket each.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>Congress workers gathered at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters and raised slogans against the Chief Election Commissioner ahead of the proposed demonstration. The march is part of the INDIA bloc’s continuing campaign against the SIR process.
Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh said the protest was aimed at protecting the Constitution and seeking judicial intervention over the concerns raised by the Opposition.
"All workers are coming to Delhi today to save the Constitution of the country. The Chief Justice is the guardian of the Constitution, and the Supreme Court is considered to be under his authority. It is his duty, along with the Supreme Court, to look into any instance where the Constitution is being disregarded, or actions are being taken against its provisions," Boudh told IANS.
The proposed march and the possibility of a large gathering prompted heightened security preparations across New Delhi and central Delhi.
The Delhi Traffic Police warned commuters of possible disruptions from 6 am on Monday, with restrictions and diversions likely at around 30 locations to manage traffic and maintain security.
Among the key roads and intersections likely to be affected are the Dhaula Kuan flyover, Jhandewalan, Patel Chowk, Panchkuian, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyover.
Commuters may also face delays on Jantar Mantar Road, Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg and Tolstoy Marg.
The traffic advisory urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time when travelling through central Delhi.
People heading to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport were advised to account for possible congestion and diversions. Commuters were also asked to avoid unnecessary travel through areas likely to be affected by security arrangements.
Security personnel remained deployed at key intersections and around Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site in the national capital.
Barricades were seen blocking access roads to the area on Sunday, while police personnel monitored movement to regulate traffic and prevent unauthorised gatherings.
The Opposition’s proposed march centres on allegations of irregularities in the SIR process and demands concerning the Election Commission. The allegations are being raised by Opposition parties and have not been established as findings in this report.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Speaking to HT City, the actor recalled how her physical transformation for films became a source of criticism, eventually affecting her health. She said the experience taught her to stop chasing other people's expectations and prioritise her well-being instead.
“I had gained 15 kgs for Pataakha, and I was losing that weight through Shiddat and Angrezi Medium. I was told that I was 'too fat. How will she become a heroine?' I kept losing weight and shooting back-to-back, and fully became like bones. It started affecting my health, so I took a break,” she shared.
However, losing weight did not put an end to the criticism. While she was initially considered too heavy, she was later labelled too thin. “Earlier, I was too fat, now I was too thin, and in between, I was neither here nor there. I asked myself, why am I trying to please people when they will never be happy? So, I started focusing on feeling healthy rather than chasing a particular body size,” she said.
Radhikka also spoke about the pressure on young girls to meet society's narrow definition of beauty, explaining how these expectations are reinforced from childhood through media representations of the so-called ideal woman.
She recalled having a unibrow and facial hair during school but credited her positive upbringing with helping her develop confidence in her appearance. Despite being aware of her differences, she said she never felt the need to seek validation from others.
“I find the idea of loving yourself a bit too cliche, but you have to accept yourself and have fun. Find your own quirks,” she said.
While acknowledging that ignoring online criticism is easier said than done, the actor urged people to recognise that the idea of a perfect woman is socially constructed. She also emphasised that self-acceptance is a gradual process rather than an overnight transformation.
“But be on this journey of finding yourself, your ground, and start by accepting yourself because you are like a snowflake,” Radhikka concluded. Radhikka was last seen in Lust Stories 3, streaming on Netflix.
]]>BJP asked whether the movement was truly meant to address student grievances or served as a launchpad for NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar's political ambitions.
As per IANS, BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute, who was instrumental in organising a meeting of agitating MPSC aspirants with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to find a way out, expressed gratitude to the CM for addressing student concerns with sensitivity and holding discussions with student representatives for the fourth time to find a constructive solution.
However, the BJP MLA also challenged Rohit Pawar to clarify what the students ultimately gained from the protests and who benefited politically.
Addressing the core of the controversy, Pachpute also highlighted that while CM Fadnavis accepted most student demands on September 30, the demand for the resignation of the MPSC chairperson did not fall directly under the state government's jurisdiction.
He said, "If the Chief Minister had the direct authority to dismiss the Chairman, he would have taken appropriate action much earlier. Even though there are constitutional limitations, Rohit Pawar insisted on continuing the protest," as per IANS.
He questioned the rationale behind keeping the agitation alive after the primary demands had already been met, noting that a clear divide eventually emerged between genuine students and political activists participating in the movement.
Referring to the legal and institutional aspects, Pachpute explained that state governments do not have the direct power to remove the chairperson of a constitutional body like the MPSC, as it requires a specific procedure under Article 317 of the Constitution.
He said, "The government adopted a constitutional approach. Once the judicial inquiry process began, the chairperson went on leave. Had a positive approach towards the inquiry process been accepted on September 30 itself, the subsequent conflict could have been avoided, eliminating the need for such a massive uproar," as per IANS.
Pachpute also accused certain political figures of attempting to sensationalise the issue by inviting various politicians, influential personalities, and artists to the protest platform.
He alleged that the focus shifted from solving student problems to gaining personal publicity and political mileage.
To illustrate his point on misplaced priorities, Pachpute offered a cautionary analogy for students, warning them not to get distracted by political agendas at the expense of their careers and studies.
He asked, "Students prepare and struggle to become officers through competitive exams, not to serve as stepping stones for political leaders," he asserted. "Rohit Pawar must now give a straightforward answer -- what did the students actually get from this protest, and who reaped the political benefits?" as per IANS.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Following the victory, Team India's skipper Shreyas Iyer heaped praise on the bowlers by saying that they were confident in executing their plans during the game.
"It was wonderful, honestly. When the bowlers were up to the mark, they were pretty confident in terms of what they wanted to execute, and the clarity was very much visible when I was interacting with them. So they were decisive in their execution, and I also feel that when I was passing on the ball to them, each and every one, they were ready to take on the challenge, and that is what we want," he said.
He then gave special mention to swashbuckling batsman Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 69 runs in 30 balls, including six boundaries and five maximums. He also highlighted Ishan Kishan's contribution with the bat and stated that Prince Yadav's cameo was important.
"That was a phenomenal start, what we got from Abhishek - those crucial runs in the powerplay. We know what he can offer, and then Ishan coming in and taking on the bowlers. He has been simply remarkable in the last couple of months. And then in between also, we never let West Indies take on the charge, even though we kept on losing wickets. We steadied the ship in the middle order as well. That took us to a commendable total of 223. Even Prince coming and playing that cameo at the end, those were useful runs, I felt," Iyer added.
With this, the "Men in Blue" have taken a lead by 2-1. The fourth T20I match between the teams will be played on October 14 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>In an editorial published in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray-led faction criticised the security measures imposed on October 10, during which thousands of protesters, student activists and opposition figures were reportedly detained.
The editorial claimed that the Centre deployed armed security personnel, including forces drawn from anti-terror and anti-Naxalite operations in regions such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Manipur, to enforce a security blockade across Delhi.
It alleged that access routes and lanes across the national capital were sealed and that nearly 1 lakh armed personnel surrounded the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Krishna Menon Road.
According to the editorial, the security arrangements disrupted public services, including internet connectivity, metro operations, local bus networks, long-distance train services and commercial flights. It also claimed that police boarded an aircraft to detain political leaders, including Dipankar Bhattacharya and Manoj Jha.
Despite the restrictions, large numbers of students and civil society members reached protest venues in Delhi, the editorial said. It also stated that former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal were among the opposition leaders detained during the crackdown.
In Mumbai, police detained Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, as he attempted to lead a peaceful satyagraha towards August Kranti Maidan, according to the editorial.
The publication said Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and party workers subsequently marched to the DN Nagar police station to demand Gandhi's immediate release.
The Saamana editorial also referred to alleged international scrutiny of India's handling of the protests. It claimed that the United Nations Human Rights Office had expressed concern over arbitrary detentions, police conduct and reports of female demonstrators being dragged into prison vans and taken to undisclosed locations.
The editorial said the UN had urged Indian authorities to protect the right to peaceful assembly and release those detained arbitrarily. It also cited coverage by The New York Times and London-based newspapers, arguing that the crackdown had drawn international attention to India's democratic institutions.
These assertions were presented by the editorial; the specific UN statements and media reports would require independent verification.
Responding to BJP leaders and media outlets that reportedly described the demonstrations as a “flop show”, the Thackeray-led faction argued that the scale of the security deployment reflected the government's apprehension about public dissent.
The editorial further alleged a decade-long pattern of public harassment, misuse of public funds and electoral manipulation, linking these accusations to what it described as mounting public anger over governance.
“When a dictator is afraid, the demon within him builds armed steel walls for self-protection, but these walls are inevitably destroyed by the rebellion of the people,” the editorial declared.
]]>Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said at least five people remained missing after a massive landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River between Lokpa and Chhumling on Sunday morning, triggering severe flooding that swept away homes and critical infrastructure.
According to the NDRRMA, the five missing people comprise two women and three men who were staying at a local sheep shed in the Ujjilud area of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-6 when the disaster struck.
The floodwaters swept through settlements along the riverbed, damaging roads, bridges and energy infrastructure across the affected region.
A section of the concrete bridge connecting Arughat in Gorkha district to Dhading was washed away. Several suspension bridges, including those connecting Nyakchetat to Sirdibas and the Machhikhola-Kerauja footbridge, were also destroyed. An iron-concrete bridge at Sotima was among the other structures damaged.
The flooding also caused extensive damage to the 381-megawatt Budhigandaki Project, washing away its main camp area and equipment.
Two telephone towers and 50 electricity poles were damaged. Floodwaters also inundated lower Machhikhola, placing around 20 to 22 homes at immediate risk.
The NDRRMA mobilised 437 security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to assist with rescue and relief operations.
Four Nepali Army helicopters were deployed to evacuate people from high-risk areas.
Authorities also dispatched a specialised team comprising geologists and personnel operating drones to investigate the cause of the landslide. Officials were examining the feasibility of installing emergency Bailey bridges to restore connectivity in the affected region.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Balen Shah said a Nepali Army contingent had been deployed by air and land to carry out search and rescue operations.
He added that helicopters had been mobilised to support evacuation, relief and rescue efforts. A Joint Rapid Response Team from Kathmandu was also airlifted to the affected area.
In a subsequent update, the Nepal Army said six people had been evacuated to safer locations. The affected region is around 184 kilometres from Kathmandu.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung warned of the risk of further flooding following the surge in the Budhi Gandaki River on Sunday morning. He said the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and local administration had been mobilised to assist with rescue and relief operations.
Gurung urged residents of Sirdibas, Jagat, Salleri, Khorlabesi, Machhakhola, Soti, Arkhet and Arughat, particularly those living along the riverbanks, to relocate to safer areas without delay.
Disaster management officials also advised residents to stay away from riverbeds, avoid damaged bridges and roads, and follow instructions issued by local security agencies.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The couple shared the news in a joint Instagram post on Saturday, October 10, revealing that their son was born on September 29. They also shared black-and-white pictures from the hospital, showing Culpo holding her newborn with McCaffrey by her side.
One of the pictures also featured the couple's 14-month-old daughter, Colette, as she looked at her younger brother. Another picture showed Culpo holding Roman in a garden, with Colette standing beside her.
Sharing their son's name, Culpo captioned the post, "Roman Augustus McCaffrey ". She later shared her happiness on Instagram Stories, writing, "Heart is exploding."
View this post on Instagram
Culpo and McCaffrey announced their second pregnancy in May on the model's 34th birthday. Sharing pictures from a picnic with their daughter and their dog, Oliver, the couple revealed the news with the caption, "Best birthday gift Baby 2 coming soon ". The pictures also showed sonogram images placed on their picnic blanket.
According to PEOPLE, Olivia and Christian had welcomed their first child, daughter Colette, in July 2025. At the time, the couple shared black-and-white pictures from the hospital soon after the baby's birth. Olivia had later called childbirth "the scariest and most rewarding of all experiences."
A few months later, Olivia also opened up about motherhood during an appearance on The Squeeze podcast. She spoke honestly about balancing work and family life after becoming a mother.
"There's totally a shift," Olivia had said while talking about motherhood at a podcast, according to PEOPLE. "Whether or not you want there to be or not, you have somebody that's physically dependent on you. So I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Yeah, it's scary."
She also shared that Christian has been a strong support system for her as she continues managing both work and parenting responsibilities.
"I'm so grateful that I have my husband because while I'm totally working and I'm doing everything in my power to keep working and I'm so happy to have the opportunities that I have," she said.
Olivia added that her priorities have changed after becoming a mother. "And I would choose my baby 10 times over, obviously," she had said.
Earlier in March 2025, Olivia had announced her first pregnancy with a maternity photoshoot on Instagram. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, "Next chapter, motherhood."
Christian McCaffrey currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, while Olivia Culpo is known for her work as a model and former Miss Universe winner.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>As per ANI, the Sensex opened at 72,771.32, up 298.99 points from Friday’s close of 72,472.33, while the Nifty 50 opened at 22,593.20, up 72.75 points from its previous close of 22,520.45.
Easing crude oil prices supported investor sentiment, although persistent foreign investor selling and elevated global bond yields continued to pose risks. During the early hours of Monday, Brent crude was trading at USD 103.12 a barrel, down 1.53 per cent.
Among sectoral indices, Nifty Auto rose 0.93 per cent, Nifty Realty gained 0.81 per cent, Nifty Metal advanced 0.66 per cent and Nifty IT climbed 0.64 per cent. Nifty PSU Bank slipped 0.01 per cent.
Among Nifty 50 stocks, Bajaj Auto led the gainers, rising 1.77 per cent, followed by HCL Technologies, up 1.26 per cent, and Bharat Electronics, which gained 1.24 per cent. Jio Financial Services and IndiGo also advanced, as per ANI.
On the losing side, Tech Mahindra fell 2.15 per cent, followed by ITC, down 0.34 per cent, while SBI, Axis Bank and Bharti Airtel each declined 0.09 per cent.
Asian markets were mixed, with South Korea’s Kospi falling 2.87 per cent, Taiwan Weighted declining 0.30 per cent and Singapore’s Straits Times rising 0.43 per cent. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was closed for Sports Day.
Market analyst Vipin Dixena said the market was at a crucial juncture following Friday's recovery, with investors looking for further buying to sustain the rebound.
Dixena asserted, “In my view, the Indian market is at a crucial juncture. After Friday's 1.30 per cent recovery in Nifty, investors are looking for follow-through buying, supported by easing crude prices and the RBI's latest measures to stabilise the rupee,” as per ANI.
Dr V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, said external pressures continued to outweigh domestic positives.
Vijaykumar said, “The market is going through a stage wherein external headwinds are dominating the domestic tailwinds. Elevated crude prices and high US bond yields will continue to impact the market,” he said.
He also highlighted that FIIs were likely to continue selling in the near term, while domestic institutional investors would absorb the selling.
On the technical outlook, Hemang Gor, Senior Research Analyst at Axis Direct, said the Nifty had closed Friday at 22,520, recovering 1.30 per cent, or 289 points, from Thursday’s intraday 52-week low. The Nifty IT index had gained around 3 per cent, while FMCG rose 2.2 per cent.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Speaking to People magazine, the 43-year-old actor recounted the chance meeting during a layover in Denver, where he was staying at an airport hotel.
Garfield said he entered an elevator and found himself alongside a few young women attending a conference at the hotel. One of them, who was wearing a Spider-Man T-shirt, appeared stunned when she recognised him.
"She looked at me like I was some kind of mirage," Garfield recalled, adding, "And she said, 'Is it you? Is it you? ⿦ Are you Spider-Man?'"
Garfield responded with humour, acknowledging his association with the superhero character.
"I was like, 'I once was when I was younger, yes. Twice was, three times was,'" he said, as cited by People magazine.
The actor played Peter Parker in 'The Amazing Spider-Man' (2012) and its 2014 sequel, before returning to the role in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021).
According to Garfield, the unexpected encounter left the fan "a little bit teary-eyed".
Despite her surprise, the two shared what he described as a "lovely conversation" before he stepped out of the elevator.
"She was very cool. She was very chill, but she was sweet, very, very sweet. She was very cool. She was very chill, but she was sweet, very, very sweet. And I left the elevator and I turned the corner and I just heard a delightful kind of squeal coming from the elevator as it went down or up flights or up levels," Garfield recalled.
Andrew Garfield's next major upcoming project is the highly anticipated biographical comedy-drama Artificial, scheduled to hit US theatres on December 25, 2026.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>In a post on X on Sunday, Somaiya said he had written to and spoken with Gamdevi Police Station about the FIR against the actor. He announced that he would visit the police station at 12.30 pm on Monday.
Somaiya alleged that Khan should face charges for participating in what he described as an illegal political agitation and for allegedly violating OCI provisions and visa conditions. These remain allegations made by the BJP leader.
“Today I wrote and spoke to Gamdevi Police Station, Mumbai, that the FIR filed against Foreign Citizen Actor Imran Khan is INCOMPLETE. I will visit Gamdevi Police Station tomorrow, 12 October afternoon at 12.30 pm,” Somaiya said in his post.
Today I wrote & spoke to Gamdevi Police Station Mumbai that FIR filed against Foreign Citizen Actor #ImranKhan is INCOMPLETE I will visit Gamdevi Police Station tomorrow 12 October afternoon at 12.30pm Imran Khan should be charged for taking part in illegal political agitation, violation of OCI Provisions, VISA conditions.... Foreign Citizen don't have similar rights as Indian Citizens
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 11, 2026
In another post, he said, “Imran Khan should be charged for taking part in illegal political agitation, violation of OCI Provisions, VISA conditions.... Foreign Citizens don't have similar rights as Indian Citizens.”
Somaiya reiterated his plan on Monday, writing, “Today, October 12th at 12:30 PM, I will go to Mumbai Gamdevi Police Station to file an FIR against foreign actor Imran Khan.”
Today, October 12th at 12:30 PM, I will go to Mumbai Gavdevi Police Station to file an FIR against foreign actor Imran Khan
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 12, 2026
Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on Saturday at August Kranti Maidan, the proposed venue for a demonstration in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest.
The protest was part of a wider agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with demonstrators demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Following his detention, the actor shared a photograph apparently taken inside a police van, captioned, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
Speaking to the media, Khan said he had come to the location as a Mumbai resident and was not there to press any specific demands. He questioned the restrictions on freedom of movement and what he described as the suppression of people's voices.
“I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people's voices being suppressed? That is why I am here,” the actor said.
]]>The BTS leader addressed the controversy around the large crowds gathering outside the group's hotel in Lima, Peru, during the band's concert. During his speech, RM said he wanted to address his earlier post and explained that the issue was not limited to one country or continent.
He said, “The post I wrote yesterday isn't about Latin America or Peru; similar things have happened in Europe, in the United States, and honestly, it's something that's been happening all along. It could happen in Asia too.” He also acknowledged that any fans had been respecting the group's privacy by not gathering outside their hotel or even pretending not to notice them on the streets. However, RM also expressed concerns about the use of drones and lasers. He said that such behaviour is unacceptable.
RM further added that BTS had never viewed its fans differently based on their nationality or location. He requested the fandom to remain united and not let the actions of a few individuals to create divisions among supporters. “Everyone, honestly, when have we ever divided people by nationality or continent? Under the name ARMY, under the name BTS, we are all the same people,” he said.
As RM addressed the controversy on stage during the Lima concert, fans were heard chanting “Sorry” during his speech. The response has drawn attention online as the moment soon became a part of the wider discussion about the relationship between BTS and ARMY. The incident has also sparked a debate around the importance of respecting the members' personal space.
RM had earlier commented about the noise outside the group's hotel in Peru, which he claimed had prevented members and staff from getting adequate rest.
]]>While it was earlier announced that the film would release on Diwali 2026, the date was not officially confirmed. Now, in the latest announcement, the makers revealed that the film would hit cinemas worldwide on November 5, 2026. Meanwhile, its advance bookings will open this Dussehra.
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The latest poster shared on social media shows Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama alongside Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman in the front, while Rocking Star Yash’s Ravana is seen towering over them, creating a visual contrast between the characters. It also gives a glimpse into the elaborate sets, costumes and detailing of the world being brought to life for the two-part epic.
Taking to social media, the makers shared the poster and the announcement with the caption, “On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, we celebrate the beginning of a new era. Yeh Ram ke Yug ka Aarambh hai. Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana Part 1: In cinemas WORLDWIDE, across all premium formats, from 5th November. Advance bookings open on Dussehra.”
Notably, the makers had planned a grand event in Maharashtra's Ramtek to release a song from the film on Navratri. However, the event was cancelled due to the drought in the state.
Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Rocking Star Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman is set to bring one of the world’s most revered epics to the big screen.
Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with 8-time Oscar-winning DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, the film is envisioned as a two-part epic. Part 1 is set to release worldwide on November 5, 2026, followed by Part 2 in Diwali 2027. The film will be released in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam across India.
]]>In a post on X, the Prime Minister shared a Sanskrit verse praising Maa Ambika as the divine power encompassing the strengths of all gods and worshipped by gods and sages.
देव्या यया ततमिदं जगदात्मशक्त्या निश्शेषदेवगणशक्तिसमूहमूर्त्या। तामम्बिकामखिलदेवमहर्षिपूज्यां भक्त्या नताः स्म विदधातु शुभानि सा नः॥ https://t.co/fejtBMSBTM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2026
“We bow with complete reverence and devotion to Maa Ambika, the supreme power that governs the entire universe and in whom the powers of all the gods are contained. Indeed, even gods and sages worship her. May Maa Ambika bless us all,” the message said.
In a separate post, Modi highlighted the significance of the second day of Navratri, which is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini, the second manifestation of Goddess Durga.
“The second day of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Maa Brahmacharini, the symbol of penance, sacrifice, and resolve. May she bless everyone with courage and self-control,” he said.
The Prime Minister also shared a YouTube link to ‘Chamundi Songs’ as part of his Navratri-related posts.
The Sanskrit verse shared by Modi is associated with the Shakradi Stuti, also known as Indrakrit Stuti, from the fourth chapter of the Sri Durga Saptashati. According to Hindu tradition, the prayer was offered by Indra and other gods after Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura.
The hymn praises the Goddess as the supreme divine force and expresses reverence for the feminine power believed to sustain and govern the universe. Such prayers are recited during religious observances seeking peace, prosperity and collective well-being.
Maa Brahmacharini is worshipped as the embodiment of penance, patience, devotion and self-discipline. In Hindu tradition, she represents Goddess Parvati’s intense austerities and unwavering determination to attain Lord Shiva as her consort.
Devotees seek her blessings on the second day of Navratri for perseverance, wisdom, spiritual growth and the strength to overcome challenges.
Worshippers mark the occasion by offering flowers, traditional bhog and prayers to the Goddess, along with chanting sacred mantras. White, symbolising peace and purity, is traditionally associated with the day, while sugar or mishri is commonly offered as prasad.
The worship of Maa Brahmacharini thus centres on the values of determination, restraint and devotion during the nine-day festival.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The decision was announced by state minister Shivendraraje Bhosale, who met the protesters at SM Joshi Bridge, where the agitation has continued for the past 10 days over several demands, including changes to the state's recruitment system.
The committee will be chaired by former judge Dilip Bhosale. Its other members include IPS officer Laxmi Gautam, former IAS officer Ganesh Patil and retired judge P D Naik, in addition to Mundhe as secretary.
The panel is expected to examine reforms to the MPSC, which conducts recruitment examinations for various government posts in Maharashtra.
During his meeting with the protesters, Shivendraraje Bhosale said the government would also address their other demands.
These include withdrawing cases registered against some representatives of the agitation and recruiting candidates to 70,000 posts over three years.
The protesters have also sought an increase in the number of vacancies for the Group C examination scheduled for January.
Another demand is that background checks be conducted on the MPSC chairman and secretary before their appointments.
It was not immediately clear whether the government had taken a decision on the protesters' demand for the removal of MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimnawar.
The demand forms part of the wider agitation over the functioning of the commission and the recruitment process.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who has been participating in the protest alongside MPSC aspirants, welcomed Mundhe's inclusion in the committee.
"We hope that the committee will have the freedom to work properly," he said.
The formation of the panel comes as aspirants continue their agitation in Pune, pressing the state government to address their concerns over recruitment, examination vacancies and reforms to the MPSC.
Aspirants of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) have been staging an agitation near the S M Joshi Bridge in Pune since October 1 to demand the ouster of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimnwar over exam-related irregularities.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>As per ANI, the decision of sending Bhimanwar on a compulsory leave marks a significant development in the agitation led by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar at the S M Joshi Bridge in Pune.
The protesting students have provisionally decided to suspend their agitation following the government's decision.
State Minister Shivendraraje Bhosale met the protesting aspirants and announced that cases registered against students in connection with the agitation would be withdrawn.
The Maharashtra minister also assured them that strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the MPSC paper leak case.
Speaking to the media after his meeting with MPSC (Maharashtra Public Service Commission) aspirants, Maharashtra Minister Shivendraraje Bhonsle said, "A positive stance regarding the MPSC has been established; the committee simply needed to make some technical adjustments. We have prepared those changes, and that is what is being submitted now,” as per ANI.
एमपीएससी पेपरफूट प्रकरणात राज्य सरकारने न्यायालयीन चौकशीची घोषणा केली आहे. मी माझ्या संपूर्ण आयुष्यात नैतिकतेला कायम प्राधान्य दिले. त्यामुळे ही चौकशी पूर्ण होईस्तोवर पदावर कार्यरत न राहता या कालावधीत रजेवर जाण्याचा निर्णय मी घेतला आहे. एमपीएससीची स्वायत्तता, विश्वसनीयता आणि विद्यार्थीहिताला कायम माझे प्राधान्य होते आणि यापुढेही असेल. जयहिंद ! जय महाराष्ट्र !🙏
— Vivek Bhimanwar, IAS (@bhimanwar) October 11, 2026
Responding to the decision taken by the government, MPSC Chairman Bhimanwar on social media handle X wrote, "The state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the MPSC paper leak case. Throughout my entire life, I have always prioritised ethics. Therefore, I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing to serve in the post until this inquiry is completed.”
He added, “The autonomy, credibility, and interests of students of the MPSC have always been my priority, and they will continue to be so in the future,” as per ANI.
Following the agitation, the government has also appointed senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe as secretary of the committee constituted to inquire into the MPSC-related matter.
Although the students had primarily demanded Bhimanwar's resignation, the government’s decision to keep him away from office until the inquiry is completed has led to a temporary suspension of the agitation.
The demand for his resignation had remained a key point of contention during the discussions.
MPSC had initiated a preliminary inquiry following complaints regarding alleged malpractice in the screening examination held on March 22.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Ben Affleck has offered a humorous assessment of his parenting skills, admitting that he struggles to match the standard set by his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner.
As per People magazine, the actor, in a recent interview, joked that his three children believe he falls well short of their mother's parenting abilities.
"Their mom is spectacular, and always makes me feel like I"m coming up a little short," Affleck said, as cited by People magazine.
The actor, who shares three children with Garner: Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14; revealed that he tells his children he is "75 per cent as good as your mom" when assessing his own parenting.
However, their response was considerably less generous.
"Maybe 40 per cent," his children reportedly told him, as per Affleck.
Affleck took the verdict in good humour, laughing as he summed up his performance, "I'm maxing out. B plus."
Behind the jokes, Affleck emphasised the importance of mutual respect in his relationship with Garner as they raise their children following their divorce.
Describing their co-parenting arrangement, which follows a week-on, week-off schedule, the actor expressed gratitude for his former wife.
"I respect her. I am grateful for her,... Affleck said, adding, "I think the most important thing is, you know, having that mutual respect, being able to get along with that person."
His comments highlight the importance he places on maintaining a cooperative relationship with Garner while navigating the responsibilities of raising their three children.
Affleck has also spoken about making career decisions that allow him to remain actively involved in his children's lives.
In a recent conversation with Variety, the actor explained why he deliberately bases his professional commitments in Los Angeles, where he can remain close to his family.
"I"m divorced, I have shared custody, and I don"t want to miss these years," he said.
Being able to pick his children up from school and share dinner with them remains a priority as they grow through their teenage years.
Garner is currently dating technology CEO John Miller.
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]]>The city is expected to have mainly clear skies, with maximum and minimum temperatures forecast to hover around 36 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.
According to the IMD's 8:30 am weather report, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 38 degrees Celsius.
Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 80 on Monday morning, placing the city in the satisfactory category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's SAMEER app.
Air quality in this category may cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
Among the city's monitoring stations, Deonar recorded the highest AQI at 124, followed by Mazgaon at 101. Borivali recorded an AQI of 78, while Malad stood at 90. Ghatkopar recorded 49, Colaba 61 and Byculla 57.
Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Thane recorded an AQI of 81, while Navi Mumbai stood at 72 and Kalyan at 92.
The IMD's forecast indicates that Mumbai will remain hot through the day, with hazy sunshine and temperatures expected to peak at around 35–36 degrees Celsius. Residents should take precautions against heat and humidity, particularly during the afternoon.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms lashed Delhi on Monday morning, bringing a noticeable dip in temperatures and causing waterlogging in several areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for all 11 districts of the national capital, cautioning residents about intense showers, lightning and strong winds.
According to the department, there is a high possibility of thunderstorms and heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in Central Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, Shahdara, South Delhi, South East Delhi, South West Delhi, and West Delhi. Wind speeds could reach up to 60 km per hour in these areas, along with lightning and heavy rain with winds exceeding 15 mm per hour.
The early morning downpour covered the national capital with thick clouds and brought temporary relief from the prevailing warmth. However, the latest seven-day forecast suggests that the rainfall is unlikely to persist, with partly cloudy skies expected over the coming days.
The maximum temperature on October 13 is forecast to remain between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is likely to range from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius. On October 14, the maximum temperature could climb to 33-35 degrees Celsius, with the minimum expected to remain between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius.
]]>Images from the ceremony also captured Meyer and Ogunlesi sharing their first kiss as husband and wife, with Maguire watching the moment. His presence at the wedding, shortly after reports that his divorce from Meyer had been finalised in September, has sparked interest in the former couple’s relationship following their separation.
Tobey Maguire officiates the wedding of his ex-wife and her new husband, a billionaire heir. ( 📸 Backgrid) https://t.co/kXAbaLn4up
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 11, 2026
Ogunlesi is the son of Nigerian billionaire lawyer and investment banker Adebayo Ogunlesi. The wedding was attended by several prominent names from the entertainment and business worlds.
Among the guests at the Hawaii ceremony were Leonardo DiCaprio and his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, actor Courteney Cox, stylist Rachel Zoe, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez Bezos.
Maguire’s role as officiant, in particular, has attracted attention, with photographs showing him present for the couple’s exchange of vows and their first kiss. The images have prompted discussion about the former spouses’ relationship and their ability to remain connected through major life events.
Maguire and Meyer married in 2007 and announced their separation in October 2016. Meyer filed for divorce in 2020. The former couple share two children and have continued to maintain a connection despite ending their marriage.
Meyer and Ogunlesi were first linked romantically in 2023. They made their red carpet debut as a couple at the Baby2Baby Gala in November that year, bringing their relationship into the public eye.
In August 2024, Meyer announced their engagement on Instagram. The couple’s wedding follows another major milestone, as Meyer previously revealed in a Father’s Day Instagram post on June 21 that she had welcomed her third child with Ogunlesi.
While Maguire’s presence at the ceremony has become a talking point, the occasion also marks a new chapter for Meyer and Ogunlesi, whose relationship has progressed from their first public appearance together to marriage.
The wedding photographs have since drawn attention online, particularly the unusual but significant role Maguire played in officiating his former wife’s ceremony. The actor’s participation offered a glimpse into a family dynamic that continues to evolve years after his separation from Meyer.
]]>View this post on Instagram
“Till Hardik was 19, he was a pure No. 4 batsman in Baroda. Hyper and athletic, cricket became the way to channel his energy,” Mahieka wrote to her 723,000-strong Instagram following.
She also highlighted his poor education and a probable learning disability.
“Barely educated, poor, socially excluded and considered a rebel because he never learnt the performative norms common to those with conventional upbringing. He didn’t seem to be getting any favours either. There also wasn’t any infrastructure in the locality to identify if he had a learning disability, which he described as ‘numbers and words flying around.’ But he had a knack for working like a horse, and this was his biggest cheat code. No amount of dreaming could pen the script he was about to live. My letter might only dip into 3 per cent of the well of greatness of his story,” added Mahieka.
]]>View this post on Instagram
Mandhana will support UNICEF India’s efforts to empower adolescent girls, improve their health, and help them access chances to learn, play and lead.
“I am honoured to join UNICEF India. Playing cricket taught me that every dream begins with an opportunity. With hard work, and encouragement, that opportunity can turn into something extraordinary. Every child deserves the chance to dream big and reach their full potential,” she said.
]]>Sharing a series of images of the couple’s special day to his 1.2 million Instagram followers, Livingstone wrote: “It certainly wasn’t the day we had planned. A once-in-a-lifetime storm had other ideas. Plans were turned upside down and even our ceremony had to be moved at the last minute. But somehow, it turned into the best day of my life.”
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Livingstone’s wedding ceremony came a year after the couple had a private court marriage in England in October 2025. The pair had reportedly been dating since 2023.
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]]>The 24-year-old produced a determined performance in the medal match to finish with a score of 240.6. He edged out Germany’s Olympic medallist Christian Reitz by 0.5 points. Reitz secured silver with a tally of 240.1. Italy’s Paolo Monna took bronze with 219.8.
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]]>After a goalless first half, Gaurav Bora put the Goan side ahead in the 57th minute, before Sebatian Gutierrez (86th min) doubled their lead. The Islanders pulled a goal back via a spot-kick from Sergio Llamas in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but could not find the equaliser.
Mumbai City face Punjab FC next (October 19).
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]]>Vinicius was celebrating after scoring for Madrid when referee Isidro Diaz de Mera was called by the video assistant to review the build-up to his goal, wherein Vinicius was seen tugging hard on the hair of Nathan Saliba, for which he was subsequently sent off.
Madrid hung on for a 1-0 victory despite playing with 10 men from the 73rd minute. Vinicius asked for forgiveness from his team and fans on social media, without mentioning Saliba.
“Sorry to my team and my fans,” Vinicius wrote on Instagram in Spanish. Vinicius had come on as a second-half substitute shortly before Yan Diamonde (63rd min) put Madrid ahead.
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]]>United have taken just six points from their opening six Premier League games, their lowest haul at this stage of a league campaign for 30 years.
Michael Carrick
United were booed off at halftime and at the end of the match after a Tottenham side that began the day bottom of the table dominated for large spells.
“We need to put things in a positive direction quickly. We’re more than capable of doing that. We’ve just got to be a bit more streetwise, a little more stubborn and a little more stronger and see out certain things,” said Carrick.
It appeared that Tottenham would live to regret not taking a series of chances when Bryan Mbeumo (73rd min) put United in front.
Rodrigo Bentancur was then sent off for headbutting Luke Shaw. But United failed to make the advantage count as Dominic Solanke headed in the equaliser in stoppage time.
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]]>Italian rider Bezzecchi, racing for Aprilia, made his move on pole-sitter Raul Fernandez in the final third at a sweltering Mandalika International Circuit.
Spain’s Fernandez came second and Martin third.
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]]>Experts explained that gynaecological cancers do not have a single cause, adding that environmental factors may contribute to the biological processes involved in cancer development.
"PM2.5 is of interest because prolonged exposure is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and systemic biological effects," Dr Rama Joshi, gynae onco surgeon and chairman, Gynae Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Fortis Gurugram, said.
She said recent studies have reported associations between air pollution and certain aspects of women's reproductive health, raising questions about whether environmental exposure may also have a role in the broader cancer-risk environment.
She said an association between pollution exposure and cancer does not mean that pollution directly causes cancer, adding that such evidence in gynaecological cancers is still evolving and findings have not been uniform across studies. More India-specific data is needed before drawing conclusions about causation, she said.
"Women should focus on the risk factors that we already know can be modified or monitored. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, managing diabetes and other metabolic conditions, understanding family history and seeking timely evaluation for abnormal bleeding remain important. Environmental pollution is an additional concern that deserves further scientific investigation," Joshi said.
The experts also referred to a recent India-wide study that examined the relationship between environmental exposure and reproductive health among Indian women.
The study reported that women exposed to PM2.5 levels above 40 micrograms per cubic metre had 24 per cent higher odds of delayed menarche and a 23 per cent higher hazard of early menopause. The researchers analysed National Family Health Survey data along with satellite-derived PM2.5 estimates and other environmental indicators.
The analysis included nearly 1.8 lakh women aged 15-24 for menarche and nearly 3 lakh women aged 30-49 for menopause, with stronger associations reported in northern India, including areas such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Such findings are adding to scientific interest in how prolonged exposure to air pollution may influence hormonal and reproductive pathways in women. Researchers are also examining whether biological effects associated with PM2.5, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular damage, could potentially contribute to conditions affecting hormone-sensitive tissues and the female reproductive system.
Endometrial cancer, which develops in the lining of the uterus, is strongly associated with established risk factors such as obesity, prolonged oestrogen exposure, diabetes, increasing age and certain genetic conditions. Ovarian cancer has a different set of risk factors, including age, family history and inherited genetic mutations.
The possibility that chronic environmental exposure could add to these established risk factors is an area of growing scientific interest. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter may have systemic effects beyond the lungs, potentially influencing inflammatory, hormonal and cellular processes that are relevant to cancer biology.
The issue assumes greater relevance in Delhi-NCR, where women may be exposed to elevated PM2.5 concentrations repeatedly over many years. Fine particulate matter has been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress and other systemic effects, prompting scientists to examine whether these biological pathways could influence tissues beyond the lungs, including hormone-sensitive organs.
Dr Joshi stressed that women should not interpret air pollution as a standalone cause of gynaecological cancer. Abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding after menopause, unusually heavy or prolonged periods, persistent pelvic or abdominal discomfort, unexplained bloating and changes in urinary or bowel habits warrant medical evaluation, particularly when symptoms persist.
With gynaecological cancers remaining an important health burden among women, experts said larger, long-term Indian studies involving Indian women are needed to further determine pollution as the important risk factor for gynaecological cancer.
Dr Aditya Sarin, vice chairman, Medical Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, said the emerging evidence provides a reasonable basis to consider air pollution as a potential contributing factor in the cancer-risk environment.
"Chronic exposure to PM2.5 can promote inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular changes, which are mechanisms relevant to cancer development. The emerging association with reproductive health makes it important to investigate whether prolonged pollution exposure may also contribute to gynaecological cancers.
"While causation is yet to be established, the signal is important and deserves further study, particularly in highly polluted regions such as Delhi-NCR," Sarin said.
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]]>In the boys U-16 final, Aarav defeated Vivaan Natekar of Rustomjee Cambridge International School and Junior College (Dahisar) 6-1, while in the girls U-16 summit clash Vritika beat Ira Pandey of Dhirubhai Ambani International School (BKC) 6-0.
. Boys U-14: Aarush Khanna of Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (BKC) beat Krish Saroj of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya (Malad) 6-3
. Girls U-14: Chahat Thakur of Hansraj Morarji Public School (Andheri) beat Reya Shetty of Jamnabai Narsee International School (Vile Parle) 6-1
. Boys U12: Yuvaan Bajaj of Jamnabai Narsee School (Vile Parle) beat Hrivaan Mehta of Oberoi International School (Goregaon) 6-1
. Girls U-12: Saanvi Dhatrak of Prime Academy (Mulund) beat Gyanyi Shivmath of Bombay Scottish School (Mahim) 6-2
. Boys U-10: Palaksh Shah of Lodha Oakwood School (Powai) beat Neil Saloskar of Rajhans Vidyalaya (Andheri) 6-3
. Girls U-10: Kimaya Katyal of Utpal Sanghvi Global School (Juhu) beat Parina Poddar of DSB International School (Churchgate) 6-0
]]>Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen cruised to a first-ever Singapore Grand Prix win with the Dutchman easing his Red Bull across the line after a dominant lights-to-flag display around the Marina Bay street track on Sunday.
The 29-year-old crossed the finish line 7.3 seconds clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with championship leader Kimi Antonelli completing the podium for Mercedes in third place.
“It has taken a while, but I think this race was very good. We had pace when we needed to have it, on the soft tyre and the medium. Luckily [the start] was good enough,” said Verstappen after taking his 73rd win, and second of the season.
Leclerc, starting alongside the Red Bull on the front row, got the better getaway and looked to have the more advantageous inside line heading into the opening corner.
But Verstappen hung on through a brilliant display of race craft and car positioning that forced Leclerc to concede.
From that point on, there was no looking back, with the Dutchman remaining unchallenged and even keeping the lead through the pitstops. The only trouble he had was a malfunctioning radio.
The result also meant Antonelli extended his championship lead to 102 points after teammate and closest title rival George Russell finished ninth. By the next race, the 20-year-old could become the youngest F1 champion and the first Italian title winner since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Antonelli, who had started fourth and charged past McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages, was stunned to find out he was within reach of the title.
“Can I really?” He asked when told that he could be world champion in the next two weeks.
“Let’s not worry about that, let’s just try to do the best weekend possible and finish the job,” he added.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton though endured a nightmare race. He started third and kept the position in the opening part of the race. Despite running on the more durable medium tyre, he was the first of the front runners to stop.
That was the only stop he made, despite switching to the more fragile soft tyre, and faded from contention towards the end as first Antonelli, then Norris and eventually McLaren’s Oscar Piastri eased past him, leaving the seven-times champion to limp home in sixth.
]]>During an interview with ABP Majha, Tarde spoke about the presence of farmers at Patekar's funeral. He noted that their presence reflected the actor's connection with people beyond the film industry.
For the unversed, Nana Patekar died in Goa on October 8 after suffering a severe heart attack. Following his death, his mortal remains were taken to his Donje farmhouse, near Pune, where his last rites were performed. While several political figures, celebrities and other prominent personalities were seen attending the funeral, the limited presesnce of Bollywood sparked discussion.
Speaking about the people who gathered to pay their last respects, Tarde revealed that the farmers' presence was more significant than the absence of film industry. He also highlighted how Patekar identified himself as a farmer rather than just an actor.
Pravin Tarde shared, "The fact that Bollywood people did not attend the funeral does not diminish Nana's greatness. Bollywood is not bigger than Nana. Nana was a very great man. A few thousand farmers attended Nana's funeral procession. They smelled of sweat and soil. That farmer is more important than anyone in Bollywood wearing perfume."
He further said, "In my opinion, a farmer who came from Dhule is much greater than Bollywood heroes. It makes no difference to us. When did Nana ever say that he belonged to Bollywood? Nana always used to say that he was a farmer," Tarde said.
Tarde admitted that he was expecting to see more people from the industry at the funeral, especially those who shared a close bond with the actor. He said, "If you ask whether I have a complaint, then yes, I do. Bollywood people should have attended the funeral. At the very least, those whom Nana called his friends should have been there. Jackie Shroff and Suresh Wadkar attended."
"When a small-time actor dies in Mumbai, people line up wearing white clothes. But when it came to Nana... Anyway, the farmers were there, and we were there too," Tarde reportedly added.
]]>A collective bowling effort from Australia saw SA bowled out for 284 in their first innings — Mitchell Starc (2-63), Josh Hazlewood (2-54) and Nathan Lyon (2-58) took two wickets each.
Australia was 33-0 at stumps in 5.4 overs when play was called off early again due to bad light.
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]]>Australia ‘A’ won the three-match series 2-1. Shedge (66 off 60 balls) was the leading run-scorer in India ‘A’s 275 all out.
After a promising start by Josh Philippe (56) and Liam Scott (26), Australia ‘A’ lost their last seven wickets for just 86 runs to be bowled out for 226.
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]]>The New Zealand selectors have split the squad into three groups, with only six players -- Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young, and Blair Tickner -- named for all five ODIs. Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Nathan Smith will feature exclusively in the first three matches starting with the game at Eden Park in Auckland.
Following the third game, these Test specialists will leave the squad to prepare for the longer format in Wellington. To fill the vacancies for the final two ODIs, seven additional players -- including Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, and Seifert -- will join the squad.
The BLACKCAPS will look to build on their historic 2-1 ODI series triumph over India on Indian soil in January, their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory in the country. Allen and Ferguson last featured in an ODI in 2023, with Ferguson's previous appearance coming in the World Cup semifinal against India in Mumbai. Seifert last played an ODI around 18 months ago during New Zealand's home series against Pakistan.
White-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead the extended squad, which largely retains the core of the team that secured the landmark series win earlier this year. Ravindra, who was ruled out of New Zealand's T20I squad due to a shoulder injury, will return for the opening three ODIs. The squad will undergo a change midway through the series, with several players heading to Wellington after the third match to prepare for the upcoming Test series. Seven additional players will join the ODI squad for the final two games.
The five-match series will conclude with the fourth and fifth ODIs. Head coach Rob Walter said the ODI series is very significant considering the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. "First and foremost this is huge series for us, playing in front of our fans in full stadiums against a formidable Indian side," he said.
"With the ODI World Cup just one year away it's important for us to also view these matches as valuable preparation for that event. "Bringing in seven players for the final ODIs allows us to test our depth and see how those players fare against a world-class side.
He added, "Obviously every Test match is important for us in terms of championship points, which is why we're extracting some of that squad early for additional preparation before the first Test against India at the Basin Reserve on November 19." The Test squad for the two-match series against India will be announced in early November.
New Zealand ODI squads for India series: (ODIs 1-3) Mitchell Santner (C) Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young
(ODIs 4 & 5): Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (WK), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (WK), Blair Tickner, Will Young.
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]]>[popcorn number="3" desc="No. of fours struck by MIG’s Suryakumar Yadav during his 10-ball 17 against Muslim United " class="Default"]
While the Mumbai team had to grind it out on a tough Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy season-opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, a few kilometres away, India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was not picked for this Ranji match, also didn’t have a great outing personally, though his club and hosts MIG Cricket Club, comfortably beat Muslim United SC in a MCA President Cup T20 encounter.
Skipper Suryakumar led his team to a five-wicket win, while 42-time Ranji champs Mumbai struggled to assert themselves initially before reaching 249-5 at stumps in their Elite Group ‘D’ match.
Batting at No. 3, Suryakumar, struck three stylish cover drives to the fence in his 10-ball 17 before being stumped by Moin Khan off left-arm spinner Karan Bhanushali. Though his stay was brief, the Mumbai and India veteran provided a glimpse of his attacking intent nevertheless as his team chased down the opposition’s 153-7 with 4.2 overs to spare.
At Wankhede, meanwhile, Mumbai’s batting required patience and resilience after an early setback. India Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, edging a cover-drive attempt to Shivam Bhambri at second slip off Chandigarh pacer Jagjit Singh Sandhu (1-53).
Young opener Ayush Mhatre (48; 7x4, 1x6) and Musheer Khan (65; 4x4) steadied things with a 76-run partnership. However, Rohit Dhanda (3-44) dismissed both batters before trapping Sarfaraz Khan (1) leg-before in his next over, leaving Mumbai struggling at 144-4 just before tea.
With the middle order faltering, skipper and No. 4 Siddhesh Lad stepped up, striking eight boundaries during his nearly four-and-a-half-hour stay, also bringing up 5,000 first-class runs for Mumbai, during his unbeaten 80.
Lad found an able ally in spin-bowling all-rounder Shams Mulani (27 not out), with the pair putting on an unbroken 65-run stand for the sixth wicket. Mumbai head coach Omkar Salvi praised Lad’s commitment to red-ball cricket.
He [Lad] is very passionate about red-ball cricket and that helps both him and the team. Also, the calmness with which he guides the younger players is an advantage as they can go out and express themselves,” said Salvi, also admitting that his team did well to weather the early storm and steady the innings later.
“We saw what was happening in the morning and how the ball was moving. But the way our batters applied themselves, remained calm and backed their game plans was good to see,” he added.
The coach also welcomed the presence of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning cricketer and Mumbai team mentor Sandeep Patil in the dressing room, saying his experience and guidance would benefit the players.
Meanwhile, in another Ranji Trophy match at the Cricket Club of India, pacer Devendra Singh Bora shone bright for Uttarakhand with figures of 5-49 to help restrict Railways to 278 all out in 87.5 overs. Opener Vivek Singh scored 112 off 220 balls for Railways.
Ranji Brief scores
Mumbai 249-5 (S Lad 80*, M Khan 65, A Mhatre 48; R Dhanda 3-44) vs Chandigarh
The coastal state received 7,690,149 tourists between January and September this year, compared to 7,632,100 during the same period in 2025, they added.
Domestic tourist arrivals increased by 1.72 per cent to 7,421,709 during the January-September period this year, from 7,296,068 in the corresponding period last year, they said citing official figures.
"The performance reflects continued confidence among travellers in Goa as a destination. The government is focusing on promoting spiritual and cultural heritage, wellness experiences, hinterland destinations, adventure activities and community-led tourism to encourage longer stays and distribute economic benefits across the state," tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said.
Director of Tourism Kedar Naik said the arrival figures provided insights into changing trends in the tourism sector.
The department is working with airlines, tour operators, travel trade partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen connectivity, improve the state's visibility as a destination and develop market-specific promotional initiatives, he said.
Goa has also been seeking to expand its international reach through tourism promotions and improved air connectivity, targeting markets in Europe, the United Kingdom, Russia and Central Asia.
The government aims to position Goa as a year-round destination by broadening its tourism offerings and creating economic opportunities for local communities and businesses, officials said.
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]]>Nikki, who was born weighing 900 grams at a Gurugram based private hospital, was discharged in a stable condition after a challenging NICU journey that tested her respiratory, circulatory and overall health, they said.
Soon after birth, Nikki developed severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) due to lung immaturity and surfactant deficiency. A chest X-ray showed extensive lung involvement, following which she was immediately placed on mechanical ventilation and given surfactant replacement therapy, spokesperson of Gurugram's Paras Health said.
According to the hospital, as her respiratory condition was being stabilised, she developed early-onset sepsis, which progressed to severe shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
She subsequently required inotropes to support her blood pressure, antibiotics guided by blood culture and sensitivity reports, and transfusions of fresh frozen plasma, packed red blood cells and platelets. Her condition was further complicated by episodes of pulmonary haemorrhage during the DIC phase, they said.
Speaking during a press conference here, Dr Amitava Sengupta of Paras Health said, "Extremely preterm babies can develop complications across multiple organ systems because their organs are still immature. In Baby Nikki's case, we had to manage severe respiratory distress, infection, circulatory instability, coagulation abnormalities and pulmonary haemorrhage while continuing to support her growth and development."
He further said, their focus throughout was not only to help her survive the critical phase, but also to protect her developing brain and work towards a good long-term neurological and functional outcome.
She was transitioned to a dedicated human milk-based diet with fortifiers and vitamins. After approximately eight weeks of intensive neonatal care, Nikki met the clinical milestones required for discharge.
She was taking oral feeds, maintaining her temperature without external support and demonstrated adequate weight gain, Sengupta said.
He added that as part of this developmental care approach, Octopus Therapy was also used during Nikki's NICU stay. A soft, yarn-made octopus was kept close to her in the incubator after being placed near her mother so that it carried her familiar scent.
The tentacles provided something for Nikki to hold, offering a familiar sensory experience and comfort while she remained in intensive care.
Nikki's family said, "The NICU journey was filled with uncertainty, but the care and attention she received gave us strength through those difficult weeks. Every small improvement, from her becoming more active to gradually gaining weight, felt like a major milestone for us. Bringing her home after nearly two months was an overwhelming moment for our family."
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]]>Shredded cabbage, carrots, spring onions and fresh coriander add crunch and colour, making every spoonful a mix of textures.
Warm, tangy and loaded with flavour, this bowl proves that samosas can find happiness beyond the chutney plate.
At Burma Burma, Lakeshore Mall, Laxmi Nagar, Thane West; also at Sky City Mall, Borivli; and Palladium Mall, Lower Parel.
Cost Rs 520
"Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side," Zelensky wrote on X after speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
"For our part, Ukraine always fully supports steps toward de-escalation, the protection of lives, and the decisions needed to end the war and guarantee lasting peace," he said.
Trump had announced the truce on Truth Social about 80 minutes earlier.
"Effective immediately, there is an energy ceasefire in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he wrote.
The White House repeated the announcement on X about 20 minutes later. "Effective Immediately: An energy ceasefire in the War between Russia and Ukraine," it posted.
Trump did not say when the truce was agreed, which facilities it covered, how long it would last or how it would be monitored.
The Kremlin had not publicly confirmed the arrangement by midday on Sunday.
Zelensky had initially said he had not been told. "The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree," he told Axios shortly after Trump's post.
A senior Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv had no information about the ceasefire and doubted that Russia had been informed.
Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky had offered a reciprocal halt. "Ukraine will be ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure," he said, according to the Associated Press.
The announcement came two days after Trump unveiled an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel into American and global markets, a move criticised by Ukraine, European officials and US lawmakers from both parties.
On Saturday, Trump blamed Zelensky for continuing drone attacks on Russian refineries and said Ukraine should "get a new leader who can make a deal".
This is not the first such announcement. Last month, Trump said on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to hit each other's energy targets. Axios reported that neither side confirmed a deal at the time, and both continued attacking energy infrastructure.
India has a direct stake in the outcome. New Delhi has proposed a three-part truce that would halt attacks on energy facilities and other infrastructure, keep grain and energy flowing through Black Sea ports and end strikes on commercial shipping, the Hindustan Times reported on October 7, citing people familiar with the proposal.
Black Sea ports account for almost 30 per cent of Russian energy flows to India, the newspaper said.
"India is trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports and non-attack possibilities," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on October 7.
There was no immediate reaction from New Delhi to Trump's announcement.
The diesel deal has also revived questions in the US over Washington's approach to India's purchases of Russian oil. It came less than a month after Trump signed legislation authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India.
Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly struck each other's energy infrastructure since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
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]]>Reena I Puri
Featuring stories of 15 musicians — from Pandit Ravi Shankar to Ustad Zakir Hussain and Asha Bhosle, to Bangalore Nagrathnamma, and Chris Perry — the book traces the journey of their passions. Visually diverse, and with an effective narrative, these stories are given further context by special pages on Carnatic, Hindustani music, instruments, and historical contexts i.e. the Gramophone era. Editor -in-chief Reena I Puri elaborates further about the process.
Excepts fromt the interview
The book has prominent names such as Pandit Ravi Shankar or Ustad Zakir Husain, but it also includes lesser known stories like that of Shahir Sable or Chris Perry. What prompted it?
We wanted to go beyond the Bharat Ratnas. For instance, Chris Perry is someone who might be known in Goa, among jazz singers, but few outside that world know him. The idea of Amar Chitra Katha is to highlight not just the known heroes, but the unknown ones too.
The passing of Asha Bhosle during the making of the book prompted a special tribute section
What was the more challenging part — theanecdotes or explaining the music?
Shakti Bharathi, the project manager, began with the stories first. Also, music had to be explained to children. We wanted to show the children how these legends learnt it, and how it felt. The notes for different artistes were given different patterns to show how they visualised the flow. The writers worked closely with the artists, many of them first time collaborators.
That explains the slight variations in the illustrations…
We did not want to stay in the old mould, but did not depart entirely from it. It was a tight balancing act.
The illustrators used different styles to denote musical notations. For instance, Bhimsen Joshi’s notes were illustrated with the motif of the lotus. Pics, Illustrations Courtesy/Artists; Amar Chitra Katha
How do you choose which anecdote to build their story around?
We concentrated specifically on their childhood; to explain to children that you grow into this status.
Is this part of a new vision?
Yes. The next series is on scientists; particularly women scientists.
Has your approach to stories changed with every new generation of readers?
We still continue to tell the stories of India. The only thing that has changed is perhaps that we choose subjects that the current generation finds relevant.
If so, what concerns today’s generation?
They are very interested in the environment and changemakers. A Salim Ali, or Jim Corbett are people we are now writing about. We have done a series on Dhyan Chand, but we are looking at another set of sports people as well.
Available At all leading bookstores and e-stores
Cost Rs 749 onwards
Ikroop Nijjar
Bandra Fort is getting a dance-floor makeover as The Listening Club teams up with Nasir Engineer of Shall We Dance for an evening of partnered dancing. Part of the pre-event activities for the Festival at the Steps, Bandra, the gathering takes a nostalgic cue from the neighbourhood’s days of spontaneous community meet-ups, when public spaces doubled up as places to make acquaintances and catch up with neighbours.
Nasir Engineer (in blue) guides a participant through a dance routine
“We are losing touch with our public spaces very rapidly,” says Ikroop Nijjar, founder of The Listening Club. “The inspiration is to recreate the old traditions of Bandra, where people came together in a village square to meet others from the same neighbourhood.”
The event will take place at the Amphitheatre in Bandra Fort
There’s no choreography to master or a partner to bring. A few uncomplicated steps are all it takes to join the dance, pair up with an unfamiliar face and discover a new rhythm. Come with your gang, or turn up solo; either way, you’ll have a reason to strike up a conversation that doesn’t necessarily have to begin with “So, what do you do?”
As twilight paints the sky over the promenade, exchange stories with your new dance companion and savour a version of city life that leaves room for chance encounters. In a metropolis of hurried commutes and passing faces, a bit of dancing might make things feel lighter and free.
ON October 18; 5.30 pm to 7 pm
AT Bandra Fort, Bandstand Promenade, Bandra West.
LOG ON TO urbanaut.app
ENTRY Free
As per ANI, the accused have been identified as Sanjay Pratap Singh, 65, a retired IAS officer, and his 36-year-old son, Siddharth Singh. Both have been arrested in connection with the case, according to the police.
The FIR stated that the deceased, Pawan Sharma, was travelling with his 65-year-old mother, Durga Sharma, from Gurugram to their residence in Yamuna Vihar, Delhi, when the incident took place.
According to Durga Sharma's complaint to the police, at around 4 pm on October 8, the mother and son boarded a Metro train at Dwarka Sector 21 to return home and were seated on a seat reserved for senior citizens.
When the train reached the Supreme Court Metro Station, two men boarded it. The complainant described one of them as elderly and the other as younger.
According to the complaint, the two men allegedly spoke rudely to the mother and son and asked them to vacate the seats. Pawan objected to the manner in which they were speaking and said that they would vacate the seats, following which he and his mother began getting up.
The FIR further states that Pawan made a remark to the elderly man, following which the latter allegedly grabbed him by the collar and slapped him.
When Pawan objected to the assault, the younger man accompanying the elderly accused allegedly caught him by the neck and punched him repeatedly in the chest.
Durga Sharma alleged that when she tried to intervene and stop the assault on her son, the elderly man held her hands, preventing her from intervening, as per ANI.
According to the complaint, Pawan suddenly collapsed on the floor of the Metro train and became unconscious. Passengers raised an alarm, following which Metro staff arrived at the spot and placed him on a stretcher. Both alleged assailants were taken off the train.
The two men were subsequently identified as Sanjay Pratap Singh, son of Mahendra Pratap Singh, and his son Siddharth Singh, according to police records.
Durga Sharma accompanied her son in a Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) ambulance to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. However, doctors declared Pawan dead upon arrival, the complaint stated.
The officer subsequently reached the hospital and collected the medico-legal case (MLC) report of Pawan Sharma, a resident of Yamuna Vihar, Delhi.
The MLC recorded multiple tiny bruises on the victim's right cheek, bruises on his chest near the neck, and a small abrasion on his right-hand thumb. The medical report also noted that he was unconscious and unresponsive and was unfit to make a statement.
The victim's body was preserved in the mortuary at LNJP Hospital. The police also initiated an inspection of the place of occurrence by the crime team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered at the Supreme Court Metro Police Station on October 9. The FIR names Sanjay Pratap Singh and Siddharth Singh as the accused. Both have been arrested and sent to jail, according to the information provided by the police, as per ANI.
The investigation is still underway.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>The split among Republicans played out on two Sunday television shows, NBC's Meet the Press and CBS' Face the Nation.
Asked by NBC's Kristen Welker whether Trump was breaking the 2022 law banning Russian oil imports, Tillis said, "I believe that he may be."
"I do believe there's a legitimate case for saying the president's not following the law," the North Carolina Republican added.
Tillis said the Senate vote on the sanctions bill named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham showed where lawmakers stood. "That was 86 votes, if I remember. That's a universal position of the US Senate. And the president's actions and his comments over the last 24 hours are the exact opposite of the intent of that bill," he said.
He said the diesel agreement was "tarnishing Lindsey Graham's efforts to try and get the sanctions bill through".
Later on Sunday, Tillis joined six other senators, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, in a statement saying Trump's decision "runs directly counter to that law" and that "The Administration must immediately reverse course."
The other signatories were Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and John Curtis, and Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Ron Wyden.
On CBS, host Margaret Brennan put the Graham law to Barrasso, who voted for it.
"I know you've got to make a decision by October 18th, at least the president does, about putting in place the powers you helped to give him to punish buyers of Russian oil. Doesn't the president's action make a mockery of that law you just passed?" she asked.
Barrasso defended Trump. "We passed that law to give the president the flexibility and the firepower to use another tool against Vladimir Putin," he said.
"This is just another point of leverage for the president to use against Putin in an effort to get a long-term solution in that – in that part of the world," he added.
Neither senator mentioned India. But the October 18 deadline Brennan cited matters directly to New Delhi.
Under Section 113 of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, signed on September 18, the President must within 30 days raise duties to "up to 100 percent" on goods from countries that were among the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and that keep buying.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News on Sunday that anyone in Congress who says the Graham law bars the diesel purchases is "wrong".
The law allows the President to waive any duty after certifying to Congress that a waiver is in the US national interest. Section 113 counts only purchases of crude oil and natural gas, not refined products such as diesel, in deciding which countries face the tariffs.
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]]>"On October 11, tanker MT Petro Dolphin, carrying 11 Indian seafarers, was subjected to a drone attack at Sohar Anchorage. While nine of our Indian crew members have been successfully rescued and are safe, two Indian nationals currently remain missing," Sonowal said on social media platform X.
"Search-and-rescue operations are actively underway by the local Coast Guard. We are continuously coordinating with all relevant authorities to fully support the ongoing rescue efforts and ensure every possible action is taken to safely locate our missing personnel," he added.
The Embassy of India in Muscat said it was closely monitoring the situation concerning the Nicaragua-flagged tanker.
"The Embassy is closely monitoring the situation concerning MT Petro Dolphin, a Nicaragua-flagged tanker. Two of the 11 Indian seafarers onboard are reported missing. The Embassy is in close and continuous contact with the concerned authorities," the Embassy said on X.
The attack comes days after another vessel with Indian crew members was targeted off the coast of Oman.
On October 6, India condemned the attack on MT On Peace off the coast of Oman, which was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of such incidents in the interests of peace and stability in the region.
The total crew onboard the vessel includes 17 Indian nationals, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement.
As many as 12 crew members, including 11 Indian nationals, were injured in the attack.
"We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. It is learnt that 12 crew members have been injured, including 11 Indian nationals," the MEA said in a statement.
The MEA added that the continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region remain a "cause of deep concern for India" and reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region.
"The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest," the MEA statement said.
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]]>According to the advisory, traffic diversions will be enforced from 6 a.m. on Monday, depending on the prevailing law and order situation.
Commuters have been informed that movement on several key roads, intersections and surrounding stretches in New Delhi and Central Delhi may remain affected.
The traffic restrictions and possible diversions are expected at 30 identified locations, including Round About Shankar Road-Vande Matram 'T' Point towards New Delhi, Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Round About Jhandewalan, Round About Panchkuian, Round About Mandi House, Dr Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk (W-Point), Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk (A-Point), Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Guru Nanak Chowk and Chelmsford Road-Outer Circle Connaught Place T-Point.
Other affected locations may include Bharion Road-MGM (Ring Road) T-Point, Lodhi Road Flyover, Round About Neela Gumbad, Madarsa T-Point, Round About Samrat Hotel, Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing, under Bhikaji Cama Place, under Moti Bagh Flyover and Ring Road-San Martin Marg T-Point.
The advisory has also identified Round About Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road, Round About Windsor Palace, Tolstoy-Janpath crossing, Round About Rail Bhawan, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Outer Circle Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road T-Point, Round About Gol Dak Khana, Round About Patel Chowk, Jai Singh Road-Ashoka Road T-Point, Round About RML Hospital and Outer Circle Connaught Place-Sansad Marg T-Point as locations where traffic movement could be disrupted.
The Traffic Police has advised commuters to plan their journeys in advance and keep additional travel time in hand, particularly those travelling to railway stations, Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) and the airport through New Delhi and Central Delhi.
People have also been requested to avoid non-essential travel in view of the anticipated traffic restrictions and possible congestion.
The advisory clarified that traffic management arrangements would remain dynamic, with restrictions and diversions being imposed, regulated, or relaxed depending on real-time assessments of the situation on the ground.
Commuters have been urged to take the advisory into account while planning their journeys on Monday to avoid inconvenience.
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]]>According to sources, the CJI conveyed that the issues the Opposition leaders intend to raise are already sub judice and are being heard by the Supreme Court.
The CJI is learnt to have said that the court cannot meet a delegation representing a political party at the administrative level in this manner. He reportedly emphasised that the judiciary's role is to hear petitions and deliver judgments.
He also reiterated that the doors of the Supreme Court, as the country's highest judicial body, are "open 24 hours a day for all" and that it remains "committed to protecting the fundamental rights of every citizen".
Despite the refusal, the INDIA bloc's proposed march is likely to proceed on Monday. The demonstration is part of a series of protests by Opposition parties, which have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, among other issues.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has maintained that the planned march is "not of a political party, but of all Indians". The Congress leader is seeking to broaden the campaign's reach and build pressure on both the Chief Election Commissioner and the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre.
Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the government has benefited from the SIR exercise, which has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.
The INDIA bloc had submitted a charter of demands to President Droupadi Murmu last Friday, outlining four key demands related to electoral reforms and alleged vote manipulation.
These include the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and the repeal of the 2023 law that provides legal immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
The Opposition has also demanded an immediate suspension of the SIR exercise and the restoration of all 13.3 crore voters allegedly deleted from electoral rolls.
Earlier on Sunday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the CEC over the legal protection provided to the head of the Election Commission of India and its members under the 2023 law, alleging that the government had introduced the legislation to protect them from legal action.
"To create such an atmosphere, PM Modi brought the 2023 Act to protect the Chief Election Commissioner and members. That immunity he gave. That immunity is not even for the President of India, not the Chief Justice, but that is given to one Election Commissioner," he said.
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]]>“It is learnt that one Indian national injured in the Riyadh attack has unfortunately lost his life today. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. We are in touch with the family and will provide all support for ensuring the early repatriation of mortal remains,” the Embassy posted on X.
The deceased, Mohammed Yusuf Ali, hailed from Hyderabad. His two sons and an aunt were also injured in the attack.
EAM Jaishankar said the Embassy would extend all possible assistance to the family.
“Deeply grieved at the loss of life of an Indian national in the Riyadh attack. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Embassy will extend all possible assistance,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
Earlier on Sunday, the Embassy said 11 Indians were among those injured in the attack.
“It is learnt that 11 Indians are among those injured in the attack. Embassy has been in touch with local authorities to enquire about their well-being. Our officials have also reached out to the hospital authorities. We will provide further updates as they become available,” it had said.
The attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital on Saturday afternoon killed 12 people and injured 309 others, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said, as Yemen’s Houthi group and Saudi Arabia continued exchanging strikes on major airports.
India on Sunday condemned the attack, saying that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure were “unacceptable” and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“We strongly condemn the repeated attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport over the past few days, including the dastardly attack on October 10, which have led to loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. We express our condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery to the injured persons,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
“The repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are completely unacceptable and must cease immediately,” the statement read.
“We stand in solidarity with the people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of their sovereignty, and hope that peace and normalcy returns to the region at the earliest,” it added.
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]]>Service Update Due to security reasons, the entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed from 06:00 AM till 04:00 PM on 12th October, 2026. Further the situation will be reviewed by the security agencies and necessary updates will be shared accordingly. However, interchange facility will remain available at all the concerned metro stations. 1. Patel Chowk 2. Janpath 3. Rajiv Chowk 4. Mandi House 5. Central Secretariat 6. Barakhamba Road
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 11, 2026
As per ANI, interchange facilities will continue to be available at the affected stations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.
The restrictions come amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital, with the Delhi Traffic Police also issuing an advisory warning of possible traffic disruptions and diversions at multiple locations.
The six stations where entry and exit will remain closed are
While posting on their social media handle, the DMRC said the situation would be reviewed by security agencies and further updates would be shared accordingly.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation wrote, "Due to security reasons, the entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed from 06:00 AM till 04:00 PM on 12th October, 2026. Further, the situation will be reviewed by the security agencies, and necessary updates will be shared accordingly. However, interchange facilities will remain available at all the concerned metro stations."
Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory warning of possible disruptions and diversions at multiple locations across the national capital, New Delhi and Central Delhi, on Monday.
As per the advisory issued by the Delhi Police, traffic diversions will be enforced from 6 am, depending on the prevailing situation.
Moreover, the movement of vehicles may be affected at several major intersections, flyovers, and roads across New Delhi and Central Delhi. The advisory comes amid Congress' call for a protest march to the Supreme Court, as per ANI.
While issuing the traffic advisory, the Delhi Traffic Police said, "In view of the law and order situation, traffic may be impacted on the following stretches in Delhi on 12.10.2026. Diversions will be enforced starting from 06:00 AM on 12.10.2026 depending upon the prevailing situation. The general public is informed that movement at the following points and surrounding stretches might remain affected,” as per ANI.
Commuters have been advised to account for possible delays and plan their journeys accordingly as security agencies review the situation during the day.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>A purported video of the incident went viral on social media, showing them assaulting young students and physically manhandling women on a stretch of DDU Marg.
The footage also shows a police personnel at the spot as the incident occurred.
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]]>This comes hours after the Supreme Court on Sunday directed that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained and asked them to ensure that Delhi Metro functions normally, and that there is no disruption to internet services, subject to law and order conditions.
In a special sitting, a bench of justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also issued a notice to the Centre while hearing a plea seeking contempt proceedings for alleged violation of the court’s direction to ensure that there is no “complete prohibition” on metro and train services in Delhi due to the CJP protest. A protest call was given by the CJP and some student organisations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.
The government thwarted a planned mass mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on Saturday after an unprecedented security clampdown with more than 7000 people, including several opposition leaders and activists, detained as police deployed over 30,000 personnel to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police have registered 20 FIRs in connection with Saturday’s CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, officials said on Sunday. The FIRs include charges related to assault on police personnel and obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their duties, among other offences, officials said. Several incidents of stone hurling were reported during the demonstrations, leaving more than 15 police personnel injured, according to officials.
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]]>Suspect Gurnoor Sidhu, a resident of Faridkot, was arrested near an under-construction bridge on the Hussainiwala border road. She is currently being interrogated, police said.
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]]>“The doctors found an early, well-localised nodule on my lung,” he told the public during his weekly Sunday prayers in St Peter’s Square in Rome.
The 71-year-old pontiff said his medical team “believe it would be right to intervene” and he had agreed to the operation. Pope Leo reassured pilgrims that the mass was “well-contained” and caught “at an early stage”.
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]]>The meeting comes amid an ongoing protest march by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
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]]>“An unfortunate incident involving gas exposure occurred in the plant in which an executive of the company and a business partner engineer lost their lives,” an ESL spokesperson said.
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]]>This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>My surprise stemmed from the fact that the Court had decided to get involved in the first place. As someone who was born in Bombay a long time ago, I had often assumed that our honourable lawyers and judges knew little about what roads in India were really like. My belief was that they travelled solely by helicopter and walked on manicured grounds alone, insulated from the indignities that common citizens must face while stepping out for groceries. Luckily, it seemed as if someone had insisted on bringing this to their attention by filing a case of negligence. Like most things that happen in India, it took a tragedy for someone to pay attention and insist on justice. It is the only explanation I have for why it took this long for some form of common sense to prevail.
I have also been excited about this judgment because I can’t remember the last time I walked on any street in Bombay with a sense of calm that walking normally induces in a properly functioning city. I can’t remember the last time I have been able to walk in a straight line without having to dodge a manhole or some fast-food stall, or without having to look up at the possibility of falling debris. I haven’t been able to imagine a life where this sort of habit may be easily forgotten, which is why the judgement has pleased me as much as it has.
All we have to do now is wait. The judgement has been passed, which means it is probably trickling down to the powers that be, who will presumably begin working on implementing it any day now. We just need to be patient. I urge all readers of this column to look outside their windows at least once a day to see how footpaths outside their buildings are changing for the better. They have probably been cleared already, and we have just not noticed it yet.
A month or so ago, the BMC already launched a citywide ‘pedestrian first’ campaign to clear footpaths of all kinds of obstructions. Apparently, the first phase will involve the removal of encroachments along 320 kilometres of footpaths and include everything from debris and garbage to construction material, vehicles, physical obstructions of any kind, as well as any uneven surfaces. In other words, everyone who walks in this city—and more than half of all travel within city limits involves walking—will soon have access to a life-changing experience. It may not happen as quickly as we would all like it to, given that the city has about 2,000 kilometers of roads, of which just 22% are pedestrian-friendly, but it’s a start, and we should celebrate.
I foresee a flurry of advertisements any day now, broadcasting how 10 or 20 kilometres have been cleared. They may not stay that way for long (as residents of Hill Road in Bandra may testify), but a few of us may be able to walk down them without running into obstacles for at least a week or so, which isn’t something to be sneered at. Just because promises are made every second month and broken every third month doesn’t mean we should all turn into cynics.
It is important for us all to remember that, in this country, municipal authorities take justice very seriously. We need to keep in mind that this isn’t the first time the courts have stepped in to turn a few wrongs into something right. We all know, for instance, how various high courts have consistently pointed out that banners and hoardings on public roads and footpaths tend to obstruct pedestrians and distract motorists. They have repeatedly mentioned that these hoardings pose serious risks to road users. Local authorities have been ordered to impose heavy fines and take strict penal action, and this has been going on for as long as I can remember. The banners and hoardings still remain, of course, and will continue to turn up at every major festival between now and December, but it’s always the thought that counts, isn’t it?
When he isn’t ranting about all things Mumbai, Lindsay Pereira can be almost sweet. He can be contacted at www.lindsaypereira.com
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The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
]]>Reports cited a traffic notification that a key road near the Veer Savarkar Flyover in Goregaon (W) will be closed to traffic for a month to facilitate pillar construction for the Coastal Road Project.
The closure will remain in place until November 9, 2026. Vehicles will not be allowed to use this stretch during construction. or those The traffic restrictions have been imposed to allow excavation and construction work for 52 pillars along a 1,500-metre stretch.
There are certain diversions that have been announced with traffic police urging motorists to follow directional signboards and instructions from personnel. First, people should keep a slightly longer time window/frame when commuting in order to reach their destination. This means there is less panic, less confusion, a relaxed mind means safer driving and one can follow rules rather than short cuts.
Follow the official alternative routes charted out rather than try and find a way out oneself. If confused, try to get help from traffic police on the way.
Given traffic and crowds, it is always challenging when roads are closed for whatever reason and people have to go for alternates. Dial down the road rage, practice patience with fellow drivers while traversing the stretch.
For traffic authorities it may be good if they can add some personnel on this road to direct people. Finally, signboards and directions need to be precise, readable and visible at all times so adequate lighting is a must. Work on the premise: clarity is equal to safety.
]]>Over the past month and a half, the education department has been coordinating with ward offices to address encroachments. The department asked officials to survey 436 school buildings across the western suburbs, eastern suburbs, and the city for footpath encroachments, according to building in-charge and administrative officers. Of these, 184 schools reported that the concerns had been resolved, while 123 reported unresolved issues. Another 129 schools have not provided information on footpath concerns.
[popcorn number="436" desc="No. of schools surveyed" class="Default"]
Sujata Khare, Education Officer
“This project is an ongoing initiative, as all improvements require regular monitoring and maintenance. For instance, waste cleared from the area outside a school may reappear after a few days. Our department is working in coordination with other departments to ensure that footpaths remain clean and accessible for everyone.”
Most obstructions involved vehicles parked near school walls and on footpaths. Kiosks, temporary vendors operating around school hours, rickshaw stands, junk food stalls, and hawkers were also reported.
The civic body issued a letter in early August on the ‘Pedestrian First (Improving Walkability)’ programme. It outlined encroachment and defined ‘priority footpaths’, which provide access to educational institutions, including schools and colleges, hospitals, railway and metro stations, places of worship, government offices and other locations with high pedestrian traffic.
]]>Salman Khan is swapping the superstar act for a teacher’s hat on YouTube. After launching his official channel on October 9, the actor revealed that its content would focus on educating children through fun and family-friendly videos. “Thodi si masti ke saath pyaar aur family ke saath education bhi zaruri hai bacchon ke liye. Haina?” he wrote on Instagram. In his debut video, Salman switches between teacher and student, introducing children to body parts and manners, bringing a classroom twist to his latest digital outing.
What’s next?
Talking about films, Salman Khan is currently gearing up for the release of ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’. Helmed by Apoorva Lakhia, the movie is currently in the post-production stage. The film was earlier scheduled to hit theatres in April this year, but was postponed. He also has ‘Monster’, directed by Vamshi Paidipally, and an actioner with Raj and Dk in his kitty
Pooja Bhatt and Suchitra Krishnamurthy
Pooja Bhatt condemned the alleged violence against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demonstration on October 10. Taking to X, she wrote, “Lawlessness. Injustice. Vile schemes being encouraged. Violence being inflicted on the young, old, media, and even people passing by. Navratri is a powerful reminder of the ultimate triumph of good over evil.” Suchitra Krishnamurthy also took to social media and wrote, “Democracy is not merely the right to vote. It is the right to question, dissent and disagree without fear. When dissent is met with intimidation, democracy itself is
diminished.”
Ganesh Acharya
Ganesh Acharya unveiled the trailer of his upcoming directorial venture, Ganesh Dust To Stardust, on Sunday, offering a glimpse into a story of ambition, sacrifice, and perseverance. Starring Shivanshu Soni, Alok Shaw, Sukanya Kalan, and Sakshi Pawaskar, the film follows the struggles behind chasing one’s dreams. “Everyone has the right to dream, but dreams don’t come true just by dreaming,” Ganesh said, adding that realising them requires hard work and sacrifice. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on December 11.
]]>With Dussehra around the corner, workers at Samrat Dresswala in Girgaon test out their Ravana costumes.
Megha Rawoot plays a tune for Amitabh Bachchan during the recent KBC episode. PICS COURTESY/SONY LIV; PINTEREST
On Big B Amitabh Bachchan’s 84th birthday yesterday, what could you have possibly gifted the megastar who has seen it all? A sitar lesson, perhaps. Sitarist Megha Rawoot, who was invited to Kaun Banega Crorepati’s October 9 episode to present a birthday tribute, tells us that Bachchan shares a deep admiration for the instrument. “The experience was surreal. Watching Big B up close in his element was a treat. Once we started playing, he listened intently. He has always wanted to formally learn the sitar,” shared Rawoot.
Amitabh Bachchan tries a hand at the zitar that was gifted to him by maestro Niladri Kumar
Between the notes, there was room for a Delhi University throwback. “Mr Bachchan is an alum of Kirori Mal College. I went to Miranda House, not too far away. He recalled a time when he would frequent the all-girls’ college as part of a theatre play,” Rawoot shared. Believe it or not, the angry young man was flustered by all the female attention. “That’s when I realised how women feel when men lock their gaze on them,” Bachchan then revealed. Whether this encounter inspired his hit from Laawaris (1981), ‘Mere angne mein tumhara kya kaam hai’, that we’ll never know.
Pankaj Saikia; Rajiv Eipe; Shabnam Minwalla; Bijal Vachharajani
The literary awards season is here. The Binod Kanoria Awards are the latest to announce their shortlist, and this diarist is glad to note a few familiar names there. Rajiv Eipe, Kalyani Ganapathy, and Pankaj Saikia make it to the illustrator’s shortlist. Meanwhile, Shabnam Minwalla features in the Early Reader Category with two entries in Detective JJ and the Case of the Missing Necklace (Pratham Books) and The Pink Dress (Penguin Random House), alongside Bijal Vaccharajani’s Cuckoo Capers (HarperCollins India). Minwalla finds another spot in the Young Adults category for Death Comes To Matheran.
Zubair Azmi in conversation with Javed Akhtar at the launch of the Bhendi Bazaar festival in 2024; the Mughal Masjid will be the new landmark for the Markaz’s office. FILE PICS
Urdu Markaz director Zubair Azmi is all smiles this week. In 2016, the organisation that fosters Urdu literary heritage had to move out of their office — a room in the Imamwada Municipal School near Mughal Masjid. “The civic authorities deemed our work ‘non-educational’. Nevertheless, we continued introducing the youth to the greats of Bhendi Bazaar [Saadat Hasan Manto, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi] from a Madanpura office,” Azmi, director, told this diarist. A decade later now, the Markaz is ready with a clearance to come back home. A ‘re-inauguration’ ceremony is scheduled for October 13, with literary icons like Javed Akhtar expected in attendance. With one win in the bag, Azmi is now shifting focus to the return of the Bhendi Bazaar Festival soon.
Baba Sehgal. PIC COURTESY/ARTISTE’S FACEBOOK
Fed up with your job? Need a change of scenery? Or new direction in your life? You’ll never guess who has the solution. The OG ’90s Hindi rap artiste Baba Sehgal surprised fans last weekend with the announcement of a new self-help and counselling platform, Sehgal One. When we give it a spin, we learnt that the app asks you 16 questions before generating a self-help guide. “We all have worries, fears, hidden talents, and unfulfilled wishes that we sweep under the rug. I want to help people take the first step towards it,” Sehgal shared this diarist.
]]>The accused, identified as Shameer TP from Kannur, posed as the owner to persuade employees to transfer money into his account between August 19 and 31, 2026. Following a complaint, police registered a case and traced the transactions to identify the accused.
Investigators found that Rs 32 lakh of the cheated amount had been deposited into an IndusInd Bank account. They analysed its transactions and traced the money trail to Kannur. A police team travelled to Kerala and arrested Shameer on October 3. He is being questioned to establish his role and trace the remaining money.
[popcorn number="Oct 3" desc="Day police arrested Shameer TP in Kannur" class="Default"]
The investigation revealed the accused’s account allegedly received money linked to six other cyber fraud complaints across different states. Authorities are scrutinising other bank accounts, mobile numbers, and financial transactions to determine his involvement in other fraud cases and trace where the cheated money went.
The case highlights how messaging platform impersonation exploits internal trust. Police are continuing their investigation to establish the full extent of the operation and identify any other individuals who may have benefited from the transactions.
]]>Tell us about your new album.
It features 10 songs. The title is Gaon to Global. We have kept this title because the album is about me and people usually say that this guy from a village has gone global. We have been working on this album for the past one-and-a-half to two years. In fact, Shaky Shaky and Bangles are part of the same album. Since making 10 songs of a certain scale needed more time, we decided to release these tracks separately.
Did you release these songs first so as to earn enough popularity?
Every artiste wants to do something, but they have to wait because they know it’s not commercial enough. I thought once I established myself, I would sing the other songs. So, I waited it out. There are many genres in this album that I have never attempted before. It also has the kind of music I am known for.
As an artiste who has brought Marathi pop to the fore, do you feel it wasn’t considered cool for a long time?
I believe language doesn’t matter for music. Maybe what I brought felt fresh musically, and the melody connected with people. I have done shows in Nepal, where people don’t speak Marathi, but the crowd sings along with me. They ask me which language I am singing in. Then they research it. Many people have told me, ‘We didn’t know it was Marathi. We started listening to Marathi music because of you.’
When you started out, what were you told about Marathi pop?
When an artiste starts their career, they hear a lot of stuff. When a Marathi artiste is making a song, he is told, ‘Arre, make a Hindi song because the audience for Marathi music is limited’. I have faced this a lot. But I used to always think that we listen to so many songs from different languages — Japanese, English, songs from the South. I am not fluent in English but I have been listening to English music for long. So, I knew there would be an audience for Marathi music too. I created two-three Hindi songs in the beginning, but since 2017-18, I have been making Marathi songs. Also, I have noticed that even if your song hits a million views on a streaming app, people say, ‘Had you made a Hindi song, you would have gotten 10 million views.’ Aaj un logon ka mooh bandh ho gaya hai.
[popcorn number="2024" desc="When Sanju Rathod exploded on social media with ‘Gulabi Sadi’" class="Default"]
The Hindi remake of ‘Gulabi Sadi’ was featured in ‘Dhamaal 4’. It was titled ‘Saree’
Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla
“I want global domination. I want to be seen as an international artiste. There are so many from India who are making it big internationally, like Diljit bhai [Dosanjh] and Karan Aujla bhai,” said Sanju Rathod
]]>The failure of a basic passenger amenity has raised questions over maintenance and accountability at one of Navi Mumbai’s key railway stations. Commuters are left with little choice but to buy water from outside the station, while the lack of water is reportedly affecting cleaning work as well.
The taps were installed across the station’s four platforms to provide drinking water to commuters. However, all nine connections are currently said to be out of service. The damaged taps intended for persons with disabilities highlight how passengers who may need accessible facilities could face additional difficulties.
A railway official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, initially denied that such a problem existed. However, after the situation was brought to his attention, he said the matter would be brought to the notice of the railway authorities and CIDCO, with efforts to resolve the issue.
Cleaning staff at the station claimed they had been informing the station master about the problem for several months, but no concrete action had been taken. They also said the lack of water was affecting their ability to carry out cleaning work.
Nagamani Pandey, a social activist from Navi Mumbai who highlighted the issue, said all nine taps needed to be restored and the damaged fittings repaired, particularly those intended for persons with disabilities. He also claimed that similar conditions prevailed at several other stations in Navi Mumbai.
Activist Samir Zaveri said, “The free drinking-water facility provided by railway authorities has become ineffective due to non-functional taps, which remain unrepaired for long periods. The station master should ensure immediate repair of defective taps; otherwise, this essential passenger amenity will remain only on paper.”
[popcorn number="Four" desc="No. of platforms at Vashi station" class="Default"]
]]>On October 5, Tawde proposed a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised flex banners, posters, stickers, and hoardings, with the slogan ‘Shadu Bappa for 10 Days – Flex-Free Mumbai for 365 Days’. The proposal includes QR codes on authorised banners, blacklisting repeat-offending printers and contractors, and a 72-hour response mechanism for complaints.
For Navratri organisers, the move has raised questions about where the line will be drawn between legitimate festival advertising and illegal publicity.
“Navratri celebrations involve considerable expenditure on permissions, sound systems, lighting, and security. Sponsorships help mandals meet these costs. We have no objection to rules, but the permission process has to be quick and clear. If a mandal has approval, it should not be treated like an illegal banner. Also, it would be better if the implementation of this campaign is done after Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali as we have already made deals and taken donations this year,” said Santosh Kadam, Shivai Mandal chief, Vikhroli.
While mandal operators do agree to the decision, they also say that exceptions should be made for festivals. “Illegal political banners and hoardings must be pulled down when they are put up throughout the year for any and every small event. But, during prominent festivals, certain exceptions should be made available so that mandals can conduct good events without facing financial burdens,” said Sachin Bodke, member of a Mumbai mandal.
The BMC’s ward machinery will be crucial to the campaign. Under the proposed system, ward offices are expected to monitor banners, act on complaints, and maintain records of enforcement. “The idea is not simply to remove banners after they are put up. Our teams will identify vulnerable locations, inspect them regularly and take action against unauthorised displays,” said Dinesh Pallewad, ward officer, H West.
A ward officer from R North, Rohit Trivedi, said repeat offenders would need particular attention. “If the same printer, contractor or agency keeps producing illegal material, merely removing one banner will not solve the problem. The source has to be targeted,” said Trivedi.
Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar
An organiser from Borivli said that festival banners often go up only for a few days. “The BMC should first tell us exactly what size, location, and material will be permitted. We will cooperate, but there should not be confusion at the last minute. Announcing such a campaign just a few days before a big festival is a bit inconvenient,” he said.
]]>In the Hindi film industry, music composition continues to be largely male-dominated. As she takes the creative leap, Muchhal believes the decision wasn’t born out of a desire to change perceptions. “This song happened organically. I have always been deeply involved with music beyond just singing, but Aayi Teri Baat Mein felt special because I have written, composed, sung it, and danced in it. So, there are many firsts,” she said.
Mithoon and Palash Muchhal
The difference between being a playback singer and creating a song from scratch is something she became particularly conscious of during the process. “As a singer, my responsibility is to understand the composer’s and filmmaker’s vision and bring my own emotion to it. With Aayi Teri Baat Mein, the journey started from within me,” she explained, before adding, “The words, the melody, the way I wanted to sing it, and eventually the way I wanted to present myself visually, I could see the song’s entire world coming together. That kind of creative ownership is both liberating and demanding because every decision feels personal. But that also makes the process fulfilling. It marks the beginning of giving myself more creative freedom.”
Aayi Teri Baat Mein is a vibrant, romantic number told from a woman’s perspective. If composition represented a new creative territory, dancing in the video was a new challenge. “Singing is home for me. Writing and composing are intimate processes, but dancing pushed me furthest outside my comfort zone. I have performed on stage all my life, but choreography requires another kind of precision and body language. Eventually, it became one of the most enjoyable parts of the experience.”
]]>The protest, scheduled for 4 pm, saw scores of youths march to Shivaji Park on Sunday evening. However, within minutes, a number of them were detained in police vans and taken away, according to CJP members. Among them were anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania and lawyers. The Mumbai Police had also reportedly restricted all access roads leading to the park, anticipating larger crowds later in the evening.
Kunal Kamerkar, Thane coordinator, CJP, alleged, “We were anticipating about 500 protesters to come to Shivaji Park on Sunday, but the police force doubled its presence there. We were detained within minutes, and the police have not been answering our questions as to why we are being taken away. They have detained many citizens at Tardeo police station who weren’t even there for the protest. By 6 pm, nearly 25 citizens were brought there.”
Chaitali Doshi, a CJP member, said, “I got down from my cab outside Sena Bhavan. The police detained me even before I could cross the road to head towards Shivaji Park. However, they treated us well during detention and we made sure that our voices were heard wherever we were taken.”
Kamerkar claimed that a shopper travelling from Malad who had no intention of participating in the protest was wrongfully detained by the police in Dadar. “A detainee who claimed that he was not a protester started having a fit or a panic attack at Tardeo police station. He was then taken to a hospital on a stretcher,” said Kamerkar. The man was taken to Nair hospital. Witnesses also alleged that civilians standing outside eateries around Shivaji Park were either dispersed or detained.
Sandeep Deshpande, an MNS leader, claimed the police had been coordinating with Shivaji Park residents and Navratri mandals to confront the CJP. “The police called a meeting with these groups at Chaityabhoomi to encourage them to confront CJP protesters. It isn’t their job to turn citizens against citizens,” he told the media. MNS leader Amit Thackeray was also seen at Shivaji Park challenging the detainment of youth and protesters. “We are planning to hold a protest at 5 pm on Monday. We will not leave the Shivaji Park station until police stop these detentions,” Deshpande said.
Other Opposition leaders also came out in support of the protesters. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant and brothers Aaditya and Tejas Thackeray were also seen protesting outside Sena Bhavan while blocking the path of a police van carrying detainees. Accompanied by party workers, Aaditya sat down on the road with the Indian Constitution blocking the vehicle’s path
Taking to social media platform X, Aaditya posted, “The BJP is in such fear that even in Mumbai they’re detaining students who are protesting peacefully but fearlessly against a regime. The Mumbai Police, it seems, is now being made to take orders from the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force. Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also, we will stand by you legally.”
A senior police officer informed mid-day that people had been detained because they did not have appropriate police permission to protest. “The detainees were taken to Worli and Tardeo police stations, from where they were released,” he stated.
“Shivaji Park is not a place to protest, and it seems that the protesters may get proper police permission for Azad Maidan. While they were supportive at first, Shivaji Park residents have been facing disturbances owing to these protests since they have to face the police bandobast often too,” he added.
Speaking about allegations of non-protesters being detained, a senior police officer said, “We asked the citizens for their names and addresses to ensure no local was detained. Only the protesters were being taken by the Mumbai Police.”
A group of Mumbaikars protesting in Connaught Place were detained by the police in Mandi on Sunday. Abhishek Kamble, one such protester, said, “We were taken away in a van. They drove us around Delhi for six to seven hours before taking us to the Dwarka police post near the Delhi-Haryana border. CJP supporters were already present there. They helped us get off the bus. When we asked the cops why we had been detained and assaulted, a ‘three-star’ officer hit another protester, Pranay Ahire, and me, and an officer kneed Pranay in the ribs. Pranay lay unconscious on the road for five to 10 minutes. Later, locals and CJP Nagpur supporters placed Pranay on a cot and took him to a nearby government hospital, where he was admitted, and we stayed until late at night.”
[popcorn number="300" desc="No. of people detained on Sunday" class="Default"]
]]>“All good things come to an end,” the actor told mid-day, before adding, “It was supposed to be 167 episodes. But with Kyunki… doing really well, it got an extension in January. Then it kept on getting extended. But we were prepared that it would close at one point.”
Amar Upadhyay (C) with the cast of the show. Pics/Instagram
So, is it the final goodbye from the Viranis? The family was first introduced in 2000; soon Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi topped TRP charts and became a landmark offering in Hindi television, running for eight years. Considering the show was revived 17 years later, Upadhyay is hopeful that it’s not the end of the road yet. “It might come back in the future. This time, it returned after nearly 20 years; maybe the next season will be much earlier.”
The actor had exited the JioHotstar and Star TV offering in May for four months. He returned only last week. He revealed that his contract had ended, leading to his absence. “Negotiations were happening, and, then the [narrative] shifted. The makers wanted to wind up the old track and then bring me back in a big way. Unfortunately, by the time I returned, it was time to wind up.”
[popcorn number="Oct 20" desc="When the last episode of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2’ will air" class="Default"]
]]>The circular follows a state-level tiger cell meeting last month, which discussed the growing complexity of wildlife crimes, including hunting using firearms, electrocution, poisoning, and illegal wildlife trade with inter-district and inter-state links. District-level tiger cells will meet every month under the chairmanship of the district superintendent of police, with deputy conservators of forests, divisional forest officers, and other police officials participating.
They will review important cases and analyse investigation progress.
The forest department has been directed to establish district-level performance indicators, including the detection of major wildlife offences, arrests, seizure of evidence and identification of repeat offenders.
Joint investigation teams will handle serious cases to track suspects, make arrests, gather digital evidence, trace financial links, and pursue interstate networks. Every district will also designate one forest officer and two police officers as nodal contacts. Their names, telephone numbers, and email addresses will be shared with divisional and state-level tiger cells.
The departments will organise annual wildlife crime investigation training for forest and police officers through the forest or police academy. The training will cover crime detection, evidence collection, wildlife forensics, cyber and online wildlife trade, investigation techniques, and filing of charge sheets.
Rohan Bhate, Honorary Wildlife Warden
“If there is effective and timely coordination between the police department and the forest department in matters related to wildlife and forest crimes, it can greatly assist in detecting and solving such offences at the earliest.”
Adv Pawan Sharma, founder and president, Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare
“With the increasing number of wildlife crimes within the state, this move has been strategically initiated to counter hunting and poaching of wildlife, where the forest and police departments will work together. This is a welcome move by our state agencies.”
Sharma dedicated two months to creating the project’s sonic world. He shared, “This project is about self-satisfaction and peace. My approach has been to create beautiful, simple melodies filled with prayer and faith, straight from the heart. We have new singers on board, and I believe people will cherish their voices and these songs.”
The retelling of the Ramayana has been helmed by Yogesh V Pagare. Sharma and Pagare go way back; the two would perform together in their college days, with Pagare taking to acting and Sharma handling the music. “Yogi and I have known each other since college. So, working together on something of this scale is special. I attended the rehearsals and, at times, had tears in my eyes,” said the musician.
Monty Sharma is the nephew of celebrated composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, of Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo
]]>Kiran Patil, deputy director (South), SGNP.
“The event was related to maritime awareness and had received valid permissions from us. When the DJ was played in violation, park authorities intervened immediately and stopped it. It operated for no more than five minutes. A fine has been imposed and an offence has been registered against the organiser,”
@netwadhuri
“How can SGNP authorities permit such massive sound setups inside a protected eco-sensitive zone? This blatant disregard for wildlife directly violates the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Section 27/35 restricting prohibited activities in National Parks, and the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000. Stop commercializing Mumbai’s green lungs”
@viveksah
“Wonder what action will be taken against officials”
@suas103
“Animals get scared of Noise like music or fireworks. So, nothing should be allowed...”
The marathon, titled ‘SEARATHON 2026’, was organised by the Seagyan Maritime Foundation. According to forest officials, permission had been granted for the event subject to conditions that expressly prohibited loud sound systems and noise pollution. A senior forest official said the speakers were initially used for announcements, but music was played around 7 am.
“The music lasted barely four minutes before the officials on the ground stopped it. The event organisers were fined Rs 5000 and an offence was also registered for the violation,” the official said, adding that the incident occurred in a tourist area outside the park’s core forest.
A video grab showing the stage and speakers set up for SEARATHON 2026 inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park
A local snack vendor who was present at the site on Sunday afternoon said the speakers were mostly used for announcements while he was there. However, he alleged that disposable plates and plastic water bottles had been left behind. “They have left behind a lot of trash, including disposable plates and plastic water bottles, which has not yet been cleared. This is a violation, and forest officials should act on it,” the vendor said, requesting anonymity.
A forest official also flagged concerns over lane discipline, saying event organisers and participants appeared not to have been adequately briefed.
The marathon featured 3-km, 5-km and 10-km runs, with banners carrying messages such as ‘Run for Seafarers’, ‘Run for a cause’ and ‘For Seafarers who lost life at sea’. mid-day made multiple attempts to contact Sanjay Tiadi, organiser of the event, but received no response by press time.
]]>“When I read the script, I had a smile on my face. I felt my character, Desmond, is a grown-up version of Thomas. I liked understanding Kaushal’s vision for the film. It’s about the innocence of childhood and it took me back to my own childhood days,” Devaiah told mid-day of the family dramedy that also stars Rasika Dugal and child actor Hridansh Parekh.
The actor with Rasika Dugal in ‘Little Thomas’
Anurag Kashyap has co-produced the upcoming movie that did the rounds of international film festivals over the past year. Devaiah isn’t surprised by the association. After all, the filmmaker and he end up finding each other project after project. “Anurag Kashyap seems to be a ghost that doesn’t get off my back,” laughed the actor, before adding, “We acted together in Bad Cop [2024]. He gave me my first credit in That Girl in Yellow Boots [2010], produced Shaitan [2011], and many more. He is a constant in my life.”
Anurag Kashyap
There’s another constant in Devaiah’s life — his hunger to have a career built on diverse stories. “I want to have an interesting career and do things not just for money. I see that people around me have ambition. When they taste success, they want to be perceived a certain way and spend enormous amounts of resources trying to build [that perception]. I don’t do that. Maybe that’s the right thing for me. I am not under the pressure of EMI and bills, and that gives me the freedom to choose. I had the patience to invest in myself, not be influenced by what the world thought of me, and let things happen.”
Gulshan Devaiah is excited to return with the second season of ‘Dahaad’, also starring Sonakshi Sinha and Vijay Varma. “I have never wanted to go back and [reprise] any character, except for Devi Lal Singh. I really wished I could be Devi Lal one more time, and that was granted,” he smiled
]]>A bus parked at the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus stop in Dadar East
The journey
This reporter caught a 12.30 pm bus at the MSRTC bus stand near the Dadar TT Circle.
Before the journey commenced, an MSRTC employee said, “After returning from NMIA, buses halt here for about half an hour before departing, during non-peak hours.”
A ticket for the trip from Dadar to NMIA
Apart from the driver, conductor and this reporter, the vehicle was empty. “Right now, not a lot of people know about the service. As and when more stops are added along the route, I am certain there will be more commuters. A normal trip from Dadar to NMIA costs between Rs 700 and Rs 2000, but this bus will take passengers there for just R170 via the Atal Setu.”
Before reaching its destination, the bus stopped at Byculla, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and then got onto the Atal Setu before entering Navi Mumbai. The whole journey lasted an hour and 12 minutes. An MSRTC bus driver said, “During peak hours, the journey can last as long as an hour and 40 minutes, based on the traffic situation.”
Tushar Sodha, who travelled from NMIA to Dadar, on October 8. Pics/Madhulika Ram Kavattur
This reporter caught a bus at the Sukarwadi bus stand at 3.40 pm and reached her destination at 6.30 pm — in two hours and 50 minutes. There were a few passengers, but none deboarded at the airport. A conductor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “It has taken about four hours to reach our destination at times.”
The reason that the journey takes so long is that it does not directly take the Santacruz–Chembur Link Road and head towards the Vashi bridge, but goes via Dharavi, Kurla, and Chembur before reaching the connector. An initial notion held by this reporter that the Western Express Highway stretch would take the most amount of time to cross proved unfounded, as the bus took just an hour to reach Bandra East from Sukarwadi.
Santosh Dahake, an Ulwe resident, took the bus from CSMT to get home speedily
Travellers would do well to remember that during morning and evening peak hours, the buses can get delayed by hours. This reporter herself waited from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm for a bus from NMIA to Dadar on the evening of October 10. An employee at the NMIA bus stand said, “The delays will need to be managed till more services are added to different routes, and a route like Borivli to NMIA has few stops so that its buses can reach the airport quickly.”
A bus lies ready for passengers at the pick-up spot below the arrivals area at NMIA
Interestingly, passengers preferred to take the buses after deboarding from their respective flights at NMIA instead of relying on them to reach the airport.
The compartment where passengers can store their check-in luggage
This reporter would encourage potential MSRTC bus travellers to leave their homes a few hours before their flights and also to have alternative plans in case of delays.
A Borivli-to-NMIA bus at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport’s Terminal 1 bus lane
[popcorn number="45" desc="No. of seats in each bus" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="3 hours" desc="Approximate time taken to travel from Borivli to Navi Mumbai airport" class="Default"]
Borivli to Navi Mumbai Airport: Borivli Sukurwadi Bus Stop- Samta Nagar Kandivli East- Pushpa Park Malad- Goregaon East Police Station- SRP Colony Jogeshwari- Gundavli East- Domestic Airport Terminal 1- Vile Parle Sai Baba Temple- Vakola Police Station- Maratha Colony- Khar East- Teachers Colony- Bandra Housing Board Office- Kalanagar- Maitri Park- Vashi Highway- Nerul- Uran Phata- Nilgiri Garden- Belapur Fort- NMIA.
Dadar to Navi Mumbai Airport (Atal Setu Route): Dadar Asiad Bus Station- Hindmata- Byculla- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Station- Carnac Bunder- Atal Setu- Ulwe- NMIA.
Not many passengers seemed to have used the bus service with the goal of boarding a flight. Santosh Dahake, a resident of Ulwe, took the bus from CSMT to get home speedily. “I don’t usually travel by bus, but today was an exception because I had to get home fast as my daughter is sick. The NMIA-bound bus is great because it stops near my house. I came to appreciate the features of the bus after getting on it. The driver and conductor were also very nice when I explained to them that I needed to alight ahead of the airport area.” He added, “The best feature is that you don’t book a ticket to ride these buses.”
Another passenger, Tushar Sodha, who travelled from NMIA to Dadar, said, “This service is amazing, and one of the best moves the MSRTC has made. It not only provides
Hyderabad and Bengaluru also have state government-run bus services for those travelling to and from their respective airports. The MSRTC has introduced almost all the features of these buses, such as various modes of booking tickets and a free onboard luggage storage facility. But a few things missing as of now are a 24/7 bus schedule to multiple key locations and wheelchair accessibility.
While the bus tickets in Hyderabad cost anywhere between Rs 150 and Rs 250 and in Bengaluru they cost from Rs 150 to Rs 410, in Mumbai, the price range is Rs 170 to Rs 455.
Each bus has 45 seats and luggage compartments on one side, which can be used for keeping suitcases that fliers plan to check in. Inside the vehicles, there are additional overhead luggage storage spaces for cabin suitcases and smaller bags. Each seat is reclinable and shares the general features of a typical AC bus. Under the middle armrest of the seats, there are two Type-A USB ports for charging personal electrical devices.
There are 16 daily Dadar-NMIA operations, or 32 trips both ways; eight daily Borivli-NMIA operations, or 16 trips both ways; and two Swargate-NMIA operations, or four trips both ways. While it is unknown whether more schedules will be added, the current timings have been distributed equally throughout the day, starting from 5.30 am, with the last bus departing from the airport at 11.10 pm.
Tickets can be booked via the MSRTC Bus Reservation app or bought on board the bus using UPI.
A conductor said, “It is better to get on board the bus and buy the ticket, since seats will be available. Flight delays will result in loss of money for fliers because buses don’t wait for them.”
]]>Staircase railing needed
Thank you to mid-day for showing concern and highlighting the issue of a broken stairway at platform No. 1, Andheri Station West. The same has been replaced with new stairway. However, the authorities have not addressed the missing link of the upper railing at the lower end of the stairway causing inconvenience to the commuters/senior citizens while climbing up or down the stairs. Hope the authorities will look into it and fix additional railing.
Chetan N Mehta
Representation Pic/iStock
Old, rusted cars parked on roads
It is noted with grave concern, that many owners of khataras, park their vehicles on the roads for months together, as they know very well that there are no authorities to keep a watch on them. It becomes a free parking facility to these owners, without having to pay a penny.
The authorities concerned should serve notice to them to remove their cars, which is not only an eye sore, but also a blockage of Public place. If the owners fail to adhere to the notice within the period specified therein, their vehicles should be towed and action as deemed fit should be taken. Penalty may also be levied on such owners of vehicles. If need be, they may verify the CCTV cameras, as a documentary evidence. This will generate additional revenue and it will serve as a warning to such owners. Hope necessary action will be taken by the concerned authorities.
Ravi D Baliga
Skywalk urgently needed
There is a need for the authorities concerned to construct a skywalk from Ramabai Nagar near Eastern Express Highway at Ghatkopar East to Sarvodaya Hospital near LBS Road at Ghatkopar West for the convenience of the residents of these areas, mainly students and workers who walk this distance daily.
Cajetan Peter D’Souza
File pic
Open garbage trucks
I had around three weeks back, pointed out that the dumpers contracted by the BMC carry the garbage openly. It is not only an eyesore, but the stink emanating from openly carrying the garbage, is unbearable. Especially, for those vehicles forced to halt next their vehicles, behind the dumpers near signals.
The department concerned of the BMC should pass a General Resolution, issuing orders to the drivers to close the dumpers after the garbage is loaded. When the Compacting System is available in the dumpers, what is preventing the drivers from using the available facility.
Let us hope for a stench free atmosphere on the public place, so that the public can walk and drive comfortably.
Ravi D Baliga
Also read: Mid-Day asks the Govt: Agarbazar seniors seek slope to access high footpath
After Mumbaikars sent in their questions and woes to mid-day last Monday, some of the authorities concerned responded. We haven’t given up on the rest. We shall continue to hold authorities accountable for the state of the city.
Shoddy work by BMC contractors
Reader: Ravi D Baliga
BMC responds: “We already have such policies in place under which a percentage of the contract amount is released only after the project work is found satisfactory by officials. The percentage is generally 5 per cent and in the case of mega CC roads it’s 20 per cent. Further, we are also implementing penal action whenever some work is found to be shoddy — BMC doesn’t pay for that work, the contractor has to redo it and they also pay a penalty amount equal to the cost of the shoddy work,” stated a senior civic official.
Skywalk in darkness
Reader: Warren Pereira
BMC responds: mid-day had highlighted the issue to ward officials previously. This time mid-day has escalated your grievance to the elected public representative of the area who is also the Ward Committee’s Chairman Mansi Satamkar.
Satamkar said, “I will review the grievance, and ask the officials concerned why the issue is still persistent. The issue will be resolved.”
Pic/Mukesh Desai
Broken gutter line
Reader: Mukesh Desai
BMC responds: “The footpath work was done during the Metro construction work in the area. We received the complaint in July and conveyed it to the metro contractor. The contractor has told us that they will start with the necessary repairs on October 12,” stated a civic official.
Footpath is too high
Reader: Sugandha Karapurkar
BMC responds: The easy access ramps for any footpath are provided mostly around the zebra crossings. As a norm we avoid making the ramps at multiple spots to deter vehicles from entering footpaths.
Vehicles on footpaths is already an issue we are tackling in the area. We have nevertheless noted the issue and shall inspect if something can be done at a specific spot,” stated a civic official.
]]>The inbox is now open to take your most carnal and amorous queries. Send your questions on email to lovedoc@mid-day.com
]]>Aries
March 21 – April 20
Karma has decided to make you work very hard today, with plans for the evening being delayed.
Cosmic tip: Strength comes from inter dependency.
Taurus
April 21 – May 20
Spending time with family is important. Do have eyes checked if suffering from headaches.
Cosmic tip: Blow away unimportant matters, focusing on what is truly significant in the larger scheme of the day.
Gemini
May 21 – June 21
Dealing with your spouse/partner is a lesson in patience today. Meeting relatives is more enjoyable than expected.
Cosmic tip: Upgrade work skills if necessary.
Cancer
June 22 – July 23
Communication about a transaction is positive. The most powerful leadership tool you possess is your own example and willingness to work hard.
Cosmic tip: Avoid rescheduling appointments.
Leo
July 24 - Aug 23
Morning is extraordinarily busy even though work was started in time in the morning. Today is a happier time with positive nostalgia.
Cosmic tip: Drive carefully to avoid a minor accident.
Virgo
Aug 24 – Sept 23
Being non-judgemental is what keeps the bond strong. An unexpected phone call brings good news.
Cosmic tip: Think before you act, not allowing impulsive thoughts to guide.
Libra
Sept 24 – Oct 22
Two matters that have been getting stalled several times get the ‘go ahead’ signal. Legal advice about partnerships is revealed.
Cosmic tip: Enjoy this karmic cycle of life moving the right way.
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 22
Removing clutter from personal spaces should, ideally, just be second nature and a habit nurtured, as personal spaces need flow of energy.
Cosmic tip: Don’t reject certain closures that are necessary.
Sagittarius
Nov 23 – Dec 22
It’s annoying having to chase a payment, but has to be done. Finding the means to identify an area of life needing focus is a big help.
Cosmic tip: Make practical decisions based on experience.
Capricorn
Dec 23 – Jan 20
Property matters are highlighted. Silence heals; enjoying your own thoughts is a powerful form of meditation.
Cosmic tip: Enjoy life irrespective of what you would prefer to change.
Aquarius
Jan 21 – Feb 19
Now that you’ve moved ahead of an experience, it’s time to review it with a cold understanding of where it went wrong.
Cosmic tip: Have the braking system checked and vehicle serviced.
Pisces
Feb 20 – March 20
A message from someone you love is confusing (wait till you meet personally to understand it).
Cosmic tip: Don’t over react to an e-mail not worded correctly. Send back facts tabulated in a practical manner.
According to Sacnilk, Drishyam 3 collected approximately Rs 26.50 crore net in India on its ninth day, Saturday, October 10. The film’s estimated domestic net collection stood at Rs 272 crore after nine days, following a first-week total of approximately Rs 245.50 crore.
On Day 10, the film managed to collect Rs 23 crore. Despite the slight drop, this takes the film total collection to Rs 309.50 crore. The final figures could change as more data becomes available. The film’s worldwide performance has been equally impressive. The Ajay Devgn-starrer has collected approximately Rs 480 crore globally, reflecting strong audience interest in the franchise’s latest chapter.
The film opened in theatres on October 2, recording an estimated Rs 62 crore net on its first day. Although collections declined during the weekdays, the thriller regained momentum over its second weekend. According to Sacnilk, the film crossed Rs 400 crore worldwide on Day 8, becoming only the second Ajay Devgn-starrer, after Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, to surpass Rs 300 crore at the domestic box office.
Directed by Abhishek Pathak, Drishyam 3: The Conclusion features Ajay Devgn alongside Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Rajat Kapoor, Prakash Raj and Jaideep Ahlawat. The franchise’s combination of suspense, family drama and unexpected twists continues to attract moviegoers. With its second weekend delivering encouraging numbers, the film is poised to strengthen its box-office standing further. The big question now is whether Drishyam 3 can maintain its momentum and turn its impressive worldwide run into an even bigger domestic milestone.
]]>As she appeared on the 'Koffee With Karan' show with Kareena Kapoor, host and filmmaker Karan Johar asked Rani, "Do you believe two actresses can really be good friends?"
Rani said, "With an actress, I can't. Not really, really close."
Explaining the reason behind her reply, the 'Maardani' actress went on to add, "Why I say that actresses can't be friends is that every actress has her own career graph. Like, you know, I started in a way, and I'll be ending up in a way. Kareena's career graph is different. So, both of us can't have the same career graph. I might do a certain kind of films, she'll do different films. But then, if she gives a hit, it doesn't mean that something's going wrong with me. If I give a hit, it doesn't mean something's going wrong with her. So, we can be friends, and we can survive in the same industry because there's so much work for everybody."
Over the years, Rani and Kareena have appeared together in several Hindi films.
Their professional association began back in 2001, with Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...'. While Kareena played Pooja (Poo) in the blockbuster, Rani Mukerji was seen in an extended guest role as Naina. Next year, in 2002, they came together for the romantic entertainer, 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge!', which also had Hrithik Roshan as the lead.
The two actresses were also a part of the ensemble cast of J. P. Dutta's war drama, 'LOC Kargil', which came out in 2003.
Veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam directed Rani and Kareena in 'Yuva' in 2004.
They last shared screen space in the psychological mystery thriller, 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within,' in which Aamir Khan was also the lead.
]]>He described him as a national icon and a source of inspiration, particularly for the younger generation, including Gen Z. Taking to social media, Shatrughan shared a heartfelt birthday message for his friend and fellow actor, wishing him happiness, good health and a long life. “Many happy returns of the day, for our favorite friend, national icon @SrBachchan a source of inspiration to all, especially younger generation Gen Z. Wishing you happiness, good health & a very very long healthy life. God Bless! #BirthdayWishes,” he wrote.
Shatrughan also shared a couple of throwback pictures featuring Amitabh. In the first photograph, the two actors are seen sharing a light-hearted moment. The next picture captures them seated alongside veteran actor Dharmendra, with Amitabh holding Dharmendra’s hand as Shatrughan sits between them. In the final photograph, Amitabh is seen posing with Shatrughan’s family, including his wife and daughter Sonakshi Sinha, at the launch of Shatrughan’s book.
Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha have shared screen space in several iconic Bollywood films, including “Naseeb,” "Shaan," and “Dostana.”
Amitabh, fondly known as the Shahenshah of Bollywood, remains one of Indian cinema's most celebrated actors. Over the years, he has earned widespread recognition for his versatile performances and remarkable contribution to the film industry.
From his iconic roles in films such as 'Zanjeer,' 'Deewaar,' and 'Sholay' to his performances in more recent projects, Amitabh has continued to remain a prominent figure in Indian cinema. Beyond films, the actor has also won audiences over through his television appearances, particularly as the host of the popular quiz show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati.’
Amitabh Bachchan marked his 84th birthday on October 11. Wishes poured in from across the film industry. Several prominent names, including Sanjay Dutt, Kajol, Anil Kapoor, Kamal Haasan, and Suniel Shetty, took to social media to celebrate the megastar’s special day.
]]>The suspects, identified as Santosh Kanojia alias Talli and Amit Singh alias Paplu, were formally arrested in Thane and handed over to the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC), news agency PTI reported. They will be produced before a local court on Monday, where the police will seek their custody for further investigation, the official said.
With their arrests, the number of people arrested in the case has risen to five. The other accused are Subhash alias Pappya Shinde, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar.
Purnekar, who served as the ward chief of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in Manpada, was killed on September 29. He was shot at and attacked with a chopper, police said.
According to the police, around six rounds were fired during the attack, with two bullets hitting Purnekar. Investigators recovered three empty shell casings and one live cartridge from the crime scene. The attackers allegedly assaulted him with a chopper after firing at him.
During the investigation, the police seized a pistol from Pawar. Yadav's mobile phone and the vehicle allegedly used by the accused to flee after the attack were also impounded.
The police have yet to establish the exact motive behind the murder.
The latest arrests come amid demands by Purnekar's family for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder. The family has expressed concern over possible local political interference in the investigation and sought a fair inquiry.
On Friday, the family met visiting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including legislators Sanjay Kelkar and Niranjan Davkhare, and urged them to arrange an urgent meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They sought assurances that the investigation would proceed without political pressure.
Purnekar was attacked outside his office. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but succumbed to his injuries during emergency treatment.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>Addressing a press conference hours after being released by a Delhi court following preventive arrest, CJP co-convener Saurav Das said: “The entire city of Delhi has been turned into a cantonment for the last few days.”
“Between 30,000 and 40,000 security personnel have been called in. Troops from Naxal-affected areas, Bengal and Kashmir, including BSF personnel from border areas, have been airlifted to Delhi. More than 40,000 personnel have reportedly been deployed, and the city has been placed under heavy restrictions,” he claimed.
According to him, the phones “were hacked or cloned” so that documents or other material could later be presented as evidence.
#WATCH | Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das says, "They seized our phones but did not provide a seizure memo... We suspect our phones were hacked or cloned. Just as has happened to other activists over the years, we fear they may have hacked into our devices to plant documents or other material to be presented later as evidence... We want to state here that our phones have likely been compromised..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2026
Das alleged that the restrictions were affecting not only protesters but also ordinary citizens who had no involvement in the demonstrations.
“This is creating a major problem. If you want to create a negative atmosphere around protesters and a certain movement, you do not just make things difficult for the protesters; you also create problems for ordinary citizens who may not even be participating in the protest. This creates a negative image of the movement, and that is exactly what is happening in Delhi,” he stated.
He said the closure of metro stations, suspension of trains arriving in Delhi from other states and shutting of shops were inconveniencing the public.
Noting that Sunday might otherwise have seen greater footfall at shops, he questioned the purpose of the closures.
“What purpose does shutting shops serve? The government believes this will create a negative atmosphere against the youth and this movement. But they are mistaken because the entire country is watching the brutality being meted out to the youth and the agitators,” he said.
Das also alleged that Delhi Police had not issued a formal detention notice. He claimed that the party members’ phones had been seized without a seizure memo and raised suspicions that the devices could have been tampered with.
“Our phones were seized and might have been hacked to plant evidence,” he said.
Claiming that an atmosphere of fear had been created in the country to save one person, Das asked the government: “Why are you saving Gyanesh Kumar? Does he know something about the 2024 elections, or how polls have been conducted in BJP-ruled states?”
Asserting that the CJP would not back down, Das appealed to citizens to join the protests against the CEC.
Meanwhile, CJP’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh welcomed the Supreme Court’s order directing the authorities to ensure the normal functioning of Metro and railway services, uninterrupted internet connectivity and free movement of people in the national capital.
“Whatever the court has said today is a positive step, but we will have to see whether the orders are implemented…Today, those being detained are being assaulted, and their phones are being taken away. Delhi Police does not seem to be willing to change its approach and continues with the same actions. No matter how many orders the Supreme Court passes, we will not see any change here until they are implemented,” she said.
Delhi: CJP Co-Convenor Ashutosh Ranka says, "The way four former Chief Ministers—Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Manik Sarkar, Pinarayi Vijayan—came out on the streets yesterday with the students and youth of this country, we wholeheartedly thank them for the fight they waged to save the democracy of this country's people..."
— IANS (@ians_india) October 11, 2026
Separately, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka thanked four former Chief Ministers—Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Manik Sarkar and Pinarayi Vijayan—for taking to the streets the previous day alongside students and youth “to safeguard our democracy”.
Ranka said protests were continuing, with CJP colleagues, the entire SFI team and many AISF members detained and subjected to physical assault.
(With IANS and ANI inputs)
]]>According to the company's statement, a company executive and an engineer associated with a business partner lost their lives.
The company said that following an initial assessment of their condition after the exposure, both individuals were immediately rushed to a hospital for emergency medical care. An independent probe will be launched into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, an official spokesperson for the company extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
"An unfortunate incident involving gas exposure occurred at the plant premises, following which a company executive and an engineer from a business partner were taken to the hospital after an initial assessment. The company expresses deep grief over the tragic demise of both individuals and extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. ESL Steel Limited is providing all possible assistance and support to both families during this difficult time. The company will conduct an independent investigation into the incident and take appropriate action based on the findings, the company's spokesperson said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Thousands of Khan's supporters have been marching in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to demand his release and airing anti-government criticism fuelled by harsh economic conditions.
The emergency move, invoked under two articles of Pakistan's constitution dealing with security, grants the federal government sweeping administrative powers over the province.
President Asif Ali Zardari signed the order after recommendations "regarding the law and order situation, and the failure of negotiations with government delegations", his office said.
An image issued by Zardari's office showed his signature affirming the measures.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office said earlier the decision had been taken over the "deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and... from the provincial government's deliberate indifference in the war against terrorism".
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a stronghold of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and the PTI-led government there will be sidelined under Sunday's extraordinary constitutional measures.
PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan called the move "an extremely alarming and grave political mistake and an undemocratic measure".
"The people will never accept such actions against their rights," he posted on X.
An increased security presence could be seen in Peshawar, the provincial capital, on Sunday, according to an AFP reporter, and roads in other cities in the province also remained closed.
PTI supporters began "long march" demonstrations between towns and cities throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a week ago, after talks with the government broke down.
Khan, a hugely popular former cricket star, has been behind bars since August 2023 and faces scores of charges ranging from corruption to treason and inciting violence, following widespread anti-establishment riots in May that year.
He and his legal team reject the allegations, branding them as politically motivated cases aimed at neutralising his popularity.
The government had sought to avoid the opposition show of force, but had also tied negotiations on PTI demands to agreement on security measures in PTI-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The protesters' demands included access to Khan by his doctors. Talks broke down on 4 October, prompting the start of the demonstrations.
In a separate security challenge, Pakistan has blamed an increase in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the southern border province of Balochistan on militancy emanating from Afghanistan.
The Taliban government in Kabul denies such claims and criticises Pakistan for violating Afghanistan's sovereignty and killing civilians.
The accusations have sparked a bitter rift and armed conflict between the neighbouring countries.
Afghanistan and Pakistan went to war in February and there have been sporadic attacks since a truce was reached in March, after no permanent security resolution was reached.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>In an attempt to chase a target of 224 runs, the visitors managed to reach 209 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
West Indies' skipper Shai Hope was dismissed on five runs in five balls, including a boundary. Fellow opening batsman Kamil Pooran played a knock of 42 runs in 27 balls, including three boundaries and the same number of maximums. Shimron Hetmyer returned to the pavilion after delivering a knock of 43 runs in 26 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Rovman Powell managed to score five runs in seven balls.
Sherfane Rutherford smashed 32 runs in 20 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Quentin Sampson also scored 21 runs in 15 balls, including a boundary and a maximum. Keemo Paul was dismissed on 10 runs in six balls, including a maximum.
Shamar Springer and Roston Chase stayed unbeaten on 35 and five runs, respectively.
Team India's Arshdeep Singh returned with the figures of three wickets for 44 runs in four overs. Naman Dhir bagged two wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav went wicketless in the third T20I match against the Caribbean side.
Earlier having been put to bat first, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma lost his wicket on 28 runs in 16 balls, which included four boundaries. Naman Dhir was also dismissed on 10 runs in five balls, which included a maximum. Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to score 21 in 14 balls, with the help of three boundaries. Facing 14 balls, Axar Patel registered 20 runs, with the help of two boundaries. Arshdeep Singh also scored 11 runs in eight balls, including a maximum, whereas Mayank Yadav was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Prince Yadav stayed unbeaten on 13 runs in six balls, including three boundaries. With this, the "Men in Blue" were bowled out for 223 runs in 20 overs.
West Indies' Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, and Shamar Springer bagged two wickets each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie also claimed one wicket each.
]]>“Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Effective Immediately: An ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. https://t.co/PukfiuHOdy
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 11, 2026
The White House echoed the announcement on X about 20 minutes later, posting: “Effective Immediately: An Energy Ceasefire in the War between Russia and Ukraine.”
Trump did not specify when the agreement was reached, which facilities would be covered, how long the truce would last or how compliance would be monitored.
Neither the Kremlin nor the Ukrainian government had issued a formal statement confirming the arrangement in the hours following Trump's announcement.
Speaking to Axios shortly after the post, Zelensky said the announcement had come as a surprise to him but indicated that Kyiv would accept the arrangement if Moscow agreed to it, news agency IANS reported.
“The ceasefire announcement was news for me. But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will agree,” Zelensky said.
“If President Trump negotiated it with Putin - please tell us when the ceasefire begins - we are ready and we will accept it,” he added.
A senior Ukrainian official also told the Kyiv Independent that Kyiv had no information about the ceasefire and doubted that Russia had been informed.
Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky had proposed a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. “Ukraine will be ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure,” he wrote on X, stressing that any de-escalation must be mutual and backed by real guarantees.
The announcement came two days after Trump unveiled an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel to be released into American and global markets. The move drew criticism from Ukraine, European officials and lawmakers from both major US political parties.
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 135, authorising certain transactions involving Russian-origin diesel until April 2027.
On Saturday, Trump blamed Zelensky for continuing drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and said Ukraine should “get a new leader who can make a deal”.
Trump had made a similar claim last month, saying on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to attack each other’s energy targets. Axios reported at the time that neither side confirmed the arrangement, while attacks on energy infrastructure continued.
The latest announcement leaves uncertainty over whether a formal agreement exists, with Kyiv seeking clarity on its terms and Moscow yet to publicly confirm the truce.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Chasing 224 runs, West Indies' skipper Shai Hope was dismissed on five runs in the same number of deliveries, scoring a boundary. Meanwhile, Shimron Hetmyer returned to the pavilion after delivering a knock of 43 runs in 26 balls. His knock was laced with six boundaries and two maximums. Rovman Powell, however, managed to score only five runs, which came in seven balls.
Opening batsman Kamil Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford are unbeaten at the crease.
Team India's Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Naman Dhir have bagged one wicket each. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav will continue their hunt for the first scalp.
Earlier, having been put to bat, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums.
Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma lost his wicket on 28 runs in 16 balls, which included four boundaries. Naman Dhir was also dismissed on 10 runs in five balls, which included a maximum. Nitish Kumar Reddy managed to score 21 in 14 balls, with the help of three boundaries. Facing 14 balls, Axar Patel registered 20 runs, with the help of two boundaries. Arshdeep Singh also scored 11 runs in eight balls, including a maximum, whereas Mayank Yadav was dismissed on a one-ball duck. Prince Yadav stayed unbeaten on 13 runs in six balls, including three boundaries. With this, the "Men in Blue" were bowled out for 223 runs in 20 overs.
West Indies' Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph, and Shamar Springer bagged two wickets each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie also claimed one wicket each.
]]>In an update posted on X, the Embassy said it was in touch with the victim's family and would provide all support to ensure the early repatriation of his mortal remains.
Update regarding Riyadh Airport attack on October 10. It is learnt that one Indian national injured in the Riyadh attack has unfortunately lost his life today. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. We are in touch with the family and will provide all support for ensuring the early repatriation of mortal remains. @MEAIndia
— India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) October 11, 2026
“Update regarding Riyadh Airport attack on October 10. It is learnt that one Indian national injured in the Riyadh attack has unfortunately lost his life today. We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. We are in touch with the family and will provide all support for ensuring the early repatriation of mortal remains,” the Embassy said.
🔔Important Update In view of the current situation, the Embassy wishes to reiterate its earlier Advisory for the Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia. ⬇️
— India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) October 11, 2026
The development comes after the Embassy said earlier on Sunday that 11 Indians were among those injured in the attack.
“Embassy of India, Riyadh has been following up on the dastardly attack on Riyadh airport yesterday in which 12 people unfortunately died and more than 300 were injured,” the Embassy said in an earlier post on X.
"It is learnt that 11 Indians are among those injured in the attack. Embassy has been in touch with local authorities to enquire about their well being. Our officials have also reached out to the hospital authorities. We will provide further updates as they become available," it added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also said that the Indian Embassy was taking all necessary steps in the wake of the attack.
"Our Embassy is doing everything necessary in this difficult situation. May follow their updates," he said on X while sharing the Embassy's earlier post.
An attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital on Saturday afternoon killed 12 people and injured 309 others, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation said, as Yemen's Houthi group and Saudi Arabia continued exchanging strikes on major airports.
In a statement issued early Sunday, the Saudi aviation authority said the fatalities included four Saudi citizens and eight foreign residents -- two Bangladeshis and one each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan, Xinhua news agency reported.
The injured are receiving treatment at several hospitals, with some in serious condition, the authority said.
In an earlier statement, the authority said airport operations had been temporarily suspended pending damage assessments and safety checks.
Following Saturday's attack, the Houthi group said in a statement that it was ready for reciprocal measures with Saudi Arabia to keep airports, seaports and other facilities serving humanitarian functions outside the escalating military confrontation.
Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had launched a new wave of air and missile strikes across Houthi-held areas in Yemen. The strikes targeted Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held capital, areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait and several northern provinces.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Race dynamics
Only 5 runners faced the starter as Rampage was a late withdrawal from the six-horse field, and Iron Mirage, trainer Prasanna Kumar's challenger from Bangalore, ridden by Akshay Kumar, hit the front as usual. What was unusual though was that it wasn't the usual blazing fast pace, but rather, a moderate pace (600m in 38.6s) which jockey P Trevor astride Beast Mode read perfectly, and chose to stalk the leader, while Vivek on Jaandaar took things easy in the early part, preferring to race behind even Avener (A Sandesh up). As the pace heated up approaching the final turn Vivek, in a desperate bid to improve position, realised he was badly pocketed at the 400m marker with Beast Mode in front, Iron Mirage on the right, and Avener on the left.
However, Jaandaar was so superior to them all that the moment Vivek forced his way between Beast Mode and Avener, it was all over bar the shouting, though Sandesh astride Avener tried to desperately bridge the gap, but did not make any impression, except reducing the margin of victory to less than a length.
Jaandaar (Earthlight - Dance Awhile) raced in the silks of Vijay Shirke, who owns him in partnership with his wife and son, and was bred at the Sohna stud farm.
]]>During a conversation on his show, the comedian expressed his displeasure with Dilip’s growing popularity through Farah Khan’s YouTube videos. Dilip regularly accompanies Farah in her vlogs, where the filmmaker visits celebrities’ homes, interacts with their families and shares behind-the-scenes moments. His humorous exchanges with Farah have become a recurring feature of the videos, helping him gain considerable attention online.
However, Cyrus questioned the authenticity of Dilip’s on-screen persona, suggesting that his humour appeared increasingly rehearsed. “I hate that guy. He irritates me,” Cyrus remarked while discussing Dilip. He also criticised the cook’s popularity, describing him as overrated and suggesting that Farah guided his lines during their interactions.
His comments offered a contrasting perspective on a personality who has become an integral part of Farah’s online content.
Farah was quick to respond to Cyrus’ criticism, but instead of engaging in a heated argument, she chose humour. Addressing the comedian, she wrote, “Cyrus, I can replace him with you,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. Her response appeared to turn Cyrus’ complaint into an opportunity, playfully suggesting that he could take Dilip’s place in her videos.
View this post on Instagram
Cyrus was equally quick with his comeback. Playing along with Farah’s offer, he replied, “Kal se aau” (Shall I come from tomorrow?). The exchange added a light-hearted twist to the discussion and caught the attention of entertainment followers.
Farah’s YouTube channel has introduced audiences to a more informal side of the filmmaker, with Dilip frequently providing comic relief through his candid conversations with her. His appearances have helped him become recognisable among social media audiences. His journey has also attracted attention because of reports about how his growing visibility has helped improve his financial circumstances.
Whether netizens agree with Cyrus’ criticism or enjoy Dilip’s humour, the exchange shows how online personalities can spark conversations beyond their regular content. For now, Farah’s cheeky offer and Cyrus’ clever response have given fans another entertaining moment to gossip. Whether Cyrus actually joins one of her vlogs remains to be seen.
]]>Survivors said the vessel, which was carrying 305 people from Djibouti to Yemen, capsized north of the Djibouti town of Obock, according to a statement from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
"This is a devastating loss of life. Our thoughts are with the survivors and the families who have lost loved ones or remain without news of their relatives," said Alexandre Coissac, IOM chief of mission in Djibouti, in the statement.
He said IOM teams were on the ground alongside Djiboutian authorities to provide emergency aid.
"This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants along this migration corridor as they seek economic opportunities" by trying to cross the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Yemen and then reach Gulf countries.
Among the 109 bodies recovered were 52 men, 42 women and 15 children, nine girls and six boys, the statement said.
More than 80 people survived the shipwreck, all Ethiopian nationals.
"Poverty, insecurity and the growing impacts of climate change drive many to undertake this journey, despite mounting instability across the Middle East," the IOM said.
Yemen is stricken by fighting between the Saudi-backed government and Tehran-backed Houthi rebels, who have joined in the regional conflict involving the US and its allies against Iran.
The IOM said it was assisting 64 survivors at a migrant centre in Obock.
"Djiboutian authorities are continuing search and rescue operations as fears grow for those still missing."
The IOM said that 178,000 people had arrived in Djibouti from Ethiopia from January to October this year.
In 2025, more than 900 migrants died or went missing along the sea route to Yemen and the number attempting the journey increased by 18 percent, it said.
A shipwreck in March 2026 left nine people dead and 45 missing.
IOM spokesman Kennedy Omondi Okoth told AFP this week that most of the people attempting the journey were from Ethiopia or Somalia.
He said many of them were ending up stuck in Djibouti.
The IOM urged "donors and partners to strengthen support for Djibouti's response, including search and rescue operations and life-saving assistance".
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Despite this, loneliness often remains difficult to discuss because of the stigma surrounding mental health.
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, highlights the importance of mental health awareness and advocacy. As the festive season unfolds, mid-day.com speaks to Dr Santosh Bangar, senior consultant psychiatrist at Gleneagles Hotel in Parel, and Dr Niti Sapru, consultant psychiatrist at Holy Family Hospital in Bandra, about why loneliness can intensify during festivals, how social media influences the experience and what people can do to maintain meaningful connections.
They highlighted now the festive season, mixed with social media, heightens loneliness, especially in metros like Mumbai for new city-dwellers.
Bangar: Festivals create an environment of happiness, togetherness, and celebration. For someone who is away from family, going through a difficult phase or comparing their life with others or grieving, this particular moment can make feelings of loneliness more noticeable. The pressure to appear happy can also make it harder for people to acknowledge what they are actually feeling.
Sapru: Festivals have the meaning of togetherness, celebration and family, so there is an expectation of happiness. It can heighten the sense of loneliness for individuals who are bereaved, isolated from family, in a bad patch or already feeling down. It can be the case that when others celebrate, they focus on what they feel they lack. It is important to keep in mind that feelings don't adhere to a schedule.
Bangar: Young adults may feel lonely because of social comparison or being away from home, while older adults may experience loneliness because of bereavement, children moving away, or reduced social interaction. Each age group can experience the same emotion for very different reasons.
Sapru: Yes. Young adults may feel lonely because they are not at home, or they have moved to a new place, or feel left out when they see their peers partying or having no partner. An empty house, loss of a loved one and/or living alone may cause problems for older people. Work stress and shift of family responsibilities can be a factor with middle-aged people. The feeling may be the same but the reasons could be different.
Bangar: Social media can sometimes intensify loneliness because people mostly see carefully selected images of celebrations, happy families and social gatherings. Someone who is already feeling lonely may compare their reality with these posts and feel that they are missing out. At the same time, meaningful online interaction can also help people stay connected when used mindfully. These days we are socially connected, but still socially isolated.
Sapru: Social media can increase feelings of loneliness, at the same time provides ways for people to connect. In festivals, photographs of celebration and family reuniting flood various social platforms.
Others who are feeling lonely might find it difficult to differentiate between their own situation and these stereotypes and feel they are not as lucky as those presented in the media. Using social media to make real connections is important, not for the definition of how well our lives are going. Social media is a double edged sword, and depends on how we use it or are ruled by it.
Bangar: Festive loneliness often stems from the contrast between the expectation of togetherness and a person's actual circumstances.
During festivals, reminders of family, traditions, and social gatherings can make the absence of loved ones feel stronger. Ordinary loneliness may be more constant and may not be linked to a particular occasion.
Sapru: Festival related loneliness, not festive loneliness, is time bound and usually settles back to the normal mood for that individual. Lingering sense of loneliness not related just to festival times is more long-lasting and may require mental health visit if severe and disrupting the quality of life or daily life of that individual.
Bangar: Loneliness can show up as sadness, withdrawal, irritability, low motivation, changes in sleep or appetite and loss of interest in activities. People around them should avoid dismissing these feelings and instead check in, listen without judgement and offer genuine companionship. Even a simple phone call or invitation can make a person feel remembered and valued.
Sapru: Loneliness is not a disorder or disease to have symptoms. The sense of loneliness itself is often a symptom of more serious issues like depression, adjustment to life situations, issues, personality disturbances etc. Persisting, pervasive loneliness is better managed by experts along with support of a loved one, friends, family, or even at times supportive work atmosphere, that is inclusive, not competitive or judgemental.
Bangar: People can plan small activities, stay connected with friends or relatives and participate in activities they genuinely enjoy. Social media breaks can be useful, especially if scrolling leaves them feeling inadequate or left out. Instead of passively consuming posts, they can use technology for meaningful conversations, calls, or shared activities.
Sapru: When loneliness is not a symptom of a psychiatric diagnoses, then this question becomes more relevant. Establishing and maintaining a supportive network of work colleagues, friends, peers, nurturing healthy, close family ties, being mindful of one’s needs, prioritising work life balance, if possible, and inculcating some sense of regularity with respect to balanced diet, exercise, recreation, hobbies are some things that may help dealing with loneliness of non-psychiatric causes.
Bangar: Loneliness has received much more attention in recent years, particularly as people increasingly recognise the importance of social connection for mental well-being. It remains difficult to discuss because loneliness is often mistaken for simply being alone. A person can be surrounded by people and still feel emotionally disconnected, which is why the experience is often misunderstood.
Sapru: Humans are social beings who have survived life-threatening challenges through the evolutionary cycle by virtue of being in groups. Modern day living strives more towards individuality, unitary set ups in family settings, coupled with at the drop of a tap the access to connections with humans, albeit virtual, not in person. Yes, loneliness by virtue of modern living is steering more towards loneliness or loss of community living.
Admitting to flaws or need to connect or belonging may seem threatening or not so cool to some. With respect to mental health the stigma, silence, shame, discrimination all may contribute to secrecy regarding the suffering of a psychiatric illness, leaving the person to deal with loneliness where these matters are concerned.
Bangar: Mumbai offers many activities and opportunities to connect, but being surrounded by crowds does not automatically prevent loneliness. For someone who feels disconnected from family or their social circle, seeing celebrations around them can sometimes make that feeling more prominent. The important factor is meaningful connection rather than simply being around people.
Sapru: Mumbai, or for that matter, any tier 1 metropolitan city of India, is a mixed bag of cultures. A new migrant with hardly any contacts versus residents of Mumbai for some years or native of Mumbai will experience these occasions differently. People are different temperamentally, social extroverts vs introverts, those with psychiatric issues vs the so called normal —all may experience such times differently.
It's difficult and unwise to make a general statement, as that would amount to not being cognisant of the experiences of many who cannot be categorised as one entity.
Bangar: Living alone does not necessarily mean being lonely, and people can build routines that include both self-care and social connection. They can pursue hobbies, exercise, explore community activities, volunteer, or maintain regular contact with loved ones.
Creating a few predictable points of connection during the week can be particularly helpful.
Sapru: Living alone does not necessarily mean being lonely. Structure and purpose can be provided by a routine, exercises, engaging in hobbies, reading, cooking or getting outside. Meanwhile, regular contact with friends and family, and engaging in activities or communities that promote interaction needs to be maintained.
Bangar: Families can create their own shared traditions even when they cannot be physically together. Video calls, online games, watching a movie together, sharing meals virtually, or cooking the same festive recipe can create a sense of participation. The focus should be on making the interaction meaningful rather than simply having a call in the background.
Sapru: Families can schedule video calls, have a virtual meal together, play online video games, watch the same film or share photographs and festive traditions. The important thing is to make these interactions meaningful rather than obligatory. Even a short conversation where family members genuinely listen to one another can help people feel connected.
Families need to learn to communicate sensitive matters and be non-judgemental and supportive when a member is sharing a painful or embarrassing experience. When this is not possible, professional help with family therapy may help.
]]>When a team is dismissed for such paltry scores, the bowler’s stats can only be bettered when the emerging ICC Associate member countries play against each other. To equate it with the stats when full member country teams play against each other is simply not fair. The glaring difference in standards means that records will belong to players who most of the cricketing world has never heard of before and perhaps likely to never hear of again.
In the football leagues there are divisions where there’s a promotion and relegation at the end of a season. So whatever records are set they are mentioned as being in the Divisions, in which they have been achieved in. Maybe something similar should be thought of where depending on the division in which countries are playing the differentiation is clear to everybody. So even while full member countries and those Associate member countries, who qualify for the ICC World cup, can be called internationals when they play against each other, maybe for the others it can be called Division A international or Division B international. This way even the casual follower of the game knows what is happening.
Yuvraj Singh held the record for scoring the fastest T20 half-century when he got it in 12 deliveries against England in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. That record was erased when Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee got to his half-century in just 9 balls against guess who ? Yes, Mongolia. Make no mistake, Nepal is making rapid strides as we saw in the T20 World Cup in India earlier in the year when they almost beat England. So, it’s no surprise when its batters and bowlers pulverise the other Associate country teams. But should that count for a record ?
Even in the Ranji Trophy, in the Plate Division there are records being broken and new marks set at both batting and bowling. When the Lodha panel recommended that all states and Union Territories should be included in the Ranji Trophy, it just meant that the standard got lowered. Most of the new state teams did not even have proper infrastructure and so hired players from other states who couldn’t find a place in their home state teams. These players were good but unable to break through into their home state teams and so went to the state teams in the Plate Division. When most, if not all, played against teams from the Elite division, they were found wanting and it just exposed the yawning gap in the standard between the divisions. Yet the records set are still called records because they are playing in the Ranji Trophy.
The Lodha panel made some excellent recommendations about the administration part of BCCI but the playing part should then have been left to the BCCI council to decide. The BCCI Committee, before the Lodha panel came about, had promoted Chhattisgarh to the Ranji Trophy after its junior teams did well at the age-group levels. This way the standard did not get diluted, though there were still teams who were just so much better than some other teams.
The standard in the Elite division has levelled to a great extent as can be seen by teams who were not very competitive earlier, now going on to win the Ranji Trophy. That’s most encouraging though with the India international players hardly playing in the domestic competitions, it’s difficult to know how good some of the individual players are. This is noticeable when some of the leading run makers and wicket takers in the Ranji Trophy are picked to play for India. They struggle to find their feet and some fade away quickly, while some still stay on the fringes but are not quite able to crack it.
There really is no easy solution and the ‘A’ team matches certainly help in telling who is more likely to succeed internationally and who will remain a top Ranji performer. There’s a case for more A team matches but not when the domestic competitions especially the Ranji Trophy is on. For then it won’t be a surprise with weakened competition, a batter may reach 2000 runs and a bowler 100 wickets in a Ranji season.
Professional Management Group
]]>The protest in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park area against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar intensified on Sunday evening after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray arrived with hundreds of supporters. Their arrival triggered sporadic sit-ins and sloganeering amid a massive police deployment.
#WATCH | Mumbai | MNS leader Amit Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station against the detention of protesters. https://t.co/SWMRwMOD04
— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2026
The Thackeray cousins, accompanied by party workers, gathered near the iconic ground and criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, demanding the release of those detained. Leaders and workers of the two parties staged a protest outside Shivaji Park Police Station, where most of the detainees had been taken.
Aaditya Thackeray, who was accompanied by his brother Tejas, alleged that police personnel had attacked and manhandled Shiv Sainiks, including women, outside Sena Bhavan nearby. He claimed that a woman party worker’s saree was torn during the commotion.
“We have appreciated Mumbai Police several times in the past (for the way they handled protests). They are acting like the Delhi Police now. If they behave like this there will be protests everywhere. Maharashtra is not going to stop and this is because of the local police,” he said.
“I am giving a call to entire Mumbai to come to Shivaji Park. This protest will not subside now. If you touch protesters, then the agitation will intensify till gaddar (Chief Election Commissioner) Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” Aaditya said. He also climbed atop a police vehicle in which detained protesters were seated.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged that the BJP was afraid of peaceful protests and accused the authorities of detaining students who were demonstrating against the ruling dispensation.
Earlier, in a post on X, Aaditya had criticised the police action and offered legal assistance to those detained.
“The Mumbai Police, it seems, now is being made to take orders from the very top- the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force. Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also we will stand by you legally,” he said.
MNS leader Amit Thackeray also questioned the detentions and announced that his party workers would join the protest.
“From tomorrow our MNS activists will be there (to protest),” he said.
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande alleged that an official from Shivaji Park Police and BJP workers were instigating Navratri mandal functionaries to attack CJP protesters. He further alleged that the functionaries were being promised legal support for their actions.
“What kind of democracy is this? You don’t give a place for people to protest and when people come to protest you will arrest them. Is the police’s job to stop riots or engineer them,” Deshpande asked.
Social activist Anjali Damania was among those detained from the Shivaji Park, Worli and Dadar areas during the day.
Police officials said several people were detained even before reaching the protest site after being identified during precautionary checks conducted to maintain law and order.
Damania was intercepted near Shivaji Park and taken away in a private vehicle, officials said.
“As I reached Shivaji Park in support of CJP, police officers came in plainclothes and detained me. All the police personnel were in plain clothes, and I do not know where they are taking me,” Damania told PTI.
Officials said most of those detained in the vicinity were taken to Shivaji Park Police Station, while some were shifted to nearby police stations.
A senior police official had said legal action would be taken against those assembling at Shivaji Park to protest without obtaining permission from the authorities.
The area witnessed heavy police deployment and road barricades as authorities sought to prevent unauthorised gatherings. Personnel from nearby police stations were also called in to maintain law and order.
The protest came on the first day of Navratri, one of Maharashtra’s major festivals, when police deployment is typically increased to manage crowds and maintain security.
On Saturday, police had detained around 600 people at various locations across Mumbai for protesting without permission in solidarity with CJP.
The party has been protesting against alleged irregularities in voter rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
]]>Zayn Khan shared a video on Instagram showing visible marks on her body after being detained during the protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10. The footage has circulated online, drawing attention to the incident and the treatment of demonstrators.
The circumstances behind the bruises have not been independently established. The video has added another dimension to the controversy surrounding the detention of protesters.
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According to NDTV, Imran, Lekha and Zayn were detained by Mumbai Police during the protest and were released several hours later. The three subsequently shared updates on social media about their experience.
The Indian Express also reported on their release, noting that footage had emerged showing the trio being taken into a police van. Lekha later claimed on social media that they faced difficulties arranging transport home after their release, alleging that cab drivers were being threatened. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The demonstration at August Kranti Maidan was held in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest, which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in voter-list revisions. According to The Times of India, hundreds of people were detained in Mumbai as police moved to prevent the gathering from proceeding.
The wider controversy centres on allegations of voter-list manipulation, which have fuelled protests and political debate. The claims remain contested. As Zayn’s video gains attention, the focus is shifting beyond the high-profile detentions to questions about what happened to protesters during the police action.
]]>According to official reports and statements from the airline, smoke began billowing from the electronic device mid-flight, triggering immediate safety alarms among those onboard. The flight crew responded swiftly to contain the incident, while the pilots executed a safe diversion to Hyderabad in accordance with standard aviation safety protocols.
IndiGo expressed regret over the unexpected disruption and emphasised that safety remains the airline's utmost priority.
An alternate aircraft was swiftly arranged to transport all affected passengers safely onward to their final destination in Chennai, with refreshments and regular updates provided throughout the process.
"We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers due to this unforeseen situation and are making all efforts to minimise it, including offering refreshments and sharing timely updates. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority," the airline spokesperson said in a statement.
"All passengers have been evacuated safely. They will be accommodated on the next available flight by the airline to their destination," said an official at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The IMD has forecast mainly clear skies accompanied by hot and humid conditions over Mumbai city and suburbs during the next 24 hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 37 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively. For the subsequent 24 hours, mainly clear skies are expected, with temperatures likely to hover around 36 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius.
Santacruz recorded a minimum temperature of 24.6 degrees Celsius, even as its daytime maximum remained significantly above normal.
Dry weather prevailed across Maharashtra, with almost no rainfall recorded at weather stations. Malegaon reported the state’s highest maximum temperature at 38.4 degrees Celsius, 5.6 degrees above normal, while Jalgaon recorded the lowest minimum at 18.2 degrees Celsius, 2.9 degrees below normal.
Several parts of interior Maharashtra also recorded maximum temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. Amravati registered 38.2 degrees Celsius, while Akola recorded 38.1 degrees Celsius. Solapur reported a maximum of 37.6 degrees Celsius, while Nagpur recorded 35.8 degrees Celsius.
In the Konkan-Goa region, Dahanu recorded a maximum temperature of 36.3 degrees Celsius. In Marathwada, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar registered 36.5 degrees Celsius, while Parbhani recorded 35.9 degrees Celsius.
Pune’s Shivajinagar observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 3.3 degrees above normal, and a minimum of 21.5 degrees Celsius, 1.1 degrees above normal. No rainfall was recorded.
The IMD has forecast mainly clear skies in Pune on Monday, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to be around 36 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius, respectively.
A key feature of the IMD report is Pune’s seasonal rainfall deficit. The city has received just 1.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 47.2 mm, resulting in a deficit of 45.8 mm.
The IMD’s regional outlook indicates that dry weather is likely to persist over the next five days across North and South Konkan-Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 36 degrees Celsius and 38 degrees Celsius in parts of interior Maharashtra on Sunday. A gradual fall of 1-3 degrees Celsius is likely over Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada during the next three to four days. Minimum temperatures are expected to show no significant change over the next four to five days.
The IMD has also forecast hot and humid conditions in isolated pockets of Konkan-Goa on Sunday. With temperatures remaining above normal in several areas, residents should take precautions against heat exposure and stay hydrated, particularly during the afternoon.
]]>According to police, the incident came to light after the doctor could not be contacted for several hours on Saturday. He was subsequently found unresponsive in the bathroom of his hostel accommodation.
“A first-year resident at Sion Hospital was found dead by suicide in his hostel bathroom. We have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in the matter and the probe is underway,” a Mumbai Police official said.
Officials from Mumbai Police said the exact cause of death has not yet been established and will be determined following further investigation and medical examination.
Police have registered an ADR and are examining the circumstances leading up to the doctor’s death. Investigators are also expected to ascertain whether any drugs were involved and, if so, how they were procured.
Further investigation is underway.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay held a senate meeting on Wednesday to discuss revisions to examination rules following the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode on the Powai campus.
According to media reports and sources at IIT Bombay, an initial proposal discussed at the meeting was to revert to the institute’s previous 2015 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Under the proposed system, students caught cheating during an examination would be provided with a fresh answer sheet. The senate also discussed introducing forms similar to those used in competitive examinations, which could be filled out by students and invigilators to record and clarify the circumstances of an incident.
Aprofessor at IIT Bombay said the proposals were discussed and recorded in the meeting minutes, but have not yet been implemented.
“All these points were discussed and the minutes were made. However, they may be yet to come into action,” the professor said.
Suicide Helplines
Samaritans Mumbai (Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm)
84229-84527
]]>The police reiterated that the news was communicated to Dipke with due sensitivity and that assistance was offered to facilitate his travel to his hometown for the funeral. However, he “declined” the offer, the police said.
When claims and reality differ, let the facts do the talking. #FactCheck #Truth #DPUpdates https://t.co/oiiDC6Pqht
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 11, 2026
Addressing a press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police (PRO) Neha Yadav said officers approached Dipke as soon as they received information about his grandmother’s death and offered all possible assistance.
“As soon as the Delhi Police received information about the passing away of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke's grandmother, officers approached him to convey this sad news and offered all possible assistance. They sensitively asked if he needed help with flights, phone calls, or anything else. They repeatedly asked if he wished to speak to his parents, but he declined,” Yadav said.
The Delhi Police said the CJP had accused the authorities of not relaying the information to Dipke. The video was released after Dipke’s mother accused the police of lying, alleging that her son had not been informed about his grandmother’s demise on Saturday.
CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka, meanwhile, accused the authorities of displaying insensitivity when Dipke was informed about the death.
In the video played at the press conference, a woman in police uniform and a man in plain clothes can be seen speaking to Dipke, who is seated in a room. As the CJP leader covers his face with his hands, the man is seen offering him water.
Dipke’s grandmother, who had been ill for a long time, died at around 11.30 am on Saturday in Hingoli, Maharashtra.
Explaining the action against the CJP leaders, Yadav cited what she described as the party’s past failure to comply with undertakings and local directives.
“Regarding CJP, their past conduct showed a failure to adhere to previously given undertakings and local directives. When permission was granted previously, they did not abide by the law; the crowd they mobilized engaged in heavy stone-pelting, arson, and violence, causing significant damage to public property,” she said.
Yadav said permission for the proposed sit-in protest at Janpath was denied because the party had failed to follow prescribed procedures, had a history of non-compliance with laws and guidelines, and in view of the prevailing security and law-and-order situation.
“To ensure Delhi's security and protect the lives and property of its citizens, Section 133 BNSS was imposed in several areas of the city, prohibiting any form of gathering or protest,” she said.
Yadav added that Dipke and two of his associates were detained on October 10 in connection with the call for a protest at Janpath, as permission for the demonstration had not been granted.
Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were placed under preventive arrest following their detention from inside an aircraft on Saturday. The police had denied permission for the protest, citing procedural requirements and prohibitory orders in force in the New Delhi area.
The three were released on Sunday morning after being produced before an executive magistrate. CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh said they were released on the condition that they would not “breach peace” for a year.
In a statement, the CJP described their release as a “major legal victory”.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>A paparazzi video showed Amitabh Bachchan in colourful traditional attire as he stood on a platform. The actor waved at everyone while greeting the crowd with folded hands. Fans wished him with loud cheers, and many took out their camera phones to record the celebratory moment. He thanked everyone with folded hands and a warm smile as people called out to send their wishes.
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For the occasion, Big B wore a dark maroon kurta and draped it with a Kashmiri Kani pashmina shawl, complemented by his signature glasses and a thin saffron thread tied around his wrist. For 40 years, Amitabh Bachchan has maintained this special birthday tradition of greeting fans outside his Mumbai residence.
Every year, fans come from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat and other states to wish their favourite star on his special day. Several of them bring sweets, cakes and posters as gifts. While some fans dance to beats, others chant his name and wish him a long and healthy life.
Many renowned names from Indian cinema and other fields also sent heartfelt birthday greetings to Big B. Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, Suniel Shetty and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those who wished the megastar on his 84th birthday.
Bachchan was born on October 11, 1942, in Allahabad, now Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Known affectionately as the Shahenshah of Bollywood, he has built a career spanning over five decades in the entertainment industry. His remarkable contributions to Indian cinema have been honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including four National Film Awards for Best Actor, the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001, the Padma Vibhushan in 2015, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2018.
]]>Yesterday, the nation's young came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want. Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India, will walk with us. We will submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice on behalf of the nation, demanding an end to vote chori, halting of SIR and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval and Mohan Bhagwat cannot silence India's voice. These cowards cannot intimidate us. They will have to step aside. We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Daro mat. Tomorrow, all of India will march to the Supreme Court. कल दिल्ली में देश का युवा शांतिपूर्ण विरोध के लिए सड़कों पर उतरा। उनके दिलों में नफ़रत या गुस्सा नहीं, मोहब्बत थी। लेकिन उन्हें पुलिस और BJP के गुंडों, दोनों ने पीटा। ऐसा भारत हम नहीं चाहते। कल, सोमवार 12 अक्टूबर को, हम भारतीय होने के नाते सुप्रीम कोर्ट तक मार्च करेंगे। पार्टी, महिला-पुरुष, जाति, समुदाय और राज्य की हर दीवार से ऊपर उठकर, हम सब एक साथ चलेंगे। देश का युवा, तमाम विपक्षी दल, सिविल सोसाइटी और लोकतंत्र में विश्वास रखने वाले, भारत के संविधान के साथ खड़े सभी लोग हमारे साथ चलेंगे। हम देश की ओर से मुख्य न्यायाधीश को एक ज्ञापन सौंपेंगे। हमारी माँग है - वोट चोरी बंद हो, SIR पर रोक लगे और ज्ञानेश कुमार इस्तीफ़ा दें। नरेंद्र मोदी, अमित शाह, अजित डोभाल और मोहन भागवत भारत की आवाज़ को दबा नहीं सकते। ये कायर हमें डरा नहीं सकते। इन्हें पीछे हटना ही होगा। हम सब साथ चलेंगे - मोहब्बत, भाईचारे और देशभक्ति के साथ। डरो मत। कल पूरा भारत सुप्रीम कोर्ट तक मार्च करेगा। #ChaloDilli
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 11, 2026
Slamming the BJP government, Gandhi posted a video on social media handle X. His post read, “Yesterday, the nation's youth came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons.”
“This is not the India we want,” the post added.
In his post, Gandhi also announced a march to the Supreme Court amid the ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that young demonstrators were beaten during a peaceful protest in Delhi.
“Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community, and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India, will walk with us,” Gandhi said.
He further stated that people would come together as Indians, irrespective of political affiliation, gender, caste, community or state.
A memorandum would be submitted to the Chief Justice of India on behalf of the nation, demanding an end to what he termed “vote chori”, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Gandhi said.
In his post, Gandhi also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, alleging that they could not silence the people's voices.
He asserted that the proposed march would be driven by the principles of love, brotherhood and patriotism.
The Congress leader's remarks come amid an ongoing political confrontation over electoral processes and allegations of irregularities in voter rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the SIR exercise and have demanded accountability from the Election Commission.
Gandhi stressed that the proposed mobilisation would extend beyond party politics and bring together people from different backgrounds in support of democratic values and constitutional rights.
Ending his post with the slogan “Daro mat” (Do not be afraid), he called for people across the country to join the march to the Supreme Court.
]]>Having been put to bat first, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed after scoring three runs in six balls. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma garnered 69 runs off just 30 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and five maximums. Ishan Kishan was dismissed on 37 runs in 18 balls, which included six boundaries and a maximum. Captain Shreyas Iyer also returned to the pavilion on one run which came in two balls.
Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir are unbeaten at the crease.
West Indies' Roston Chase bagged two wickets, whereas Shamar Joseph and Shamar Springer have claimed one wicket each. Keemo Paul and Gudakesh Motie are yet to claim any wickets.
Earlier, West Indies' skipper Shai Hope won the toss and elected to bowl first against the "Men in Blue".
The visitors have made two changes to their playing XI. Romario Shepherd made way for Quentin Sampson, and Keemo Paul came in place of Akeal Hosein.
On the other hand, the "Men in Blue" entered the clash with one change, where Prince Yadav came in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
After winning the toss, Hope said, "I think we all know what I'm going to do, so we're going to bowl first this time again. [Wicketkeeping, all the runs scored - how tough has the tour been on your body?] You just have to remind me that I'm a bit tired every now and again, but it's going to be challenging, obviously, playing all three formats and you're putting your heart out for West Indies. But like I always say, once I cross that line, it's just about putting the best foot forward and try to do as best as I can for the team to win games".
When asked about the tips, he has shared with his teammates, the skipper said, "Yeah, just about learning as quickly as we can, these conditions. A few of the guys have not played here, so just about learning and using the experiences from the first two games and finding the best ways that you can formulate your plans to make it more difficult for them in the long run. Yes, for sure. Again, we always know that catches determine a lot of games sometimes. If we take those chances in that second game, maybe we would be chasing 210, who knows. So you still got to look at the cricket in total. This is T20 cricket, and if we cover all the bases right, we're going to give ourselves the best chance to win games".
Hope then said that his side will enter the clash with two changes, "(Romario Shepherd) He's okay, but obviously slight niggle, so he's (Romario) actually been rested today, and Quentin (Sampson) is going to come in, and Kimmo Paul is going to come in for Akeal".
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav.
West Indies: Shai Hope (C) (WK), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Shamar Springer, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
]]>The doctor stated that Nana Patekar suffered a heart attack caused by a blood clot, a condition that occurred when a blood clot obstructed the left main coronary artery, responsible for supplying blood to a substantial portion of the heart. The postmortem report mentions the cause of death as "acute myocardial infarction due to left main coronary artery thrombosis secondary to atherosclerotic occlusive coronary artery disease, a natural cause of death."
Doctor at the hospital revealed that the actor's caretaker had requested an ambulance to the medical facility after Nana Patekar's condition deteriorated. An ambulance was then sent to his residence, located near the private hospital. Despite resuscitation attempts for 45 minutes using CPR, Patekar, unfortunately, couldn't be revived and was pronounced dead at 5.10 am, a doctor had said, suspecting a heart attack.
The mortal remains were later taken to GMCH, where an autopsy was conducted.
Nana Patekar's son, Malhar, travelled to Goa to bring his father's body home. The remains were taken to Pune before being moved to the veteran actor's farmhouse in Donje village for his last rites, which were held with full state honours.
A huge crowd was gathered to bid adieu to the departed soul. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also paid their respects. Several members of the film fraternity, including Jackie Shroff, directors Anil Sharma, Aneez Bazmee, and producer Firoz Nadiadwala, arrived to attend the last rites of the Bollywood veteran.
Nana Patekar, who had a career spanning more than four decades, was honoured with the Padma Shri for his remarkable contribution to Hindi and Marathi cinema. He was last seen in Subedar, which was released on Prime Video and also starred Anil Kapoor and Radhika Madan in lead roles.
]]>After 15 years, Ekta Kapoor has confirmed that there will be a sequel to The Dirty Picture, and she is currently working on it. In a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, the producer revealed that she has a story to tell through the upcoming sequel.
The Free Press Journal quoted her saying, "One very big film I’m making is The Dirty Picture 2. I’m planning it after 15 years. This time, I believe there is a story I want to tell. The Dirty Picture was about Silk Smitha. It was about a woman who was condemned for standing up against her sexuality. Ab sexuality is about your choice. Maine kabhi usse victim ki tarah nahi dekha. I saw her as someone who celebrated her sexuality, and the film did so well."
Ekta Kapoor further added that The Dirty Picture 2 will revolve around a prominent figure like Silk Smitha, but avoided sharing whose public life she would showcase, stating that she will announce something major soon.
Released in December 2011, The Dirty Picture was based on the life of the late South Indian actress Silk Smitha, who began her journey in the entertainment industry at the age of 18 and quickly rose to stardom. However, being typecast, career setbacks and relationship failures pushed her into a deep state of depression. She eventually committed suicide and left behind a legacy at the age of 38 that is still cherished by film enthusiasts.
While the announcement of The Dirty Picture 2 has sparked eagerness about the much-awaited sequel, information about its cast, storyline and release date has still not been disclosed. Ektaa Kapoor has yet to officially announce it.
]]>Officials stated that most of those detained in the locality have been taken to Shivaji Park police station. Some have been taken to other nearby police stations, they added.
Legal action will be taken against individuals assembling at Shivaji Park to protest without acquiring permission from authorities, a senior police official said.
The area is experiencing heavy police deployment as well as barricaded roads amid ongoing efforts by authorities to ensure there are no unauthorised protests.
On Saturday, police had detained around 600 people from numerous locations in Mumbai for protesting without permission in solidarity with CJP.
The demonstrations had taken place at the August Kranti Maidan, Hutatma Chowk and other locations in the metropolis.
The CJP has been protesting against alleged irregularities in voter rolls and is seeking Chief Election Commission Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
A first information report (FIR) has been registered against 12 named accused, including Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, activist Shailendra Kamble, Prakash Reddy and actor Imran Khan, along with 350 others, in connection with Saturday’s protest at August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai.
The case was registered at Gamdevi Police Station and invokes five sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly.
The sections invoked are Section 223, pertaining to disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant; Section 126(2), pertaining to wrongful restraint; and Sections 189(2), 189(3) and 189(5), which deal with membership of an unlawful assembly, continuing in such an assembly despite an order to disperse, and joining or continuing in an unlawful assembly while armed with a deadly weapon, respectively.
The FIR comes a day after Mumbai Police detained around 600 people during demonstrations planned in solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>
In a post on X, Thackeray wrote: “The bjp is in such fear that even in Mumbai they’re detaining students who are protesting peacefully but fearlessly against a regime.”
He further alleged that Mumbai Police was being made to take orders from “the very top — the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force.”
The bjp is in such fear that even in Mumbai they’re detaining students who are protesting peacefully but fearlessly against a regime. The mumbai police, it seems, now is being made to take orders from the very top- the very top that is hiding behind barricades of the police force. Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also we will stand by you legally.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 11, 2026
Addressing those detained, Thackeray said: “Do let us know where all you are being taken. We are coming. Also we will stand by you legally.”
His remarks hours after Mumbai Police filed a first information report (FIR) on 12 named people, including Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi and actor Imran Khan, and around 300 others during a solidarity gathering at August Kranti Maidan in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest in Delhi. The protest in the national capital was demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Thackeray and other leaders had visited a police station following the detentions.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over detentions linked to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests, describing the agitation as a broader movement for democracy and accusing the government of suppressing dissent, news agency ANI reported.
Addressing a press conference, Raut said the protests were not limited to the CJP but represented a movement led by students and young people.
"This issue is not limited to the CJP alone; it is a revolution by students and the youth. When students across the country take to the streets, it is called a revolution," Raut said.
Comparing the government's alleged response to protests with the actions of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler during his final days, Raut claimed that opposition leaders and protesters were being targeted through detentions.
"Hitler used this same kind of behaviour in Germany during his final days. Suppressing the protest. Arresting the opposition. Keeping people locked up in the house...The agitation has not stopped. Former Chief Ministers and Members of Parliament are being detained. A regime of detention and police rule prevails in the country. One must admit that an Emergency-like situation exists in the nation," he said.
Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's call for a protest in Delhi from Monday, Raut said he would travel to the national capital to join the demonstrations.
"Rahul Gandhi has called everyone to Delhi starting tomorrow, and we, too, will remain in Delhi. Whether we face arrest or police gunfire, we will stand tall and fight for democracy," he said.
Raut accused the BJP of turning India into a "Banana Republic" and alleged that people dressed in saffron had been deployed to deal with protesters. He also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the handling of the demonstrations.
"Mogambo Modi, this time, Mogambo won't be happy; this time, Mogambo will weep, flee, and go underground," Raut said.
Alleging a heavy security deployment around Shah's residence in Delhi, Raut claimed that 1.5 lakh armed police personnel had been deployed in the area, with forces summoned from Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Assam.
He also alleged that dissent was emerging within the BJP and predicted divisions within the ruling party. Raut claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi would not remain in power beyond March.
Raut further criticised the detention of Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, during the protests in Mumbai, calling the incident shameful and demanding an apology from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Tushar Gandhi cannot be kept in a lockup. The claim that he was being taken for a medical checkup is false," Raut said, alleging that Gandhi had been taken away through a back exit and transported to Borivali instead of Santacruz.
Raut also accused the Centre of failing to address concerns over the detentions in Delhi and questioned the security arrangements around the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>During the match, the visitors' skipper Shai Hope delivered a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 102 runs. Facing just 45 balls, he smashed six boundaries and nine maximums.
With this, he also breached the 11,000-run mark in international cricket.
Speaking about him, former West Indies' cricketer Dwayne Bravo said that Hope is one of the best in the world. The former cricketer is also hopeful that people will talk more about Hope.
"He is a great player. He is one of the best in the world, and I am very happy to see that he continues to show the world his talent. Hopefully, people talk more about him, and he gets the respect he deserves. And, you know, uh, it is good for West Indies cricket as well, and hopefully they can win the next game and win the series," said Bravo.
Overall in T20s, Hope has scored 6,246 runs in 232 matches and 227 innings at an average of 31.86 and a strike rate of 129.63, with five centuries and 32 fifties and a best score of an unbeaten 118 runs.
Coming to the ODIs, the batter is WI's second-highest century-getter with 21 tons, just five away from toppling Chris Gayle (25 tons). Hope has scored 6,590 runs at an average of 51.48 with 21 tons and 32 fifties in 158 matches and 152 innings.
This year is shaping up to be WI skipper's best year across formats, with 1,229 runs scored in 27 matches and 28 innings at an average of 53.43 and a strike rate of almost 88, including four centuries and seven fifties, including a best score of an unbeaten 162 runs.
Currently, the five-match T20I series is tied at 1-1. Both teams will lock horns with each other in the third T20I match on October 11 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>Addressing a meeting with a Central drought assessment team at his official residence, Varsha, Fadnavis said the government was prioritising technology-driven planning for drought relief, with particular emphasis on drinking water, livelihood support and the protection of livestock.
He expressed confidence that the Central team would submit a report to the Union Government on the ground situation in drought-affected areas, helping convey the severity of the crisis.
Fadnavis said the first two months of the monsoon had witnessed good rainfall, raising expectations of a record agricultural yield. However, a nearly two-month-long dry spell followed when crops were at the flowering stage, severely affecting soybean cultivation in several areas. Cotton, tur and sugarcane crops were also affected.
With water scarcity reducing the prospects of rabi sowing and leaving little scope for summer crops, farmers would have limited opportunities to make up for kharif losses in subsequent seasons, he said. Small farmers who also depend on agricultural labour for their livelihoods were facing additional financial difficulties.
The government would therefore plan assistance through employment generation and food security schemes, CM Fadnavis said.
Fadnavis said that while recent rainfall had benefited major cities such as Mumbai and Pune, water sources had dried up in several parts of the state, particularly in smaller rural settlements. These areas would require extensive tanker-based water supply arrangements.
The state government was preparing a technology-enabled system to ensure that water tankers reached villages in a planned and transparent manner.
The first allocation of available water has been reserved for drinking purposes until August 2027. Separate provisions have been made for the drinking water requirements of people and livestock, with water for other uses to be made available only after these needs are met, he said.
The government would ensure strict implementation of the water allocation plan, Fadnavis added.
The state plans to undertake desilting, repairs and restoration of water storage structures through various Central and state government schemes.
Fadnavis said similar works carried out earlier in 25,000 villages had provided relief to affected areas even when they faced a water deficit of 15 to 17 per cent. The government would use software and mobile applications to ensure transparency in implementing such works.
Fadnavis said fodder stocks available across various districts were estimated to last between 90 and 120 days. The government would encourage fodder production in watershed areas where soil moisture remained available and procure available fodder at government-declared rates before arranging for its storage.
If necessary, the state would also explore procuring fodder from other states that had received adequate rainfall. Fodder depots and cattle camps would be considered wherever required to protect livestock.
The government would also involve rural residents in water conservation works, including repairs to existing structures and construction of new ones under the ridge-to-valley approach. These activities would create local employment while helping communities cope with the drought, Fadnavis said.
CM Fadnavis said the state government would submit a detailed, data-based memorandum in accordance with the Centre's criteria. The Union Agriculture Minister had contacted the state regarding an advance memorandum, which had subsequently been submitted.
Fadnavis also said the Union Home Minister had assured the state that an inter-ministerial group meeting would be convened soon to expedite the assistance process.
Although crop insurance coverage remained relatively low, the state would work with the Central government to ensure that insured farmers received their benefits at the earliest, he said.
The meeting was attended by Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil, and the Central drought assessment team led by Muktanand Agrawal, a Union Joint Secretary, among other officials.
Three Central teams had inspected farms, water sources and drought-affected villages in Ahilyanagar, Solapur, Jalna, Beed, Dharashiv, Washim and Yavatmal districts. The teams also interacted with farmers to assess conditions on the ground.
]]>In a conversation with SCREEN, the actress recalled, "I was at my cousin’s wedding and at that time I got a call asking if I could come the next day. So literally, I left the wedding procession, and ran to Hyderabad. My flight was at 5 AM. I didn’t sleep all night. “They said, ‘No, no, just come. Tomorrow we’ll just do the reading, and start shooting the day after.’ So when I arrived, they said, ‘We’re reading the script and we just want to see the look.’ And when I came, they said, ‘okay fine, now let’s come and shoot’."
RRR marked Shriya's second collaboration with SS Rajamouli following Chatrapathi in 2005, which featured Prabhas.
Beyond the chaos with which she joined the project, Shriya also recalled the atmosphere on Rajamouli's sets. She said, "One thing I’ll always remember working on his film is that everyone always has lunch together. Everyone is out and they all sit together to have lunch. And Rama Ma’am, his wife, brings homemade food from home. The cameraman and everyone else, we all sit together, discussing which scenes we’re doing, talking about movies and movies that inspire other people. It’s just so much fun to do that with him."
On the professional front, Shriya recently starred in Abhishek Pathak's Drishyam 3: The Conclusion. The film is currently having a solid run in theatres and has surpassed the Rs 400 crore mark.
]]>As per the official press note, the competition was held on October 9 and 10 at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty, Kochi, as part of c0c0n 2026, an international security and hacking conference.
Badola was felicitated by Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan for his achievement.
The competition was organised by Kerala Police in collaboration with the Information Security Research Association (ISRA).
The c0c0n 2026 conference brought together cybersecurity professionals and law-enforcement personnel to discuss emerging cyber threats, security technologies and investigative capabilities.
Participants represented various law-enforcement organisations, including state police units, intelligence agencies and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The 2026 edition marked CISF's first participation in the competition. Badola's second-place finish highlights the role of specialised technical expertise in strengthening the force's capabilities to address emerging cyber threats.
With critical infrastructure increasingly dependent on digital systems, cybersecurity and digital investigation skills have become important components of the broader security landscape.
The CISF continues to emphasise professional competence and technological preparedness as part of its responsibility to secure critical infrastructure across the country.
Badola's performance at LEA CTF 2.0 marks a notable achievement for the force, underscoring the growing importance of cybersecurity proficiency and digital investigation capabilities in modern law enforcement.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) conducted its Annual Anti-Hijacking Mock Exercise (AHME) 2026 at the CISF Airport Security Group (ASG), Navi Mumbai, on September 22 as part of an approved contingency plan.
The force said in a post on X that the exercise involved a simulated scenario in which a hijacked aircraft landed at Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Personnel from the CISF, Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL), Navi Mumbai Police, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Security Guard (NSG), airlines, medical services, Air Traffic Control (ATC), Krystal and the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) participated in the exercise, ANI reported.
Jammu West MLA Arvind Gupta said the heavy rainfall was unexpected as the monsoon season had nearly ended, and flooding within two hours caused extensive damage in several areas.
Gupta said the flooding occurred on the first day of Navratri, when many families were preparing for puja at home and had not anticipated such a situation. He said no loss of life was reported in the incident.
Speaking to ANI, Gupta said, "... heavy rainfall was unexpected, as the monsoon season had nearly ended. Within just two hours, flooding caused extensive damage in several areas... As it was the first day of Navratri, many families were preparing for puja at home and had not anticipated such flooding. No loss of life was reported..."
On Thursday, a hailstorm accompanied by rain and gusty winds lashed parts of the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, amid a sudden change of weather, damaging standing crops and raising concerns among farmers over significant losses.
The intense hailstorm lasted for around ten minutes and affected several areas of the district, with farmers reporting damage to standing crops following the spell of hail, rain and strong winds.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for a thunderstorm accompanied by light rain and gusty winds between 41 and 61 kilometres per hour. An alert has also been issued for neighbouring districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Gandrebal, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Raesi and Rajouri.
The department is keeping a close watch in other parts of the Union Territory. A yellow alert warning has been issued for Bandipora and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir for October 9 and 10.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The directions from the Supreme Court came amid proceedings concerning alleged restrictions on movement, detentions and other measures.
The apex court also issued notice in contempt proceedings alleging violation of its October 9 order and directed the authorities concerned to submit a compliance report by Tuesday, October 13.
The Court said Delhi Metro and railway services must operate normally, adding that restrictions would be permissible only when justified under Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
It also directed that internet services remain available in accordance with the law, without affecting the statutory powers of authorities to impose lawful restrictions.
On the movement of people and vehicles across Delhi, the Court said unnecessary obstructions must be avoided. It directed authorities to immediately review barricades based on law-and-order requirements and traffic conditions.
Taking the cognisance of the situation, the Court emphasised that no unlawful detention would be permitted and that any detention must comply with legally established procedures.
It also said peaceful assemblies must be allowed in accordance with the law, particularly in areas where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are not in force.
Additionally, the Court directed that any notice board announcing Section 163 restrictions near the Supreme Court be removed, if it was still in place, to ensure unhindered access to the Supreme Court and other courts.
During the hearing, the Court recorded an assurance that lawyers, journalists and other professionals would not be obstructed while performing their duties.
The directions underline the need to ensure that restrictions imposed for law-and-order purposes do not unnecessarily interfere with access to courts or the professional responsibilities of those working in the legal and media sectors.
The Supreme Court also issued notice in contempt proceedings alleging non-compliance with its October 9 order. The authorities have been directed to file a compliance report by Tuesday, October 13.
The report must include details of restrictions imposed on Metro services and advisories issued concerning railway operations.
The Supreme Court had also directed that habeas corpus petitions alleging mass detentions, along with other connected matters, be heard with the main cases on October 13.
Observing its constitutional responsibility under Article 32, the Court said the State must explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged detentions, the manner in which they were carried out and the legal justification for the action.
The Court further reiterated that it is duty-bound under Article 32 to protect and enforce fundamental rights.
]]>Rajkummar and his 'Hum Do Humare Do' co-star, Kriti Sanon, had appeared as guests at 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 13' hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. During the episode, Rajkummar recalled a heartfelt gesture by Big B for his late mother, who passed away in 2016. He revealed that his mother was a very big fan of Big B and often expressed her wish to meet him.
Sharing the emotional incident, Rajkummar said, "When she died, I felt really guilty that I wasn't able to get her to meet you. That very night, I contacted you and told you about it. I asked you if it would be possible for you to make a short video for her, and I will not show it to anyone else, and I'll just play the video in front of her photo because she just wanted to meet you once."
Big B immediately sent a video, which Rajkummar had played in front of his mom's picture. However, what happened next left the 'Aligarh' actor shocked.
Rajkummar shared that after he played it once in front of his mother's picture, the video mysteriously disappeared from the pen drive.
"The video was supposed to be only between you and her," said an emotional Rajkummar. It remains unclear what exactly happened to that video.
For those who do not know, Rajkummar shared screen space with Big B in the 2010 release 'Rann'. While Amitabh Bachchan played the lead role of a media baron Vijay Harshvardhan Malik in the project, Rajkummar had a cameo appearance as a newsreader.
'Rann' happens to be the only film featuring the two actors together.
]]>
According to the press note issued by D.B. Marg Police Station, the theft took place beneath Kennedy Bridge on S.V.P. Road, near Queen Mary School in the Grant Road area of Mumbai.
Following a complaint, the police registered a case on October 6, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and launched an investigation.
During the probe, the police used technical analysis and information received from confidential informers to trace the alleged gang involved in such thefts. The accused were subsequently arrested from Nagpada, Bandra and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the press release stated.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammed Ejaz Mohammed Isha Hajam, 39; Mohammed Shoaib Ahmed Sheikh, 51; Shah Alam Abdul Rashid Sheikh, 26; Ramzan Rafiq Khan, 26; and Azam Fakruddin Qureshi, 34.
The police said the stolen copper cable, measuring approximately 12 metres and valued at Rs 30,000, was recovered during the investigation. The press note also stated that cases involving similar offences have been registered against the accused at other police stations.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of senior police officers, including Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ragsudha R. and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dnyaneshwar Wagh.
The investigation team included D.B. Marg Police Station's Senior Police Inspector Nitin Dalvi, Police Inspector (Crime) Prashant Patil, Assistant Police Inspectors Sumesha Pawar and Santosh Yevale, along with other police personnel.
]]>The ‘Hum Sath Sath Hai’ actress said she learned a lot from Munawar during the first season and feels more prepared this time around. Speaking to IANS, Sonali recalled sharing the hosting duties with comedian Munawar in the first season and said she often found herself laughing while listening to him.
“In the first season of ‘Pati Patni Aur Panga,' I was hosting for the first time with Munawar, who is such a presentable person, a stand-up comic. Sometimes, I forget that I have to host because I enjoy listening to him and I start laughing. I learned a lot from him, and I think I have prepared a little more in the second season,” she said.
The actress added that she was still finding her feet during the first season but has become more comfortable with the show. “In the first season, I was finding my feet, and I am enjoying it even more,” she said.
Calling ‘Pati Patni Aur Panga’ an original Indian show, Sonali said its concept celebrates the unique nature of marriages in the country and the many emotions and entertaining moments that come with them.
“It is a home-grown IP, an original show of India. And I feel that ‘Pati Patni Aur Panga’ is celebrating marriages. Marriage, and Indian marriage, is such a major thing and such a different thing in the world. There are no such marriages like Indian marriages,” she said.
Explaining what makes Indian marriages special, the ‘Sarfarosh’ actess said they bring together a wide range of emotions, celebrations and playful interactions between couples. “In our marriages, there are all kinds of entertainment. There is drama, love, fight, anger, getting angry, celebrating, eating, drinking, dancing, singing. And on top of that, there is also roasting. The girls are teasing the boys, and the boys are teasing the girls.”
Sonali believes the show captures these different aspects of relationships and the lively spirit of Indian marriages. “So all these entertainments and relationships, and the way our Indian marriages are, ‘Pati Patni Aur Panga’ is a great show like that,” she added.
Reflecting on the response to the first season, Bendre mentioned she was initially unsure how viewers would receive the show. However, the audience's love encouraged the makers to return with another season.
“When we were doing the first season, I didn't know how the audience would like it or not. Now we know that the audience gave us so much love that we are bringing the second season. So we will enjoy this season even more. And I hope that you will enjoy this season even more,” explained Sonali.
The second season features Rahul Vaidya and Disha Parmar, Arjun Bijlani and Neha Swami Bijlani, Shabir Ahluwalia and Kanchi Kaul, Deepika Singh and Rohit Raj Goyal, Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya and Vivek Dahiya, Manoj Tiwari and Surabhi Tiwari, and Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi. The show premiered on October 10 on JioHotstar.
-IANSps/
]]>Hundreds of protesters were detained as security forces prevented a planned demonstration by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) from reaching Jantar Mantar in central Delhi.
The protest was called to demand electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of manipulation of voter lists. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied the allegations.
In a statement on Saturday, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the office was "concerned by reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today's large-scale demonstrations in Delhi".
"We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and fulfilled," it said. "Restrictions on peaceful protests must meet strict tests of necessity and proportionality."
Al-Kheetan also called on Indian authorities to ensure that law enforcement personnel exercise "utmost restraint" in responding to peaceful protesters, consistent with the country's democratic traditions and human rights obligations.
"All those arbitrarily detained must be immediately and unconditionally released," he said.
The UN also urged the authorities to "engage in meaningful dialogue to address the broadly held concerns expressed".
The CJP had planned to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, a landmark in central Delhi.
Delhi Police had refused permission for the protest, and heavy security measures and roadblocks prevented most demonstrators from reaching the area.
The CJP's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and two other leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained shortly after their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi, the group said.
Delhi Police have not publicly commented on their detentions.
The CJP and opposition parties have accused CEC Kumar of favouring the BJP in the updating of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has said its nationwide revision of voter lists, termed Special Intensive Revision (SIR), is a routine exercise to remove the names of dead, duplicate or ineligible voters.
While tens of thousands of people in several states have alleged that their names were wrongly removed from electoral rolls, the Election Commission has denied allegations of political interference.
The CJP is a Gen Z-led satirical movement that is not registered as a political party. It emerged in May after its founder, Dipke, posted a question on X in response to India's chief justice likening some unemployed young people to "cockroaches". The post went viral, and the movement was born.
The group became a major protest movement during weeks of demonstrations over the summer, demanding education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests ended in July after Pradhan resigned.
The CJP has now returned to the streets demanding electoral reforms and the resignation of CEC Kumar.
The BJP criticised Saturday's protests, accusing opposition groups led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and associates of Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal of trying to destabilise the country.
BJP president Nitin Nabin alleged that the groups were pursuing their political agendas "at the behest of foreign forces".
He also accused them of refusing to accept the people's verdict and trying to create instability instead. He added that Indian democracy was strong enough to thwart their efforts.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The case was registered at Gamdevi Police Station and invokes five sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly.
The sections invoked are Section 223, pertaining to disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant; Section 126(2), pertaining to wrongful restraint; and Sections 189(2), 189(3) and 189(5), which deal with membership of an unlawful assembly, continuing in such an assembly despite an order to disperse, and joining or continuing in an unlawful assembly while armed with a deadly weapon, respectively.
The FIR comes a day after Mumbai Police detained around 600 people during demonstrations planned in solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi.
Tushar Gandhi, who heads the civil society organisation Hum Bharat Ke Log, was picked up from Bandra while heading towards August Kranti Maidan, where a solidarity gathering had been planned for 3.30 pm. He was taken to DN Nagar Police Station. Gandhi said on social media that he had been arrested, while the police maintained that he had only been detained.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray visited DN Nagar Police Station to express solidarity with Gandhi.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Zone 2, Ragasudha R, said on Saturday that no application seeking permission for the protest at August Kranti Maidan had been submitted to Gamdevi Police Station.
Senior police officers also maintained that the maidan was not a designated protest venue, citing a Bombay High Court order.
]]>He celebrated his iconic voice, distinctive mannerisms, and unparalleled screen presence as the Bollywood legend turned 84 on Sunday. Taking to social media, Kamal highlighted how Bachchan has made even the simplest gestures memorable. He also praised his deep baritone, dramatic pauses, and expressive raised eyebrow.
“He made the baritone iconic, the pause dramatic, and the raised eyebrow a plot twist. Amit Ji can make even a simple ‘Deviyon aur Sajjano’ sound like a blockbuster opening. The man has always been in a league of his own. Happy Birthday, Angry Young Man! @SrBachchan,” Kamal wrote.
He also shared a throwback photograph featuring his witty exchange with Big B from one of their projects. The two actors can be seen enacting a scene in the picture.
Kamal and Amitabh have shared screen space in two notable films over the years. Their first collaboration was in the 1985 Hindi action drama “Geraftaar,” directed by Prayag Raaj. The two actors portrayed estranged brothers, Karan and Kishan Kumar Khanna, respectively. The film also featured Rajinikanth in an extended cameo, bringing three of Indian cinema’s biggest stars together.
The duo also reunited on screen in Nag Ashwin’s 2024 science-fiction epic “Kalki 2898 AD.” While Bachchan played the immortal warrior Ashwatthama, Haasan essayed the antagonist Supreme Yaskin. The two are set to share screen space again in the film’s upcoming sequel, “Kalki 2898 AD Part 2.”
Amitabh Bachchan marked his 84th birthday on October 11, prompting an outpouring of wishes from members of the film fraternity. Actors Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty were among the celebrities who took to social media to convey their greetings to the legendary star and celebrate his enduring impact on Indian cinema.
]]>
She relived some precious memories with her dad through a couple of throwback photos on social media. Shilpa admitted that even after a decade, she misses her father every single day. She added that she finds comfort thinking that her father is looking after her from wherever he is right now.
Shilpa expressed her longing for her late father with an emotional post that read, "10 years without you, Dad. Miss you every single day… some days a little more. (Red heart and hug emoji) The only consolation is knowing you’re in a better place, watching over us and blessing us. (Halo emoji) Forever in our hearts. (Red heart emoji) (sic)."
Shamita Shetty also paid a heartfelt tribute to her late father with a nostalgic post that went, "Time passes, life moves forward, and the world keeps turning, but some parts of your heart remain forever where you left them. (Red heart emoji) love you Daddy (Red heart emoji) miss u (sic)."
For those who do not know, Shilpa's father passed away on October 11, 2016. He breathed his last at his home in Versova, Mumbai, after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was immediately rushed to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital; however, he was pronounced dead.
Every year, both Shilpa and Shamita remember their father on his death anniversary with emotional posts on social media.
On the professional front, Shilpa last graced the screen in the Kannada film ‘KD: The Devil’.
Penned and directed by Prem, the drama saw Dhruva Sarja in the title role, along with Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, V. Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Reeshma Nanaiah, and Nora Fatehi in ancillary roles, along with others.
'KD: The Devil' got a theatrical release on 30 April 2026.
pm/
]]>UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply shocked" by Saturday's attack on Riyadh's airport, which killed 12 people and wounded over 300, according to aviation authorities.
"Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. These attacks must cease immediately," Guterres said in a statement.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called the attack a "dangerous escalation" and said the Iran-backed group must halt strikes on civilian targets.
"These attacks by Iran's proxies are pushing the region into a spiral of violence. They are destabilizing crucial global transport and energy nodes with shockwave sent through the world," von der Leyen said.
"These murderous attacks at civilians must stop at once," she said, adding the EU stands in "solidarity with Saudi Arabia".
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he "firmly condemns" the attack, which he described as "a terrorist act against Saudi Arabia and civil aviation".
"Our thoughts are with the victims and I send my sincere condolences to their loved ones," he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting said the attacks were "contemptible" and a "dangerous escalation".
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>In a video posted on X, Dhruv Rathee said that around 20 people in plain clothes entered his house around 7 am on Saturday while he was sleeping.
The YouTuber further claimed that they took him away before he could ask who they were.
He further said that he was taken to different police stations and was not allowed to contact his lawyer or access a phone for around 22-23 hours. He also claimed he sustained injuries while being taken out of his bedroom.
Rathee said, "I was not detained, I was kidnapped,", describing his experience and questioning the manner in which he was taken from his residence.
Addressing rumours about his citizenship, Rathee also displayed his passport in the video and asserted that he is an Indian citizen. He also rejected claims that he had not intended to participate in the protest.
Rathee was detained at his Gurugram residence ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
The demonstration was called to demand the CEC's resignation over concerns about the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
In the video, Rathee criticised the restrictions imposed ahead of the protest and described the situation as an "unofficial emergency". He said he would continue to raise his voice on issues concerning the country.
Rathee further claimed that people were monitoring his movements and that he was unable to leave his house.
Dhruv Rathee, who was detained by Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, was released late on Saturday night, an official said on Sunday.
"He can be detained again, or further legal action might be taken if he tries to go to Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders," a police source said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Isaias roared ashore late Friday as a Category 2 hurricane near the resort community of Destin, packing sustained winds of 105 miles (165 kilometers) per hour before weakening overnight, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
It was the first hurricane of an Atlantic season tamed by a historic El Nino weather phenomenon, and the first hurricane since 2024 to hit the US mainland.
In Mary Esther, a coastal community near Destin, Matt Howard said he was fortunate the storm weakened ahead of landfall.
Despite losing power and having his neighbor's metal shed crash into his backyard, "overall, we were okay," he told AFP.
"We hunkered down, got in the center of our house, and did all the things you're supposed to do, and luckily came out on the other side," he said.
Officials reported at least four deaths related to the storm, including two from trees falling on homes, one near Pensacola in Florida and another in Birmingham, Alabama.
AFP reporters saw overturned vehicles, downed trees and power lines, and numerous buildings with damaged roofs.
Streets along the coast were largely deserted after authorities ordered mandatory evacuations ahead of the storm.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned at a briefing Saturday afternoon that threats remained even though the storm had passed.
"Just be careful out there. Downed power lines, standing water, any of that can be very, very hazardous. Don't run any generators inside your home or inside your garage," he said.
The governor's warning came after a man was found dead in Florida earlier in the day with a generator running in his garage, CNN reported.
Around 440,000 US customers were without electricity Saturday night along the storm's path through Florida, Alabama and Georgia, according to the PowerOutage.com tracker.
The US Department of Energy on Saturday authorized the release of up to four million barrels of reserve crude to stave off the impact of Isaias's path through the Gulf coast region, the country's oil refining hub.
A major flood threat remained as the storm headed northward and inland. The NHC warned that some areas could see upwards of 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain.
"Considerable flash flooding and landslides are also possible across the Southern Appalachians," it warned in a briefing.
The threat was particularly worrying in the mountains of North Carolina, where communities are still recovering from hurricane Helene of 2024.
That storm made landfall in the same Florida region as Isaias, but remained at tropical storm strength as it moved northward, dumping record amounts of rainfall into the mountains and leading to deadly flooding.
Isaias's late arrival this season is largely due to an El Nino of historic strength.
El Nino, the warm phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), creates strong vertical wind shear over the Atlantic that tends to tear storms apart.
"We have been seeing basically nearly record strong shear throughout the Atlantic Basin this year, and that is consistent with what we'd expect to see with a strong El Nino event," Michael Fischer, of the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, told AFP.
In the Pacific, it has the opposite effect, weakening shear and allowing storms to grow. The Pacific has already produced several hurricanes this year, some of which hit maximum Category 5 strength.
Mexico's Baja California and the bordering US state of California were bracing for the landfall of the weakening post-tropical cyclone Rachel, expected late Saturday, as the much stronger Hurricane Simon was anticipated to make landfall Sunday in western Mexico.
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]]>According to IANS, the FIR was registered at Gamdevi Police Station under Sections 223, 126(2), 189(2), 189(3) and 189(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The provisions relate to offences including disobedience to an order, wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly. Police personnel have filed the complaint.
Mumbai Police said more than 400 people were detained during Saturday’s demonstration. Imran was among those taken into custody, along with his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, and cousin, Zayn Marie Khan. Both women also shared updates about their detention on social media.
Following his detention, Imran posted a picture of himself inside a police van, accompanying it with a tongue-in-cheek caption, “Apparently I'm going for a drive.”
View this post on Instagram
In another video circulating on social media, the Delhi Belly actor was heard greeting police personnel with “Jai Hind”. He also spoke about being taken into custody, saying he was unclear about the reason for his detention. “I honestly don't know why I have been brought here. They picked all of us from the streets and asked us to sit in the vans,” he said.
Imran further revealed that he and the others were driven around in the police van for approximately two hours before being released. His girlfriend Lekha and cousin Zayn also posted updates from inside the vehicle, documenting their experience.
Before entering the police van, Imran clarified that he was not representing any political organisation and had no specific demands of his own. He said his presence at the protest was simply as a citizen. “Sir, I don't have any demands; I don't have any status to demand anything from people. Nor am I a part of any organisation, so I don't speak as a representative,” he said.
The Mumbai demonstration was held in solidarity with the CJP protest in Delhi, which sought Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over concerns surrounding the SIR exercise. The latest police action follows the detention of hundreds of demonstrators in the city.
The FIR names Imran and others in connection with the protest. Further details about the case and the allegations against those detained are awaited.
]]>Following the incident, a case regarding this incident has been registered at the Lakshminagar Police Station in Pune.
According to the police, the complainant, Kanjasheri Vaidyanathan Venkatesan (80), is a retired employee of an automotive manufacturing company, residing in the Yerwada area of Pune.
The accused called him, claiming to be from the ECI's office, and stated that he needed to update his voter card.
Subsequently, the accused instructed him to download an APK file. After the file was downloaded, the accused gained access to the victim's mobile screen, compromised his banking passwords, and fraudulently syphoned off Rs. 5 lakh, as per IANS.
A case has been registered at the Lakshminagar Police Station under Sections 308, 318(4), and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 66(D) and 66(C) of the IT Act.
The full name and address of the accused have not yet been ascertained.
Pune police officials said that the investigation into the case is currently underway, and further details are awaited, as per IANS.
In a similar case reported from Pune in June, a retired IT professional was allegedly duped of more than Rs 4.43 crore by fraudsters posing as investment experts on WhatsApp and Telegram, as per IANS.
The accused reportedly lured the victim with promises of extraordinary returns through stock market investments and displayed fictitious profits worth over Rs 26 crore on a fake online trading platform before demanding additional payments in the name of service charges.
According to the complaint, the accused repeatedly instructed him to transfer funds into various bank accounts for investment purposes.
Believing the investment opportunity to be genuine, Chaudhary allegedly transferred a total of Rs 4,43,25,000 from his IDFC Bank account into 34 separate bank accounts over a period of time.
Encouraged by the displayed returns, the complainant sought to withdraw the amount. However, according to the complaint, the accused informed him that withdrawals could only be processed after the payment of a service charge equivalent to five per cent of the displayed profits.
The victim was allegedly informed that a payment exceeding Rs 1 crore was mandatory before any withdrawal request could be processed and that no amount would be released without the service charge being deposited first.
It was at this stage, according to the complaint, that the victim began to suspect that he had become the target of a sophisticated fraud scheme.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The deceased student has been identified as Aditya, a resident of Bihar's Purnia district.
As per IANS, the student's death sparked outrage among students at the institute. The students alleged a lack of timely medical assistance and negligence on the part of the management.
Following the death of the student, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also taken cognisance of the incident.
According to preliminary information, the incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 10. When there was no response from the room, his roommate knocked on the door. When there was no response, the door was somehow opened.
When the deceased’s roommate found the room locked from inside, he knocked on the door. However, when there was no response, the door was somehow opened from outside. The student was found unconscious inside the room. People attempted to revive him by administering CPR.
Students allege that medical assistance was not provided in a timely manner. According to them, hostel caretaker Deepak Roshan left the scene with his colleague Akash. The on-duty doctor, Dr Kunj Bihari Khare, has also been accused of being in an inebriated state and leaving the scene, as per IANS.
Students also claim that security personnel were also inebriated, and Aditya was taken to an ambulance about 45 minutes later. He was later taken to Medica Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Following the student's death, protests erupted in the hostel. Students allege that there is already an ongoing agitation over the lack of basic facilities at the institute.
The students also said that if an ambulance and oxygen had been available on time, the student's life could have been saved.
Ranchi Sadar DSP Sanjeev Besra stated, “The police are investigating the case. The cause of death and other aspects related to the incident are being investigated. The family has also been informed,” as per IANS.
Meanwhile, National Human Rights Commission member Priyank Kanoongo stated on X that the Commission has taken cognisance of the incident.
"We are taking cognisance of the incident of the untimely death of a first-year student at IIIT Ranchi. The Commission will also investigate this matter regarding the delay in the student receiving treatment, administrative negligence, and the circumstances of the alleged suicide, also the cause of death. We are going to issue necessary directions to the Law Enforcement Authorities and Investigation Agencies, including the Ministry of Education," he stated.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The actor, who has worked in Hindi television serials and web series, has been placed under protective custody at the Rescue Foundation in Mumbai. The police have not disclosed her identity or shared further details about her professional background.
The operation was conducted on October 8 after the police received a tip-off from an NGO. Acting on the information, officers sent a decoy customer to a hotel on Mira-Bhayander Road before carrying out a raid at the premises.
During the operation, the police allegedly caught a 39-year-old woman accepting money in connection with the racket. She was subsequently arrested, while investigators launched a search for her alleged male associate.
The arrested woman has been identified as Tabassum alias Sonia Umar Qureshi. According to a police release, she is accused of forcing women associated with the entertainment industry into prostitution along with her male associate.
Qureshi, who hails from Surguja district in Chhattisgarh and currently resides in Mumbai’s Jogeshwari area, has been booked under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with human trafficking, and provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
The police said the alleged racket targeted women working across different areas of the entertainment business, including television serials, web series and photo shoots. Authorities have not disclosed how many women may have been affected or how long the alleged operation had been running.
The rescue has brought attention to allegations of exploitation faced by women working in the entertainment industry. The actor remains under protective custody as the police continue their investigation into the case.
According to the police, the NGO’s tip-off led officers to conduct the operation at the hotel, where the accused woman was allegedly found accepting money. The decoy customer was part of the action taken before the raid. The male associate remains at large, and a search is underway to trace him. Further details about his identity and the extent of the alleged racket have not been made public.
The police have not released additional information about the rescued actor or the circumstances surrounding her alleged exploitation. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the accused are yet to be established in court.
~With inputs from PTI
Emergency medical personnel responded to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near the city of Doncaster after the incident was reported at about 1:35 p.m., but the victim died at the scene, South Yorkshire Police said in a statement.
🇬🇧 A man has been mauled to death by a tiger after jumping into an enclosure at a zoo in Yorkshire, England. Follow: @europa https://t.co/U8v7z89mEz
— Europa.com (@europa) October 10, 2026
The tiger was not injured and remained inside the enclosure during the incident, the force said.
The wildlife park was evacuated after the attack and officers remained at the scene Saturday night as they investigated.
"We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened,'''' the wildlife park said in a statement posted on its website.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park began operations in 2009, with its "Land of the Tigers" attraction opening in 2011.
The attraction is a purpose-built two-acre reserve for endangered Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers. The enclosure includes a 300-meter (yard) raised walkway that allows visitors to watch the big cats roam through woodlands and grasslands or playing in a waterfall pool, the park says on its website.
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]]>As per a release, at around 11:30 AM, he will undertake a ride on the Chennai Metro from Porur Bypass Station to Poonamallee Bypass Station and back. At around 12:15 PM, he will perform Darshan and Pooja at the Jalakandeswarar Temple in Chennai. Thereafter, he will undertake a walkthrough of the Brain Centre at IIT Madras.
At around 1:30 PM, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of, inaugurate and dedicate various development projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. At around 3 PM, he will participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai and address the gathering.
Prime Minister will inaugurate the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore. The corridor features a unique 3.7-km double-decker structure. It also features advanced signalling systems designed to support driverless operations. It is expected to reduce daily travel time for commuters and improve connectivity between Chennai rapidly growing western suburbs and the city centre, the release said.
Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of and inaugurate key National Highway projects worth around Rs 3,700 crore. These projects will strengthen road connectivity, reduce travel time, ease traffic congestion and support economic growth in the State.
Prime Minister will inaugurate the 36-km, four-laned Vadugapatti-Therkuvenganallur section of NH-744. The project will improve connectivity to important pilgrimage, industrial and commercial centres in the region, facilitating smoother movement of people and goods. He will also inaugurate the 30-km, four-laned Madurai Ring Road section of NH-744A. The project will improve traffic movement around Madurai and help ease congestion within the city, the release said.
Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the four-lane Thiruvarur Bypass on the Nagapattinam-Thanjavur section of NH-83. The project will strengthen road connectivity in Thiruvarur and facilitate smoother traffic movement by providing an alternative route around the town.
Prime Minister will dedicate and inaugurate railway infrastructure projects worth over Rs 750 crore. He will dedicate the Karaikal-Peralam railway line, further strengthening rail connectivity in the region. He will also dedicate three rail flyovers in Coimbatore and surrounding areas.
These will ease congestion at busy level crossings, reduce waiting time and improve road safety for commuters. Prime Minister will also inaugurate five Amrit Stations at Palani, Vellore Cantonment, Ambasamudram, Paramakkudi and Namakkal, which have been redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the release said.
Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of several port-related projects in Tamil Nadu to strengthen maritime infrastructure, expand cargo-handling capacity and improve logistics efficiency.
He will inaugurate four infrastructure projects at Chennai Port: a Paved Storage Yard, four EXIM Godowns, an upgraded Cruise Terminal and a Seafarers Club. These projects will improve cargo storage and handling, expand warehouse capacity, modernise passenger facilities to enable the simultaneous embarkation and disembarkation of more cruise passengers, and provide modern welfare, recreational and support facilities for visiting seafarers and maritime personnel.
Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for eight major development projects at V.O. Chidambaranar Port. The projects will expand cargo and container capacity, build infrastructure for the transition to cleaner maritime energy, and improve the efficiency of cargo evacuation and logistics within the Port ecosystem. Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Coal Berth-3 project and lay the foundation stone for capital dredging works for Container Terminal Phase-I, Stage-II at Kamarajar Port, the release said.
Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Group II/III Lube Oil Base Stocks (LOBS) project at the existing Manali Refinery of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) in Chennai. With a total cost of around Rs 1,620 crore and a capacity of 270 thousand metric tonnes per annum (TMTPA), the project aims to produce Group II/III Lube Oil Base Stocks for the manufacture of world-class, premium-quality lubricants in India.
Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) at IIT Madras. He will also launch its pioneering global scientific mission to map more than 100 human brains into three-dimensional atlases at cellular resolution, across the human lifespan - from the foetal stage to old age. Prime Minister will also release C-STROKE, a one-of-a-kind human ischaemic stroke atlas. Featuring over 1,000 annotated microscopic sections from a stroke-affected brain, the atlas will help researchers worldwide identify novel therapeutic targets.
Prime Minister will participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai. The Golden Jubilee marks five decades of the institution contribution to education and its role in nurturing generations of students through academic excellence, discipline, cultural values and holistic education, the release said.
Guided by its motto, Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye (Knowledge that liberates), the school seeks to nurture individuals who make meaningful contributions to society.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The 382nd report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, titled Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA), was chaired by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik and presented on October 9.
The report comes amid concerns over examination integrity following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination after alleged question paper leaks.
Among the key recommendations made by the Wasnik-led panel are shifting medical entrance examinations entirely to the computer-based test (CBT) mode, introducing limits on the maximum age and number of attempts for NEET-UG, and using the NTA's financial surplus to establish government-owned examination centres in every district.
The committee also called for stringent “quarantine” measures for question-setters to reduce the risk of question paper leaks.
In a statement, Ramesh alleged that the ministry had made a misleading claim before the parliamentary committee by stating that no examination conducted by the NTA had suffered a paper leak between the agency's formation in 2017 and 2025.
“The Ministry of Education made the blatantly false and audacious claim to the Parliamentary Committee, ‘that no paper leak has occurred in an exam conducted by the NTA since its formation in 2017 till 2025’. There have been 9 paper leaks and irregularities in NTA conducted exams that we know of. What hope is there for a fair investigation or accountability when the Ministry even refuses to acknowledge what went wrong in the first place?” he questioned.
The Congress leader also questioned the NTA's institutional status, noting that it is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, rather than being established as a statutory body through an Act of Parliament. He argued that this structure limited accountability and parliamentary oversight.
“The NTA has been designed as a ‘khokhla body’ that hands over all key responsibilities to private contractors,” Ramesh alleged.
Ramesh said the NTA's limited workforce had made it heavily dependent on private contractors for examination-related operations.
“The NTA only has 39 sanctioned positions, which means that it must rely on private contractors to conduct examinations,” he said.
He added that only 23 of the 39 sanctioned positions were occupied, leaving a vacancy rate of 41 per cent. He also raised concerns that all permanent posts were filled through deputation, with officers typically serving two- to three-year tenures, limiting the development of institutional expertise.
Ramesh also questioned the absence of a nationwide blacklist of firms that had failed to provide reliable examination-related services, including question-paper setting, printing, logistics and administration.
“Despite repeated recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, there is no nation-wide blacklist of firms who have a track record of failure in providing examination-related services such as paper setting, logistics, printing, administration etc. Firms that are blacklisted in one state routinely get government contracts in other states,” he said.
He further criticised the NTA's result-publication system, arguing that the absence of publicly accessible NEET-UG results and test-centre-wise data made it difficult to identify unusual patterns in candidate performance.
Ramesh alleged that the government had failed to ensure stable leadership at the NTA during a period marked by repeated examination controversies. He claimed that between the 2024 and 2026 NEET paper leaks, the agency's Director General position was held as an additional charge rather than by a full-time incumbent.
“At a time when the NTA was already tackling multiple paper leaks and was supposed to implement the reforms proposed by the K Radhakrishnan Committee, the Modi Government failed to even appoint a full-time officer to lead the agency,” he said.
The Congress leader also questioned the NTA's use of its reported revenue surplus of Rs 590 crore, alleging that the funds had been invested in fixed deposits instead of being used to improve examination infrastructure and support students.
Taking aim at the government and former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ramesh recalled the government's response to the committee's earlier recommendations on NTA reforms.
“The former Mantri Pradhan had dismissed this Standing Committee's previous recommendations on reforming the NTA because the Committee ‘had members of the Opposition in it’. We can only hope that the Modi Government sheds its arrogance for the limited time it has remaining and takes this report seriously,” he said.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy.
INS Trishul reached Plymouth on October 8, with the exercise scheduled to continue until October 15.
The drills are aimed at strengthening interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.
Exercise KONKAN, which has been conducted for over two decades, has expanded in scale and complexity over the years. The Indian Navy said the exercise has become a key component of maritime cooperation between India and the UK, allowing personnel from both sides to exchange operational experience and best practices.
KONKAN-26 is being conducted off Plymouth in two phases:
The drills are expected to test the ability of the two navies to coordinate and operate together in complex maritime scenarios.
The Indian Navy said KONKAN-26 reaffirms India and the UK's shared commitment to secure, open and free seas and reflects the
]]>
In her post, Clarkson said she had been excited to visit the shop after finding it appealing. However, she alleged that an employee treated her as though she could not afford the items she wanted and offered to find her something comparable instead.
Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me. Wow, dude. You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale. But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman. For sure, check it out 👎
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 10, 2026
“Just drove all the way to Brooklyn to check out this store I thought looked really rad and had a few things in mind to buy and literally was looked at as if I couldn’t afford it and was told he could find something comparable for me,” she wrote.
The singer, known for hits such as Since U Been Gone, did not hold back in her response to the interaction. Addressing the employee, Clarkson wrote, “Wow, dude,” before adding, “You’re an idiot and just lost a huge sale.”
She also encouraged her followers to visit Art of Play, though her recommendation was clearly sarcastic. “But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman. For sure, check it out,” she wrote.
Clarkson’s comparison references the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward and Richard Gere as Edward Lewis. In one of the film’s best-known scenes, Vivian is dismissed by a saleswoman at an upscale Rodeo Drive boutique because of her appearance.
She later returns to the store dressed elegantly and carrying shopping bags from other retailers, confronting the employee with the now-iconic line, “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”
Clarkson’s post drew reactions from followers, several of whom referenced the film’s memorable shopping scene. One user joked that they hoped she had revealed her identity before leaving, while another expressed disbelief that the store had failed to recognise the singer.
The incident also prompted some users to leave negative reviews on the store’s Google listing, with one reviewer referencing the alleged treatment of Clarkson.
Art of Play describes itself as a destination for distinctive home goods, puzzles, games, toys and books. The Brooklyn store also has a 26-seat theatre that hosts performances by close-up magicians.
Clarkson’s account has brought renewed attention to the experience of being judged by appearance while shopping, with the singer’s Pretty Woman comparison giving the alleged encounter an unmistakable pop-culture reference.
]]>The cases were registered as protesters gathered around Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, an Executive Magistrate on Sunday ordered the release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after Delhi Police placed them under preventive arrest, according to Ratna Singh, the party's head of legal affairs.
Singh had earlier said the three leaders were scheduled to appear before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station.
"Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today. A Delhi police official informed me about this in the morning. As CJP's Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us," Singh had said in a post on X earlier on Sunday.
The three CJP leaders were detained on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport after arriving in the national capital to participate in the protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The detentions came ahead of the party's planned demonstration seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
On Saturday, more than 3,000 protesters demonstrating against the CEC, including opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan, were detained in Delhi, according to the report.
Police imposed extensive security measures across the capital to prevent protesters from assembling at Jantar Mantar. The planned demonstration subsequently broke into smaller gatherings at different locations.
Authorities had denied permission for the protest and warned against unauthorised gatherings. Security measures included roadblocks, traffic diversions and internet restrictions, following a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar in July that turned violent.
The detained protesters were taken to different locations, including Chhatrasal Stadium and various police stations, police said. Most, including the opposition leaders, were released later on Saturday.
Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee, who was detained at his residence in Gurugram on Saturday, was also released early on Sunday.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde announced that protesters would march towards Jantar Mantar again on Sunday, saying the agitation would continue until the CEC resigned.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Desai won the 2006 Booker Prize for her novel 'The Inheritance of Loss'. Her latest novel, 'The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny', was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize.
South African novelist and playwright Galgut won the 2021 Booker Prize for 'The Promise'. He has been shortlisted for the prestigious award three times, and his works often explore history, memory, family and the legacy of apartheid.
The two authors are the first major names announced for the festival, with more writers, thinkers and literary figures expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks, the organisers said.
The three-day event will bring together writers and readers while showcasing the literary heritage and storytelling traditions of Meghalaya's Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities alongside national and international literary voices, they said.
As part of its pre-festival programme, the organisers will host 'First Bloom: Discovering New Writing from the Northeast', an open call for emerging writers in fiction and narrative non-fiction. Entries will close on October 20, with the winner receiving Rs 50,000 and the runner-up Rs 25,000.
Three workshops are also planned. A session on career opportunities in the book industry by Kanishka Gupta and a creative writing workshop by Mitra Phukan and Lalnunsanga Ralte will be held on October 26 at the State Convention Centre in Shillong.
A photography workshop, 'Ways of Visual Practice', featuring Menty Jamir, Indrajit Khambe and Bipin Aspatwar, is scheduled for November 11.
The festival is supported by the Meghalaya government's Department of Tourism.
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]]>"What Was Here?", running at Bikaner House's LTC Gallery, was developed through conversations with Lekha Poddar, founder of the Devi Art Foundation, with curatorial guidance from Pooja Sood, director of Khoj International Artists' Association.
The exhibition explores what remains after human presence has disappeared, and whether places, objects and materials can hold traces of the lives, gestures and moments they have witnessed.
"I create because I am drawn to what time leaves behind - the marks, memories and silences held within ordinary things. Through my work, I try to make these invisible traces felt again," Sehgal said in a statement.
More than documenting the historic structures, the exhibition invokes one to to look at them differently, to imagine the lives that once occupied them and to consider what might remain after they are gone.
"This enquiry unfolds as a visual journey. The works begin with recognisable architectural imagery and become increasingly layered, obscured and fragmented as viewers move through the exhibition. Thread enters the image, representation loosens and material takes over. Many of the works extend beyond the picture plane, taking on a three-dimensional form that allows the materials, textures and layers to physically occupy space," the organisers said in a statement.
Sehgal works with silk organza, discarded threads, cocoons, ash, remnants of ritual, charcoal and ink not simply to depict memory, "but to explore its instability".
The works emerge through processes of layering, stitching, staining, burning, perforating, abrading and unravelling.
The exhibition culminates in a house installation that is not a reconstruction of a particular building but a space where elements that have disappeared throughout the show gather in another form.
The exhibition comes to a close on October 11.
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]]>DeVine took to Instagram, where he shared a string of pictures featuring the actor with his wife Chloe.
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He wrote as the caption: “Happy 5 year anniversary to the Queen. Love you @chloebridges, here’s to 60 more! I plan on getting disgustingly wrinkly with you!”
After meeting on a flight on their way to the set of The Final Girls in 2014, DeVine began dating Chloe Bridges in February 2015. The couple got engaged in 2019 and married in 2021. Their son Beau DeVine was born in 2024.
DeVine is one of the stars and co-creators of the Comedy Central comedy television series Workaholics and Adam DeVine's House Party.
He played the role of Bumper in the musical films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 and the television series Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin. He had recurring sitcom roles in Modern Family and in Workaholics. From 2019-2025, he starred in the series The Righteous Gemstones.
He had roles in the films The Intern, The Final Girls, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Game Over, Man!, Jexi, When We First Met, and The Out-Laws. He has voiced characters in films including Ice Age: Collision Course, The Lego Batman Movie, Extinct, Fixed and Hypergalactic as well as in the animated series Uncle Grandpa, Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero, Vampirina, Green Eggs and Ham, The Freak Brothers, and Captain Fall.
He was last seen in Fixed an adult animated comedy film directed by Genndy Tartakovsky and written by Tartakovsky and Jon Vitti. The film features the voices of Adam DeVine, Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Beck Bennett, Bobby Moynihan, Michelle Buteau, and River Gallo.
The film revolves around a dog named Bull who sets out to win the heart of his crush named Honey while also dealing with the fact that he is going to be neutered.
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]]>She shared a video stating that cops were visiting her home to check if she was at the CJP protest. She then urged people to offer water to the cops as they were on duty. In the comment section, she wrote, “Guys, the first one is a lady cop. They had called my dad before they showed up to check whether or not I'm home, and when my dad said yes, Rhiya is home. They visited my house to reconfirm. Don't forget to offer them water and food and then say aapne mera namak khaya hai. THE END.”
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Apart from acting and modelling, Rhiya is also an entrepreneur and runs the handcrafted apparel label Rhiyasat. Reports were rife that Rhiya was supposed to be a part of Bigg Boss 20. However, during the “Fans Ka Faisla” segment, she lost to Love Gill and had to return.
Netizens questioned Rhiya about her participation in the reality show after she gained recognition through the students' protest. Addressing the constant backlash on her Instagram handle, Rhiya had said, “Papi pet ko bhi toh paalna hai.” She explained that she chose to share the comment because she feared that directly responding to critics would lead to accusations of playing the victim or manipulating the narrative. “I am sharing this comment with you all because if I don't, then you all will say that I am playing a victim card or manipulating you all,” she said.
Talking about the current protest in Mumbai, it is taking place at August Kranti Maidan, and several celebs participated, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Actor Imran Khan was among over 400 people detained. Shabana Azmi was among the few actors who urged everyone to join the protest. Musician Vishal Dadlani, filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj, and singer Rekha Bhardwaj also marked their presence. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was seen at the site as well.
]]>The makers of the film announced the completion of shooting by putting out a video that had BTS clips from the sets on different days of shooting.
It may be recalled that earlier this month, actress Malavika Mohanan, who plays the female lead in the film, had penned a heart touching post of gratitude to the entire team of 'Pocket Novel'.
Taking to her Instagram page to pen the post, the actress had said, "Some films become a little world of their own while you’re making them, and I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of this one."
The actress said that she had learned that the people one made films with were more important than simply making films.
"You spend months with an entire team, sharing so many hours every day, getting to know each other, eating together, talking for hours, having good days and bad days, and going through emotional highs and lows together. Before you know it, they become your home away from home," she explained.
Thanking Vijay Sethupathi, she wrote, "actorvijaysethupathi thank you for being the most caring and giving co-actor. Having been through this journey with you, I cannot imagine having been a part of this process with anybody else. You have been so encouraging, sweet and yet have always created such a comfortable space for me to explore and get it right no matter how long it took or how hard it was."
She went on to add, "We’ve been a part of two films together- ‘Petta’ and ‘Master’, but never got to share screen space with each other so this one has been long due. And what a beautiful one it’s been."
To her director Thiagarajan Kumararaja, she said, "TK you absolute absolute cool cat. You have such a rare way of looking at people and the world, and it’s been the experience of a lifetime working with you, but more importantly getting to know you as a person and a friend. As a maker, you are such a beautiful combination of strong and kind completely amazing and I am forever in awe of how you do what you do."
She then ended the note saying, "ezhilmadhi16 thank you for being the sweetest anchor through it all, holding the fort down for everyone with so much love and genuineness and care and for being the loveliest friend. Oh, and also for sharing the same taste in clothes, textiles and all things pretty which makes pottering around with each other so much more fun. Pocket Novel- you’ve been so much more than just a film. See you in cinemas soon."
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]]>The occasion was the first anniversary celebration of Swadesh Eros, Reliance Foundation’s flagship store celebrating India’s traditional arts and crafts. The special gathering was held on the eve of Navratri and centred on Devi Shakti, with Nita Ambani hosting a star-studded evening.
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In the video, Ranveer can be seen getting into the festive spirit with his dance moves, while Nita joins him. Their cheerful interaction has drawn attention online, with the actor adding a dose of Bollywood flair to the traditional celebration.
Ranveer made a statement in a pink ethnic ensemble featuring a floral-embroidered jacket worn over a matching kurta and paired with white bottoms. He completed the look with tinted sunglasses and his signature diamond studs, bringing his distinctive style to the festive occasion.
The appearance comes as Ranveer and wife Deepika Padukone recently welcomed their second daughter. The actor has made relatively few public appearances following the release of Dhurandhar, making his outing at the Mumbai event a notable one.
Navratri begins on October 11 this year and concludes with Dussehra on October 20. The festival celebrates the divine feminine and is marked by prayers, music and traditional dances, including Garba, across several parts of the country.
The event also saw several familiar faces from the film industry. Sanjay Dutt, Aamir Khan, Kriti Sanon, Sara Ali Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shanaya Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Farah Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez were among the celebrities in attendance.
On the work front, Ranveer is preparing for Pralay, a post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Jai Mehta, son of filmmaker Hansal Mehta. The film also stars Kalyani Priyadarshan and is set in a dystopian Mumbai.
Meanwhile, his Garba appearance has offered fans a glimpse of him enjoying the festive season, away from the screen and in the company of fellow guests at the star-studded celebration. The actor was last seen in Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
]]>According to a Delhi Traffic Police advisory, diversions came into effect from 6 am, with traffic movement expected to be affected around Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Mandi House, Patel Chowk and several other key intersections in Lutyens' Delhi.
The restrictions followed announcements by the CJP and student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI), that protests would continue until their demands were met.
The affected stretches include the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gol Dak Khana and several intersections around Connaught Place.
Traffic movement was also expected to be affected at Mandi House, the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction, the Lodhi Road flyover, Neela Gumbad roundabout, the Samrat Hotel roundabout and the Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing. Underpasses beneath the Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyovers were also listed among the affected locations.
At a press conference at HKS Surjeet Bhawan on Saturday, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde said marches to Jantar Mantar would be held daily until Kumar was removed as chief election commissioner.
Shinde also alleged that protesters, including Abhijeet Dipke, had been subjected to inhumane treatment by Delhi Police during detention.
Police said on Sunday that CJP leaders Dipke, Ranka and Das had been placed under preventive arrest. They were scheduled to be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station on Sunday.
Meanwhile, SFI general secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya said students would hold peaceful demonstrations. He added that locations where police barricades prevented them from proceeding would become their protest sites.
The Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel and allow extra time for journeys to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport, particularly when travelling through New Delhi and central Delhi.
The advisory said restrictions would be regulated or relaxed based on real-time assessments of the situation. Commuters were also urged to follow updates on the traffic police's official website and social media platforms.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The actor shared a warm picture with Rajamouli on his social media account, offering fans a glimpse of the camaraderie they share beyond the screen.
In the picture, Jr NTR can be seen hugging Rajamouli from behind, wrapping his arms around the filmmaker as the two share a cheerful moment.
Rajamouli, dressed in black, smiles as Jr NTR affectionately holds him, while the actor is seen leaning over his shoulder smiling.
Alongside the picture, Jr NTR wrote, “Happy Birthday to the man who keeps raising the bar and then jumps over it himself. Love you Jakkanna ssrajamouli.”
For the uninitiated, actor Jr NTR and ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli share a long-standing professional association that began with Student No. 1 in 2001.
The film marked an important milestone in the actor's career, with their collaboration continuing with Simhadri in 2003 and Yamadonga in 2007.
The duo reunited after a gap of 14 years for RRR in 2022, which also starred Ram Charan.
Over the years, SS Rajamouli has built a reputation for combining emotionally charged storytelling with high-octane action sequences and large-scale cinematic worlds. His filmography includes Magadheera in 2009, Eega in 2012, Baahubali: The Beginning in 2015, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion in 2017 and RRR in 2022.
The Baahubali franchise established his ability to mount large-scale historical fantasy dramas.
Rajamouli is currently working on Varanasi, which he has called an ambitious action-adventure film featuring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The project marks Priyanka's return to a major Indian movies after focusing extensively on international projects.
Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, Priyanka portrays Mandakini, and Prithviraj takes on the role of Kumbha. The makers have scheduled its theatrical release for April 7, 2027.
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]]>The operation was carried out at Deoni Khurd by a team under Deoni police station assistant inspector Annarao Khodewad, he said.
"The police received information about the crocodile's presence at 11am and managed to rescue it by 2pm. A joint team of police, forest department personnel and local snake rescuers captured the reptile," the official said.
This is the second such incident in the area, he added.
On September 14, a fully grown male crocodile was captured, he said.
Reduced rainfall this season has left large stretches of the Manjara riverbed in the Deoni area dry, forcing reptiles and other wildlife to seek shelter in fields where moisture and cooler conditions are available, the official pointed out.
Sugarcane plantations, in particular, can provide suitable hiding places for such animals, increasing the risk of encounters with farmers, he said.
"Farmers must exercise caution while working in their fields. They must contact the forest department's toll-free helpline or the emergency response number for assistance in case of an emergency," API Khodewad said.
Snake rescuer Bhimashankar Gadwe said the movement of wild animals, including tigers, leopards, hyenas, aggressive wolves, crocodiles and pythons, had increased in several areas under the Dharashiv forest division, including Tuljapur, Yedshi, Umarga, Latur, Deoni, Udgir, Kasarshirshi, Shahajani, Aurad, Renapur and Jalkot.
Latur forest officer Dhananjay Pote said the forest department would provide specialised training to forest officers, staff and authorised snake rescuers to safely capture potentially dangerous animals, including tigers, leopards and crocodiles.
]]>“He can be detained again, or further legal action might be taken if he tries to go to Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders,” a police official told PTI.
Rathee was detained from his residence in Sector 56 of Gurugram on Saturday as police tightened security across the national capital to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar.
The proposed demonstration sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The detention came amid a major security clampdown in Delhi. Police said more than 7,000 protesters were detained at multiple locations as authorities attempted to prevent the planned mobilisation.
Several opposition leaders, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar, were also detained while attempting to join the protest.
The demonstration was organised to press for action over allegations concerning the revision of electoral rolls and to demand the Election Commission chief's resignation.
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were placed under preventive arrest after being detained at the airport, according to the report.
The developments followed heightened security arrangements in the capital ahead of the planned protest at Jantar Mantar.
A senior police officer said authorities were likely to register multiple first information reports (FIRs) in connection with alleged assaults on police personnel during the protest.
The police also warned that Rathee could face further detention or legal action if he attempted to reach Jantar Mantar in violation of prohibitory orders.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The 'Darr' actress posted two rare pictures with Rekha on her official Instagram handle.
In the primary photo, the two ladies were seen hugging as they stood next to acclaimed designer Manish Malhotra.
After this, Juhi shared another still of her getting a peck on the cheek from the veteran actress.
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Appreciating Rekha, Juhi called her a 'powerhouse of talent' and 'a true style icon'.
"Happyyy birthdaayy to the one and only, beautiful Rekha ji. Graceful and strong, a powerhouse of talent, a true style icon and a diva. Someone I have always shared so much warmth and affection with. (sic)," she captioned the post.
Many prominent names from the film industry wished the 'Silsila' actress on her special day.
Actress and politician Hema Malini wished her longtime friend happiness, good health, and prosperity.
Dropping a photo of the two of them posing closely together, Hema wished Rekha in the post, “Happy birthday dear Rekha God bless you always with joy, good health and prosperity.”
Sending warm wishes to Rekha, Shatrughan Sinha called her an “epitome of elegance and style”.
As she celebrated her 72nd birthday, Shatrughan took to his X (Formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, “Lots of love for our own, mystic, mysterious woman #Rekha. Epitome of elegance & style. May you be abundantly blessed with great well-being always. #BirthdayWishes.”
Saira Banu also recalled their time at Filmistan when Rekha used to admire her makeup.
"Some of my fondest memories go back to our days at Filmistan, when I would be shooting on one set and Rekha would be working on another, quite close by. She would often drop into my makeup room, where the wonderful Dinu Endulkar, an exceptionally gifted makeup artiste trained by a British makeup expert, would be working his magic. Rekha would sit on the sofa, watching him work on my eyes, and say to me, “Saira Ji, I want to copy these eyes the way Dinu does them for you!” I can still picture her sitting there, observing every little detail with such interest," she wrote as part of her birthday wish.
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]]>The big cat was found dead on Friday afternoon in the Majhkheta beat of the reserve's Manpur buffer range. A preliminary examination indicated she died of natural causes, BTR Field Director Anupam Sahay told PTI over the phone.
"Her two cubs, aged 15 to 16 months, are fine. The tiger reserve management is monitoring their movements," Sahay said.
Born in 2011-12 in the Magadhi zone, Dotty was the offspring of the well-known Patihha female and Blue Eye male, said officials.
She gave birth to cubs three to four times during her lifetime and raised them successfully. Her offspring went on to become prominent male and female tigers in Bandhavgarh, they said.
After her own female offspring drove her out of her territory, Dotty established a new home in the Tala zone, where she gave birth to two more cubs.
Forest officials cordoned off the area after finding her carcass. A dog squad searched the surrounding area on Friday evening but found nothing suspicious, they said.
Dotty's post-mortem was conducted on Saturday in the presence of senior forest officials. Samples were collected for laboratory analysis, they said.
The tigress had remained a favourite among wildlife enthusiasts and tourists for a long time, Sahay said.
]]>In a post on X, Somaiya said the actor should be deported, while seeking clarity on whether he had obtained the necessary permission to participate in the protest organised in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
In a letter to Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Sharma, Somaiya questioned whether Khan was legally entitled to participate in the agitation. He claimed that the actor was a foreign citizen and called on the police to verify his citizenship status and examine whether any rules had been violated.
Somaiya urged the police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. Khan was unavailable for comment on the allegations.
Khan was among the protesters detained by Mumbai Police at August Kranti Maidan on Saturday during a demonstration linked to the CJP's demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Following his detention, the actor shared a post from what appeared to be a police van, writing, "Apparently, I am going for a drive."
A video that subsequently surfaced showed Khan responding to a reporter while he was being taken into a police vehicle. He denied having any specific demand or affiliation with an organisation.
"I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation," he said.
Khan was also heard questioning the police action, asking, "What have I done? Why am I being manhandled?"
The demonstration was held in support of the CJP's demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest was part of a wider mobilisation planned in Delhi at Jantar Mantar, where opposition groups and activists sought to raise concerns about the electoral roll revision process.
Delhi witnessed extensive security arrangements on Saturday as police moved to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar. Police sources said more than 7,000 people were detained at multiple locations during the operation.
Those detained included CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke, several opposition figures and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, according to the supplied report. Four former chief ministers were also reported to have been detained while attempting to join the protest.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>"There are many interesting stories that are missing from the mainstream narrative. It depends on what, you know, lens are you looking at, which region are you looking at," Kazmi told ANI, while speaking on the sidelines of the Corbett Literature Festival.
Pointing to Uttarakhand's wildlife history, Kazmi said rhinos were once found in the region, even though the animal is now largely associated with Assam, Nepal and parts of northern Bengal.
"We usually associate rhinos with Assam or Nepal to some extent and Northern Bengal, that is where they're found now. But the first British visual representation of rhinos in India actually comes from Uttarakhand in 1789," Kazmi said.
He recalled an account from April 1789, when British artists Thomas Daniell and his nephew William Daniell encountered a rhino near Kotdwar while travelling towards the Garhwal kingdom.
"They came across a huge rhino which they were surprised as well to see," Kazmi said, adding that the animal had come to a stream to drink and the artists made a sketch of it.
"They fired off a gun in the air and the rhino went back," he recalled, describing the encounter as one of the lesser-known stories from India's wildlife past.
He shared that, "Historical references also indicate that rhinos were once found in the foothills of Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh and as far northwest as Peshawar during the Mughal era."
Raza also spoke about the genesis Corbett Tiger Reserve, saying its origins can be traced to the first All India Conference for Wildlife Preservation held in 1935.
"Very few people know that the genesis of Corbett Tiger Reserve lies in the first conference on All India Conference for Wildlife Preservation that happened in 1935," he said.
Kazmi said representatives from 565 princely states and British provinces came together for a three-day meeting in January 1935 to deliberate on wildlife preservation and formulate policy.
He added, "Even today we find it difficult for all the states to come together and agree upon something, way back in 1935 when India was divided into multiple princely states.. every single princely state of India, 565 of them, and British provinces sent their representatives. They came together and they deliberated for 3 days in January 1935 to formulate policy and the direct result of that those deliberations was the promulgation of United Provinces National Parks Act and which created Hailey National Park that is what is now Corbett and Nanda Devi."
"There are many such stories," Kazmi added, stressing that the way wildlife history is remembered depends on the region and the lens through which it is viewed.
For Kazmi, documenting such accounts is also an act of remembering landscapes, people and animals whose stories have been overlooked in mainstream narratives.
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]]>Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi announced that opposition parties would take to the streets again on October 12, accusing Delhi Police and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of using violence against students and women during Saturday’s protest demanding Kumar’s resignation.
The INDIA bloc is also planning to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, seeking accountability over the alleged treatment of protesters and the events surrounding the demonstration.
In a series of posts on X, Rahul Gandhi criticised the government’s handling of the protests and accused the police of suppressing dissent. He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “Mogambo”, the antagonist played by Amrish Puri in the film Mr India.
Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Delhi Police had resorted to intimidation and allowed BJP-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers to target protesters.
"Amit Shah’s Delhi Police has not only resorted to thuggery itself but is also giving a free hand and encouragement to the real goons of the RSS-BJP to perpetrate violence against women and the youth," he said.
He added that attempts to suppress young people would intensify their anger.
"As I had said, the more 'Mogambo Modi' and his government try to suppress them, the more the anger of Gen Z and the students will intensify," Rahul Gandhi said.
Announcing the next round of demonstrations, Gandhi said opposition parties and young people would gather in large numbers on Monday.
"On Monday, October 12, the Congress, the entire INDIA alliance, and the youth of the country will once again take to the streets in large numbers. And this time, too, the voice will resonate across the nation—louder than ever before."
He also challenged Shah over the police deployment and said the opposition would not withdraw its protest.
"@AmitShah, bring as many police personnel as you wish—10,000, 20,000, or 40,000. Summon as many BJP-RSS goons as you please. We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. This fight will not stop now!"
Gandhi said opposition representatives would meet Chief Justice Surya Kant on Monday to seek accountability over the alleged violence.
"On Monday, we will also meet the Chief Justice Surya Kant and demand that the guardians of the law cannot sit with a blindfold on while the Constitution is being torn to shreds and democracy trampled upon on the streets of Delhi," he said.
In another post, Gandhi accused the government of undermining democratic institutions through alleged electoral malpractice and suppressing dissent. He also claimed that students were assaulted by police personnel and BJP workers during Saturday’s events.
"'Mogambo' Modi has destroyed the foundations of India's democracy by stealing elections and crushing the voice of the people," he said.
Describing the situation in the capital, Gandhi wrote, "This is the scene witnessed in New Delhi today: the entire city shut down, the internet suspended, and students being beaten by both the police and BJP goons."
He further asserted that those allegedly attacked during the protest would receive justice and that those responsible would be held accountable.
Delhi witnessed heightened security, barricading and widespread detentions on Saturday as police prevented protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar for the CJP-led demonstration.
Police detained CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das after their aircraft landed in the capital. Barricades were erected at the Ghazipur border, while gates at 45 Metro stations remained closed, according to the supplied report.
Around 1,000 people were detained across Delhi, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, police said.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>In a post on X, Singh confirmed the development, stating: "Executive Magistrate court releases Abhijeet, Saurav and Ashutosh."
Executive Magistrate court releases Abhijeet, Saurav and Ashutosh.
— Ratna Singh (@whattalawyer) October 11, 2026
The three leaders were detained on Saturday at Indira Gandhi International Airport after arriving in the national capital to participate in a planned protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The detention came ahead of the CJP's proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, where protesters planned to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
FINALLY DELHI POLICE IS FORCED TO RELEASE ABHIJEET DIPKE, ASHUTOSH RANKA AND SAURAV DAS. Cockroaches never die 🪳
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 11, 2026
Singh had earlier said the three leaders would be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station on Sunday morning.
"Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today. A Delhi police official informed me about this in the morning. As CJP's Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us," Singh had said in an earlier post on X.
Separately, Singh denied that the party had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the release of its leaders and other members detained ahead of the proposed protest.
She clarified that a petition circulating on social media was not filed by the CJP and said the party was not approaching the Supreme Court over the detentions.
"Pls note - This petition is not filed by @Cockroachisback. We are not approaching the Supreme Court, and no habeas corpus petition has been approved by the CJP's legal team," Singh posted.
She also tagged a petition shared by a legal news platform on X to clarify that the document had not been filed by the party.
The document circulating online stated that it was being filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking a writ, including habeas corpus, directing authorities to produce people allegedly detained in connection with the proposed CJP demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, 2026.
"The present Writ Petition is being instituted under Article 32 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of an appropriate writ, order or direction, such as habeas corpus, directing the Respondents to produce before this Hon'ble Court all persons allegedly detained in connection with the proposed demonstration of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 10.10.2026, and to forthwith release all such persons whose custody is not authorised by law," the petition stated.
However, Singh maintained that the petition had not been filed or approved by the party's legal team.
Meanwhile, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde announced that party members and supporters would again march towards Jantar Mantar on Sunday. He said the protesters would continue their agitation until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigned.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>At first we looked for bags that had in-built key clips or D-rings so we could just clip on our keys. But all bags we saw were either not to our taste or not in budget. And then we found a way to retrofit our favourite bag with a key clip – “metal bag strap extenders”. They’re designed to extend the length of the straps on purses, so they’re quite aesthetic and come in a bunch of patterns, from plain gold/silver chain links, to butterflies, strawberries, hearts or stars. They come with lobster clasps or round spring buckles on both ends. I just snap one end onto my bag strap, and my keys on the other end and then let the chain fall into my bag. At the end of the day, I just unzip the bag and pull up the chain to find my keys. Easy peasy!
But why stop there – I’ve now got a second chain that I’ve attached my sunglass cover to. This chain is cuter, and sits outside my bag, so my sunnies are always within reach. You can do this with earphones, bag charms, or a small pouch for lipstick/mints. Starting from Rs 300, it’s a pretty affordable retrofit and doubles up as some (understated) bling for your bag too.
amazon.in
]]>That includes unlearning some patterns I know I don’t want anymore. The problem is that all of this exists as a pile of thoughts rather than anything resembling a plan on paper.
My Instagram algorithm kept feeding me an exercise that felt more like social media therapy than something genuinely useful. I scrolled away, and it kept coming back. So I tried this five-day map for feeling less lost and followed it.
Monday
Each day came with a set of questions. Monday began with the easiest place: What don’t you want?
I wrote down the obvious things — work that leaves me exhausted, constantly reacting to other people’s priorities, and working but feeling that it’s not building something tangible.
It was useful, if only because writing something down makes it harder to dismiss. My feelings were scribbled in ink on paper.
Tuesday
Tuesday asked a more uncomfortable question: What are you good at?
This was harder than expected. It is easy to just list your job description. It is harder to identify the things you are naturally good at. For me, the list included writing, finding stories, thinking about content, and connecting seemingly unrelated dots.
Wednesday
Wednesday was my favourite: What do you secretly want?
Some answers were practical. Others were things I have mentally filed under “maybe someday” a thousand times. The interesting part was that these weren’t new ambitions. They were recurring ones.
Thursday
Thursday asked me to put the answers together and brainstorm possibilities.
This was where the exercise became less about self-discovery and more about pattern recognition.
My skills, interests and frustrations started pointing in a few similar directions. I could see why certain ideas kept coming back.
Friday
By Friday, the instruction was deliberately unambitious: Choose one possibility and take one tiny step towards it. Spend
15 minutes researching it. Send an email. Sign up for something. Make an account.
I liked that the exercise stopped before the inevitable Internet advice about building a five-year plan.
Takeaway?
Did I figure out my life in five days? No. I still have no grand revelation about exactly where I want to be.
But I did get something more useful. The questions made me realise that I actually had quite a few directions. I simply lacked a way to sort them. I know what to do next.
Perhaps this exercise is good for forcing the thoughts that are floating around in your head into separate boxes. And sometimes, that is enough to figure out which one you want to open first.
Day 1
What makes you unhappy?
What don’t you want to keep doing? What kind of work or lifestyle drains you? Where
would you hate living?
Day 2
What you’re good at
What do people come to you for? What advice do you enjoy giving? What can you do even when you’re tired? What can you focus on for hours?
Day 3
Map what you secretly want
If money didn’t matter, what would you choose? What would you try if nobody knew? What do you see others doing and think, “I wish I could do that?”
Day 4
Brainstorm possibilities
Look for overlaps between your skills, interests and answers. What could you combine? What could you adapt? What sounds exciting, even if it feels unrealistic?
Day 5
Take one small step
Pick the idea that interests you most. Spend 15 minutes researching it and identify one action you can take today. Keep it small: an email, application, class, account or conversation. The point is to have an idea, even if it is vague, about how to turn these realisations into something you can actually work with.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Heartiest greetings to all fellow citizens on the great festival of Navratri dedicated to the practice of divine power. May the grace of Maa Jagadamba bring happiness, peace, prosperity, and good health to everyone's life, strengthening the resolve for national unity and progress.”
In a separate post, Modi sought the blessings of Maa Shailputri, whose worship marks the beginning of Navratri. He prayed for patience, self-confidence and well-being among citizens.
“On the auspicious beginning of Navratri, countless salutations at the feet of Maa Shailputri, the goddess of peace. May her divine grace light the lamp of patience and self-confidence in everyone's heart. I pray that the blessings of the Mother always remain upon the people of the country,” he wrote.
The Prime Minister also shared a YouTube link to Karpoora Nayagiye, a Tamil devotional song dedicated to Goddess Amman, a form associated with the worship of Shakti.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also greeted people on the occasion, wishing residents devotion, happiness and prosperity during Sharadiya Navratri.
“Heartfelt greetings to all residents of Delhi on the sacred festival of Sharadiya Navratri, dedicated to the worship of Adi Shakti Maa Durga. May the auspicious arrival of Maa Bhagwati fill every home in Delhi with devotion, joy, and a blessed atmosphere,” Gupta wrote on X.
“By the boundless grace of Mata Rani, may every family be blessed with happiness, peace, health, and prosperity. May all wishes be fulfilled—this is the prayer at the divine feet of Maa. Shubh Navratri,” she added.
Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine forms. Devotees across India observe the festival through prayers, rituals, fasting and other religious practices. Sharadiya Navratri begins during the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin and is celebrated with particular significance in several parts of the country.
The festival culminates with Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, which symbolises the victory of good over evil.
Maa Shailputri, whose name means “daughter of the mountain”, is regarded as the first form of Goddess Durga. Devotees worship her on the opening day of Navratri, seeking strength, stability, good health and divine blessings.
The festival's opening day marks the beginning of nine days of devotion, with prayers dedicated to the different forms of the goddess.
]]>Wadia recently completed 55 years of conducting the same choir, a milestone that PAC felt deserved a celebration. “We decided that now was the right time to celebrate not only the milestone but her whole conducting career of over half a century,” a member of the committee says. The concert will bring together the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) and old friends from guest choirs in Chennai and Colombo, performing some of Wadia’s favourite music.
The concert will bring together the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) performing some of Wadia’s favourite music
“What set her apart was her zeal to perform Indian music written in Western choral form, and to encourage Indian composers to write for the choral medium. She really embodies the choir’s motto of promoting ‘International Harmony through International Music.’”
A perfectionist who expected her singers to give their best, Wadia was known for her extraordinary concentration. During a rehearsal disrupted by roadwork outside, when a chorister complained about the noise, she replied, “Why? I can’t hear anything except the music!” Yet, “She had a fun side too and loved her choir like family.”
The concert will feature three works by her favourite classical composers, including Bach’s Magnificat. “She inspired a lot of Indian women to take up choral conducting, which is a traditionally male-dominated space. Everyone who sang under her baton, emerged a better musician.”
]]>Nikam, best known for leading the prosecution in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial against Ajmal Kasab, said his priority was ensuring that the film remained grounded in reality rather than turning its subjects into larger-than-life figures. “My first condition was there would be no glorification of any character, including me. And all the real names would be used,” he said, explaining his expectations for the film.
He then applauded Rao’s commitment to the part, recalling the reactions of his legal colleagues after they watched the film. “Let me appreciate Mr Rajkummar Rao as he lived like Ujjwal Nikam. My colleagues praised his performance. Many lawyers who watched the film asked me if he lived with me. I said, 'No, he did not live with me for a single day’,” Nikam said.
Nikam pointed out that Rao’s real-life personality was quite different from his own, making the actor’s portrayal all the more impressive. He described Rao as someone who is generally quiet and speaks softly, while highlighting the way the actor reproduced his courtroom presence and physical mannerisms.
Praising his body language, Nikam offered an emphatic endorsement of the performance. “This is Ujjwal Nikam. I certify him completely. He could go to court on my behalf. He can play my role,” he said.
The biopic features an ensemble cast that includes Wamiqa Gabbi, Sikandar Kher, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nassar and Ashish Vidyarthi in prominent roles. The film seeks to bring the prosecutor’s professional journey to the screen without, as Nikam specified, glorifying its characters.
Nikam became widely known for representing the state in several high-profile criminal cases, particularly the prosecution of Kasab, the sole surviving gunman captured after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The trial culminated in Kasab’s conviction and death sentence, making it one of the country’s most closely watched national security cases.
Nikam’s comments offer a rare endorsement from the person being portrayed, with the prosecutor expressing confidence in Rao’s ability to bring his courtroom persona to the big screen.
For Rao, the project adds another real-life figure to a filmography marked by transformations across genres. His last theatrical release was Maalik, directed by Pulkit. He is also set to portray former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly in the biopic Dada.
]]>Right now, our screens are too noisy, with visuals designed to distract more than truly entertain or move the viewer. We grew up on shows like The Last Airbender, which has graphics that were both spectacular but also calming, and the plot and character arcs lent an understanding of complex emotions such as empathy at a young age.
In an era of brainrot like Fruit Love Island and relentless rows on reality TV, these are our recommendations of shows that will leave you feeling warm and comforted.
The satirical show aired for only 10 episodes back in 1989. PIC/YOUTUBE@DOORDARSHAN NATIONAL
The show that seemed to have expectation baked into it was Jaspal Bhatti-starrer Flop Show. The show was loved for its Mr Bean-like humour sans the physical comedy; it was a laugh riot.
We still can’t forget the show’s theme song “Ye hai flop show, flop show, flop show” — you just had to be there in the ’90s to get how iconic this was.
The execution of tongue-in-cheek, dry humour by Bhatti and Vivek Shauq was just too good.
The show lasted only 10 Sundays. The final episode was as meta as it gets, parodying the TV industry’s producers and broadcasters who, despite being loaded, did not want or fund quality content.
The show’s name was also a satirical take on how the common man of India was made to feel like a flop show because of government apathy.
The first time we watched Nukkad was in 1993, which is when the revived version, Naya Nukkad, aired
The original series ran initially from 1986 to 1987, and the revival from 1993 to 1994. Nukkad roughly translates to “the corner”, or “our corner of the neighbourhood”. The show was about urban youth trying hard to make a living. Our favourite character was Khopdi, a loveable drunk with a sad origin story.
The show is set in an unspecified city, and our “nukkad” is just one corner with a mix of middle-class and lower-income residents. One of our arcs was the love story between the characters Guru and Teacher ji that didn’t go anywhere but was nevertheless enough to get our pre-teen heart racing.
Watch this if you want to actually see the magic of writing and acting meeting organically on a modest budget.
The series was part of the early careers of Satish Shah, Shubha Arya, and Tiku Talsania. PIC/YOUTUBE@Shemaroo Indian TV Classics
The series aired between 1984 to 1985 and was about a middle-class married couple, Ranjit Verma (Shafi Inamdar) and his lively wife Renu Verma (Swaroop Sampat) and the ups and down in their relationship. It also starred Dhrandhar-fame Rakesh Bedi when he was a fresh-faced 29-year-old.
It stuck in our memory because of the theme song, sung by none other than Kishore Da, filmed against the backdrop of Mumbai.
Bedi played Renu’s unemployed brother who would often create some drama between the couple, dispute living on his brother-in-law’s dime unapologetically.
The show aired before our time, but we enjoyed the reruns. With almost 67 episodes, today, it would count as a show with about five seasons.
Please catch it if you want to watch something sweet with the family this festive season.
Small Wonder aired in India in 1995. PIC/YOUTUBE@Electric Coffee Mug
This American show aired from 1980 to 1985. It’s an innocent story about the Lawson family. We loved Jamie, the mischievous, wisecracking son of Ted and Joan Lawson, but it was their goddaughter Vicki — who was actually a robot — who won our hearts when the show finally came to India in 1995.
Today, we’re scared out of our minds as to what AI-powered robots will mean for humanity. In our childhood, though, a robot girl was the coolest thing we could imagine.
Ted is a robotronics cybernetics engineer working on a project titled “Voice Input Child Identicant” aka VICKI. She is brought to life by Ted, who then brings her home to see if human beings can be fooled into believing that she is a real child.
The show ran for four seasons, and the plot largely revolved around Lawson’s attempts to hide that Vicki was a robot, until she actually starts emoting human emotions and the family ends up thinking of her like a family member. I especially loved the fact that this tiny robot could lift a car and a couch. She had a superpower before the Avengers.
My favourite character was the ginger-haired Harriet Brindle, who was always close to figuring out the Lawson’s family secret.
It’s a soothing watch for me!
]]>The Navam Utsav at ITC hotels celebrates the simplicity and richness of festive Indian cuisine through a selection of sattvik preparations made without onion and garlic and with Sendha Namak..
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WHERE: Across all ITC luxury hotels and through the ITC app, Swiggy and Zomato
WHEN: Till October 19
Chef Virendra Rawat at Good Food Concept (GFC) is serving a different fasting-friendly dish each day. Expect Sabudana and Potato Grilled Pancake, Singhara and Fruit Chaat, Falahari Paneer Tikka, Kuttu Cheela, Roasted Shakarkandi Chaat and Quinoa and Aloo Tikki, followed by Singhare ka Paratha with Aloo ki Sabji, a Makhana Green Bowl and a Kuttu Paneer Wrap.
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TO ORDER: 9821005063
Comorin brings a festive vegetarian thali to the table, with Subz Shikampuri Kebab, Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Khatte Meethe Kaddu, Suran Pepper Fry, Paneer Khurchan, Kathal & Makhana Qorma, Quinoa and Cashew Pulao and Kuttu Poori. End with Kesar Badam Milk Cake and Pear Murabba.
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WHERE: Comorin, Mumbai and Gurugram
WHEN: Till October 18
Kamat’s Legacy marks Navratri with a festive spread of 20-plus dishes, bringing together traditional Gujarati flavours and comforting favourites for a wholesome seasonal feast.
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WHERE: Kamat’s Legacy, all outlets
WHEN: Till October 20
This two-day Bengali pop-up by food storyteller Pranav Joshi of Floydian Cookery and Chef Sohini Bhattacharyya at Public – Beerhall & Snackbar explores lesser-known Bengali dishes, seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques. Beyond the Pandal brings 15-plus vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to the table, from Shapla Chingri and Chitol Machher Muitha to Shapla Posto, Chaal Potol and the painstakingly prepared Shor Bhaja.
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WHERE: Public – Beerhall & Snackbar, Versova
WHEN: October 17 and 18
Via Bombay gives familiar vrat favourites a festive, Maharashtrian-inspired twist. The Navratri Vrat Thali brings together Sabudana Vada, Farali Misal, Jeera Aloo, Kuttu Ki Puri, curd, seasonal fruit and Makhana Kheer. À la carte options include Sabudana Khichdi, Farali Batata Wada and Kuttu Dosa with Aloo Sabzi.
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WHERE: Via Bombay
WHEN: Till October 20
Social brings a vrat-friendly festive thali featuring aloo jeera, paneer in tomato gravy, makhana, samak rice, falahari pooris, sabudana kheer, sabudana vada and papad. The spread brings fasting favourites for a comforting festive meal.
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WHERE: SOCIAL, all outlets
WHEN: Till October 20
Kookie Cake Crumble has millet-based creations, traditional fasting ingredients and signature eggless bakes with a menu that moves between savoury and sweet. Think Methi Malai Palak Vol-au-Vents, Corn and Water Chestnuts in Tamatar Ki Launji, and Pineapple Parfait among others.
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WHERE: Kookie Cake Crumble
TO ORDER: 9819844013
Banana Leaf gives fasting a South Indian spin this Navratri, with Sabudana Idli with Sweet Curd, Rajgira Sada Dosa, Rajgira Masala Dosa and Rajgira Masala Uttapam leading the spread. The menu also includes Sabudana Vada, Sabudana Khichdi, Varai Upma, Varai Khichdi, and Rajgira Puri Bhaji.
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WHERE: Banana Leaf, all outlets
WHEN: Till October 20
For Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, off-spin all-rounder Tanush Kotian, and pacer Tushar Deshpande, who have been knocking on the doors of the national Test team with consistent performances in the recent India ‘A’ versus Australia ‘A’ games, the match offers another chance to start the Ranji Trophy campaign on a high.
All-rounder Tanush Kotian bats at the Wankhede nets on the eve of Mumbai’s opening match against Chandigarh on Saturday
Test batter Sarfaraz Khan, who was part of the Indian Test squad during the recent Sri Lanka tour, will also be keen to score big and impress the national selectors ahead of India’s New Zealand tour.
Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, is set to play three multi-day games for India ‘A’ in New Zealand from October 24 in Lincoln. A substantial score here would boost his confidence ahead of the challenging tour.
Shams Mulani, Tushar Deshpande and Sarfaraz Khan
Teenaged opener Ayush Mhatre, 19, who captained India to the U-19 World Cup title, will also look to make the most of his opportunities as he takes on additional responsibility as Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad’s deputy.
Kotian, 27, who has claimed 146 wickets and scored 2,292 runs in 47 first-class matches, is hoping to earn a place in the Test squad for the upcoming away and home series against New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra
“I have been using the crease really well, creating different angles while bowling over and around the wicket to both right- and left-handed batters. I’m also working on my pace, understanding which pace is effective on a particular wicket, and developing variations. I have also worked on the arm ball with the new ball.
“I have been working with [former India left-arm spinner] Sunil Joshi sir at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and [former India batter and selector] Jatin Paranjape sir at the Vasoo Paranjape Cricket Centre in Bandra. I’m working on my skills, and I think these Ranji Trophy games will be crucial for me to perform well and earn a place in the [Test] side,” Kotian told reporters on the eve of the Ranji Trophy opener on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh, led by Manan Vohra, will be eager to make an impression against the 42-time champions in their first match against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. The team will also look to benefit from the appointment of new head coach Vinayak Samant.
“The Wankhede is a good place to play cricket, and facing a side like Mumbai is a great opportunity. The bigger the team, the bigger the opportunity for us to shine, both as individuals and as a team. So, I’m looking forward to it.
“He [Samant] has been talking about some good things, and tactically, I think he is going to help us a lot. He has been with Mumbai, has won a couple of trophies, and I’m sure that experience will really help the team,” said Vohra, who has scored 3,992 runs in 70 first-class matches.
48
Total number of times Mumbai have reached Ranji Trophy final in 91 editions — they won on 42 occasions and finished as runners-up six times
[popcorn number="252" desc="No. of runs scored by West Indies against India on Friday — the second-highest run chase in men’s T20Is" class="Default"]
India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Friday credited Roston Chase’s disciplined spell in the middle overs for checking India’s charge, but said the hosts needed to find ways to defend big totals after West Indies pulled off a record chase to win the second T20I by six wickets here.
Chase returned figures of 3-24, dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube in the middle overs to slow India down after a flying start.
Gautam Gambhir
“If you look at the context of the game, it was a game-changing, match-winning spell. The way he changed his lines was important on this wicket. But against dangerous teams like West Indies, we need to find a way to defend totals,” Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.
“You have to keep changing your lines and make the batters guess. If you keep bowling the same line and length, they can settle in. He bowled at the batters’ legs, went wide and bowled full. He kept changing his approach, and those variations are very important on wickets like these,” Gambhir said.
WI skipper Shai Hope during his unbeaten 102 against India in Ranchi on Friday
India posted 249-5, powered by Samson’s 82 and rapid knocks from Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma, but West Indies chased down the target in 18.3 overs. “I don’t blame anyone or anything. The bottom line is that we could not defend 250. They batted extremely well and deserved to win. We still have a lot of work to do,” he added.
Mayank Yadav dropped a sitter as Sherfane Rutherford went on to score 84 in a match-winning 120-run partnership with Shai Hope (102 not out).
“Catches get dropped. Nobody drops catches intentionally, so you cannot blame anyone for that. I don’t know if there is a safe total. We thought 250 was a good score, especially after taking two early wickets. But credit to the West Indies for what they achieved,” he added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>After opting to bat in the three-day final, Mumbai posted 326, with skipper Devashish Ghodke scoring an unbeaten 121 and Shreyas Khilare contributing 106.
In reply, Punjab were bowled out for 228, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance by left-arm spinners Darshan Rathod (5-40) and Harsh Kadam (2-21).
Mumbai consolidated their position in the second innings, posting 272-3, with Kadam (131 not out) and Aarush Kolhe (101) scoring centuries.
“We came to know our pluses and minuses, and the players also understood what needs to be done while playing competitive cricket. This triumph is a big boost for the team ahead of the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy,” Mumbai U-16 head coach Nilesh Masurkar told mid-day over the phone from Vadodara on Saturday.
Congratulating the young players, Mumbai Cricket Association president Ajinkya Naik said: “This triumph reflects the strength of Mumbai’s cricket structure and the consistent efforts of our players, coaches, support staff, selectors and club system. The team displayed remarkable character, discipline and skill throughout the competition, and their performance in the final was a testament to the values of Mumbai cricket.”
]]>Revived earlier this year after a decade-long hiatus, Restaurant Week India (RWI) returns for its Autumn Edition from October 16 to November 1, expanding from three cities to ten, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Kolkata. It brings together more than 100 restaurants to create special three-course menus at set prices, giving diners a focused way to experience a broader range of India’s dining scene.
(L to R) Chaitanya Rele, Aatish Nath, Nachiket Shetye and Gauri Vij after a brainstorming session at a city restaurant
The previous edition was held in April across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru. More than 6,000 diners made over 2,100 bookings, generating more than '1 crore in revenue for participating restaurants. Nearly 1700 additional diners remained on the waitlist when bookings closed. More revealing was the repeat behaviour. Eighty-one diners booked three or more times during the 10-day festival. The numbers indicated that the dining festival addressed a particular need: diners were willing to try restaurants they might have otherwise overlooked, provided the prices were reasonable.
Restaurant Week India’s original edition launched almost a decade ago under Cellar Door Hospitality, founded by Nachiket Shetye and Mangal Dalal. At the time, the prix-fixe (fixed price in French) format itself was unfamiliar to many diners. But it gave participating kitchens a concentrated audience. Fast forward to now, India’s restaurant landscape has changed dramatically. There are more restaurants, more ambitious chefs, and a dining audience increasingly interested in regional cuisines, new formats, and distinctive culinary voices.
For Shetye, who returns as mentor and original architect of the platform, it is this evolution that has made the revival timely. “When we started Restaurant Week India over a decade ago, the prix-fixe menu was still a new idea for many diners,” he says. “Today, diners are more adventurous, chefs are more ambitious, and India’s dining culture has evolved enormously.”
The new Restaurant Week India, therefore, is less a resurrection than a rewrite. The Dining Collective, which now operates the festival, is led by co-founders Aatish Nath, Gauri Vij and restaurateur Chaitanya Rele, with Shetye as mentor. They aim to build a platform that brings restaurants and diners together around the quality and character of the food, rather than simply price.
Explaining why The Dining Collective decided to retain the IP, Nath says, “A lot of people who have travelled know about it. It’s also something that was a very successful part of the Indian dining landscape till a decade ago, and we each had fond memories of discovering some of the city’s best restaurants at the time. We’re grateful that Nachiket Shetye, one of the co-founders of the previous edition can share his insights from running the event earlier, and we’re excited to make this a regular fixture on the Indian culinary calendar,” he adds.
With India’s restaurant scene expanding at pace, curation becomes the festival’s most important job. The selection is not based simply on fame, social media visibility or the ability to fill tables. The team eats at restaurants, speaks to chefs and owners, and considers whether the kitchen has a distinctive voice.
Nath explains, “We look for restaurants that have a clear culinary identity, are known for their craft and have a strong point of view. Each participating restaurant creates a three-course menu specifically for the festival. For some chefs, that becomes a creative exercise rather than a discounted version of the regular menu. Some chefs develop new dishes specifically for RWI, while others use the format to showcase the cooking that defines them. The difficulty, says Nath, is saying no. “There are simply too many good restaurants.”
While the Summer Edition was deliberately compact with fewer restaurants and cities, the Autumn Edition is considerably larger, running for 17 days. The expansion is not simply about adding restaurants. It also lets RWI experiment with formats outside the traditional restaurant-week format.
In addition to the prix-fixe, one can look forward to the One Service Only format where each venue will host two sittings in an evening, serving a three-course menu created exclusively for RWI. A separate drinks menu will be available for purchase at the venue.
The format is intentionally limited. One evening, two sittings, a finite number of seats. It also acknowledges how India’s dining culture has broadened. Some of the country’s most compelling food now happens in places that do not fit neatly into the traditional restaurant mould, from chef-led bars to increasingly ambitious pastry programmes. RWI is widening its frame accordingly.
With this edition, the experiment is national. And that may be the real evolution of Restaurant Week India: not simply a festival built around fixed-price meals, but a recurring platform that also documents India’s evolving culinary culture. On the one hand, a restaurant can attract a new audiences and encourage loyal diners to try unfamiliar dishes. On the other, diners can look for new favourites and be open to experimentation. A win-win for all.
WHAT: Restaurant Week India Autumn Edition
WHEN: October 16 to November 1
TO BOOK: District app
PRICE: Lunch Rs 1,300; dinner Rs 1,600– Rs 2,200, plus applicable taxes. All bookings are prepaid.
Sehwag, owner of 17253 international runs, stands way ahead of the 15-year-old who has scored 246 runs from eight T20Is but at a blistering strike-rate of 186. “Sooryavanshi is in his prime, and his thinking is somewhat similar to mine, that of hitting right from the first ball. Now, it is about when he gets the opportunity and how many matches he plays for India,” Sehwag said during a discussion at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual session here on Saturday.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The pacer suffered a hamstring tear on the final day of the third Test against England before straining his calf in training in late August.
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]]>Renshaw faced 397 deliveries in his marathon innings, hitting 21 fours and a six, as he stitched crucial lower-order partnerships to rescue Australia from 124-6 (on Day 1).
Nathan Lyon scored 27 off 92 balls, adding 134 runs off 283 balls for the ninth wicket with Renshaw, as Australia defied SA for much of Day 2.
South Africa finished the day at 27-1 (8.4 overs) with Australia leading by 363 runs.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>[popcorn number="146" desc="No. of goals Cristiano Ronaldo has scored for Portugal; no one has scored more international goals" class="Default"]
Cristiano Ronaldo has been provisionally suspended after the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced on Saturday that it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the 41-year-old captain over his decision to walk out on the national team.
Ronaldo apologised to supporters earlier this week while criticising Portugal coach Jorge Jesus and said he would accept any punishment that was imposed on him.
“Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Cristiano Ronaldo,” said the federation in a statement, classifying the case as “urgent” and confirming Ronaldo is currently suspended pending a decision on the final punishment.
Ronaldo left Portugal’s squad after finding out he would not start the Nations League match against Denmark on October 1, which they subsequently won 4-2. He was previously an unused substitute in their 2-1 win over Norway on September 27.
Following his walk-out, on Tuesday, Ronaldo accused Portugal coach Jesus of breaking his word about giving him game time during the Nations League matches, but said he was not retiring from international duty and would be available to play once any potential punishment was served.
“I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team,” Ronaldo said, while accepting his actions must be “punished” by the federation.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker is Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer and record appearance-maker with 146 goals in 234 games.
Ronaldo returned to club action on Friday with Al-Nassr and scored as they won 3-0 against Diriyah in a Saudi Pro League match.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Defender James Justin (55th min) gave Leeds a deserved lead early in the second half at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta
But Arsenal drew level minutes later through Riccardo Calafiori (62nd min), before Bruno Guimaraes (70th min) came off the bench to score what turned out to be the winner after a finely crafted team move.
“We had an incredible response [to going a goal down.] When we scored the equaliser, the energy in the crowd changed. Then the finishers came in and made a huge difference,” said Arteta.
The victory takes the Gunners to 15 points.
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]]>The cine icon took to his blog to say that melodies, chords, and orchestral harmonies can transport you back to moments spent with loved ones who are no longer around.
He wrote on his blog: “... some images , thoughts , feelings do never leave you .. they remain within .. in any form .. daily routines .. music .. everywhere…”
View this post on Instagram
Big B added: “They remained to day in music and the music that brings back the essence of the chords the tones and the background philharmonic that pulls at the very heart from its present spell, to that of a visualised moment .. dear affectionate .. and sitting beside you and holding the very strings of the sympathetic ..... the loved ones gone .. their spirit and learning beside you ..Love.”
On October 8, Amitabh paid a tribute to the late star Nana Patekar, who passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest aged 75 at his home in Goa.
It was on his quiz-based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, where he made an emotional speech, as he said in Hindi, "Deviyo aur sajjano, Nana Patekar ji ka achanak aaj subah swargwas ho gaya. Ek adwitiya kalakar, mitra, shubhchintak, aur ek utkrisht samaj sevak aaj hamare beech nahi rahe.”
“Ye na keval Bharatiya film udyog ke liye, balki ek vyaktigat taur par, jinka bhi unke saath sampark hua, usne hum sabko stabdh kar diya hai.
“(Ladies and gentlemen, Nana Patekar ji passed away suddenly this morning. An unparalleled artist, a friend, a well-wisher, and an exceptional social worker is no longer among us. This is not only a monumental loss for the Indian film industry, but also a deeply personal loss for everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His sudden departure has left us all stunned)”.
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]]>“We know the expectations are high, but we are preparing to be competitive against every opponent. Most importantly, we want to give back to our fans for the love they have shown us and bring smiles back to Goa through football,” said Churchill Brothers head coach Dimitris Dimitriou.
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]]>Jaandaar faces another unbeaten rival in Iron Mirage, from Bangalore-based trainer Prasanna Kumar's yard, who will be ridden by Akshay Kumar. There is also trainer MK Jadhav's Beast Mode in the fray who is bound to get a good ride from ace jockey Trevor Patel. Thanks to the quality of Jaandaar's turn of foot which he exhibited during both his victories on this track, Jaandaar gets my first nomination.
First race at 1.30 pm.
Selections:
Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy (Class I; 1200m)
Fourth Wing 1, Credence 2, Market King 3.
Jimmy Umrigar Trophy Div II (For 3y, Maidens; 1400m)
Miami Vice 1, Styx 2, Incredible Luck 3.
Jimmy Umrigar Trophy - Div I (For 3y, Maidens; 1400m)
Taaqath 1, Sir Churchill 2, Acrobatic 3.
Pune Police Commissioner's Trophy (Class IV; 1400m)
Paloma 1, Sukoon 2, Avante 3.
JM Shah, CM Shah & KM Shah Gold Trophy (Class III; 2400m)
Caccini 1, Little John 2 2, Looking Like A Wow 3.
The 6th race
The Villoo C Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr 1)
Start time:4.00 pm.
1. Avener 56 A Sandesh (3);
2. Beast Mode 56 P Trevor (4)
3. Invincible Force 56 Yash Narredu (5);
4. Iron Mirage 56 Akshay Kumar (1);
5. Jaandaar 56 Vivek G (6);
6. Rampage 56 Suraj Narredu (2).
Selections: Jaandaar 1, Iron Mirage 2, Beast Mode 3.
NK Pudumjee Salver (Class II; 1400m)
Thundering Phoenix 1, Zafferano 2, Earth 3.
Vinayak Salver (For 4y&o, Class V; 1200m)
Bravo Zulu 1, Ashwa Ankara 2, Red Merlot 3.
Recommendations
Best bet: Fourth Wing (1-6)
Upsets: Tempest (2-8), Field Of Gold (3-1) & Giacomo (7-6)
Today's pools
Super jackpot: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Jackpot: 4,5,6,7,8
Treble: I - 2,3,4; II - 5,6,7
Tanala: All races.
The reigning seven-time world champion took the chequered flag in a dramatic 13-lap sprint to go four points clear of Martin in the standings.
Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura and VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio finished second and third respectively.
“This was a very important win,” said Marquez, who took the lead in the championship for the first time this year with 343 points.
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]]>Four-time world champion Max Verstappen cruised to victory in a rain-delayed, dramatic Singapore Grand Prix sprint race on Saturday, even as Mercedes's championship leader Kimi Antonelli extended his lead over teammate and title rival George Russell after the Briton crashed out.
The Red Bull racer, fresh from his maiden win of the season in the Bahrain Grand Prix at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit last week, crossed the line 2.5 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who rocketed off the line from sixth.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during the qualifying session for the Singapore GP at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday. Pics/AFP
The seven-time world champion's Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc fended off Antonelli to take third.
Verstappen had started from pole position, but Russell, who started alongside him on the front row, got the better of the Dutchman and led into the first corner.
However, Russell’s time leading the pack was short-lived as he lost control on the wet track and slammed into the wall at the start-finish straight.
The crash brought out the safety car and handed the lead to Verstappen. It also allowed Antonelli, who finished fourth, to extend his lead over Russell at the top of the standings to 89 points.
It was the 14th sprint win for Verstappen and his second of the season. It was also his first triumph in any format at Singapore’s Marina Bay street layout.
“We got a bit lucky with what happened to George. Happy to win here at the sprint, but I want to win tomorrow. I don’t see this as actually winning a Grand Prix,” said the Dutchman
Hamilton tried to pile the pressure on Verstappen early on but backed off to preserve his tyres.
Still the Briton, revelling in the damp conditions, picked up the pace again and set the fastest lap towards the end.
“I had a mega start which was awesome. I love driving this track in the rain, so as soon as the heavens opened I knew this would be a great day,” said Hamilton.
The race saw plenty of drama with only 13 of the 22 cars making it to the finish.
The McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided on the final lap after the defending champion ran wide into the side of his teammate’s car, tipping both into a spin.
Norris continued on to take the final point in eighth, but Piastri was out on the spot.
]]>In the span of a few months, the AISA president and student activist — who goes by they/them pronouns — has gone from one among several people in India’s protest ecosystem to becoming the face of young political dissent. Their speeches go viral. Their Instagram comment section is full of hearts, fire emojis, and declarations of admiration. One recent social media post even called them a “complete Gen Z icon” with an “absolutely ridiculous aura” — a compliment that CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke simply responded to with, “I agree.”
Here, we see that the politics has begun to get lost in the personality.
Bora has been at the centre of several recent protests, including the student-led mobilisation over examination irregularities and, more recently, demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They were among more than 100 protesters detained at Jantar Mantar on October 2.
But scroll through the Internet, and it is getting increasingly difficult to separate the activist from the celebrity that we have deemed them to be.
Aisa President Neha Bora. Pic/PTI
There are people calling Bora a “Gen Z crush”. There are comments that treat them as a love interest rather than a political organiser. On one of Bora’s Instagram posts, comments range from “NEHA BORA YOU ARE TOO GOOD” with a string of hearts and raised-fist emojis, to abusive political attacks calling them “desh ka gaddar” and worse.
In an interview, Bora spoke about the “fetishisation of the individual” in Indian politics and specifically brought up Kanhaiya Kumar. Their point was that people become obsessed with finding one “pure leader” around whom they can rally, when movements are actually made up of many people. And yet we appear to be doing exactly that to Bora. There are artworks dedicated to the activist, fan edits being made of them. Some disgusting comments from opposition call them “Leftist ki Sydney Sweeney”.
Remember Kanhaiya Kumar? A decade ago, he was the face of student politics for an entire generation. The JNU student leader became a household name after the 2016 campus protests, and the sedition case that followed. His speeches, slogans, and TV appearances turned him into a larger-than-life figure. Today, he is a politician in Congress, but the cultural frenzy around him has largely disappeared. The person remained; the Internet moved on. That’s politics for you.
Indian politics has a peculiar appetite for discovering a new face, crowning them as the voice of a generation and then moving on to the next one. Today it is Bora. Tomorrow it could be somebody else.
You can admire Bora. You can agree or disagree with their politics. You can find their speeches compelling. You can follow their work. But the moment an activist becomes an idol, critical engagement becomes much harder. We stop asking whether an argument sounds good because we like the person making it. We start defending a personality instead of examining their politics. That gives any individual far too much power.
Bora is not a messiah. They do not need to be one. Neither did Kanhaiya Kumar. Neither does Abhijeet Dipke. Neither does any activist who happens to become the face of a viral movement. The irony is that Bora seems to understand this better than their admirers do.
Let Bora be an activist. Watch what they say, challenge it. Support it when you believe in it. But the protest cannot become about the protestor. The moment that happens, we have already gone in the wrong direction.
]]>The actress recently, while addressing the media, asked photographers and reporters not to trouble veteran actress Jaya Bachchan at the upcoming event of Durga Pooja.
She also pointed out that some members of the paparazzi deliberately provoke the veteran actress during public appearances.
Speaking to the media at an event related to Durga Puja, Tanishaa said, “I have been seeing you have been troubling her a lot,’ quipped Tanishaa.
“I see some of your reporters go and on purpose poke her. So I request, don't do that at our Durga Pooja.” She also made a light-hearted appeal to the photographers, saying, “Don't trouble our Jaya aunty, okay?”
Tanishaa's remarks come amid the festivities, during which large crowds gather at the pandals to seek blessings and celebrate the festival.
She also urged members of the media and the public to exercise caution, avoid pushing and look out for one another amid the rush, and emphasised on the importance of basic courtesy and humanity.
For the uninitiated, Durga Puja holds a special place in the Mukerji family's festive traditions. Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji are often seen attending the annual celebrations at Mumbai's North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal, which has strong ties to the family.
Rani Mukerji, who belongs to the extended Mukerji family, is also regular at the festivities.
Jaya Bachchan has also been a familiar face at the celebrations over the years, and is often seen sharing warm moments with Kajol and the Mukerji family.
Talking about Jaya Bachchan's equation with the paparazzi, her interactions with them have frequently attracted attention, with the actress often expressing her annoyance over being photographed or approached in public without consideration for her personal space.
She has often been seen objecting to paparazzi by shouting at them and making comments while they attempt to capture pictures.
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]]>The developments follow Houthi strikes on King Khalid and Abha Airports in Saudi Arabia on October 6 and 7 and an escalating conflict in Yemen. In a statement, GACA said, "On Saturday, October 10, 2026, corresponding to 29 Rabi' Al-Thani 1448H, King Khalid International Airport was targeted by an attack, amid ongoing blatant attacks targeting civil aviation facilities in the Kingdom."
"The attack resulted in a number of injuries, which are currently being assessed," the authority said, adding that operations had been temporarily suspended pending damage assessment and safety inspections of airport facilities in coordination with the relevant authorities.
#بيان إلحاقي بشأن الاعتداء الذي استهدف مطار الملك خالد الدولي بالرياض. #الطيران_المدني https://t.co/JoAi69jwvp
— هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) October 10, 2026
"Further updates will be provided," GACA said.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged citizens whose travel plans had been disrupted by the suspension or delay of flights to contact Saudi diplomatic missions in the countries where they were located. The ministry said the missions would provide assistance and necessary guidance to citizens who had been unable to reach their destinations because of disruptions to flights heading to King Khalid International Airport.
تدعو #وزارة_الخارجية المواطنين الذين تأثرت رحلاتهم أو تعذّر وصولهم إلى وجهاتهم نتيجة إيقاف أو تأخر بعض الرحلات المتجهة إلى مطار الملك خالد الدولي بالرياض، إلى التواصل مع بعثات المملكة العربية السعودية في الدول المتواجدين فيها، وذلك لطلب المساعدة وتقديم الإرشادات اللازمة. https://t.co/FeaQ26qHoi
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) October 10, 2026
"Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on citizens whose travel itineraries have been affected or who have been unable to reach their destinations due to the suspension or delay of some flights heading to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to contact the missions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the countries where they are located, in order to request assistance and provide the necessary guidance," the statement read.
Meanwhile, Akasa Air announced that it had extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh until October 13, citing the continuing security situation. In a travel update issued on Saturday, the airline said affected passengers could opt for a full refund to the original payment source within seven days or reschedule their travel without additional charges. Passengers who booked through travel partners were advised to contact them directly.
#TravelUpdate: October 10, 2026 | 20:00 IST In view of the continuing security situation in Riyadh, Akasa Air has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh till October 13, 2026. We continue to closely monitor and assess the situation on a real-time basis. Passengers impacted by these cancellations may opt for a full refund, credited to the original source of payment within 7 days, or reschedule their travel at no additional cost. Passengers whose bookings were made through a travel partner are requested to contact them directly for assistance. The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) October 10, 2026
"In view of the continuing security situation in Riyadh, Akasa Air has extended the suspension of all flights to and from Riyadh till October 13, 2026. We continue to closely monitor and assess the situation on a real-time basis. Passengers impacted by these cancellations may opt for a full refund, credited to the original source of payment within 7 days, or reschedule their travel at no additional cost.
Passengers whose bookings were made through a travel partner are requested to contact them directly for assistance," the statement read. "The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority," the airline added.
Kuwait Airways also cancelled flights KU775 from Kuwait to Riyadh and KU776 from Riyadh to Kuwait on Saturday due to the airport closure. The airline advised passengers to monitor their flight status and said notifications would be sent to the contact numbers registered with their bookings.
"Kuwait Airways announces the cancellation of flight KU775 (Kuwait to Riyadh) and flight KU776 (Riyadh to Kuwait) today, Saturday, 10 October 2026, due to the closure of the airport resulting from the security situation. The company urges all passengers to monitor the status of their flights. Notifications and text messages will be sent to the phone numbers registered in their bookings to inform them of any updates. Passengers may also follow the latest developments via Kuwait Airways official channels. We thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation," the airline said.
Several foreign governments also issued travel advisories following the incident. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia said it was aware of attacks on the airport on October 10 and strongly recommended that American citizens avoid the airport and surrounding areas. It also said US government employees working in Saudi Arabia would require special authorisation to use King Khalid International Airport. The mission warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions, and advised travellers to confirm their flight status directly with airlines and the airport.
#الخطوط_الجوية_الكويتية #kuwaitairways https://t.co/48sOkMBFkR
— Kuwait Airways (@KuwaitAirways) October 10, 2026
"U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions: U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks and need special authorization for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif," the embassy said.
Security Alert: U.S. Mission Saudi Arabia (October 11, 2026) The U.S. Mission is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 and strongly recommends all U.S. citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as the airports in Jeddah and Dammam. Please take extreme caution when using all major airports in Saudi Arabia. U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia require special authorization to use the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as the airports in Jeddah and Dammam. U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks and need special authorization for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif. Read more: https://t.co/6J75oUQWnZ
— U.S. Embassy Riyadh (@USAinKSA) October 11, 2026
The British Foreign Office said it was updating its travel advice following a serious incident at the airport at approximately 3 pm local time.
"We advise British nationals to avoid King Khalid International Airport until the airport is secure and to monitor the advice of the Saudi authorities," it said.
10 October 2026: Update to FCDO Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia. To read our travel advice, please visit https://t.co/dkWmWSU8gi https://t.co/Lx1FrYZL8r
— UK in Saudi Arabia 🇬🇧🇸🇦 (@UKinSaudiArabia) October 10, 2026
Canada's embassy in Saudi Arabia also advised its citizens to avoid all travel to the airport, citing ongoing military activity affecting operations and causing travel disruptions. It urged Canadians to monitor local media, follow instructions from local authorities and check their flight status directly with their airlines before departure.
The embassy also advised people who encountered military debris or fragments to move away immediately and contact local authorities.
https://t.co/yXRBN0bXfq
— Canada in KSA (@CanEmbSA) October 10, 2026
The Japanese embassy strongly condemned what it described as repeated "Houthi attacks" on international airports and other civilian facilities in Saudi Arabia.
"Attacks on civilians and civilian facilities, in any form, cannot be tolerated," the embassy said, calling on the Houthis to refrain from escalating the situation inside and outside Yemen.
تدين سفارة اليابان في المملكة العربية السعودية بشدة الهجمات المتكررة التي يشنها الحوثيون على المطارات الدولية وغيرها من المنشآت المدنية في المملكة العربية السعودية. ولا يمكن التسامح بأي شكل من الأشكال مع الهجمات التي تستهدف المدنيين والمنشآت المدنية. https://t.co/eCS8eB5St2
— Embassy of Japan in KSA (@JapanEmbassyKSA) October 10, 2026
Germany and Spain also issued advisories. The German embassy in Riyadh strongly advised its citizens against transiting through the airport and asked German nationals in Saudi Arabia to register with the Federal Foreign Office's crisis preparedness list to receive information and guidance in an emergency. The Spanish embassy urged its citizens to take extreme precautions and avoid non-essential travel.
The latest attack comes two days after separate strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7 resulted in three deaths and 36 injuries, according to GACA. In an earlier statement issued on Friday, GACA said three Saudi citizens had been killed and several others injured in two separate attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport on Thursday. According to the authority, one attack targeted the airport's facilities, while another targeted a Saudia aircraft.
The attacks caused property damage and injured Saudi citizens and residents of various nationalities, with the injured taken to hospitals for medical treatment. Saudia Airlines confirmed that one of its employees was killed in the incident and expressed condolences to the employee's family. "Saudia confirms that the incident at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh resulted in the loss of one of its employees.
The airline extends its deepest condolences to his family," it said. The airline also reported damage to one of its aircraft while it was parked at the airport, clarifying that no passengers were on board at the time. Saudia said it had activated emergency response procedures in coordination with the relevant authorities to manage the situation and provide care and support to those affected and their families.
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]]>Speaking at a midterm polls rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, Trump said, "They're (Iran) sort of calming down. They'll probably do a little bit extra before the election, thinking it's going to hurt us, but we could end it really quick. They don't know how nice I've been to them."
Trump had earlier said that the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing ongoing discussions with Tehran.
In a post on X on Thursday, Trump had said, "We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!), we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"
Amid the tensions in West Asia, Trump, earlier in the day, said Washington would consider joining Saudi Arabia in striking the Houthis following the latest attack on the Riyadh airport.
"We just found out about the recent attack " we'll make a decision," Trump told reporters at the White House premises, adding, "We're going to take a look."
His remarks come following an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, which killed 12 people and injured 309, according to the country's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
According to GACA, the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport resulted in 12 fatalities, including four Saudi citizens, two Bangladeshis and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
The attack also injured 309 people, some of whom remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at several hospitals. Authorities are assessing the extent of the property damage caused by the attack.
The incident prompted several countries to condemn the targeting of Saudi Arabia and express solidarity with the Kingdom.
This followed earlier attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport on October 6 and 7, which GACA said had resulted in three deaths and 36 injuries.
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]]>During a phone call with Zelensky, Burnham acknowledged that the past 24 hours had been difficult for Ukraine and reiterated his complete solidarity, according to a statement from 10 Downing Street.
Burnham said Britain would continue to strengthen sanctions against Russia. The two leaders also agreed to meet in person in the coming days to continue their discussions, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the statement.
The phone call came after US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Ukraine should have a new president, accusing Zelensky of failing to reach a peace agreement with Russia and blaming him for high diesel prices in the United States.
On Friday, Washington announced measures to ease sanctions on Russian diesel trade. Zelensky criticised the move, saying that allowing Russia to sell petroleum products would amount to investing in the war.
Zelensky has strongly criticised Trump's agreement allowing Russia to supply diesel to the United States and global markets, arguing that the move would provide Moscow with additional funds to sustain its war against Ukraine and undermine ongoing efforts to secure peace.
In a lengthy post on social media platform X, Zelensky said that allowing Russia to generate revenue through petroleum product exports would strengthen the Kremlin's ability to continue military operations rather than encourage an end to the conflict.
"Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilised world," Zelensky wrote.
"Russia will 'repay' the diesel with further terror and perfidy. Allowing Russia to sell petroleum products is an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged," he added.
Trump on Friday announced a major agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin under which Moscow would supply millions of tonnes of diesel to the United States and global markets, saying the move would bring down fuel prices sharply.
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]]>A missile struck a King Khalid International Airport complex housing terminals 3 and 4 for domestic flights, a regional official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media. The Saudi statement said the dead included four Saudi citizens as well as two Bangladeshi nationals, a Palestinian, a US citizen, an Egyptian, a Jordanian, a Syrian and a Sudanese. It said the injured were being treated at several hospitals.
The attack - the latest of several in the past week on the airport - is expected to increase Saudi pressure on allies including the United States to provide military support for the kingdom, which has seemingly tried to avoid all-out war with the Houthis. Shortly after the attack on Saturday afternoon, President Donald Trump said he was evaluating whether the U.S. should join Saudi strikes against the rebels. "We may. We're going to look at it," he said. "We just found out about the recent attack. So we'll make a decision. We move very quickly."
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis blamed them for the attack, calling it a "fully-fledged war crime" and vowing a firm response. The airport has no military facilities. There was no immediate statement from the rebels, who earlier Saturday accused Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa International Airport in the Houthi-held Yemeni capital.
The Houthis claimed attacks earlier in the week on King Khalid International Airport that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. The surge in attacks, including against other Saudi airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure, has come in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against the Houthis.
Saudi civil aviation authorities earlier Saturday said airport operations were suspended. The airport had a heavy police presence, with all entrances blocked, and lights around the complex were dimmed. Flights diverted elsewhere, the Flightradar24 tracker said. Countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada warned citizens to avoid the airport.
The attacks on Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, have rattled markets and the region. And yet the Saudi energy ministry hours after the latest one was still promoting a major international energy conference set to begin in Riyadh on Sunday. Until recently, the Houthis had been largely on the sidelines of the Iran war. Now the rebels are a way for Tehran to apply pressure on a key U.S. ally.
The Saudis and the Houthis began fighting in 2015 when the kingdom entered Yemen's civil war on behalf of the internationally recognized government. Relative calm after a 2022 ceasefire ended in July when the Houthis resumed attacks, saying the Saudis fired on the Sanaa airport as a plane from Iran was trying to land. That revived anger over the Saudi-led blockade that has largely isolated Houthi-run areas.
Now fighting has escalated, with the Saudi-led coalition providing air support for Yemeni government forces attempting to reverse recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea. Those gains gave the rebels better surveillance of shipping on a corridor that is a crucial alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been attacking ships.
Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air defense support to the region, regional officials told the AP last month, with one noting that the U.S. has seen its own stock dwindle during the war with Iran. Officials have said US assistance has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive against the Houthis.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said its foreign minister and Omani counterpart spoke by phone about the importance of "supporting diplomatic solutions to de-escalate tensions" in the region. Oman, which lies across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has played a mediator role at times in the region.
The Houthis this week warned global airlines "for the last time" about the potential consequences of operating in Saudi airspace, which they described as a theater for their military operations. Before the latest attack, Air India, FlyDubai, Lufthansa Group and Pakistan International Airlines were among airlines suspending flights to and from Riyadh and other Saudi airports for varying periods.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had expanded its guidance on Saudi airspace, noting the Houthis' ability to strike targets deeper inside the kingdom, including Riyadh, and a "greater focus on aviation infrastructure."
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Speaking to reporters after arriving in Lucknow, Kangana alleged that the protests were part of an attempt to destabilise the country. The actor was travelling to Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram temple when she was asked about the developments in Delhi.
“Look at how people are now exposing these anti-national forces. Leave the police aside, now ordinary people too will catch them and demand answers from them because people have started recognising them,” she said.
Kangana, who represents Mandi in the Lok Sabha, also stressed that while efforts to protect the country were important, authorities should ensure that ordinary citizens were not inconvenienced.
The CJP had called for a large-scale demonstration seeking Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The group has raised concerns about alleged wrongful deletions of voters and demanded greater transparency in the revision process.
The planned gathering at Jantar Mantar was met with extensive security arrangements. Delhi Police detained thousands of people across the capital on Saturday, with many released later in the day. The action prevented protesters from reaching the designated demonstration site.
The police action left several parts of the capital heavily restricted as authorities attempted to prevent the demonstration from proceeding. The CJP, described in reports as a satirical political movement, vowed to continue its agitation despite the detentions.
The crackdown also raised legal questions over the restrictions imposed during the security operation. A plea challenging the authorities’ actions, including an alleged shutdown of metro and train services, was expected to be heard by the Supreme Court.
The protests have brought renewed attention to the allegations surrounding electoral roll revision and calls for accountability from the Election Commission. However, the claims of irregularities remain allegations raised by the protesters.
Kangana’s comments add a political dimension to the confrontation, with the actor condemning the movement’s leadership even as the CJP continues to press for Kumar’s resignation and greater transparency in the electoral roll revision process.
]]>In a post shared on X, the Embassy, which is accredited to Romania and Moldova, said it had provided all necessary support and assistance to facilitate the return of Sahil Sandhu, Ashwini Kumar and Harman Singh.
"Three Indian nationals, Shri Sahil Sandhu, Shri Ashwini Kumar, and Shri Harman Singh, departed for India today. The Embassy provided all necessary support and assistance to facilitate their return," the Embassy said.
It also expressed gratitude to the Romanian authorities, Constanta County Hospital and Romanian rescue teams for their assistance in the operation and subsequent arrangements.
"We express our sincere gratitude to the Romanian authorities, Constanta County Hospital, and the Romanian rescue teams for their invaluable assistance, cooperation, and support," the Embassy added.
Three Indian nationals, Shri Sahil Sandhu, Shri Ashwini Kumar and Shri Harman Singh, departed for India today. The Embassy provided all necessary support and assistance to facilitate their return. We express our sincere gratitude to the Romanian authorities, Constanța County Hospital, and the Romanian rescue teams for their invaluable assistance, cooperation and support. @MEAIndia @PIB_India @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar @IndianDiplomacy
— India in Romania (@eoiromania) October 10, 2026
The development follows an attack on MV Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea on Monday, in which two foreign seafarers were killed and some crew members, including the three Indians, were injured.
The Embassy had earlier said that all three Indian nationals were in stable condition. Two were accommodated at a hotel, while the third was undergoing treatment at the County Hospital in Constanta.
An Embassy representative on Tuesday (local time) visited the three Indians and assured them of all necessary assistance for their safe and early departure from Romania. Essential items, including mobile phones, were facilitated through the shipping company's local agent, while Indian food was arranged through a local Indian restaurant.
The Embassy representative also met local police authorities, the shipping company's agent and treating medical doctors to coordinate further assistance.
India had condemned the attack on the commercial vessel and expressed concern over threats to commercial shipping and seafarers.
"We condemn the attack on MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea, in which two foreign seafarers were killed and some members of the crew, including Indian nationals, were injured. The injured have been rescued by Romanian authorities and are receiving medical attention. The three Indian nationals, who were part of the crew of the ship, are safe," the MEA said.
The ministry said attacks on international shipping routes posed serious risks to global commerce and the welfare of people worldwide, reiterating India's call for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end ongoing conflicts.
"The targeting of traffic in international waterways is severely undermining global commerce and the welfare of people across the world. We continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts," the MEA said.
India has also highlighted its role in the 25-nation Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, launched jointly with Liberia during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly to promote the safety of merchant crews and commercial shipping against targeted attacks.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Hafizuddin Ahmad’s team is working to finish eight effigies for this year’s Dussehra
Leading the group is Hafizuddin Ahmad, a man who has been making effigies for over four decades and now directs the younger crop of artists under him. One of them is his son, Shehzad Ahmad. “We start helping out as soon as we are old enough to work,” says Shehzad, “I remember back in 2008, when I had just started, we had made two effigies. Now we are up to eight or nine.”
Shehzad Ahmad and Hafizuddin Ahmad
They work simultaneously on every effigy, carefully building each part, from the heads to the legs. When finished, the group sets up the effigies for various mandals in Sion Koliwada, Girgaon Chowpatty, Azad Maidan, Malad, Chembur, and more.
Muslim artists come from Noida and Dadri, UP to make effigies for Ramleelas across Mumbai
They are proud of their work. When we ask if people trouble them for doing work for a festival that is traditionally not considered theirs, pat comes Shehzad’s reply: “People can say whatever they want. Doesn’t matter. What we make is art and there’s nothing wrong in it. We do 16-18 hours of hard and honest work every day, for a month, so that the effigies can be made.”
Artists work on faces and bodies (left) simultaneously, working 16-18 hours a day for a month
Seasonal work, though, has its own ups and downs. The group shrinks and swells depending on external factors, which sometimes means that there aren’t enough people and, therefore, a lot more work for less income. But the group does not dither. In supplying the most recognisable element of Dussehra, they keep presenting to us the rich, nuanced, and often overlooked connections different communities share in India.
Hafizuddin Ahmad’s team consists of 15 artists, all of whom do different jobs for the rest of the year
In a post on X, the SpaceX CEO argued that Starlink's entry would expand consumer choice and benefit Indians, even if it reduced the profits of existing telecom operators.
Musk criticised supporters of Ambani who, he said, argued that Starlink could not compete with Reliance Jio's low prices while also portraying it as a strong competitor.
"On the one hand, they say Starlink couldn't possibly compete with the amazing low prices offered by Ambani's de facto monopoly in India and then, in the same breath, they essentially claim that Starlink would be too strong of a competitor! This is absurd hypocrisy and hyperbole," Musk said.
The ridiculous arguments by Ambani’s army of Internet shills make no sense On the one hand, they say Starlink couldn’t possibly compete with the amazing low prices offered by Ambani’s de facto monopoly in India and then, in the same breath, they essentially claim that Starlink would be too strong of a competitor! This is absurd hypocrisy and hyperbole. The reality is that competition would greatly benefit the average citizen in India by giving them more choices, as it always does. Ambani’s profits will be lower, but he is not going out of business. And, obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 10, 2026
He added that greater competition would benefit ordinary consumers by giving them more choices.
"Ambani's profits will be lower, but he is not going out of business. And, obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable," Musk said.
Musk's latest remarks follow several posts questioning the delay in Starlink's commercial launch in India. He has alleged that powerful business interests are attempting to protect their position in the country's telecommunications market. He has not provided publicly verified evidence establishing that Ambani or Reliance is responsible for the delay.
On Saturday, Musk shared reports concerning alleged links between Reliance-funded entities and political campaigning, as well as political donations by a Reliance-linked company. Reliance has not publicly responded to his allegations.
The government has denied that Starlink is being subjected to discriminatory treatment. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India does not permit monopolies and that three satellite communications operators have received licences.
These include Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite venture Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb. All three must meet individual security requirements and other regulatory conditions before beginning commercial operations. The government is also working towards finalising the satellite spectrum pricing framework.
Scindia said the government follows a technology-neutral approach and allows consumers to choose the services that best meet their needs.
"Let me set the record straight. For us, the Department of Telecommunications, we are technology agnostic... Our job is to be able to provide the bouquet of services to every single customer. It is for the customer to choose in a free market which service he or she prefers, and within that service bouquet, which company's service he or she prefers," the minister said at the India Mobile Congress.
]]>In the hours before one of the biggest face-offs we’ve seen between the state and its people in recent years, mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday were suspended, citing congestion in the Capital due to the impending protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Transport historian and mid-day City Editor Rajendra B Akelkar tells us that while section-based freezes of the railways is not unusual during the times of unrest, what is unprecedented is the scale of the clampdown this time. “Many observers have been saying that this is the first time since Independence that such government-enforced restrictions on trains have been put in force by the Indian Railways. Historical records and archives show that there have been protests, train restrictions, and such instances of ‘security lockdowns’ in the seven decades since Independence. What is unprecedented in post-Independence India, however, is the ‘perimeter freeze’ at this national scale to avert a civil protest,” he says.
mid-day City Editor Rajendra B Aklekar
One of the most notable past examples of stringent restrictions on the railways is during the Partition. “During the Partition, the railways were in flux, assets and infrastructure were being split [between the two separated nations], and new systems were being established. Systems were under stress and there were riots across various parts of the country. So, traffic had to be regulated and movement was curtailed to control the situation,” says Aklekar.
The author of Halt Station India points out that the next big instance came when former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi implemented the highly criticised Emergency. “The next major instance of a large-scale, national-level traffic restriction or limitation came during the Emergency, 1975 to 1977. That was the time when there were documented instances of railway restrictions,” he says.
Bombay, as the city was known then, also saw heavy curbs on the railways to control unrest in the ’80s and ’90s. “In 1982, there were police riots in Bombay when the Maharashtra Police went on strike, and trains were diverted and curtailed. Next came the Sikh riots of 1984, when trains had to be regulated for security purposes, followed by the Bombay riots a decade later in 1992-93, when there were instances of trains being diverted, detained and cancelled,” he adds.
Aklekar further points out that in the 21st century the Gurjar-Jat protests around 2011 and the Punjab farmers’ protests in 2020 led to similar crackdowns.
“But the latest instance is the first government-enforced, national-scale perimeter freeze in modern times ahead of a planned civil protest,” Aklekar finally adds.
Why does it matter? Because when it comes to movement of the masses, the railways is still the heaviest lifter of all. It was AISA president Neha Bora’s transport mode of choice when she embarked on the Gen-Z Mahajutan Yatra across Uttar Pradesh to connect with the youth on students’ issues. When railway services were suspended during the COVID-19 lockdown, we saw the mass migration of workers on foot – yet another unprecedented sight.
“The limitations of the public’s access to the trains or mass transit systems during the protests is something we never thought would happen but that’s what’s happening now,” says activist Samya Korde, adding that it is in line with restrictions seen during the last CJP protest too, when Korde was placed under house arrest. “Last time, I was one of the few who were detained at home. It is a reminder that protesting is our constitutional right and we must exercise it,” she says. Korde was detained while on her way to August Kranti maidan and released by Saturday night.
DCP R Ragasudha, South Zone-2 confirmed that they have detained protesters as no permission were provided to conduct protests at August Kranti Maidan on Saturday.
With input by Aishwarya Iyer
Aamir Kazi
All India Students’ Federation (AISF) Mumbai President Aamir Kazi, who was at the Azad Maidan protest on Friday, says that not only has mobilising become harder with trains to Delhi being stopped, but even closer to home, activists are under extraordinary scrutiny. “With the trains out, of course mobilisation is difficult. I was even asked by a police officer if I was headed towards Delhi. To which I replied, ‘How can I reach in time for the Delhi protest if I am in Mumbai on Friday and no trains are going there?’”
AISF has claimed that 14 of its members have been taken off Goa Express and detained at Itarsi. The police have told media personnel that the students were released on Friday but refused to leave the resort where they were detained. When this reporter last spoke to Kazi, he said he was taking shelter in a building surrounded by police personnel.
]]>At institutions such as Pune’s Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), cameras are not merely tools for making movies. Known for their free voice, film schools have often found themselves at the uneasy intersection of art and politics.
Inside FTII Pune’s campus
Students at SRFTI were on September 27 subjected to a brutal attack by workers claiming to be affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They allegedly tried to break through the gate so that their programme could be organised inside the campus. In Janurary 24, 2024 there were clashes inside the FTII Pune campus over banners put up by students condemning the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Why do film institutes, in particular, get attacked for expressing opposing views?
For Prakash Jai, a filmmaker and student at SRFTI, now based in Mumbai, the politics of a film institute begins with the diversity of the people inside it. “Studying at SRFTI itself helped me become aware of what is happening around the world,” he says. Hearing lived experiences of those who come from a completely different environment than yours is a privilege that Jai isn’t taking for granted. “A lot of people come to study from different backgrounds, different places, different cities. Even foreign students from Ethiopia and Japan. You get to know what is happening in their states and around you.”
The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata. Pic/Instagram@srftioutloud
This exposure to the world and different people makes film schools uncomfortable spaces for rigid political ideologies. “We don’t judge each other here. We are open to differing points of view,” he says. The issue is not which political party enters a campus, but what happens to an institution when a political programme begins occupying a space meant for liberal thought. “SRFTI is a platform to hear all sorts of opinions and perspectives, which these political parties don’t really like. After all, their mindset is, ‘How can your ideology be different from ours?’”
He also sees the growing popularity of politically charged films as part of the larger battle over what audiences believe to be true. “Propaganda films have become mainstream,” he says, pointing to a spate of ultra-patriotic films released. What makes films like these particularly powerful apart from their politics, he argues, is their filmmaking technique. “You are showing documentary footage, CCTV footage, newspaper-like facts, and then merging it with fiction. People watching a three-hour film are not going to sit with Google or Wikipedia and cross-check everything.”
Nimish Gour
That, he says, is where the camera becomes a dangerous tool. “If you use the technicalities well with this medium, that is a big problem.” Jai believes such films can make violence feel celebratory. “People are rewatching it, listening to its music, and talking about it. Subconsciously, they are celebrating violence. Such films have become so normalised and mainstream today. On the other hand, a film having an opposing viewpoint is censored or barred from screenings. That is dangerous for free voice and the art of cinema itself.”
The politics around a film does not end when the camera stops rolling.
Nimish Gour, an FTII graduate from the 2004 batch and now a film editor and professor at MIT Institute of Design, says, “Earlier we had this tolerance for everybody. We respected and appreciated each other’s opinions.” He recalls how actors with opposing political views could still publicly respect one another.
Resistance art on SRFTI’s walls. Pic/Instagram@srftioutloud
Gour does not see the incidents at SRFTI and FTII as something new. “At my time, we were encouraged to have politics of our own. We would always challenge the establishment, but it would not receive as much media attention due to the lack of Internet. Now even if the issue is miniscule, it becomes a wildfire through online discourse.”
It’s best to conclude here with what renowned Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair once said on a talk show with Vir Sanghvi, “Every film is political; it’s how you see the world.” If film schools are under attack under the guise of fighting “anti-national sentiments”, the art of Indian cinema at large may be at risk of getting wiped out. Or maybe, we are just riding a bad tide, like Gour says, “We faced the same backlash back then, at a smaller scale. The cycle keeps repeating itself every few years from my experience. I have started feeling that we have been in Emergency since 2016, it has just not been announced yet.”
Film critic Anjali Pillai says that learning to make a film also teaches you to question it
Anjali Pillai
At a film school, learning to make a film also means learning to question what the film is making the audience believe. The distinction becomes increasingly important as political cinema occupies more space in the mainstream.
Anjali Pillai, a film critic who runs @thefourthwall.in page on Instagram, says propaganda becomes easier to recognise as it is repeated. “A growing number of mainstream films are built around a loud, overt majoritarian framing,” she says, “After enough films, you start recognising the same moves. Which history is simplified, which community is the villain, the music, and the framing want you to feel. It becomes muscle memory.”
For students learning to construct those very elements, this awareness can be crucial. Pillai believes cinema’s emotional power makes audiences particularly susceptible to confusing a persuasive film with fact. “Films are increasingly consumed as political proof rather than as art or entertainment,” she says, pointing to films that have villianised minorities in India. “A film expressing a viewpoint makes an argument and trusts you to weigh it. Propaganda doesn’t want you to weigh anything. It wants you to leave angry at a specific group, and assure you that what you saw was fact.” Ultimately, what political education a film school can offer is to teach them to see how images make people think.
Film lecturer and author Devdutt Trivedi explains why renowned film schools in India get the “anti-national” label attached to them
The politics of a film school, Devdutt Trivedi argues, cannot be separated from the politics of the cinema it teaches students to make. A film theoretician, lecturer, and author, he sees the “anti-national” label attached to film institutions as part of a larger misunderstanding of what art cinema does.
“Political parties do not understand the idea of an art film. They understand a film which has messages; they do not understand what a film aesthetic is,” he says.
Trivedi points to the histories of institutions such as FTII and SRFTI, which he says have become associated with left-wing intellectual traditions. Their histories make them targets for political groups. The concern, however, goes beyond campus politics.
“Film is a tool of propaganda,” he says, “Any ruling party has a particular agenda; it will follow that, and it has been using film and propaganda. So it wants to do that at the level of the institute.”
“The objective of film form is, after all, freedom,” he says. “You need to have compassion on both sides. It’s very difficult.”
Trivedi advises, “As a professor, I think there is a way out of this by understanding the totality of the situation and not being reactionary like how both the sides are right now.”
Film editor Antara Lahiri explains why free-thinking spaces get targeted
Antara Lahiri
Antara Lahiri — film editor of Delhi Crime, FTII alumna, and current guest lecturer at the institute — says the politics of a film school lies in its ability to let students think beyond the boundaries imposed by society. Having witnessed the institute as both a student and a visiting professional, she has noticed, “People are definitely more cautious when talking about politics today.”
“FTII and SRFTI are spaces for free thinkers. Artistes by nature, and human beings by birth, are political beings,” Lahiri says. Film schools, she believes, naturally nurture this awareness. “The very point of being filmmakers is that you question control, you question the so-called societal frameworks, and question authority. I think it is natural for such spaces to be under threat whenever there’s any kind of authoritarian government.”
She describes these institutes as sacred spaces, where students watch films from across the world and encounter various perspectives. “The original intention was never to restrict thought of any kind,” she says. The attacks on such spaces, she argues, undermine the very purpose of film education. “Would a normal citizen not react if there were intruders in their homes? I think it is the same logic.”
]]>In a post on X, Fadnavis said the two discussed the similarities between India's ancient spiritual traditions and Japan's religious practices, as well as Maharashtra's longstanding relationship with Japan through cultural exchanges, education and tourism.
Honoured and happy to welcome Mrs. Akie Abe san, wife of the Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe san, at my official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai, today. She shared her experiences from her visit to Varanasi, highlighting the striking similarities between India’s ancient spiritual traditions and Japan’s religious practices, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual bonds between the two nations. The Abe Memorial Corridor at Varanasi’s Rudraksha International Convention Centre stands as a befitting tribute to India-Japan friendship and the close bond between our visionary leaders Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji and Former PM Shinzo Abe san, whose friendship strengthened ties between the two nations. Maharashtra and Japan share a longstanding relationship that continues to grow stronger through cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, tourism and people-to-people connections. Maharashtra looks forward to further strengthening the beautiful bond with Japan! 🇮🇳🇯🇵 @narendramodi @akie_official #Maharashtra #Mumbai #IndiaJapanFriendship #IndiaJapanRelations
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 10, 2026
In his post, Fadnavis said, "Honoured and happy to welcome Mrs Akie Abe san, wife of the Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe san, at my official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai, today."
He said Akie Abe shared her experiences from her visit to Varanasi, highlighting the cultural connections between the two countries.
"She shared her experiences from her visit to Varanasi, highlighting the striking similarities between India’s ancient spiritual traditions and Japan’s religious practices, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual bonds between the two nations," he said.
Fadnavis also referred to the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi, which was inaugurated by Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on October 7.
"The Abe Memorial Corridor at Varanasi’s Rudraksh International Convention Centre stands as a befitting tribute to India-Japan friendship and the close bond between our visionary leaders Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji and Former PM Shinzo Abe san, whose friendship strengthened ties between the two nations," he said.
The memorial honours Shinzo Abe's contribution to India-Japan relations and his close association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi also met Akie Abe in New Delhi on October 8 and recalled the former Japanese leader's role in strengthening bilateral ties.
Fadnavis said Maharashtra's relationship with Japan continued to develop through cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, tourism and people-to-people connections.
"Maharashtra and Japan share a longstanding relationship that continues to grow stronger through cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, tourism and people-to-people connections. Maharashtra looks forward to further strengthening the beautiful bond with Japan," he added.
Akie Abe's visit to India has included engagements focused on cultural cooperation and the legacy of her late husband, who served as Japan's prime minister and played a significant role in strengthening relations with India.
Earlier, Modi described Shinzo Abe as a close friend and a visionary leader who helped elevate bilateral relations. Akie Abe's visit to the memorial in Varanasi also highlighted her husband's personal connection with the city, including his visit in 2015 with Modi.
]]>“No matter how sad you think you are in life, remember there is a guy from your home town who still thinks he can become a rapper,” he chuckles.
Of course, he is far from being sad. In fact, he is savouring a moment that he admits won’t last forever. But it’s a good time to remember that as a kid, he wanted to be a rapper, before he fell in love with the movies. He still writes rap, but for the boy, born and raised in Kohima, Nagaland, music exists in the stories.
A still from the film, Angh
And winning the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival for Angh has only emboldened the voice in him. “I want to make films abroad as well. I grew up watching a lot of Hollywood films and film set in the UK. And that is also an ambition that I have. The first film I saw in cinemas was Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003). That stills remains one of the most impactful moments of my life,” he shares.
The desire to go global coexists with his affinity to tell stories of his roots. Just how Angh is the story of the past and the present of Nagaland coexisting. Set in the Mon district of 1960s Nagaland, Angh tells the story of different generations staying connected despite their contrasting realities. It began as a short film idea in 2018, which Rio brought to fruition in 2021. But his producer Nancy Nisa Beso knew he needed more time to make his feature debut.
“When he wrote the short film, he mentioned that this had to be made into a feature but we lacked resources and infrastructure then. We knew it was going to be a feature someday but we didn’t know how, when, where. So we made the short film. It received an incredible response from the global community,” she tells us.
“Then, he went to a film school, and I think he’d already written the feature version before that. But going to film school really helped him understand the way a feature has to be made. And Theja has mentioned several times that the farther away you are from home, from your own roots, the thirstier you become to learn about your own culture and traditions. You also have a better idea of how you need to tell the story because there is that longing for home, which is a little more emotional than it is while being there,” she adds.
In his decade-long career, Angh is actually the first film that is deeply rooted in Naga culture. The award-winning drama served as a moment of realisation for the filmmaker-writer that he wanted to continue to tell stories of where he came from. And even as he went to the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in 2022, the interest in developing Angh remained intact. Something else, however, changed, “Making the short film, I realised I was taking a U-turn in the themes and subjects that I usually explore and I was starting to set my stories where I came from. While being at NFTS, that voice remained as is, but what the school changed was how I wanted to tell these stories and through what lens and perspectives I wanted to tell them,” he shares.
The feeling of climbing the global ladder of cinema as well as joining the race for the Academy Awards are slowly sinking in for Rio, but he says, as a matter of fact, that there were very few times in his filmmaking journey that he doubted the reach of his talent. He credits this belief to his dream of becoming a director even before he “reached the age of reason.”
The surety about Rio’s craft allows Beso to keep betting on him and be a constant collaborator on his journey. It also lends her strength, now that she begins planning the film’s journey to make it to the list of top five best international films for the Oscars. “While we have qualified for the Oscars, there’s a process to it. In the next two months, they are going to do shortlist 15 films. And then the final list will have five films from around the world. So, in the next 10-15 days we have to plan a strategy for how to do this, the US release, how to get in touch with the Academy members, how to do multiple screenings. There’s a lot of work to do. We have some offers from distributors in the US. So, hopefully in the next few days, you will hear a good news from us,” she shares.
But before the Oscar madness begins, Rio, perhaps, needs a break from the “hectic interviews” the mention of which he makes twice during our conversation, even as he is grateful for the attention. “But I know that this is not something that’s going to last forever so I’m trying to enjoy the moment,” he smiles.
]]>Mumbai and its suburbs are likely to witness mainly clear skies, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 36 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively. The IMD has warned of a possibility of heatwave conditions in the city and suburbs.
According to the IMD's 8:30 AM weather report, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai recorded a high of 35.6 degrees Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory in the suburbs logged 37.4 degrees Celsius.
Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 101 on Sunday morning, falling in the moderate category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app. Air quality in this category may cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
Among the city’s monitoring stations, Bandra-Kurla Complex recorded the highest AQI at 424, followed by Deonar at 137 and Mazgaon at 115. Borivali recorded an AQI of 79, while Malad stood at 95. Ghatkopar recorded 67, Colaba 75 and Byculla 73.
Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Thane recorded an AQI of 74, while Navi Mumbai stood at 80 and Kalyan at 82.
Meanwhile, 'stop work' and 'sealing' action will be taken against construction sites for violating air pollution norms, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) warned on Saturday.
The warning came after NNMC chief Kailas Shinde held a high-level joint meeting with urban planners, executive engineers, architects, builders, and developers to ensure air quality does not deteriorate.
"Pollution severely impacts children, senior citizens, and respiratory patients in winter. Builders must treat environmental responsibility as a social duty rather than just as a business," Shinde said.
To combat dust and pollution, the civic body has enforced critical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), an official said.
It includes ban on use of drinking water for construction and dust suppression, with violators facing immediate site sealing.
"Sites must also install 30-foot-high barricades, fully wrap buildings in 'green-net', and set up 'tire-washing' facilities at exits to stop mud from reaching roads. Air quality sensors and public AQI display boards are mandatory at every construction site," the official said.
]]>Getting a guitar wet in the rain was something our guitarist brother would hate even with the cover on, and this writer has childhood memories of getting an earful for this crime.
When we told Mehran that that’s what made us pause, he laughs. “Yeah, a lot of people told me this. It started raining in the middle of my song and I couldn’t stop because it was finally sounding the way I wanted it to,” he confesses, with a hint of embarrassment sneaking into his voice over the phone.
The Thane resident, who turns 19 in November, is a Economics student at St Xavier’s College. Once we get past the shock of the wet guitar, Hodiwala’s voice rings through the pitter-patter of rain with an autobiographical tale of struggling with mental health as a young man. Hodiwala sings of conversations with his doctor: “Mrs Hodiwala, there’s nothing at all that you must worry about/ Your kid is fine, it happens all the time/ It’s just hormones acting out”. We were hooked.
We ask Hodiwala about what the song means. “I wrote it in the immediate aftermath of the first few psychiatric sessions I went to. At the time, I was sitting there next to the doctor who was talking to my parents, and all I could think was, ‘Oh, this would make a pretty nice song,’” he says, and immediately starts laughing.
This episode is from about four months ago; Hodiwala tells us he was feeling “under the weather”, and with the intention of respecting his privacy, we leave it at that. “I’d been feeling a little under the weather. That’s an understatement. But I told my parents and they were quite supportive,” he shares.
He then adds, “I think I make the therapist sound a lot worse in the song than he actually was. I think the poor guy was just trying to help.”
Hodiwala’s mother is a doctor (medical microbiologist) and father is an adman, and it was the latter’s obsession with music that has influenced his own musical inclinations. “Ever since I was maybe a day old, he’s [his father] has been feeding me Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. So I grew up idolising all of them. I always wanted to write like them,” he says.
Mehran has been writing songs since he was nine and playing the guitar from the age of 10. Cut to now: “I am planning to get an album out by next month,” he tells us. For now, the song Conversations with my shrink can be found on his Instagram (@_hodiwala_), where it already has 22,000 likes, over a thousand comments, and has been shared over 5000 times.
Not bad for a boy with a guitar and a dream who’s caught in the rain.
]]>While here, she visited the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, signed up for a Bollywood tour, even took a photo outside Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat. Bird discusses the lessons she learned as a female entrepreneur in the crowded beauty and wellness market.
How does one keep evolving as a founder?
I think the journey is about saying yes, always, and never thinking, ‘I can’t do that’.
It’s about always thinking, what else can I do? The expression we have in the UK is ‘Yes, and?’. That is what people have to do. If you want to get ahead, and you want people to recognise your worth, you do your ‘yes, and?’. You do say no — when something’s not morally right, like social media. It’s a challenge… [But] we truly believe that right now social media isn’t a safe place for so many, especially younger people who are easily influenced. We wouldn’t put a Lush store at the end of a dark alley because we wouldn’t want our customers to go there, social media to us is this dark alley. It doesn’t mean that we’re not on it. Because influencers see our products, they love it, they talk about it. And for that, we’re very grateful.
Pic/iStock
What have you learned from taking a moral stand as a business owner?
I don’t think we’re political, we are humanitarian. We will give both sides of the picture — a balanced view — and educate. If making a campaign or sharing a public opinion, we always share both sides and then it’s for you to make a decision as to what you do with good, balanced information. For example, we would always say use your vote, but we wouldn’t say who to vote for. If we see an issue or a cause or we see harm or injustice, then we will use our business as a voice. For example. we sell naked products without packaging, which last three times more than the packed ones, [but] we have to do an offering of both.
It’s the customer’s choice. So we’re all about giving you a choice, but hopefully steering you towards the more conscious choices.
How do you balance product innovation, consumer demands, and sustainability?
Not thinking there’s any other way. We have to make enough money because we are a business, so we reserve the right to have a profit to keep the company running so everybody’s employed. But not at the cost of the environment, at the cost of animal testing, at the cost of how we buy our raw materials. If another company bought us today they could immediately make more money and less impact, but that’s not the goal. For example, we used to have a colour cosmetics brand which used mica, and we learned that despite having fair certifications, mica extracting practices were still illegally employing and killing children, so we decided to not use natural mica ever. We always go for natural, but at this instance, went straight to synthetic.
Advice for women who want to start their own brand?
Be your own person. Men do not know everything — sorry, guys. Make sure you’re working with people that you really like and trust, and have a long-term relationship with. Don’t be taken over by somebody else. Understand what you want and how you’re going to do it and then stick with that.
We work very well as a group of six co-founders.
Each one of us has a different skill set, but all the skill sets interlock. Respect within a team is most important. If you’re working yourself, employ people to work for you that are stronger than you in the different areas.
Ambition vs risk, how important is it to tell yourself the truth?
Believe in what you’re doing. If you’re starting a business and are not passionate about it, it’s easy for somebody to derail you and tell you it’s no good because you’re half thinking. You have to be like your Bollywood star that kept telling himself he was the best. Find people to support you. The beautiful thing about having six partners as founders is that when one of you has a wobble, you’ve got five people behind you cheering you on.
It’d be very lonely doing it on your own, but it’s certainly not impossible.
]]>Salman acknowledged that the problem had persisted despite his earlier comments made on Bigg Boss 20, adding that some photographers appeared to be treating his warning as a joke. He also alleged that certain celebrities, including both men and women, invite paparazzi and pay them to take such pictures, while stressing that this does not justify making others uncomfortable.
“There are also some women and some guys who call them (paps) there, pay for them there, they ask them to do this. What can they do, either?” he said.
The actor clarified that while some celebrities may be comfortable with such photographs, photographers must respect the wishes of those who object to them. “Those who want it, go ahead and do it, brother. Don't touch the ones who don't want it,” he added, emphasising that consent should determine whether such pictures are taken.
Addressing Neha directly, Salman said that photographers would face consequences if they continued taking these shots after actresses had explicitly asked them to stop. “When you girls come and say 'don't do this,' and they do it anyway, then we'll see what happens,” he said.
The actor also suggested that the practice was becoming more frequent despite his earlier intervention. “Now they started doing even more, but I'll take a big stand on it,” he said, adding that he believed some major platforms were also involved. “They think right now it is a joke. And, some big platforms are doing it. I'll take full on action,” Salman stated, signalling that he intended to take a stronger stand against the practice.
Neha expressed her appreciation for Salman raising the matter on a widely watched television platform. The actor had previously spoken about photographers deliberately focusing on actresses’ thighs or taking pictures from behind, regardless of whether the women were comfortable with it.
During his earlier comments on Bigg Boss 20, Salman questioned why photographers continued taking such pictures when several actresses had made their discomfort clear. He also referred to Neha’s earlier objections to the practice and mentioned an incident involving Saiee Manjrekar and his niece.
At the time, he urged women who did not want such photographs taken to stand up for themselves, saying, “Wherever that happens, turn around and slap them.” His latest remarks reinforce his call for paparazzi to respect personal boundaries, while his promise of action puts the spotlight back on consent and the treatment of women in celebrity photography. Salman Khan will next be seen in Monster, releasing on Eid 2027.
]]>Imagine Godzilla, Batman, Goku, Snape, Wednesday, Gandalf and Sad Keanu Reaves chilling in the same room. Next to it is a fight club where Jackie Chan is beating Darth Vader, in another room Michael Jackson is sharing the dance floor with Vincent and Mia from Pulp Fiction. Next to that, Kong is fast asleep on a half collapsed floor while Ben Affleck smokes in the corner.
Sounds bizarre but fun, right? Welcome to Floor796, an animated and interactive scene which acts as a living museum of everything from Pop culture and the internet. You see characters and memes from various works on the same floor of a huge space station, the animation ever expanding, with new blocks and characters popping up as you scroll. It allows you to click on characters, find out their identities, look for Easter eggs, participate in games and quests.
Floor796 is, in basic terms, a museum of discovery where you can test your knowledge of pop culture and memology.
Cenk Uygur and Anna Kasparian; (right) Amy Goodman
There are some people who always give us the perspective from the other side and they are vital in helping us build our world view.
Today there are few space that still cover events around the world with a lens that is not co-opted my Tech or big business and we always see what they were saying about a particular issue.
No. 1 for us has been Amy Goodman and the legacy she has build around Democracy Now. We would watch this show before YouTube existed and their barebones website would play the long hour world wide coverage. Goodman is an award winning journalist and is known to be on the right side of history and break down wars, civil unrest and false narratives for those who want to here.
YoungTurks is founded by Cenk Uygur a American-Turkish journalist and the prime time show is anchored by both Uygur and the fiery Anna Kasparian who comes from Amerinian descent. Which is why their breakdown of the Iran war, the impact of the Houthis and their unique backgrounds, gives us so much more nuanced coverage of Wests Asia and the Arvan world. Although sometimes we disagree with a few things but it’s always a healthy disagreement and we do appreciate them giving us a perspective that is rarely seen in both Indian and American mainstream media.
www.youtube.com
PIC/murdle.com
Who doesn’t enjoy head-scratching, complicated stories involving murders! Everyone loves putting themselves in the shoes of Beniot Blanc or Poirot or Byomkesh Bakshi, but they don’t know how they can solve mysteries of their own thanks to Murdle.
Based on the famous book series of the same name, Murdle shares daily mystery themed murders and puzzles, immersing them in genre apt storytelling. The games are simple. You’re told about the victim and suspects, given cryptic clues. Use logic and powers of deduction to make connections. These puzzles are genuinely challenging, which makes solving all the more satisfying!
PIC/grandoldbooks.com
What is old may never be forgotten. If you’re a geek for old literature, you don’t have to buy books online or run to the library. You can do it on the phone, without spending a penny!
Grand Old Books is a website dedicated to reviving ancient and forgotten literary gems from different countries and languages.
You can find Russian classics like War and Peace and Anna Karenina, religious texts like the Four Vedas, the Bible and Quran, American novels like The Great Gatsby and the Catcher In The Rye and much more. You can also enjoy many of the greatest novels in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Marathi, Malayalam, and dozens of other languages that have never been translated into English.
For a table lamp that does more than simply sit pretty on your desk, the RARECARE rechargeable table lamp makes a practical addition to a bedside table, work desk, or reading corner. Its cordless, rechargeable design means you can move it around the house without having to worry about finding a nearby power socket, making it particularly handy for spaces where flexibility matters.
The lamp has a compact table-friendly design, while its rechargeable battery allows it to be used without being continuously plugged in. That makes it useful for late-night reading. The built-in pen stand is a complete lifesaver when you have to quickly jot down notes somewhere.
]]>Last week, we caught up with the artiste for a very special update. His voice and melodies are part of Cosmic Rhapsody, the second part of The Lim Trilogy, a three-part musical and visual storytelling project which explores companionship, space and the origins of matter through music, animation, and science.
The project, spearheaded by Dr Susan Lim, who in her medical career spanning over 30 years pioneered liver transplantation in Asia, comprises songs, animation, and concertos such as Fantasy of Companionship (2021), Cosmic Rhapsody (2026), and Symphony of Oceans (unreleased).
Dr Susan Lim
The song in Cosmic Rhapsody titled Star among the Cosmic Clouds is about a star that is going down. Barua composed this song to Dr Lim’s lyrics after his father’s death. “I wrote it in Assam sitting at my father’s desk. It was recorded in Abbey Road Studios in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,” he tells us.
The first part of the trilogy focuses on companionship and loneliness. “As people become increasingly isolated, it asks: Can we live a life with artificial companions? The story follows ALAN, an AI-embodied plush inanimate who enters the life of its human companion, Christina,” Dr Lim tells us.
Cosmic Rhapsody, sees the partnership of human and inanimate set out to space, driven by environmental challenges on Earth, in search of solutions in cosmic dust that may help save the planet. “In this fictional narrative, they encounter an exploding star, a supernova, yielding purple cosmic dust that falls back to Earth as confetti, soaking up the CO2 and impurities, narrated through the song Confetti Storm,” Lim says.
“I think every complicated story can also be told simply. If it cannot be told simply it means you haven’t understood it. I call this project The Ark of ALAN. Susan has built an entire universe with various talents from around the world,” Joi adds.
Ahead of the Space Week on October 2, the song Teleportation from the finale of LIM I, recorded at Abbey Road in April with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating quantum entanglement, was also released in two versions: one main English version by Britain’s Got Talent superstar Tom Ball, and a separate version in Assamese by Barua, who composed the song to Susan’s lyrics.
The news only gets bigger. Cosmic Rhapsody celebrates its North American Premiere at the Hollywood Bowl in July 2027, a month apart from NASA’s COSI mission to board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in August 2027, led by Principal Investigator John Tomsick.
Last year, Lim and her team presented Cosmic Rhapsody to the leadership of the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley. “The screening revealed how intimately the musical story of star evolution aligned with the upcoming NASA mission. Human striving drives both, the imagination of scientists to build instruments capable of peering across light-years, and artistes to create works that stirs human spirit,” Dr Susan Lim told us via email.
The mission will study the gamma-ray sky to trace the radioactive glow of stellar explosions and map where the elements of the periodic table are forged across our galaxy. “The iron in our blood, calcium in our bones and magnesium in our cells were all forged in stellar furnaces,” says Dr Lim, adding, “We are quite literally stardust.”
Dr Lim met Barua at an INK Conference in Singapore where she spoke on the frontiers in medicine. She heard Barua present Rhaba, an Assamese song inspired by the story of Assamese revolutionary and cultural icon Bishnu Prasad Rabha, created in collaboration with American saxophonist George Brooks, and knew she wanted to work with him. “While working on the songs, I realised that every bit of that endeavour is aimed at trying to find a solution. And then that whole endeavour requires a bigger purpose. It’s a privilege to be part of this,” says Barua, adding that Mumbai and Bollywood gave his career a platform.
“When you make music for movies, it has a commercial goal post but when you do your own music, it feels personal and their collective purpose. I will continue doing good projects and people will find me,” says Barua, who has been associated with Bollywood projects including Dev D, Udaan and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. “The ultimate message we leave with viewers is that no matter how far we push into artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, or deep-space exploration, empathy and love remain the universal currency,” Lim signs off.
]]>Around 7000 people have been detained by the Delhi Police. Six police personnel, including a female member, sustained injuries. Delhi Police is likely to register FIRs in alleged assault against personnel, officials say.
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka — who flew to Delhi on Saturday morning — were detained even before they deboarded their flight. AISA president Neha along with activists Yogendra Yadav, and Prashant Bhushan were detained near INA market in Delhi.
At least four former chief ministers including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Manik Sarkar were also detained.
At Tolstoy Marg, where the road leading towards Jantar Mantar was barricaded, protestors who had managed to reach the spot stood around, occasionally breaking into slogans.
At Connaught Place, Nilesh Navlakha, a filmmaker from Pune, said he had travelled to Delhi. Navlakha had also been present at the June 6 protest. “The atmosphere that day and today is different,” he said.
Lakhan, who travelled from Narela (30 km from Jantar Mantar) on his bike, said he had reached Connaught Place in the morning after dropping his mother at work. “I am neither with the CJP nor the BJP… The public is hungry. Answer their questions,” he said.
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]]>Gupta in a post on X said, “Why are these leaders so hell-bent on venting frustration of their nonstop defeats on the public? What offense have residents of Delhi committed to be tormented by the chaos on the streets?” Gupta wrote.
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]]>Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “India is not a democracy anymore. It is a dictatorship run by Mr Narendra Modi and Mr Amit Shah.” The Opposition party claimed that the “PM-HM duo is extremely nervous and rattled” by a peaceful protest and so the government has “officially waged war against its own people”.
Hitting out at the Modi government, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor claimed Delhi is witnessing a “war-like deployment” and said “our GenZ deserves better than an undeclared Emer-GenZ”.
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]]>Venugopal said the bloc recently met the President to convey its concerns on the matter and would also meet the Chief Justice of India on Monday. Rajya Sabha MP AA Rahim, along with detained activists of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), announced a hunger strike at Nangloi Stadium, where around 300 students had been detained.
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]]>Urging the government to stop the arrests and resolve the issues through dialogue, Wangchuk warned that he may consider a peaceful sit-in, hunger strike or march in Leh or Delhi if the curbs are not withdrawn within the next 24 hours.
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]]>Adityanath made these comments after the inauguration and foundation-stone laying ceremonies for 78 development projects worth over Rs 803 crore in Balrampur district. He said, “They ask me to contest the elections from Ayodhya. Ayodhya is our holy place. I go there so that there is no laxity in Ayodhya’s development, and no stain is brought to Uttar Pradesh’s identity!”
“In Ayodhya, you used to provide electricity for 3-4 hours. The Ayodhya you turned into a heap of filth is today an example of Ram Rajya, reminding us of the Treta Yuga,” he alleged.
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]]>Indian national pilot Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 “in an apparent attempt to hijack or cause it to crash,” the officials said, citing an FIR registered by the NIA on October 9.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar soon after the incident and praised his courage and presence of mind. His actions also drew appreciation from Indian officials and authorities in Israel, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the UAE.
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]]>A storm of that strength or greater is considered a major hurricane. “This rainfall will produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the NHC said.
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]]>Missiles also struck Kyiv in a daytime attack Saturday. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said four people were wounded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Russia and Ukraine are locked in a long-range aerial war while their armies remain largely deadlocked on the front line, more than four-and-a-half years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Ukraine is struggling to counter escalating Russian bombardments that have killed more than 60 people over the past four days.
“Today, Russia expressed its thanks for the lifting of sanctions on diesel exports by dropping five glide bombs on residential buildings in Zaporizhzhia,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote Saturday on X.
He said the attacks show Moscow understands “any easing of pressure to mean they can keep fighting, to mean they can keep dropping bombs on cities,” adding that “different signals are needed.”
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]]>It has been an absorbing commitment, and a welcome reminder of the many ways there are to tell the history of modern India. The books have taken me through constitutional precepts, political lives, migration, borders and the experience of ordinary people living through decisions made far beyond them. As a former diplomat, I am accustomed to reading the official record. Some of the most rewarding writing asks what that record leaves out, or show how a familiar event looks when viewed from another region, community, or household.
With the South Asian Symphony Orchestra, which Nirupama Rao and her husband Sudhakar had founded
I have especially savoured encountering work that combines patient research with the confidence to tell a compelling story. A prize jury also teaches you to read more attentively. A book may unsettle your assumptions without necessarily persuading you of every conclusion, and the discussion with fellow jurors makes you return to the text and think again. That seems to me a fitting way to honour Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, whose mind was like an ocean, and whose own life crossed so many of the boundaries we tend to place between politics, culture and public service.
What life lessons did the Foreign Service teach you?
To listen before drawing conclusions. That sounds simple, but diplomacy often places you amid strong convictions, partial information and pressure to respond at once. You learn to ask what the other person apprehends, what they desire to preserve, and what history they believe they are living through. Understanding their position does not require you to surrender your own.
The Service also taught me the value of preparation and the limits of certainty. Countries are more complicated than the neat descriptions we give them, and relationships rarely move in a straight line. I learned to stay curious, to treat people with respect whatever their rank, and to remember that words can have consequences well beyond the room in which they are spoken. Above all, I came to believe that a country represents itself through the quality of its judgment as much as through the force of its arguments.
Nirupama Rao
How did music become a key part of your life?
Music has been a companion through much of my life. I sing, and I know from performing how much feeling can be carried in a phrase that no spoken explanation quite captures. After I left the Foreign Service, I had more room to give that part of me sustained attention. Music also provided a way to carry forward something I cared deeply about as a diplomat: Bringing people into contact across borders.
My husband Sudhakar and I founded the South Asian Symphony Foundation in 2018. The orchestra brings musicians from across our region together to rehearse, listen and make something none could make alone. I do not imagine a concert can resolve a political dispute. But I have watched musicians arrive with different histories and leave with a shared experience, and that matters. The work has grown to include young musicians and our Silver Songbirds programme for older singers. It gives me enormous pleasure to see people find their place and fellowship in an ensemble, sometimes for the first time.
What can readers expect from your next book?
My book is about India’s image in the world: the stories we tell about ourselves, the images others form of us, and the space between the two.
A diplomat spends a great deal of time in that space. I want to explore how a country as varied and inventive as India can make itself understood without reducing itself to a slogan. It is a work in progress, so I shall leave the rest for
the book.
“A dear memory is the South Asian Symphony Orchestra’s debut at the NCPA in April 2019. We had spent so long imagining an orchestra that could bring together musicians from across South Asia. Hearing it come to life on a Mumbai stage was deeply moving. Mumbai is a wonderful city for such a beginning: It has long made room for people and ideas arriving from elsewhere, and it brings a generous curiosity to the arts.
On my next visit, I would like to attend a concert, as a member of the audience, browse a bookshop without looking at the clock, and take a long walk by the sea.”
. What are you reading?
I’ve just finished Qiu Xiaolong’s Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder. I’ve long enjoyed how his mysteries evoke the nooks and crannies of Shanghai while giving you a glimpse of the Party politics and social change beneath the surface.
. An Indian writer who impressed you?
Jhumpa Lahiri remains an all-time favourite. Migration, a topic she tackles with such sensitivity and detail, especially fascinates me.
. A musician you’d love to perform a duet with?
Joan Baez. She was my childhood icon and idol. Her voice and the courage that sings with it have stayed with me all my life.
The question is particularly relevant now, as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has revised its film-certification guidelines for the first time since 1991. The new framework retains the requirement that films receiving unrestricted public exhibition should be “suitable for family viewing” — meaning all members of a family, including children, should be able to watch them together. At the same time, the guidelines retain the U/A age markers, allowing films to be classified U/A 7+, U/A 13+, or U/A 16+ depending on their content, with parental discretion for younger children. They also introduce a specific statutory warning for scenes depicting the consumption or trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
But in 2026, what exactly does “family-friendly” mean?
For Aditi Giri, 27, “family-friendly” cinema is less about a checklist of forbidden subjects and more about what she chooses to share with her mother. Having lived away from home for nearly a decade, watching films together has become a way of spending quality time. “My mom and I are hardcore Hindi movie buffs,” she says, explaining that their shared choices tend to be light, easy, and something they can laugh about together. Even a “brainrot” film such as Tees Maar Khan (2010) can work because, as she puts it, “we can watch it and then we laugh it off.”
Some films which are deemed family-friendly
That does not mean Giri consciously avoids films dealing with serious issues. She simply would not pick them for this particular kind of viewing. “I wouldn’t sit with her and watch a film like Padman (2018) just because I want to do timepass with her,” she says. Instead, she would choose something like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) or Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). “What might be easy to watch for you with your parents might not be to somebody else who watches with their parents,” she explains.
That subjectivity is precisely what concerns 24-year-old Abhinav Jha, who is an aspiring filmmaker and a film student. He feels that a directive to make cinema suitable for family viewing can feel like a creative “chokehold”. He sees the language of protection and morality in Indian censorship as part of a larger paternalistic relationship between the state and its citizens.
He says, “The state looks at the people of this country like children who need to be corrected.”
24-year-old filmmaker and film student Abhinav Jha feels that a directive to make cinema suitable for family viewing can feel like a creative “chokehold”. Pic/Shadab Khan
Jha is particularly wary of what such guidelines can do to filmmakers before a film even reaches the certification process. “As people in the creative space, I think there is a great degree of self-censorship that is happening,” he says. More troublingly, he feels the guidelines are not always applied consistently. Films containing violence or degradation of women can pass, he points out, while consensual intimacy between adults can face scrutiny.
Giri, meanwhile, would rather have filmmakers tell audiences what they are getting into than have a certificate make that choice for them. “I would want a film or a film director to tell me about what the content is about rather than a certificate telling and controlling it for me,” she says. “Why do we need to be constantly reminded of drinking and smoking disclaimers?” Jha asks, “Why is a scene involving intimacy getting censored from a film for adults?” His despair also comes from the limitations visible in alternative mediums.
At the heart of this debate, the problem lies with the CBFC giving the illusion of choice. The need to sanitise a film, irrespective of the movie rating, snatches creative liberty away. As Jha rightly puts it, “I know there is a lot of censorship in other countries because of which filmmakers have to rely on subject and a lot of nuance to tell their story. But why should I be nuanced because of certain restrictions? Why should I rely on subtext to tell a story the way I want to tell it?”
Dibakar Banerjee
Filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee says, “Our puzzling over what is ‘family friendly’ is a perfect example of being cornered into the self-censorship trap,” calling it a “word salad” that diverts attention from who gets to decide what audiences should watch. “Some of our most thought provoking and confrontational films, mine included, have navigated those laws and have been exhibited. It happened because there was room to consider the ‘film’ rather than the ‘guidelines’. State censorship works in: Repressive laws. Unlawful censorship through goondagardi. Restricting spaces for free speech and thought.”
Film Youtuber Harshad Pawaskar talks about how CBFC has taken a regressive turn at a time when audiences have evolved
Harshad Pawaskar
The idea of a family film still conjures up a certain kind of cinema for photographer and film YouTuber Harshad Pawaskar, 46. “A typical family-friendly movie would be anything that is made by Rajshri Productions,” he says, pointing to films such as Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989) and Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994). These films, he says, had romance, comedy, and action, but “they don’t cross the limit”. The violence was lighter, the romance was restrained, and even the hero getting beaten up remained part of the fun.
Today, Pawaskar sees that balance slipping. “Take an example of this Dhurandhar (2025) movie. It’s a blockbuster movie but it is not something I can sit and watch with my son,” he says. Action, he argues, has become increasingly graphic, with filmmakers setting “a benchmark so high” that every action film seems to involve “ripping heads, chopping off hands”.
Audiences, he believes, have evolved, while certification has gone in the opposite direction. “They are taking a reverse gear wherein they want everything to be goody, goody,” he says.
]]>For illustrator Sefi George, who runs Letters from the Wild, the appeal began with something simple: “I love receiving mails. It’s such a rare thing these days. And I get very excited when I get one myself.”
Her quarterly mail club sends out illustrated letters centred on wildlife. Each edition features an animal with a personality and a story. There is a love-struck praying mantis wondering whether to approach a female mantis, and a Gen Z-style kingfisher waiting to get out of its hole. Alongside the illustrated letter are a sticker, a colouring postcard, and an activity related to the creature, from board games to word searches.
Harneet Kaur (right), another subscriber, says, “I definitely think this is a great way of collecting art and supporting small artists because I think it’s patronage that you just pay in installments.”
“As an illustrator, since I have the opportunity to make it, why not just give it a go?” George says. Everything is made specifically for the club. “As of now, I’ve been making everything from scratch for the club,” she says, “There is an illustrated letter. It’s a narrative from the point of view of the animal and it has illustrations all around that tell a story. There is a sticker, a colouring postcard, and an activity that is linked to the creature.”
That little envelope is considerably more labour-intensive than it looks. George says it takes around two days to put together a complete set, with each element printed on separate paper and then cut. There are four or five particularly hectic days every month when she is printing. Yet, she says, the process of researching, writing, and turning information into something accessible to children is what she enjoys most.
And the people on the receiving end aren’t simply buying an illustration. They are becoming part of the process.
Artist Megha Saji (right), who runs The Kumo Mail Club from Kerala, began hers after discovering mail clubs online. What attracted her was the idea of sharing a piece of everyday life with a stranger.
For Mumbai-based subscriber Amruta Chad, that exchange is precisely the point. She subscribes to several mail clubs and has turned receiving them into something of an office ritual. When a new envelope arrives, colleagues gather around for the opening. “And then we have a whole show and tell of opening the mail, going through all the artwork,” she says.
Chad puts some of the postcards up on a wall at home and at work, changes them around periodically, and sometimes, gives them to friends. “I like to collect different artworks. I don’t have a very big house, you know how it is in Mumbai. But I like to keep changing the artwork that I put up.”
There is, she says, a difference between buying a postcard and subscribing to the person who made it. Her subscriptions typically cost around Rs 500 to Rs 550 a month. Individual postcards from some of these artists cost around Rs 150 to Rs 300, she says, making the additional amount feel less like a purchase and more like a contribution to the artist’s ongoing practice.
Amruta Chad (right), puts some of the postcards up on a wall at home and at work, changes them around periodically, and sometimes gives them to friends
“I would definitely say I’m supporting the artist’s practice when I subscribe,” Chad says. “I’ve spoken to some artists, and it’s a way for them to experiment without getting too serious about it.”
That is perhaps where these tiny envelopes begin to resemble something bigger than stationery. They offer a low-cost version of patronage. Instead of spending thousands on a single artwork, a subscriber commits a smaller amount regularly and, in return, gets to follow an artist’s work over time.
Harneet Kaur, another subscriber, describes it even more directly. “I definitely think this is a great way of collecting art and supporting small artists because I think it’s patronage that you just pay in installments.”
Kaur knows both sides of the equation. A marketing professional who was on a career break, she started her own mail club after noticing the resurgence of snail mail and creator-led postal projects abroad. She ran it for three months before becoming increasingly interested in the wider world of philately and postal culture. She has since subscribed to seven Indian mail clubs — Art Land of Juno, Bangalore; The Antaral Post, Jamshedpur; Post-a-Card, Mumbai; Paper n Prism, Kolkata; May’s Snail Mail, Nagercoil; Imaginistaa Snailmail Club, Thiruvananthapuram; Mail Studio Co, Jaipur.
The first time she received all seven, she had just returned from a holiday. “They all came when I was not in town. So, I came and they were just laid under my door, all seven of them.”
The sight made her unexpectedly emotional. “We used to see all of this in the movies, that people are getting letters. Because I’m 36 years old, so I definitely haven’t seen letters passed around. And it has kind of filled me with so much joy, I can’t tell you.” She photographed the colourful envelopes and sent the pictures to her parents. “I don’t think anything else has given me so much joy as these letters have.”
The joy, however, isn’t simply nostalgia. There is something about the physicality of the objects that changes how they are valued. “I think you see something on Instagram, even if it’s an illustration, I don’t think you’ll remember it in a minute’s time,” Kaur says, “But this art I plan to frame and put on my walls so that it’s going to stay there for a while.”
The experience begins even before the envelope is opened. “Everything is put together really thoughtfully. It exists for a reason, even the packaging, the envelope, the theme, everything is very, very thoughtfully and carefully put together.” For artists, the model also offers something that selling individual works online may not: a little predictability. George says that although the club isn’t a meaningful source of income yet, the subscription model allows artists to price work more accessibly because they have some assurance that there will be buyers.
Artist Megha Saji, who runs The Kumo Mail Club from Kerala, began hers after discovering mail clubs online. What attracted her was the idea of sharing a piece of everyday life with a stranger.
“That feeling of receiving letters and reading, that feeling that someone is there… I wanted to bring that back,” she says. Saji’s envelopes contain letters, art prints, bookmarks, postcards and little activities. Her recurring theme is nature, inspired by growing up in Kerala. She is only three months into the club, but already has repeat customers.
Yet she isn’t thinking of those subscribers primarily as patrons. “I see them as my friends,” she says, explaining how mail clubs also allow people to build a more tangible relationship with an artist.
That might be the most charming thing about these clubs. The transaction is there, but it doesn’t feel like the whole point. The subscriber gets something tangible to keep, the artiste gets a small community to create for, and somewhere between the two, a stranger becomes familiar.
Saji says the part she enjoys most is imagining the person receiving her letter. “When I’m putting the mail together, I’m thinking about the other person and what I should write to make them smile.”
Even the packing gives her joy, she says, because she imagines how they will open it and feel.
In a time when much of our relationship with art happens through screens, these mail clubs ask for something wonderfully old-fashioned: a little patience.
You subscribe, you wait, you watch the India Post tracking, and then one day an envelope arrives.
Chad even knows which artiste is likely to be sending something based on the location it is travelling from. “I track just to see whether it’s the Sleepy Cat Post or Stoberimoo, just to know who is sending it and where my next mail is coming from.” And then comes the best part, opening it. “It’s like a mystery art that you get every month and it’s delivered to your doorstep,” she says, “You don’t have to go anywhere, you just have to subscribe to it, and it’s at the cost of a coffee and a sandwich.”
Perhaps that is the new art collector these clubs are creating — someone who doesn’t necessarily have gallery walls, a large budget or a vocabulary for contemporary art. Just a small space on the wall, a few hundred rupees to spare, and an appetite for surprise.
Kaur puts it simply: “I don’t think there is anybody who is not into collecting art. They might not know that they are doing it.”
]]>One official said air traffic to the Riyadh airport had stopped, also mentioning that many were wounded from the strikes. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. King Khalid International Airport has been targeted multiple times in the week since a Saudi-led coalition launched a major military offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the earlier attacks, including one Wednesday that killed a Sudanese national.
There was no immediate Houthi statement on Saturday. The Saudis have sought support from the US and other allies as its airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure have come under attack. Officials said US assistance has included intelligence sharing, target identification and planning for the latest offensive.
On Saturday, as he left the White House, US President Donald Trump told reporters, “It’s not good” and “I’m not happy.” But there has been no immediate sign of US military support to respond to the attacks.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Pikachu visits the recycled drinking water dispenser, where Adenot explains, “We recycle 98 per cent of our water. That’s pretty amazing. Even the urine is recycled.” He stops by the heavy-duty freezers used for experiment sample preservation, floats into the crew quarters, and has a jolly time out of it.
Pikachu had actually accompanied Adenot on her mission and spent 67 days in orbit earlier this year. The video in question was shared in recognition of World Space Week 2026, a United Nations-led international celebration of space technology from October 4 to 10, and also as part of the ESA’s previously announced partnership with The Pokémon Company. He is the first Pokemon to go to outer space — he even got there before Tom Cruise!
The tour concludes at the station’s crew quarters. The partnership between the ESA and The Pokémon Company also features a temporary exhibition centered on space and Pokémon at ESA sites and major museums across Europe. The sites feature exclusive merchandise, as well as special events in the mobile game Pokémon Go.
Pic/x@wadda1018
Dozens of ‘competitive sleepers’ participate in the ‘Matt Race’ in Tokyo, Japan, tracking their slumber for the top prize of over two million yen.
]]>When Devaiah first heard the script, he compared it to RK Narayan’s Malgudi Days. “I knew in that instant that Gulshan got the tone of the film. And I thought Rasika would be perfect to play Jessie,” says Oza. Dugal, who fell in love with the script, even volunteered to learn the piano for her role, he adds.
Kaushal Oza
Oza is equally grateful to producer Anurag Kashyap, who implicitly trusted his vision, and gave him a free hand to execute it. “It is a great vote of confidence when an experienced filmmaker like him chooses to come on board as a producer. Once he decides to back a script, he does not interfere at all. He puts all his faith in the filmmaker,” says Oza.
The director hopes Little Thomas, releasing in theatres on October 23, opens doors for more children’s films in India. Although several filmmakers want to tell stories featuring child protagonists, he says, “development teams in studios treat these films as anathema”. Pointing to the success of regional children’s films, Oza believes their appeal lies in how they tell stories. “The films are not childish, but told from the point of view of children, so much so, that even adults could relate to them”.
Nine
Approximate number of years ‘Little Thomas’ took to go from scripting to India release
“Gulshan and Rasika were quite pleased that they got to do something Bollywood-ish [with the inclusion of] a song and dance number, but after the first dance rehearsal, I remember both of them asking me if they could shoot the song at the last because the movements were much more complicated than they had thought. And three dance rehearsals became 15”
Kaushal Oza
]]>Instead, I’m suggesting we host games for events we excel at — games where we don’t need to build special grounds/stadia. These special games should be played out on the streets of Mumbai — in her bylanes, and galli-guchis, parks and maidans, highways and flyovers. These are all great locations for some disciplines; in fact, we should patent them for a new format called ‘The Indisciplined Games’. Here are some I wish to introduce.
‘Graze and gaali’ 10-metre dash
In this event, two motorists take off from the same direction, they must drive very close to each other, finally grazing each other’s vehicles. They both stop, get out of their respective cars, and begin an exchange of expletives that escalates into full-blown violence. Obviously, the driver knocked unconscious is the loser.
Five -legged scooty race
In this race, five contestants have to sit atop a scooter meant for two. This is a night event; the contestants have to ride on a pavement, with people sleeping there. They have the wide open road to traverse, but choose to disturb the sleepers, having to skilfully weave around prostrate bodies.
The no-entry sprint
The venue for this 50-meter dash has to be a narrow lane. This is strictly a one-way traffic lane, the opposition then takes off down this lane from the opposite side. The outcome is anyone’s guess.
Knock Her Down
This is a motorbiking event — in 100 cc, 200 cc and 500 cc categories. In this sport, women riders race individually, while the opposition is a misogynistic insecure male, unable to accept that the fairer sex has competed in his domain. He attempts to knock her down in an SUV. She has to avoid him. When the starter gun goes off, both the biker and the brute set off together, and the lady biker has to somehow fend off the crazed SUV.
The hit from behind
This is an SUV sport once again. In this one, usually the driver is underage. The idea is to drive at high speeds and hit a much slower vehicle, like a scooter, cycle, or auto rickshaw from behind. The slower vehicle has to find ways or zig-zag techniques to race towards the finish line.
Steeplechase over ‘two bridges intersecting’
In my ‘Indisciplined Games’, this is the one single running event, the venue for which will keep changing. The requirement has to be ‘misaligned bridges’, like at Ghatkopar or Gokhale Bridge. This is more than just a Triathalon or Iron man race, where the athlete competes in running, swimming and cycling. In my Games, the athlete competes in activities as diverse as running, jumping, and sidestepping craters/potholes of different sizes, but the last stretch has to be where two bridges have been badly misaligned and the runner has to jump many feet between the incomplete bridges. Then, he finally dives into the water and swims to the end.
As you can see, athletes at the Indiscipline Games need to have many qualities, repressed anger, and a violent temper for starters.
But the athletes must also possess a calm disposition, a meditative mindset after all the races and contests spread over the length and breadth of Greater Mumbai, across terrain that is dangerous, requiring great daredevilry and derring do.
Great discipline is required for these Indiscipline Games.
Rahul daCunha is an adman, theatre director/playwright, filmmaker and traveller. Reach him at rahul.dacunha@mid-day.com
]]>A crow looks for a tasty snack in fishmonger Raju Yadav’s basket in Andheri East. Yadav deliberately keeps fish there for the birds.
All the products are handmade by
It's that time of the year when we all spruce up our homes, and gleefully splurge on new décor items. For many at Sunday mid-day, the annual Diwali sale by the Women’s Training Institute is a favourite, where we can pick up block-printed bedcovers, bags, and toys for Diwali presents, and fruit preserves for return gifts. All the products are handcrafted by women from disadvantaged circumstances who get trained in skills such as block printing, tailoring, embroidery at WIT so they can develop an independent source of income.
“It helps them sustain their family, educate their children. We’ve had women working with us whose children have now gone on to become engineers, which is so wonderful,” says Gool Udwadia, honorary chairperson at WIT.
What could be better than Diwali shopping that lights up both your home and another’s?
Mexican artist José Zendejas Foyo turns to abstraction to explore these shifting emotional states in ‘Amores’ (Loves), his first solo exhibition in India. Presented by Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art (AMCA), in association with the Consulate General of Mexico in Mumbai, the show opens on October 8 and runs through November 18 at the gallery’s Colaba space.
“My show ‘Amores’ at Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art, Colaba, is about love in its many forms, and about what paintings can do with emotions that are difficult to name. Each painting carries the name of a particular kind of love — toxic, self-love, ephemeral, idealised, broken, and so forth. The title is only a starting point. What follows is colour —chromatic atmospheres that are not literal, but that guide the rhythm, depth, and composition of each piece. Although the series emerges from deep introspection, it also holds forms of love I have observed in others. I am interested in how certain affective vibrations — seduction, loss, calm, obsession — repeat across very different lives.
At that intersection, the work ceases to belong only to me. I would like audiences to meet it through their own emotional experience, and recognise something of themselves in it,” José Zendejas Foyo.
Sir Don BradMan, BIll O'Reilly and Alec Bedser
Our in-house cricket nut has got hold of a 1948 paper clipping. It’s a report by Australia batsman-turned-journalist Jack Fingleton, who played in the Bodyline series in 1932-33.
Fingleton was covering the 1948 Ashes in England and offered a great insight into how Bradman was dismissed in both innings of the opening Test at Trent Bridge of that series, by England’s pace great Alec Bedser.
Over to Fingo, reporting from Nottingham: “There is a delectable story behind the dismissal of Bradman for a “duck” yesterday in Australia’s second innings in the First Test here. Bowlers the world over have fraternal feelings for each other. Perhaps it is because of their hard lot on overprepared pitches. The other evening, [retired player Bill, who was in England] O’Reilly said to Bedser, ‘Look here, if you feel you must have a pop at Don on the legside, why don’t you re-arrange your field?’
“O’Reilly showed Bedser how he would place a mid-on, two square-legs, and instead of a leg-slip a man posted finer to trap leg-glances. On Friday, Bradman was 130 not out at the close. The next day. after three balls, Bedser had him caught by this fine-leg close up. Yesterday, believe it or not, the same thing happened in exactly the same manner. O’Reilly is not being unkind to his country in this. All bowlers talk among themselves. After the first time, Bedser looked towards the Press pavilion, and smiled his thanks. Yesterday, he was in such a whirl that he forgot to look. But, Don will be looking for this the next time.”
O’Reilly was a spin bowler who Don Bradman admired greatly. In 24 Tests, from 1931 to 1946, the leg-break bowler claimed 144 wickets at 22.60. O’Reilly was a free spirited Australian, always willing to offer advice to bowlers even though they belonged to the opposition team. That he was one former teammate who was critical of The Don is a different matter.
Sijya’s upcoming remix EP, Leather & Brass [Retrofitted], releases on October 23
Bollywood music director Sneha Khanwalkar, known for her experimental compositions in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), brings her distinctive sound to Delhi-based electronica artist Sijya’s upcoming remix EP, Leather & Brass [Retrofitted], releasing on October 23 via One Little Independent Records.
The EP reimagines Sijya’s original record through the interpretations of a group of femme producers she admires. “For the past few years, I’ve been obsessed with listening to femme producers and artistes, and this remix comp is an ode to that,” she says.
“Khanwalkar is a legend. She’s done amazing work blending authentic regional sounds with contemporary sounds, and I really wanted to hear her take on my music,” says Sijya. Khanwalkar, in turn, calls Sijya “one of my favourite new indie minds, whose intelligence I find universal. Her sounds talk back to me. It goes beyond cool and makes me want to make music too.”
The original Leather & Brass combines digital synthesis with distorted synthesiser sounds and atmospheric production. The remix EP offers fresh interpretations of Sijya’s sonic world while celebrating women artistes.
Even though we’ve lived in Mumbai for half a decade, it’s always a shock when October mornings aren’t crisp with the winters right around the corner. And perhaps that’s why 23-year-old biker Harsh Sagar chose to head off to Ladakh.
The hardest part of the journey started in Mumbai itself. “It took two hours just to cross 10 kilometres,” he laughs. Mumbai traffic is inescapable, even when one is escaping the city. Despite the rocky start, Sagar was determined to make the most of the ride. After a few delays and itinerary changes, the 23-year-old, who works in public relations, made his way through Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana before heading into the mountains. Six days after leaving Mumbai, he reached Leh.
The journey had its share of challenges. “Many riders were also falling. I was just thinking, I don’t want to fall,” he recalls. Thankfully, he and his friends made it through without taking a tumble. Sagar had been dreaming of this ride for a while, but needed his parents’ approval to take the plunge. Now back home, he says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for me.”
]]>Tensions flared as female protestors argued with women police personnel over being touched during detention. Protestors attempted to evade arrest by running into nearby buildings as police officers chased them down and dragged them out. Despite being detained, protestors continued shouting slogans while being shoved into police vans. With barricades and confrontation taking place at Nana Chowk, most protestors didn’t make it to the Maidan but it was not for lack of trying. Even as August Kranti Maidan was sealed, Gowalia Tank Road was shut to traffic and access to the skywalk was restricted too.
Protestors alleged that police personnel forcefully detained them, including women, raising questions about the city police’s treatment of peaceful dissent. Some demonstrators also tried to resist detainment.
At Gowalia Tank Road, only residents were allowed through, while the Maidan was sealed ahead of the 3.30 pm gathering.
“On Saturday, the police officers had adopted a heavy-handed approach reminiscent of the policing often criticised during demonstrations in Delhi,” said Mridula Shankar, a protestor.
]]>Here is mine. I had promised to be home for a festival — a week before, something urgent came up and I couldn’t go. I explained. They understood. There was no fight. As far as I could tell, it was fine.
Eighteen months later, in an argument about something else entirely, there it was: “You didn’t come”. And I heard myself give the defence I suspect every reader has given at some point. “I came every other time. Every single time. You remember the one time I didn’t, and forget everything else.”
If you’ve been on either side of that exchange, and most of us have been on both, you’ll know it goes nowhere. One person is fighting about a festival. The other is fighting about arithmetic. Neither is fighting about what’s really going on.
If you read me regularly, you know I’m a physicist. For the past few months I’ve been reading neuroscience, and lately I’ve been working through Robert Sapolsky’s Behave, a doorstop of a book by the Stanford neurobiologist. Its method is simple and humbling. To explain any single human act, Sapolsky asks what happened in the brain one second before it, what hormones were doing hours before, what the person lived through years before, and so on back to evolution. I mailed him and we discussed some points. Then I went looking through the research for an answer to my own small, domestic mystery: why does the one bad thing outweigh all the good ones?
What I found is that three ideas, one from information theory, one from neuroscience, and one from the physics of magnets, explain it better than any of us managed in the middle of a fight.
There is a beautiful idea at the heart of information science: the amount of information in an event depends on how surprising it is. If the sun rises tomorrow, you have learned nothing. If it doesn’t, you have learned everything.
Now think about my festival record. I came nineteen times out of twenty. By the nineteenth, my arriving was like the sun rising: expected, almost silent. My one absence was the surprise. If you do the calculation properly, that single missed festival carries around fifty times more information than any one of the times I came.
Our brains keep the same accounts. Neuroscientists have found that the brain’s reward cells respond most strongly not to good things, but to unexpected good things. Once a kindness becomes reliable, the brain stops registering it. And when something we counted on fails to happen, those same cells fall silent in a way that marks the moment.
Here is the cruel part. The more dependable you are, the more invisible your dependability becomes, and the louder your one failure sounds. She hadn’t forgotten all the times I came. They had simply become the background, like the hum of a fridge you only notice when it stops.
Psychologists have a name for this, the negativity bias, and the evidence for it is overwhelming. A bad event lasts longer in the mind than a good event of the same size. The relationship researcher John Gottman found that couples who stay together tend to have about five good moments for every bad one during conflict. Not one for one. Five to one.
It makes sense if you think like our ancestors. Forgetting where the fruit tree was cost you a meal. Forgetting where the lion was cost you everything. So the brain learned to underline pain. When someone we rely on lets us down, it gets stored with a little red flag attached, whatever we say on the phone that evening.
“It was fine at the time” may be the least reliable sentence in any relationship.
In physics there is a phenomenon called hysteresis. Take a piece of iron and hold a magnet near it. The iron becomes magnetic. Now take the magnet away. You’d expect the iron to go back to how it was. It doesn’t. It keeps a little of the magnetism, a trace of what happened to it. To understand that piece of iron, it is not enough to know what is acting on it now. You need to know its past.
Love works like that iron. The festival was forgiven, the magnet taken away. But the relationship didn’t return to exactly where it had been. It kept a trace.
And neuroscience adds something physics doesn’t. Every time we recall a memory, we don’t simply replay it. We take it out, and we put it back slightly changed, coloured by whatever we are feeling at that moment. When we’re angry, the brain reaches for angry memories. So if that festival had been remembered two or three times in anger since, it had been saved two or three times in anger. The festival that came out that night was heavier than the one that went in. She wasn’t exaggerating. The memory itself had changed.
I think it was this: “When it mattered, and something else wanted you, you chose the other thing. Am I really the priority?”
Seen that way, my festival wasn’t one day out of twenty. It was the only time the question had been asked under pressure. And counting the other nineteen answered a question she never asked.
I don’t believe there is a formula for love. But the science taught me a few things. Stop defending the count; you can win the arithmetic and still lose the person. Don’t let your goodness go silent; say the small things out loud, so kindness keeps registering as news. Don’t trust “it’s fine”; months later, a quiet I’ve been thinking about the festival I missed can mean more than any defence. And if you’re the one reaching for the old wound, ask whether you’re angry about that day or about the fear it left behind.
In physics, we say a system with hysteresis has memory. It isn’t a flaw. It is exactly what lets a magnet hold on to something after the moment has passed. A love that remembered nothing couldn’t hold anything either.
The festival I missed is still there. I’ve stopped arguing with it. Now I’m just trying to add to the record.
Nishant Sahdev is a physicist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He chases ideas that refuse to stay in laboratories, for your favourite Sunday mid-day
]]>Tripathi believes Chopra’s honesty and sense of responsibility towards the character made her the right fit. “[Before filming] she had already thought of her character, its ambitions, and curious [nature]. Her understanding of scenes and characters made her right for the role,” adds the filmmaker, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mihir Jadhav.
Dhruv Tripathi
The ensemble cast, featuring Amol Palekar, Shekhar Suman, Adil Hussain, Saswata Chatterjee, and Pitobash, among others, helps build the newsroom’s world. “There is no side character. Every character thinks they are the protagonist of their life,” he says.
The writers spent two years researching illegal sand mining, uncovering accounts of journalists, police officers, and IAS officers who faced threats, and in some cases, were killed for exposing the nexus. The experience left a lasting impact on Tripathi. “Something broke in me when I saw those incidents,” he recalls. Rather than focusing solely on newsroom anchors, Reporting Live pays tribute to field reporters and camera crews who risk their lives to uncover the truth. “This thriller, so to say, is a hat tip to these ordinary heroes.” Tripathi believes that nowadays “truth has become a commodity that can be shaped”. “It’s all about narratives today. But there are still people who can take a phone and report something, and find it in themselves to push back [power] to discover the [hidden] truth and get it out.”
Oct 9
Streaming date of ‘Reporting Live’
. ‘New Delhi Times’
. ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’
. ‘Nayak: The Real Hero’
. ‘Page 3’
. ‘Rann’
. ‘Tere Bin Laden’
. ‘No One Killed Jessica’
. ‘Bhakshak’
]]>What is the main demand of the August Kranti Maidan protest?
It’s in our slogan: ‘Gyanu, Shah , Modi...Chale Jao!’
Do you believe CEC Gyanesh Kumar has failed to protect the credibility of India’s electoral process?
Absolutely. There is no doubt left now. Earlier there were just doubts when vote theft, election theft, was happening. There were just doubts where we were certain that it was happening, but we didn’t have any firm evidence to prove it. This time, multiple agencies, and the Election Commission itself, voiced it. So now, Gyanesh Kumar’s culpability in this is established.
Why did you choose August Kranti Maidan?
We are asking fascism to quit India. We are asking malpractices to quit India. What better place to do that than from where the call had gone out for the British to ‘Quit India’?
What’s next on the agenda?
Real agenda is to bring in systematic change. And finally the agenda is to again make this country a citizen-participating democracy where the leaders cannot get away with whatever they want.
Do you think suspensions and resignations of authorities is enough to bring in a change?
These are just symbolic things. At the end, change needs to start somewhere. The call is for having overall good governance. To remind those in power that they are public servants and not dictators.
Your stand in case of arrests, if made?
We will fight for justice. The country has always had a history of citizens fighting and sacrificing. So the fight will go on, whether arrested or not. And the fact that arrests are made instead of having a dialogue and trying to find a viable solution, would in itself be proof that the Government agrees that they are guilty.
How do you think have Gen Zs adopted Gandhian policies?
The biggest way is non-violence and Satyagraha. So far, no one has taken any violent step at any of the protest sites. Even while being detained, they never fought back violently. What more can be a proof of them adopting the biggest policy of Mahatma Gandhi!
As the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, do you think such adamant people in power can be shaken well enough through peaceful protest?
The British had a place to go back to. Today, we are fighting against our own people. Reforming our own people who do not have a place to go is definitely a much more difficult challenge. Though this will be a long fight, it’s not an impossible one.
Nayanthara
Produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations, Monster features Khan as a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent. The film also stars Nayanthara, Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swamy, Rahul Dev, Ronit Roy, and Seema Biswas, among others. “Salman is juggling Bigg Boss 20 and this shoot, and will wrap the film by the end of November,” the source adds.
Mounted as a pan-Indian entertainer, Monster is slated for an Eid 2027 release, provided everything goes according to plan.
Mid-April 2026: Filming began in Mumbai
Early-August 2026: Six-week Goregaon schedule featuring action set-pieces, crowd scenes, and an Afghan village recreation
Late-September 2026: 10-day Mumbai schedule to train combat scenes with Salman Khan’s body double
The detentions came ahead of planned demonstrations in solidarity with the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi. The police also detained workers of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) following a demonstration at Hutatma Chowk.
Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson and head of the civil society organisation Hum Bharat Ke Log, was picked up from Bandra while heading towards August Kranti Maidan, where the solidarity gathering had been planned for 3.30 pm. He was taken to DN Nagar police station, according to a police officer. Gandhi said, on social media, that he had been arrested, while the police maintained that he had only been detained. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray reached D N Nagar police station in a show of solidarity.
Mithiborwala, too, was picked up from his residence and taken to MIDC police station. The detentions came amid allegations by activists that the police had been contacting and questioning people associated with the planned protest in the days leading up to the demonstration.
Several protesters, including senior citizens, who gathered outside the maidan were detained by police and taken to Gamdevi police station. Some protesters were allegedly dragged into police vans and jeeps, while heavy barricading was put in place to prevent people from entering the maidan.
Local residents, too, were either stopped from entering the maidan or questioned by police. “I was stopped by the policemen there. I was returning from work and just wanted to go home,” said Arun Kumar, a resident of the area. He was eventually allowed to proceed after asking his family members to come downstairs and establish to the police that he lived there.
Advocate Samya Korde, a Bombay High Court lawyer, was also among those detained by the police. Nishant Bangera, a social worker, who was among those detained, alleged that several people, including minor girls, were being held at Gamdevi police station and not being allowed to leave until their parents arrived. Speaking from the police station, he also claimed that the cops had confiscated some protesters’ phones and were not returning them.
Separately, several VBA workers were detained near Hutatma Chowk after demonstrating in support of the CJP protest. The gathering had been called by VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar.
–Inputs by Ranjeet Jadhav
Deputy Commissioner of Police South Zone 2 Ragasudha R said no application seeking permission for the protest at August Kranti Maidan had been submitted to Gamdevi police station. Senior police officers also maintained that the maidan was not a designated protest venue, citing a Bombay HC order.
]]>The LGBTQIA+ community in India is no stranger to violence. “Our mere existence makes people feel threatened. Being ‘out and proud’ has its own pros and cons,” says Yash, a Delhi-based queer rights advocate. “Being yourself is a basic human need. At the same time, for someone like me, it means risking death.”
Non-binary drag artiste Zeesh says that more than feeling fear, the queer community is feeling angry, after the murder of Mad Sandhu. Pic/Roshni Kumar
Sandhu knew that too. In fact, he had faced homophobic threats from extremist groups for over a year. His family had even sought protection from the Amritsar police.
Yash runs an initiative called Humans of Queer (@officialhumansofqueer), an Instagram page with close to 40,000 followers dedicated to documenting queer stories from India. “When Section 377 was first struck down, it was a hopeful time. There was a need to be more visible, to have our stories out there. Since 2019, a lot more people know about queer culture, which is so, so important. The more queer stories people know, the more they can be sensitised to us. But at the same time, we are that much more exposed,” says the 28-year old.
Queer folk say that there is a cost to being ‘out and proud’, it can also mean inviting unwanted eyes. Pic/Satej Shinde
“The hate I get on Instagram right now is way more than what I would get before 2019. The instances of physical violence also seem to be going up now. There is a certain pride in that hatred now,” Yash says, “For example, there was a popular page from Haridwar [now taken down], where a religious extremist used to find trans people and beat them up, positioning himself as a ‘saviour’. People not only feel safe committing these crimes, but recording the evidence. They know that they will be protected.”
Yash finds social media to be a unique dichotomy. “It’s tricky. Because social media ‘rewards’ you for being yourself. You get a platform, a stream of income — things that are denied to queer people a lot. Putting yourself out there is an act of resistance. But I don’t think many of us know what we’re getting ourselves into.”
Mad Sandhu was shot dead by two men on a bike in Amritsar last week. Pic/Instagram@its_madsandhuofficial
The content creator recalls, “I have been in situations where people have stalked me. There was this one time one person stalked my gym. I have been chased by men on bikes in the streets. All of this because I put myself out there.”
“I come from a privileged background. My parents know about me. But that’s not the case for most LGBTQIA+ people,” he adds, “And the system will never protect us. Meta doesn’t care [about online harassment], your family won’t help, your friends may turn their backs, the police won’t help.”
Yash runs an initiative called Humans of Queer (@officialhumansofqueer), an Instagram page with close to 40,000 followers dedicated to documenting queer stories from India
For queer content creators, social media can be incredibly affirming. “It feels like you made it beyond all odds,” Yash adds, “But the risks are enormous.”
For Sandhu too, social media brought success that would have otherwise never found him. He built a following, was a successful makeup artiste, ran his own salon, and was primary breadwinner in his household. He’d earned dignity, but it wasn’t enough to keep him safe.
Filmmaker and trans woman Bonita Rajpurohit feels that even when queer folk earn a dignified life, safety isn’t guaranteed
For Yash, this has meant “toning down” their gender expression. “I try to protect myself. I try my best to not look ‘visibly queer’. It’s a very tough thing. Because no one ‘looks’ like something. It’s just elements and behaviourisms. So how do you protect yourself?”
After hearing about this case, Yash’s been reaching out to queer friends in rural Haryana. “I’ve been telling them to lay low for a while. It’s hard, but I just don’t want them to risk their lives.”
Nishtha Berry, a queer woman from Delhi, says that fearing your safety as queer folk isn’t that different from the fear women face
Mad Sandhu isn’t a one off case, says non-binary drag artiste Zeesh. We meet Zeesh at the LaLit hotel in Andheri East, where they are to host a drag night the next day at Kitty Su, a queer-first club. The heat isn’t too forgiving on us. And yet, Zeesh is here with a full face of makeup on. Their eyebrows are shaved at the ends and they’re wearing a dark lip combo that leaves this writer impressed.
“This time, the reaction from the queer community is not one of fear. We’re angry,” says non-binary drag artiste Zeesh, “Mad Sandhu isn’t a one off case. The amount of cases that don’t even get reported is enormous.”
Georgina Maddox
“We’re angry because the queer community always shows up for everyone. We are there at your celebrations, we are present when you’re angry, we protest alongside you, we show up for women’s rights, for students’ rights. Where is Gen Z now? Forget Gen Z, where are Millennials?” asks the 33-year-old, as their voice crescendos.
Zeesh grew up in a conservative family. “I’m a Muslim, non-binary drag artiste,” they count off on their fingers, “I have been breaking norms since I was born. Thankfully, I found some chosen family who chose me too. And later, my family — my mom and sister — also became supportive, through conversations and education,” they say with a smile.
It’s this same drive to break the shackles of conformity that can be seen in their drag performances at unexpected public spaces, such as the Dadar flower market, often amid quizzical stares and hateful glares. But sometimes, this comes at a cost.
Zeesh feels that as a visibly queer person, fear is like a second skin. Violence may be just around the corner. “Many, many years ago, I was in Delhi for a music video shoot. After wrap-up, my cab dropped me around 600 metres from my OYO hotel at 12.30 am.”
“I started walking towards my hotel and noticed two men drinking, staring at me. Your immediate reaction is to just stay in your lane and get through it. But then they approached me, started touching and grabbing me. I was petrified. I was calling someone at the hotel, anyone who could help me.
“Then a staff member yelled at them to leave me alone. This attacker tells me, ‘Oh you’re staying at this hotel. I know now. Ab raat mein dekhna [I’ll see you in the night]. I couldn’t stay at the hotel for another second. I went in, grabbed my luggage, booked a cab to the airport, and left at midnight for a flight at 7 am,” they recall.
Safety isn’t easy to find in the real world. For a while, social media and the online world was a safe space for queer folk. “That’s how I started. No one in my family knew about me. I would make videos in my bedroom and post them on Instagram. But now if you do that, you’re putting a target on your back,” Zeesh sighs.
The sad part is that I wasn’t shocked at all when I heard of Sandhu’s murder,” says Bonita Rajpurohit, a filmmaker and a trans woman, “I’m immediately reminded of Pranshu Yadav, who was 16 when he died, or Makeover Yash,” she says, talking about two queer makeup artistes who died by suicide in the last couple of years after facing immense homophobia and bullying.
“When is it enough?” she asks, “You could have financial security and even support from your family. But there’s no guarantee that you’ll be safe if you’re a queer person. The minute you seem ‘different’, they’ll kill you,” she says.
Rajpurohit grew up in a small village called Dornari in Rajasthan. She’s no stranger to the need to fit in — or what she calls “merging” — to remain safe. “I would go to school or college knowing that I’m going to get looked at with eyes of hatred or ridicule. I had to be a soldier, ready for war every day. But why should I? I was just a child,” she laments, “That’s why passing becomes so important. It offers you safety.”
Rajpurohit feels a certain apprehension even when dating. “You never know what the other person’s reaction would be to finding out you’re trans. I have no sense of safety then,” the Andheri resident says.
Over the years, Rajpurohit sees herself changing more and more. “When I was young, I was much more audacious. I miss that. The more you grow up, you see how the world works. So you start thinking it’s okay to minimise yourself,” she sighs, “When I go back to my village, I find myself wanting to ‘merge’ more and more these days. I know that I can’t dress a certain way in front of certain relatives or there are some people I should stay away from. Because I want to
live my life.”
Nishtha Berry is a marketing executive by day. After work hours though, you can find her on Instagram, sharing her opinions on the goings on in our world.
As a masc-presenting queer woman in Delhi, the threats are double-fold. “I’ve gotten uncomfortable stares from people trying to work out my gender. But there have been scary moments. Once in a cab in Gurugram, the driver — who was drunk — assumed I was a man. He started saying disgusting things about women’s bodies,” she recalls, “I was afraid of him for a minute or two, then played along to stay safe and recorded him. When I posted the video on Instagram, it was taken down for ‘bullying and harassment.’”
“Another time, a group of teenage boys with cricket bats threw slurs at my gay best friend and me. My friend said we should keep walking, but I turned around and gave it back to the guy. He was telling me, ‘Chal taali baja aur naach kar dikha. [Clap your hands and dance for me.]’ I didn’t want to stand there and take it, so I gave it back to them,” she tells us.
Berry says that fearing for your safety as queer folk isn’t that different from the fear women face. “A gay man who falls into the hands of a nasty man could be beaten and raped, and women carry that same fear,” she says. This writer is reminded of the 2025 death of Bathinda-based influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, who was killed by a man named Amritpal Mehron for posting “vulgar content”.
What will bring change, we ask Berry. “We need more queer-led events where allies and curious people are welcome too. We need businesses, like cafés, to openly say they’re allies. It costs nothing, but it tells us the staff and the space will treat us like anyone else,” she says, “We’re tired of walking into places where we’re stared at and judged. We want to belong, and we want to befriend straight people too. But too often they judge us by how we look without having one conversation.”
“No government has supported us really,” says Georgina Maddox, a queer woman who’s been performing drag for nearly three decades across Mumbai and Delhi, long before Article 377 was scrapped. “When Article 377 was taken down, it seemed to be a moment of hope. But since then, we lost the marriage equality case, and then the Transgender Act was amended,” she says.
Maddox believes that change has to come top-down. “Right now, our infrastructure makes them feel emboldened to hurt queer folk,” Zeesh concurs, “When [Article] 377 was taken down, there was an immediate change. I have always worked in night life, and I can tell you no one was open to queer people and drag artistes before 2019. All of that has changed now.”
Maddox adds, “All the good work we’ve done in the last few decades is taking a back seat. Right now, the most fundamental ideas of queer liberation are being questioned,” she says, “It’ll take a long struggle to re-establish our rights. It won’t be long before we raise our voices again.”
2 LAKH+
Number of followers of the late Madhusudan (Mad) Sandhu on Instagram
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, prescribes imprisonment from six months to two years, plus a fine for the abuse of a transgender individual. This law, however, only protects transgender individuals.
According to the LGBTI National Policy Dataset from Princeton University, US, sexual orientation is covered by hate crime legislation in at least 45 countries, including the UK, France, Argentina, and in many states in the US.
]]>Aries
March 21 – April 19
The traditional, old fashioned way of doing things may work the best at the moment. Make investments from a long term perspective rather than quick gains.
Health tip: Commit to making small lifestyle changes which will slowly add up. Make sure you drink enough water. throughout the day.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Keep your temper in control if you find yourself getting irritated over small things. This is a good time to reassess your professional as well as personal goals.
Health tip: Get rid of junk food, and look at healthier options. Those with asthma need to take a little extra care of themselves.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
Clarify any misunderstanding before it turns into a major issue. Focus on keeping a balance between professional and personal life.
Health tip: Treat any health concern from the root level. Those with hormonal issues may need to make a lifestyle change.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
An impulsive decision could backfire if you do not cut your losses as quickly as possible. Be careful about what you say while dealing with any arrogant, boastful person.
Health tip: Those with sensitive digestive systems need to be mindful of what they eat. Make sure you get enough sleep every night.
Leo
July 23 – Aug 22
Get back to the basics if life getting too complicated. This is a positive time for singles, as long as they keep an open mind and do not judge
on appearances.
Health tip: Get your eyes checked if you have started getting regular headaches. A small change in your diet may improve your general health.
Virgo
Aug 23 – Sept 22
Work with any situation that may be temporary and not really that significant in the long term. Make time for a friend you have not met for some time.
Health tip: Get a health check done if you haven’t had one in a while. Seniors might need to slow down for a while and get a little extra rest.
Libra
Sept 23 – Oct 22
This is a positive time if you want to expand your social or professional network. Balance the traditional way of doing things with a contemporary idea.
Health tip: Work on strengthening your lower body. Non vegetarians should try and include more vegetables in their diet.
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Focus on what you want to achieve, and do not let anything distract you. Avoid making impulsive financial decisions and risky investments.
Health tip: Make a commitment to change one habit that is not good for you. Choose carefully while eating out and avoid food you know does not agree with you.
Sagittarius
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Let go of the past and work on being the kind of person you want to be. Those with a creative hobby could take it to the next level.
Health tip: Get all the information you need before making any lifestyle changes. Be careful while working out as you could hurt your back or spine.
Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
This is a positive time to start any new venture, both in your professional or personal life. Handle family matters in a caring yet decisive manner.
Health tip: Those with kidney related issues may need to get a check up done. Consult your doctor before making any lifestyle changes.
Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18
A sharp witted approach may be needed at work, and you would have to make well thought out decisions. Any financial pressures should ease off.
Health tip: Those with mobility issues must do their physiotherapy in a consistent manner. This is a positive time for those who want to conceive a child.
Pisces
Feb 19 – March 21
Handle any difficult person or situation in a calm yet very firm manner. A project at work may require a little extra effort on your part.
Health tip: Those who prefer alternate therapies should consult the right practitioner. Take a little extra care of yourself if you have a compromised immune system.
“I was not called for the initial part. I was specially called for the wildcard only, and yes, I wanted to explore it. I'll be very honest. It's been 20-25 years since I have been working in television, and I feel that people don't know the real side of Manish Goel. They know my characters. From Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii to Anupamaa, the graph has been amazing. God is very kind. But I have been very secluded in my life. I have been very private. So, I think this is the time when people will actually get to know me,” says Manish about entering Bigg Boss 20 as a wildcard contestant.
Speaking about his approach to the show, he says, “I can assure you that whenever I leave the house, it's going to be with a lot of sanity and dignity. I give a lot of value to relationships. There is an inspiring and motivational side to me because of the journey I have had, and that is still untapped.”
When asked if he has been following the current season of Bigg Boss 20, Manish Goel says, “For the first time, I haven't watched a single episode of Bigg Boss. I've only seen whatever I came across on Instagram. Ever since people got to know about my entry, I've received a lot of feedback. But I'm going in with a clean slate. From day one, I want to explore the relationships and see how things unfold.”
Manish Goel opens up about the highs and lows of his career, revealing that even after becoming a star, he faced rejection. Between 2011 and 2015, the actor gave nearly 100 auditions but failed to crack any of them. “I never talked to anyone about it. So, you know, there have been highs and lows. No one knows that I ran away from Delhi at the age of 17 and started as a spotboy,” he says.
The actor also speaks about the enduring popularity of his song Dil Lagi Kudi Gujarat Di, which continues to be a hit even today. He points out that while many people recognise the song, they often take time to recognise him.
Manish is also looking forward to meeting Salman Khan after 15 years. The actor shares a special connection with the superstar, having previously set a Guinness World Record with him.
“I had set a Guinness World Record with Salman Khan, and I had won that Guinness record with him. So, I'm meeting him exactly after 15 years,” he says.
]]>The incident involved the flight’s Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attacked Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft and bring it down.
Despite suffering severe injuries, Machchhar managed to unlatch the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew members to enter and restrain the attacker, according to reports.
The aircraft, Flydubai Flight FZ1073, subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 180 occupants disembarked safely, with no injuries reported among them apart from those sustained by the captain during the incident.
The confrontation inside the cockpit triggered a steep descent, with the aircraft losing approximately 16,000 feet in altitude within two minutes.
A hijacking distress signal was subsequently transmitted before the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk for an emergency landing.
Machchhar is currently recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi after sustaining severe injuries in the attack.
The NIA investigation comes amid findings announced by the United Arab Emirates’ Attorney-General, Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, on Friday, as per the ANI.
According to the UAE state news agency WAM, the investigation found that the 29-year-old Omani co-pilot had allegedly planned a terrorist attack to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, with the intention of causing maximum casualties.
The alleged plot was to be carried out on September 30, during a flight scheduled to travel from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the Attorney-General said.
The allegations form part of the UAE investigation into the incident.
According to WAM, investigators examined the suspect’s ideological and professional background and traced signs of his alleged radicalisation to 2017, when he was studying in Australia, according to the ANI.
During that period, he was reportedly influenced by extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks.
The UAE Attorney-General said the suspect subsequently adopted beliefs advocating violence and terrorism and drew inspiration from the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
According to the investigation findings reported by WAM, the idea of carrying out a similar attack using an aircraft had become firmly established in the suspect’s thinking. The report also referred to his confession.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>Dipke was detained ahead of a CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which police said had not been granted permission. The demonstration was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to police officials, the information about Dipke’s grandmother was conveyed to him sensitively. He was also informed about the timing of the funeral, and police offered possible assistance to facilitate his journey home.
Dipke’s grandmother died in Santuk Pimpri village in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district. She had reportedly been unwell for the past few days due to a prolonged illness and age-related ailments.
The development comes as CJP activists face police action over their planned demonstration in the national capital.
According to the ANI, Delhi Police sources said around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital by Saturday while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar for the CJP-led protest.
The demonstration was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Dipke, who had travelled from Mumbai to Delhi to participate in the protest, alleged in a video posted on Instagram that police personnel detained him and his associates as they disembarked from their flight at Delhi airport.
In the video, Dipke alleged that police personnel entered the aircraft shortly after it landed and attempted to detain the group from inside the plane.
He questioned the police action, claiming that the party had intended to hold a peaceful protest. He also accused the authorities of suppressing dissent and described the action as an example of dictatorship.
Abhijeet Dipke further compared the incident with the Emergency imposed under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, alleging that the police action was excessive.
His claims could not be independently verified from the information available.
Security personnel were deployed at several locations across Delhi as CJP activists continued their call for a protest against the Election Commission of India, as per the ANI.
Entry points to the national capital were placed under heightened security, while 46 Metro stations were reported to have been closed as part of the security arrangements.
The protest was organised amid allegations concerning the Election Commission and demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Police maintained that the demonstration at Jantar Mantar had not been permitted, the news agecny reported.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh convicted Hussain under Section 147 (punishment for rioting) read with Section 109 (abetment) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while acquitting him of the other charges.
He was expelled by the AAP in February 2020, hours after an FIR was registered against him for his involvement in the northeast Delhi riots. He joined AIMIM, the Hyderabad-based party of Asaduddin Owaisi, in 2024 after which he contested the 2025 Delhi elections on AIMIM ticket but lost.
On Saturday, the court listed the matter for hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence against Hussain on November 16. The detailed order is awaited.
The 13 accused in the case were Hussain, Mohammad Shadab, Shah Alam, Riyasat Ali, Gulfam, Rashid, Mohammad Rihan, Mohammad Abid, Arshad Qayyum, Irshad Ahmed, Deepak Singh Saini, Navneet and Mehak Singh.
All of them were charged with rioting, causing damage to property, mischief by fire and criminal conspiracy, among other offences. The court acquitted Hussain's 12 co-accused of all charges, while convicting the former councillor on two counts and acquitting him of the rest.
In July, a Delhi court convicted Hussain and four others in a case related to the killing of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma during the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
The case pertains to an FIR registered at Dayalpur police station on a complaint by Sharma's father, Ravinder Kumar.
Hussain was suspended by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after his name surfaced in the case.
The riots that broke out in northeast Delhi in February 2020 left 53 people dead, injured several others, and caused extensive property damage.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Ranveer Singh is embracing his girl dad era, and his latest appearance is giving fans another reason to celebrate the superstar’s off-screen life. The actor made a stylish entry at an event, dressed in a striking pink ethnic ensemble featuring a floral embroidered jacket paired with a matching kurta and white bottoms. Completing the look with tinted sunglasses, Ranveer carried the outfit with his signature confidence and charm.
View this post on Instagram
While Ranveer is known for his powerful screen presence and intense performances, including his action-packed avatar in Dhurandhar, his role as a father is another side of the superstar that fans love. His latest look in pink has also sparked conversations around his girl dad energy, with the colour adding a playful touch to his stylish appearance.
The actor’s appearance comes at a special time in his personal life. Bollywood's power couple, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, welcomed their second child on 19 September 2026. The duo has become parents to a baby girl for the second time. The couple, who are already parents to their daughter Dua, have now become parents to two girls, making Ranveer’s girl dad era all the more special. Deepika and Ranveer announced that they were expecting their second child together in April this year.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Ranveer witnessed historic success at the box office with the Dhurandhar franchise. The actor will next be seen in Pralay. It is being made under the direction of Jai Mehta, known for his work on Lootere and Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which he co-directed with Hansal Mehta. The drama will revolve around a relentless odyssey against the terrifying possibility of an end-of-the-world catastrophe.
Deepika, on her part, will be seen sharing the screen with Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming film King. She also has a prominent role in Allu Arjun’s Raaka.
]]>Speaking at the Chhatron Ki Goonj event in Chennai, the Congress leader criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that cowardice was their defining characteristic. His remarks came amid a police crackdown on protesters demonstrating against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi, the news agency reported.
In a message shared on X, Gandhi said he had been fighting Modi and the RSS for more than a decade and understood his political opponents well.
“I've been fighting Narendra Modi and the RSS for over a decade now. I understand them like you would understand your opponent -- inside out, like the back of my hand,” he said.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha also named Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Gyanesh Kumar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, claiming that political pressure on them was increasing, reported the PTI.
“The core characteristic of these people is 'cowardice',” Gandhi said.
Gandhi challenged the government to deploy additional police personnel or detain opposition leaders and young protesters, saying such action would not stop the movement.
“Mr Modi, do whatever you want. Call out all the police: 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, whatever you want. Arrest all the leaders. Arrest all the young people. Arrest us all. We are surrounding you, and we are not going to back down,” he said, according to the PTI.
He added that the Opposition had the information it needed to defend the Constitution and protect the voice of the people.
Gandhi also vowed to oppose what he described as attacks on democratic institutions over the past 10 to 15 years.
Expressing support for young demonstrators, Gandhi said he was proud of the country's youth and encouraged them to continue their protests.
“Youth of India, I am proud of you. Keep protesting. We are standing with you,” he said, as per the PTI.
He asserted that the Opposition would work to defeat the government and those he accused of undermining the Constitution.
Gandhi also shared a video of his remarks on social media.
Gandhi's comments came as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest centred on allegations of irregularities in voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police detained more than 3,000 protesters who attempted to reach the demonstration site. Police also detained more than 600 people with criminal records as a preventive measure, according to reports.
Authorities said permission had not been granted for the protest and prohibitory orders were in force in the New Delhi area.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>All those detained have been released, Mumbai Police said, adding that further legal proceedings were underway.
“About 400 protesters were detained at Nana Chowk. Around 500 police personnel were deployed, and the process of registering FIRs is under way,” said Ragasudha R, Mumbai Police DCP (South Zone 2) said.
The protesters included members of activist Tushar Gandhi-led organisation Hum Bharat Ke Log, supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and workers of the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA).
Police detained protesters at August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai and near Hutatma Chowk, while additional security personnel were deployed at other locations to prevent demonstrations.
Hundreds of people, including members of Hum Bharat Ke Log and CPI(M) activists, gathered at August Kranti Maidan to express solidarity with the CJP's demonstration in Delhi.
According to a police official, protesters were detained for assembling at the venue without permission. The process of registering a first information report (FIR) against them was underway.
In a separate action, several VBA workers were detained while demonstrating near Hutatma Chowk in south Mumbai, reported the PTI.
Earlier in the day, Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and head of Hum Bharat Ke Log, was picked up from Bandra and taken to the DN Nagar police station.
Gandhi had shared a poster on X urging citizens to assemble at August Kranti Maidan at 3.30 pm to support the CJP's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A large number of people gathered outside the police station following his detention. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also visited the police station.
Activist Feeroz Mithiborwala was detained from his residence and taken to the MIDC police station, officials said.
One of the protesters, Rubaid Bhojani, alleged that the police had used excessive force while taking demonstrators into custody.
“We voted for the Prime Minister, but he betrayed us. We demand Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation,” Bhojani said, according to the PTI.
The protests in Mumbai were organised in solidarity with the CJP's demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, which has raised concerns over the electoral process.
Mumbai Police deployed additional personnel, including women officers, at Shivaji Park in Dadar to prevent members of the CJP from staging a demonstration.
Security was also stepped up at other locations across the city as authorities sought to prevent unauthorised gatherings and maintain law and order.
Police said August Kranti Maidan was not a designated protest site under a Bombay High Court order. The absence of official permission for the proposed gathering was cited as a reason for the preventive action.
The CJP called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest also focuses on concerns surrounding Form 6, which is used to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai passed an order on an application filed by the Delhi Police seeking cancellation of Imam's interim bail.
Sharjeel Imam was granted interim bail for seven days from October 4 to 10 by an order dated September 22 to attend his cousin's wedding.
The order barred him from using social media or contacting any mediaperson, and from meeting anyone other than family members, relatives and friends.
The prosecution alleged that Imam violated these conditions, pointing to videos on a YouTube channel and on social media platform X. It said a video uploaded by a news channel showed Imam's brother giving an interview while he was present in the same room.
Rejecting the defence's contention that the video was a compilation of separate clips and that Imam was not present in the room, the court said the footage indicated that the clips had been shot in the same place at approximately the same time.
The case pertains to an FIR registered in connection with the 2020 northeast Delhi riots and includes charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>She took to the Stories section of her official Instagram handle on Saturday and uploaded a photo of an empty reclining wheelchair with a beautiful sunset visible from the window.
Nushrratt reflected on how time has the ability to change one's reality beyond comprehension.
However, she said that despite not being in her best shape, she has not lost hope and aims to get back in full swing soon.
The 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' actress added the text to the pic, "Been chasing sunsets forever, And just like that.. my view changed. But, Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost. (sic)."
Nushrratt was in Bali for a work-cum-holiday trip when she suffered a fracture in her spine following an unfortunate accident. She was later airlifted to Mumbai for a spine surgery.
Previously, Nushrratt's publicist had issued an official statement revealing that the actress was under medical observation.
The statement read, “Nushrratt Bharuccha, who was in Bali for a work-cum-holiday trip, met with an unfortunate accident and suffered a fracture in her spine. At present, our immediate priority is her health and ensuring she receives the necessary medical care. We are currently making arrangements to bring Nushrratt back to Mumbai from Bali via an air ambulance, where she will undergo the surgery”.
They also shared that Nushrratt's work commitments for the next few weeks have been put on hold for now, “Given the nature of the injury and the surgery, Nushrratt will need time to rest and recover, and her work commitments over the next few weeks are likely to be affected. We request everyone to respect her privacy at this time and allow her the space to focus on her treatment and recovery. We are grateful for everyone’s concern and good wishes and will share further updates as and when appropriate”, the statement further read.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital by Saturday as demonstrators attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar for a protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Delhi Police sources said.
Police continued to take protesters into preventive custody, informing them that permission had not been granted for the gathering.
Following his detention, Kejriwal shared a video on X in which he appeared alongside AAP leader Sanjay Singh and criticised the police action.
He said the country's youth had awakened and asserted that the protesters would not be intimidated by the government's actions.
“We have been detained by the police. Sanjay Singh is here with me. The youth of the country has awakened. We are not going to be intimidated by Modi's tyranny. Now, Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign. People will not tolerate this stealing of votes anymore. You all should also come out of your homes and fight to save the country,” Kejriwal said in the video, according to the ANI.
The AAP leader also called on citizens to join the movement, which has raised concerns over the electoral process and alleged irregularities in voter lists.
AISA leader Neha Bora also confirmed her detention in posts on X, asserting that the protest would continue despite police action.
“We have been detained. But it does not matter. To my fellow Gen Z: This is our 1942. Their jails can hold a few of us but not all of us. Wherever any of us is stopped today, we sit down right there and begin. Every corner becomes Jantar Mantar,” Bora wrote.
In a subsequent post, she said protesters were assembling near Safdarjung Flyover and urged supporters to join them.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the developments in Delhi in a post on X.
Referring to the government's leadership, Ramesh invoked the saying vinaashkaale vipriitbuddhi, suggesting that the actions of those in power reflected poor judgement, as per the ANI.
His remarks came amid mounting political criticism over the detention of protesters seeking action against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Delhi Police sources said around 1,000 protesters had been detained across the national capital by Saturday while attempting to march towards Jantar Mantar.
The demonstration was organised by the CJP to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar. Police continued preventive detentions, citing the absence of official permission for the gathering.
The crackdown affected political leaders, student activists and other demonstrators seeking to participate in the protest.
CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke, who travelled from Mumbai to Delhi to participate in the demonstration, alleged that police personnel detained him and his associates as they disembarked from their flight at Delhi airport.
Dipke shared a video on Instagram describing the incident.
The protest has drawn participants from different parts of the country, with demonstrators seeking greater accountability and transparency in the electoral process.
(with ANI inputs)
]]>The enforcement drive was conducted on October 9 under the directions of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
Inspections were carried out in Pune, Sangli, Solapur, Satara and Kolhapur districts to check compliance with food safety standards and prevent the sale of substandard and unsafe edible oil.
The inspections uncovered several alleged violations, including suspected quality issues, inadequate laboratory facilities, improper labelling and unhygienic packaging practices, an official statement said.
It said that Pune district recorded the highest quantity of seized edible oil, with 34,481 kg worth approximately Rs 58.90 lakh confiscated from eight establishments.
At Sant Tukaram Oil Mill in Dehu, officials seized 12,518 kg of soyabean and imported refined, bleached and deodorised (RBD) palmolein oil. The inspection reportedly revealed a non-functional laboratory and alleged misbranding.
Another 12,434 kg was seized at Laxmi Enterprises in Aale, Junnar. Inspections were also conducted at establishments in Baramati MIDC, Chakan, Mulshi and Gultekadi Market Yard.
In Kolhapur district, the FDA seized 18,156 kg of edible oil worth approximately Rs 29.03 lakh from four establishments.
The major seizures included 7,998 kg of RBD palmolein oil at Raj Oil in Ichalkaranji. Officials also seized stocks at Mathuresh Traders and Mahalaxmi Enterprises over alleged unsafe storage practices and common inlets connecting storage tanks.
In Solapur district, five establishments were inspected, resulting in the seizure of 13,490 kg of edible oil worth around Rs 25.33 lakh. Inspections in Akkalkot MIDC, Sangola and Madha reportedly uncovered alleged mislabelling and substandard soyabean and rice bran oils.
Officials flagged missing or improper details, including maximum retail prices (MRPs), batch numbers and use-by dates.
Reused tins, missing licences among violations.
In Satara district, four establishments were inspected and 5,948 kg of edible oil worth approximately Rs 11.41 lakh was seized. Raids in Karad and Patan reportedly found businesses operating without valid licences and using reused tins to package soyabean oil.
In Sangli district, the FDA seized 2,536 kg of edible oil worth around Rs 4.07 lakh from four establishments. Officials also issued directions for the immediate closure of non-compliant traders in Walwa and Miraj, citing alleged deficiencies in laboratory facilities and purchase records.
Across the five districts, inspectors reported several suspected violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
These included non-functional in-house testing laboratories, the absence of chemists, common pipelines connecting storage tanks, unhygienic containers used for repackaging and labelling irregularities.
The FDA said samples of the seized edible oil had been sent to designated state laboratories for chemical analysis.
Further statutory action, including penalties and prosecution, may follow depending on the findings.
The department has urged consumers to remain alert while purchasing food products during the festive season and report suspected adulteration, quality concerns or other trade malpractices.
]]>The CJP has called for a large demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“Shut down the entire country if you are scared of the youth,” Dipke told reporters, reacting to the developments ahead of the protest, the news agency reported.
According to the PTI, the Railway Board on Friday cancelled certain Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10.
The cancellations come a day before the CJP's planned demonstration, with the party seeking to mobilise young people to protest against the CEC and the SIR exercise.
Dipke questioned the restrictions and said the government did not need to grant permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar, which is a designated protest site, as per the PTI.
The Delhi Police has denied permission to the CJP to hold its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
Separately, the Delhi Police has urged the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to shut 57 metro stations to prevent the movement of young people who may be travelling to join the demonstration, according to the information provided.
The proposed restrictions and train cancellations have become a point of contention ahead of the planned protest.
The CJP has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls and is demanding Kumar's resignation, the news agency reported.
The allegations have been rejected neither as established facts nor independently verified in the information available for this report. The protest is part of a wider political dispute over the voter roll revision exercise.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast mainly clear skies for Sunday, with the maximum temperature expected to remain around 36 degrees Celsius.
High humidity added to the discomfort, while no rainfall was recorded in Mumbai or its suburbs during the day.
According to data from the IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre, the city's Colaba and Santacruz weather stations both recorded a maximum temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Santacruz recorded a minimum temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius.
Relative humidity at the Colaba station stood at 80 per cent at 8.30 am before falling to 48 per cent by 5.30 pm.
The IMD has forecast mainly clear skies over Mumbai and surrounding areas on Sunday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to be around 36 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Warm and humid conditions are likely to continue across the coastal region, with temperatures remaining high through the weekend.
Residents may experience discomfort due to the combination of high temperatures and humidity, particularly during the afternoon.
Temperatures remained elevated across several parts of Maharashtra. Malegaon recorded the state's highest maximum temperature at 38.4 degrees Celsius, while Jalgaon registered the lowest minimum temperature at 18.2 degrees Celsius.
The contrasting readings highlight the variation in weather conditions in parts of the state, with coastal areas continuing to experience warm and humid weather.
Meanwhile, the IMD on Friday issued a heatwave warning for parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Maharashtra's Konkan belt, with the alert remaining in force until October 12.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai said heatwave conditions were likely at isolated places in districts of South Konkan, while hot and humid weather was expected at isolated locations in North Konkan.
The warning comes as temperatures are set to rise across parts of Maharashtra over the next few days.
The IMD has forecast a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius in some parts of Maharashtra.
]]>In the video, she informed her followers, “Folks, we have been detained. We are all in a cop car. I am going to send the pin. Can you please follow that? I have no idea where we are going. Let's hope for the best.”
View this post on Instagram
She later shared a video revealing how the cops are not letting them go home. “The cops are not letting us go home. We are randomly walking on the road, but they are not letting us catch any car or any vehicle.” She later shared a video stating they are all safe and heading home.
View this post on Instagram
Apart from Lekha, Imran’s cousin Zayn Marie also shared a glimpse of them from the police van. She later shared a video poking fun at Imran. She compared Imran's debut film 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' with his current situation. Refreshing your memory, Imran is arrested by the police in the movie as well.
View this post on Instagram
Actor Imran Khan was detained by the Mumbai Police at August Kranti Maidan, the proposed protest venue in support of CJP’s protest in Delhi. Addressing the media, Imran said, "Sir, I don't have any demands. I don't have any status to demand anything from people. Nor am I a part of any organization, so I don't speak as a representative."
Soon after he was detained, the 'Delhi Belly' actor uploaded a picture on his official Instagram handle straight from the police van. He even added a hilarious caption, saying, 'Apparently I’m going for a drive (sic).'
For those who do not know, a protest was reportedly organised for 3:30 PM on Saturday at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan under the banner of 'Hum Bharat Ke Log' (We, the People of India) to support the CJI movement at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Earlier, the protest was happening at Shivaji Park, which was joined by several celebs, including Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Vishal Dadlani and many others.
]]>The detentions came amid action against people protesting or planning to participate in demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai was the proposed venue for the protest in support of the CJP's call.
Imran Khan was detained from the site, while Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai and Kasturi Gandhi were also taken into custody.
The detentions took place amid restrictions and police action against those associated with the planned agitation.
Actor Imran Khan was among more than 400 people detained across Mumbai on Saturday during protests in solidarity with the CJP’s agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police detained demonstrators at August Kranti Maidan and other locations, citing the lack of permission for the gathering. Protesters were demanding the CEC’s resignation over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
— Mid Day (@mid_day) October 10, 2026
The protest was called in support of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJP), which has been associated with the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The broader protest movement has raised concerns over the electoral process and called for accountability and reforms to ensure free and fair elections.
Mumbai Police on Saturday detained activist Tushar Gandhi and members of his organisation ahead of a proposed demonstration at August Kranti Maidan.
Tushar Gandhi was picked up from Bandra and taken to the DN Nagar police station, a police official said. Activist Feeroz Mithiborwala was also taken into custody from his residence and shifted to the MIDC police station.
The proposed gathering in Mumbai was scheduled for 3.30 pm, following a call by Gandhi's organisation, Hum Bharat Ke Log. Police said no official permission had been granted for the event.
Former Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA along with Sanjay Raut, Anil Parab and other party leaders on Saturday evening reached DN Nagar Police Station in Andheri west area of Mumbai following the detention of Tushar Gandhi.
Several Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress party workers also gathered in Andheri to protest against Tushar Gandhi's detention.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, Aaditya Thackeray wrote, "The regime still doesn't have the guts to call this an Emergency", sharing a photo of Trinamool Congress leaders, including former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, detained in a police vehicle.
]]>Actor Imran Khan was among more than 400 protesters detained in Mumbai during demonstrations in support of the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest at August Kranti Maidan. Mumbai police detained hundreds at protests backing the CJP's demonstration against the Chief Election Commissioner. The actor shared a selfie from police van and joked about it by writing, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
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As he shared the pic, netizens lauded his courage by calling him her. One wrote, “Herooooo.” While another commented, “A real Hero let’s go!” While third user wrote, “So proud of you a Real hero with guts.”
#WATCH | Mumbai: Actor Imran Khan detained from Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan, which was the proposed protest venue in support of CJP’s protest call. https://t.co/iZtCAVGDuZ
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
As per ANI, before he was detained by Police, Actor Imran Khan says, "I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted—why people's voices are being suppressed. That is why I am here. I am not in a position to make demands of anyone. Nor am I part of any organization. I am just here as a representative..."
#WATCH | Mumbai: Before he was detained by Police, Actor Imran Khan says, "I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted—why people's voices are being suppressed. That is why I am here. I am not in a position to make demands of anyone. Nor am I part of any organization. I am just here as a representative..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
The CJP has called a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The protesters are seeking electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of manipulating voters' lists. To support them, protest was held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai’s Dadar.Now, it has taken over August Kranti Maidan.
Apart from Imran Khan, Shabana Azmi was among few actors who urged all to join the protest. Addressing protestors, the veteran actor started her speech by identifying herself with the city, saying, "I am Mumbai chi mulagi." She described voting as a constitutional right and encouraged people to step out, question authorities and make their voices heard.
Musician Vishal Dadlani, filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj and singer Rekha Bhardwaj also marked their presence. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah was seen at the site as well, where he met CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.
]]>Speaking at a news channel's conclave on Saturday, Sule said the authorities should have engaged with the protesters through dialogue instead of imposing restrictions. She also questioned the decline in voter numbers in Maharashtra's Khadakwasla Assembly constituency and Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, demanding access to official data to examine the changes.
Condemning the action against people travelling to Delhi for the agitation, Sule said the demonstration was peaceful and could have been handled through dialogue.
“I condemn this act because it was a very peaceful agitation. They were going to participate in Delhi, and I personally feel, it is a strong word, but it is cowardly of any government to do that,” she said, according to the PTI.
Responding to arguments that the government had a responsibility to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents, the NCP (SP) working president said the authorities could have addressed the concerns through discussions.
Sule called for serious electoral reforms, stressing that the objective should be to ensure that election results reflect the choice of voters, irrespective of which party wins.
“We need very serious electoral reforms in this country. It's not about us winning or losing. Whoever wins should be the person that the Indian voter wants to lead this nation,” she said, as per the PTI.
Citing Khadakwasla Assembly constituency in Pune district, Sule questioned the reported decline in voter numbers following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
According to Sule, the constituency had around 5.5 lakh voters during the Lok Sabha elections, but the number subsequently fell to around 3.1 lakh and had reportedly declined further to about 2.5 lakh after the SIR exercise.
“Three lakh voters are gone. I don't know where they are. I'm not saying that they disappeared. There may be a scientific reason for it. Give me the data. Let's correlate it,” she said, the news agency reported.
The Baramati MP also raised concerns over the decline in voter numbers in the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, calling for official data to enable a detailed examination.
Sule stressed that the changes should be assessed transparently using verified information rather than being reduced to political arguments.
Sule said Opposition parties were willing to participate in discussions and legislative proceedings to address concerns over the electoral process. She questioned why the BJP was not reaching out to other parties to discuss the proposed reforms.
She also said the Opposition would accept an electoral outcome in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to power, provided the election was conducted freely and fairly following the necessary reforms, according to the PTI.
Her remarks centred on the need to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that citizens had confidence in the electoral process.
Asked about the future of the INDIA bloc and whether the Congress would emerge as the senior partner in the
Opposition alliance, Sule said it was too early to predict how political equations would develop.
“How it will unfold, only time will tell,” she said.
On the possibility of her father and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar returning to the Congress, Sule said she could not speak on his behalf.
“You know my father as well as I do. He's a man of very, very few words, and that's why he's lasted in politics for six decades, because he talks very little,” she said, the news agency reported.
Sule also expressed concern over what she described as an atmosphere of fear in the country. She questioned the outcomes of investigations conducted by central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
She reiterated the need to strengthen democratic institutions and build public confidence in the electoral system, saying transparent processes and accountability were essential to ensuring free and fair elections.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The incident reportedly took place after a group of protesters toppled barricades during the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Around noon, 25 to 30 protesters allegedly crossed barricades and threw stones at security personnel. Some protesters were detained following the incident, officials said.
Police detained around 500 people as protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar despite permission for the demonstration being denied. Security was tightened across the New Delhi district, with police and paramilitary personnel deployed at key intersections and approach roads.
The protest was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am. However, security personnel prevented participants from reaching the designated area, where prohibitory orders were in force.
Several protesters were detained at locations including Connaught Place, while others were sent back. Police personnel also chased groups attempting to regroup at different locations and evade the security cordon.
Police had divided the district into 20 sectors, with senior officers monitoring the situation. Barricades and security deployments were put in place to prevent protesters from gathering near Jantar Mantar.
Meanwhile, protesters continued to raise slogans against the police as personnel chased them and escorted them to buses. Some of those detained shouted “Inquilab Zindabad” while being taken away.
CJP leaders Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also detained at the Delhi airport after arriving in the national capital, according to the information provided.
The demonstration was planned against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but protesters were prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar after authorities denied permission for the gathering.
Meanwhile, police have stepped up security at Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke's home in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in view of his protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi on Saturday, an official said.
CJP has called a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against the CEC over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The national capital witnessed heightened security as Delhi Police detained nearly 500 protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar for a proposed demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
In a post on X, Thackeray shared a photograph of Trinamool Congress leaders, including former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, being taken away in a police vehicle.
“The regime still doesn't have the guts to call this an Emergency,” Aaditya Thackeray wrote.
CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and two other party leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained inside an aircraft after their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi, according to the information provided.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also named among those detained amid the police action against protesters.
Police detained people at several locations across the national capital as they attempted to reach the protest site. Security personnel were deployed at key intersections and approach roads, while authorities monitored movement in the area.
The CJP had called the demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, which is used for voter registration.
Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) MP Supriya Sule on Saturday slammed the crackdown on people heading to Delhi for a peaceful agitation, calling the government's action "cowardly" and demanding comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure free and fair polls, reported the PTI.
Speaking at a news channel's conclave, Sule asserted that the government should have held a dialogue with protestors staging a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar rather than imposing restrictions.
"I condemn this act because it was a very peaceful agitation. They were going to participate in Delhi, and I personally feel, it is a strong word, but it is cowardly of any government to do that," she said, according to the PTI.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>The discussion arose after Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad confirmed Jaiswal has been training behind the stumps as an extra skill alongside his batting and leg-spin, with training photos emerging before the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy campaign.
"I myself was surprised when I heard this. It is very difficult if you have not kept wickets since childhood. First of all, it is a very demanding job. Apart from that, where is that place even if he starts? There are Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Rishabh Pant. I am sure he wants to do it in white-ball cricket," Jaffer remarked on his YouTube channel.
Emphasising that glovework in red-ball cricket demands specialised physical endurance, the record Ranji Trophy run-scorer expressed concern that Yashasvi Jaiswal would struggle to adapt without grassroots experience, particularly with India's tour of New Zealand fast approaching next month.
"It is very difficult in Test cricket. But I feel this is a bit of a joke because wicket-keeping is not an easy task if you have not done it since childhood. It is not an easy skill that you can develop very quickly," Jaffer explained.
Jaffer suggested that the tactical shift might stem from a desire to cement positions in shorter formats rather than necessity.
"I think he is getting a little desperate to get into the white-ball teams. I think he needs to focus on his batting ahead of the Ranji Trophy and the New Zealand tour."
Jaiswal is scheduled to represent Mumbai in their Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday before departing for national duty. Reports indicate he previously tested his glovework for roughly 10 overs during a recent intra-squad practice game before the domestic season.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad confirmed Jaiswal's interest in keeping wickets but admitted the Indian opener is yet to confirm his intentions.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Bringing a fresh wave of uncertainty to an already unpredictable game, actor and content creator Rishabh Jaiswal, reality TV personality Jashwanth Bopanna and actress Sonam Malik are all set to enter the Tower as wildcard contestants, turning up the heat and challenging the existing order. Sharing the promo on Amazon MX Player, the makers wrote, “Ek nahi, do nahi… seedha teen new players! Tower ka balance hilne waala hai!”
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With three new faces entering a game where power is everything and trust can be fleeting, the big question is: who will claim the keys to the Penthouse as a Ruler, and who will find themselves starting out in the Basement as a Worker? One thing is certain: the arrival of three new contestants could turn the game on its head, and no position in the Tower is guaranteed.
To note, Lock Upp winner Shreya Kalra’s boyfriend, Rishabh Jaiswal had hinted at his entry into the show. He took to Instagram to share a picture of himself holding a card with ‘wild card’ written on it. Rishabh became known after appearing on MTV Splitsvilla 14 and MTV Roadies 19. He was also part of TV shows such as Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Anupamaa and Kundali Bhagya.
Jashwanth Bopanna is the ex-boyfriend of Akriti Negi. Akriti was one of the contestants in Season 1 of Rise & Fall, and she caught a lot of eyeballs for her game on the show.
Produced by Banijay Asia, Rise and Fall Season 2 is hosted by Virender Sehwag and streams for free, exclusively on Prime Video, with fresh episodes every day at 12 noon.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Karan Patel has exited the show on medical grounds. Tej Pratap Yadav quit due to his political and legal commitments. Besides them, Anish Bhagat was eliminated due to receiving fewer votes, whereas Siwet Tomar was shown the door due to physical violence.
]]>#WATCH | Delhi Police personnel enter the aircraft that was carrying Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke to Delhi. The flight landed at IGI Airport a few minutes ago. "...I have come here to be arrested; arrest me," Abhijeet Dipke tells Delhi Police "No, this is not an arrest. Please cooperate," Delhi Police personnel tell him.
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
“I have come here to be arrested; arrest me,” Dipke told the police personnel after they entered the aircraft.
“No, this is not an arrest. Please cooperate,” the police personnel responded.
The development comes amid heightened security in the national capital ahead of the CJP protest. Dipke’s detention at the airport comes as authorities step up security measures surrounding the planned demonstration.
Meanwhile, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained by Delhi Police at his Gurugram residence on Saturday ahead of the CJP protest in Delhi, police sources said.
Rathee was on his way to join the CJP protest in Delhi, which has prompted heightened security arrangements across the national capital.
Earlier this week, Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
The police have stepped up preventive detentions and deployed personnel at strategic locations to prevent protesters from reaching the protest site.
So far, the police have detained around 200 protesters from various locations in the New Delhi area.
Security checks were intensified at the Singhu Border, on the Delhi-Haryana border, on Saturday ahead of the CJP protest in Delhi.
Police also conducted intensive vehicle checks at the Tulsi Niketan border in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, leading to heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel carried out a flag march from Mandi House Circle.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained in view of a protest call given by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar, which was not permitted. During the day, unfortunate information was received regarding the death of the grandmother of Abhijeet Dipke. The information was immediately shared with him with due sensitivity, and the time of the funeral was intimated to him. He was also offered possible facilitation for his journey to his hometown on humanitarian grounds: Delhi Police Officials
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
Security was also tightened at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport ahead of CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke’s arrival for the Jantar Mantar 2.0 protest, ANI reported.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police conducted flag marches across the Connaught Place area and detained several demonstrators near Janpath.
The national capital was placed under heightened security ahead of the CJP protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were mobilised across the capital following directives from the Union Home Ministry.
After denying permission for the gathering, citing previous instances of violence, Delhi Police directed teams on the ground to detain anyone attempting to demonstrate. Six stadiums and community centres, including Chhatrasal Stadium and Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, were designated as temporary holding facilities.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were instructed not to carry firearms, while police teams were equipped with batons and directed to avoid verbal confrontations.
To ensure transparency and prevent confrontations, on-duty Delhi Police personnel were equipped with uniform-mounted body cameras capable of recording footage in low-light conditions.
“These body cams are to protect us and others. In situations of manhandling, allegations are levelled against Delhi Police. So, these body cams will prove whether we did anything to anyone or not. This will record everything,” an on-duty police official said earlier.
]]>Meanwhile, protesters were detained and taken to Gamdevi Police Station.
A protest had been called at August Kranti maidan on Saturday to demand the resignation on Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) agitation at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Meanwhile CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and others were detained in a flight as it landed at Delhi airport.
Popular YouTuber Dhruv Ratee was also detained on Saturday morning. He had announced that he would join the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Several protesters were taken into custody from the protest site in Grant Road and transported to Gamdevi Police Station.
The reason for the detentions were not immediately clear.
Further details about the police action were awaited at the time of writing.
Access to the Nana Chowk Skywalk was restricted on Saturday. The protesters demanded that the police show them the orders authorising their detention. Further details about the detentions and the reason for the restrictions were awaited.
Meanwhile, security was tightened outside DN Nagar Police Station in Andheri West on Saturday, with additional police personnel deployed as the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress workers began to gather amid heightened security in the area.
- inputs from Ranjeet Jadhav
]]>At the film's pre-release event, Rajinikanth spoke about his apprehension about sequels and revealed why he broke the rule with Jailer 2. He said, “I’m generally not keen on sequels because I feel they take the first part, add a little extra flavour, and turn it into another film. I was approached for Baasha 2, and Karthik Subbaraj also came to me with a story for Petta 2, which would have extended Vijay Sethupathi’s character. But I wasn’t interested in either sequel.”
“After Jailer was released on OTT, I watched the film again. Towards the end, when I am about to kill Varma, he warns me that he has a huge network and that they won’t spare me. Also, Jailer has three containers worth Rs 1,000 crore. So, I felt there was a perfect story for a sequel,” he said.
Rajinikanth returns as the lead in Jailer 2, along with Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa and Rithvik, who will reprise their roles from the first instalment. The upcoming sequel will also see the addition of several actors to its cast, including S. J. Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vidya Balan, Anna Rajan and Jatin Sarna.
Helmed by Nelson, Jailer 2 is scheduled to release in theatres on October 15, 2026, coinciding with the festive window of Dussehra 2026. A few days ago, the film was cleared by the CBFC with a U/A certificate ahead of its release. Meanwhile, its certified runtime is 165 minutes and 18 seconds, which makes the film approximately two hours and 45 minutes long.
The state government has approved a temporary ticket-price hike for the film during its opening week. The revised rates will remain in effect for seven days. The order allows single-screen theatres to charge Rs 50 above the usual admission rate, while multiplexes can add Rs 75 to their standard ticket price. The film will witness a box-office clash with Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s Ranabaali.
]]>She breathed her last at 11.30 am at her family home in Santuk Pimpri village. She had been unwell for about a month and had earlier been admitted to a hospital in Hingoli.
Her last rites will be performed at 10 am on Sunday, the sources said.
Dipke's family said they had been unable to contact him as he was detained in the national capital.
"As Abhijeet Dipke has been detained in the national capital, we could not contact him. But we have contacted his parents, and they are on the way to Santuk Pimpri," his cousin said, according to the PTI.
According to family sources, Abhijeet Dipke had met his grandmother on August 15, when he launched the 'School Thik Karo' campaign in Hingoli district, and met her once more afterwards.
He had not been able to see her during the last 20 to 25 days, the sources said.
The development comes amid the detention of CJP leaders who travelled to Delhi from Mumbai to take part in a planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The CJP on Saturday claimed that Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police inside their aircraft soon after it landed in the national capital.
The party had planned the protest over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In the video, Dipke is heard alleging, “So, you can see that Delhi Police is entering the plane to arrest us. They are all entering the plane. We just landed. All the Delhi Police officers are standing in the aisle. They are trying to arrest us from inside the plane. The entire Delhi Police is getting on the plane. This is the fear of Narendra Modi. Not even Indira Gandhi did this during the Emergency. All we wanted to do was hold a peaceful protest, and they are picking us up from the flight like we are criminals.”
(with PTI inputs)
]]>His latest masterclass came in Ranchi, striking his second T20I century off just 45 balls as West Indies completed a record-breaking 250-run chase against India with nine balls to spare, tying the five-match series 1-1.
Supported by Sherfane Rutherford’s explosive 86, Hope’s authoritative knock anchored the pursuit after early losses.
"I think people underrate Shai Hope a lot," Chase said following the win.
"He is a guy who can block out a lot of noise and focus on what he has to do. I think that is his special skill because, when everything seems to be going wrong, he is still out there giving his best and performing for the team. I think that is his hallmark."
Chase stressed that criticism surrounding Shai Hope's strike rate often overlooks his overall impact and dedication.
"He is a great player. He probably doesn't have the same record in red-ball cricket, but people also play down his statistics and record, especially in T20 cricket.
Everyone knows he is great in 50-over cricket, but even then, people sometimes don't give him enough credit. They always say he either bats too slowly or bats for himself."
"I am always happy when I see him do well because I know he is a very professional guy. He puts in the hard work, and he is the ultimate professional. He tries to tick every box and do the right things all the time. So, whenever he puts in these performances, I am very happy for him."
Highlighting Hope's physical development, Chase noted his deliberate adjustments.
"Firstly, he has done a lot of gym work to make himself more powerful, particularly when it comes to hitting the ball over the ropes and striking it better. I think he also practises a lot of range-hitting to get into those strong positions and get his body accustomed to hitting the ball from those positions. I think that has worked for him over the past couple of years, during which he has been working on it tremendously."
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>As per report in Indian Express, Jailer 2 will cost moviegoers more in Andhra Pradesh during its opening week. The state government has approved a temporary increase in ticket prices for the film across theatres. The order allows single-screen theatres to charge Rs 50 above the usual admission rate, while multiplexes can add Rs 75 to their standard ticket price. The hike will remain in place for seven days, from October 15 to October 21, and will apply to five shows per day.
In Andhra Pradesh, cinema ticket rates are regulated by the state government, which fixes separate price ceilings for single-screen theatres and multiplexes. Exhibitors cannot charge beyond these limits unless the government grants special permission for a particular film.
To note, Jailer 2 is releasing during Dussehra and will witness a box-office clash with Vijay Deverakonda’s Ranabaali. Mythri Movie Makers, the producers of Ranabaali, had recently issued a statement denying reports that they had sought a ticket-price increase. “Ranabaali will release at standard ticket prices, and we are confident that audiences will have a great cinematic experience this festive season.”
Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer 2 brings Rajinikanth back as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the Sun Pictures banner and features an ensemble cast, including SJ Suryah, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu and Mirnaa.
Vijay recently addressed the clash with Jailer 2. He remarked, “First of all, we can’t even call it hate. Because 90 percent of it is manufactured. There’s a batch that drops Reels at a time that they’d rather watch Jailer 2 over Ranabaali, despite it being a Telugu film.” He also added, “People can have opinions, but if you see the same opinion everywhere, it’s manufactured. What they must understand is that the attacks they’re paid for today, AI will do tomorrow. No one can stop it. The person paying them will stop.”
]]>Despite producing standout individual performances in recent seasons, Delhi have found consistent team victories difficult. Dahiya believes heightened self-belief and pride in representing the state are essential to reviving their red-ball campaign.
"It's an honour to come back and be part of this group, which excites me," Dahiya told PTI upon beginning his third stint as head coach.
Having monitored domestic action as a broadcaster, Dahiya feels the squad must take full ownership instead of expecting others to spark a recovery.
"We do need a turnaround in red-ball cricket, and the players need to understand what the format requires," he stated.
Though Delhi has produced legendary international leaders, Dahiya stressed that converting individual performances into collective wins remains the primary objective, with plans to establish a stable core group.
"It's a team game played by individuals, and those individuals need to stand up and make it count," he noted.
He singled out experienced fast bowler Navdeep Saini, noting his sharp form in practice sessions. Dahiya previously coached Delhi to titles across all three domestic competitions, though he credited those triumphs entirely to the squad.
"First of all, don't take away my hard work by calling me a lucky charm. Just joking," he quipped.
Addressing potential star inclusions, Dahiya welcomed Rishabh Pant's potential availability.
"We'd love to have someone like Rishabh Pant in this team, especially in this format, where he can change the game in one session," he remarked.
On newly appointed captain Ayush Badoni, Dahiya emphasised balancing leadership with primary batting duties.
"His immediate task is to captain Delhi well. Before being the captain, he is one of the team's main batters, and he needs to perform accordingly," Dahiya observed.
He praised young talents Sarthak Ranjan, Sanat Sangwan, and Ayush Doseja, while noting selection dilemmas among pacers Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, and Divij Mehra.
"My job is to stand behind the players, not ahead of them. Once the game starts, we follow their lead," Dahiya concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>He said that the Congress leader was “not responsible enough” to hold such a high office in India.
A delegation of MPs from the INDIA bloc, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday and submitted a memorandum raising concerns over alleged electoral irregularities and what they described as attempts to undermine Indian democracy.
Following the meeting, LoP Gandhi said President Murmu had asked the Opposition delegation to provide evidence to substantiate its allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft).
Reacting to Gandhi’s statement, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, while addressing a press conference, alleged that the Congress leader had attempted to “drag the President of the country into a street protest”.
“Yesterday, a few leaders visited Rashtrapati Bhavan. The statement of Rahul Gandhi after the meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan was like that of an incompetent leader. I am choosing these words very carefully. I feel frustrated and uncomfortable saying this. He is the Leader of the Opposition in the country,” Patra said.
“Never has anyone attempted to drag the President into a street protest. However, a ‘nalayak neta’ attempted to do that. The anarchist Rahul Gandhi tried to pull the President of India into the anarchism that he is trying his best to conduct on the streets of India,” the BJP spokesperson alleged.
Patra further questioned Gandhi’s suitability for holding high public office.
“After coming out, this incompetent leader says that ‘the President has agreed with what we are saying’. Just think, is this person capable of becoming the Prime Minister of the country or holding a high office? He himself has proved that he is not responsible enough to hold a high office in India,” Patra said.
Other members of the delegation included All India Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, RJD Rajya Sabha member Professor Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI general secretary D. Raja, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai, and VCK president and MP Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan.
The meeting followed several days of protests by Opposition leaders against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the electoral process. The Opposition has also been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Rajinikanth said, “The only missing element in Jailer 2 is Tamannaah. I told Nelson to keep one song for Tamannaah.” Nelson responded to Rajinikanth, saying, “I can’t keep it just because you like it, sir.” To this, Rajinikanth quickly said, “I didn’t say I like it. If I had done whatever I liked, I would have become irrelevant and gone to Bengaluru. I’m still in the field because I’m doing what audiences are loving.”
The superstar suggested that he wanted Tamannaah's song in Jailer 2 as well because the audience loves it. Jailer was released in 2023, and had a cameo song by Tamannaah Bhatia in it. Her song Kaavaalaa became a chartbuster upon release. The hook step of the song had also become a rage on social media with Tamannaah's dance moves grabbing everyone's attention.
Rajinikanth returns as the lead in Jailer 2, along with Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Mirnaa and Rithvik, who will be seen reprise their roles from the first instalment. The upcoming sequel will also see the addition of several actors to its cast, including S. J. Suryah, Mithun Chakraborty, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vidya Balan, Anna Rajan and Jatin Sarna.
Helmed by Nelson, Jailer 2 is scheduled to release in theatres on October 15, 2026, coinciding with the festive window of Dussehra 2026. The film is clearly among the most-awaited Tamil releases of the year. Fans are keen to see if the sequel can recreate the magic of the original. A few days ago, the film was cleared by the CBFC with a U/A certificate ahead of release. Meanwhile, its certified runtime is 165 minutes and 18 seconds, which makes the film approximately two hours and 45 minutes long.
]]>The Mumbai civic body has invited bids from “experienced and qualified” contractors to operate and manage six multispecialty hospitals under a public-private partnership (PPP) model for 30 years, including a possible 15-year extension.
The move has drawn opposition from elected representatives, who have raised concerns over the privatisation of civic healthcare facilities.
The tenders, floated on Friday, invite bids until November 2, 2026, for the operation and management of six healthcare facilities under the civic body’s healthcare collaboration model.
The proposal has faced opposition from Municipal Councillor and BMC Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhandirge, former mayor and BMC House Leader of Opposition Kishori Pednekar, and Municipal Councillor Ashraf Azmi.
Azmi has demanded the immediate cancellation of the tenders for all six hospitals, alleging that the BMC is handing over prime civic land to private operators without adequate safeguards for patients from economically weaker sections.
“The BMC is giving six prime plots, Dahisar West CTS 675/12, Chandivali, Mogra in Andheri, Khar Maternity Home, Mankhurd Mandala and Vikhroli Parksite, worth Rs 600 crore free for 30 years to private operators in the name of PPP,” Azmi alleged.
Bhandirge said the proposal was introduced without the civic administration discussing it with elected representatives.
“This proposal was floated without the administration discussing it with us. We oppose it and the act of the administration doing this without keeping us informed. Officials are blaming it on each other now. We will demand their detailed response on Monday,” he said.
Pednekar questioned the need to outsource the management of municipal healthcare facilities, given the BMC’s substantial budget.
“What is this rampant trend of privatisation in the BMC? It is one of the richest civic bodies with such a large budget. It doesn't make any sense when they try to outsource even basic municipal facilities like healthcare,” she said.
Azmi alleged that the proposal violated Section 61(gg) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and warned that private management could increase the financial burden on patients.
“This is a violation of MMC Act 61(gg). Today, OPD is Rs 10 and delivery is free; tomorrow, private operators will charge Rs 1,500 and Rs 60,000. The poor of Mankhurd, Chandivali, Dahisar and Khar will suffer. There will be no free BPL beds,” he said.
Mid-Day contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner in charge of health Prajakta Lavangare and Executive Health Officer Santosh Gaikwad late on Friday evening for the civic administration’s response. However, no response was received by press time.
]]>The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) laid a trap and caught Sanjay Parshuram Naik, 62, sarpanch of Karivili village in Bhiwandi taluka, while he was allegedly accepting the money on Friday, ACB inspector Pramod Ahire said, according to PTI.
According to the ACB, the complainant had secured a tender worth Rs 2.33 crore from the Minor Irrigation Department of the Thane Zilla Parishad for the conservation and beautification of Karivili lake.
The project’s funding structure required 90 per cent of the total cost to be provided by the government. The remaining 10 per cent, amounting to around Rs 23.3 lakh, was to be contributed locally through public participation via the Karivili Gram Panchayat, officials said.
Before issuing the work order, the Zilla Parishad authorities instructed the complainant to submit a guarantee letter from the Gram Panchayat confirming that the local contribution would be deposited in instalments.
When the complainant approached Naik for the required letter, the sarpanch allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10 lakh, according to the ACB.
The ACB said part of the amount was initially paid. However, Naik allegedly failed to submit the guarantee letter to the Zilla Parishad and later demanded another Rs 10 lakh from the complainant.
Following negotiations, the alleged bribe amount was reduced to Rs 7.5 lakh, the ACB said.
The bureau subsequently laid a trap and caught Naik while he was allegedly accepting the amount on Friday.
The arrest followed an investigation into the complaint concerning the demand for money in connection with the official document required for the lake development project.
The ACB has registered a case against Naik under the Prevention of Corruption Act, as amended in 2018, inspector Ahire said.
The case concerns allegations that the sarpanch sought money in exchange for issuing the guarantee letter required for the project to proceed.
The allegations against Naik have not been established in court. Further details about the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings were not provided in the supplied report.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>In a post on X on Saturday, the party said Dipke had recorded a video statement in advance, anticipating a possible arrest. The announcement comes amid heightened security and preventive detentions in the national capital ahead of the planned demonstration against the Election Commission.
IMPORTANT Until Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in detention, CJP’s Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will lead this protest at Jantar Mantar. Abhijeet had pre-recorded this video last night in anticipation of a potential arrest. @AjinkyaCJP https://t.co/WSQ69mKfTV
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
“Until Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in detention, CJP’s Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will lead this protest at Jantar Mantar,” the party said in its post.
The party added that Dipke had pre-recorded the video on Friday night in anticipation of a potential arrest.
The development follows claims by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and Ratna Singh, the party’s legal team head, that they were detained by police on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police continued detaining activists ahead of the planned demonstration, with authorities citing the lack of legal permission for the protest. Several organisations led by the CJP had called for demonstrations against the Election Commission.
The party has maintained its plans to proceed with the demonstration despite the detention of its leaders, with Shinde now named to lead the protest.
Delhi Police has stepped up security arrangements ahead of the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar. Preventive detentions and surveillance have been reported across the capital as authorities seek to prevent unauthorised gatherings.
Police have cited the absence of permission for the demonstration while warning against attempts to assemble in violation of restrictions.
The proposed protest is linked to the CJP’s allegations concerning electoral processes and the functioning of the Election Commission. These allegations remain the party’s claims and should not be treated as established findings.
With its founder and other senior leaders reportedly in detention, the CJP’s announcement signals that it intends to continue its planned demonstration under Shinde’s leadership. Further developments will depend on the police action and the situation at the protest site.
]]>Having popular Sonali Bendre as guest on the hotseat, the actress asked Madhuri that, “Did you regret any film that you did?"
In response, Madhuri recalled working with a director who was extremely intense and emotionally expressive on set.
Madhuri went on to reveal in Marathi, which further translated into English, read, “There was a little difficulty while working on one film because the director was a bit of a ‘high-voltage’ person. Every scene would begin at that level. I would always argue that we should gradually build up to that point. He would say, ‘No, no, no... that’s not how it is.’ While explaining the scene to us, he would suddenly disappear somewhere because he would get extremely emotional. He would be sitting under the table, crying.”
Sharing another hilarious incident from the shoot, the actress said she was filming a trolley shot when she suddenly heard strange sobbing sounds.
Madhuri further narrated, “I was giving my shot, and it was a trolley shot. I was delivering my dialogue, saying, ‘Why did you do that?’ when I started hearing these ‘sob-sob’ sounds. I wondered what had happened. I got distracted and looked over, only to find my director sitting on the trolley and crying.”
Hearing the story, Sonali Bendre couldn't hold back her laughter and remarked in disbelief, "Are you serious?"
For the uninitiated, Madhuri Dixit is touted as one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated actresses, known for iconic films such as Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Justice Vikas Mahajan also directed social media platforms Meta, Google and X to remove and permanently take down content identified by the actor, including videos, reels, posts, accounts and channels that allegedly misuse or imitate his persona.
The court directed online marketplaces to remove the identified infringing links within 72 hours of receiving a copy of the order. Domain name registrars were also directed to lock and suspend specified domains within the same period.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications were directed to issue necessary notifications or directions to internet and telecom service providers to block or remove access to the websites listed in the order within 72 hours of receiving a copy.
The court directed the concerned entities to file compliance affidavits within two weeks, as specified in the order.
The court observed that Deverakonda had made out a prima facie strong case for protection of his personality rights and that the balance of convenience favoured him. It said the apprehension of damage to his image and personality appeared real and that the injury might not be adequately compensated through monetary damages.
The actor had approached the court alleging unauthorised commercial use of his name, photographs, voice and other distinctive attributes, besides the circulation of AI-generated and morphed videos portraying him in obscene, vulgar and objectionable situations.
The interim restraint covers the use of his name, including ‘Vijay Deverakonda’, ‘Vijay Devarakonda’ and ‘Vijay Sai Deverakonda’, his initials ‘VD’, voice recordings, signatures, fashion style, photographs, movie stills and performances.
However, the court declined to grant an ex-parte interim injunction against the standalone use of the colloquial name ‘Rowdy’ on the ground of passing off, observing that material would be required to establish that the expression had acquired distinctiveness or a secondary meaning exclusively associated with the actor. It clarified that using an AI-generated or morphed image of the actor along with the expression ‘Rowdy’ would fall within the scope of protection of his personality rights.
The court also permitted the concerned online platforms to seek clarification from the actor regarding how the identified URLs fall within the scope of the order. Websites or social media accounts that are not primarily infringing may approach the court with an undertaking that they do not intend to violate his personality rights and seek modification of the injunction.
The court issued notice to the defendants and directed them to file replies within four weeks. The matter will next be heard before the Joint Registrar on December 3 for completion of service and pleadings, and before the court on February 2, 2027.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Anil will be seen stepping out in the same coat, shirt and trousers he wore in the iconic film, which was released in 1987 and shared a surprising detail about where he bought the jacket.
Revisiting his iconic look, Anil shared, “I would say the shirt still fits me, the trousers still fit me, the jacket still fits me. After 39 years, everything still fits me! The team said wish we could get the Mr. India costume, and I was like I'd preserved it.”
Explaining the thought behind the episode, he says, “It is a very socially relevant episode that we are doing. That was the basic theme, and that’s what Raj Kapoor sahab had said after seeing the film. What is the takeaway from the film? The takeaway is that everyone can become Mr. India. This episode is about those jo desh ki sewa karte hain. They do things for the country without really expecting anything. They do it as a moral duty. They help make India what it is.”
As for the story behind the jacket, Anil reveals, “The jacket I bought from Chor Bazaar. Coincidentally, maine baal bhi lambe kiye hue hain, jaise mere ‘Mr. India’ mein the. Toh aaj baal bhi suit kar rahe hain! (Coincidentally, I have grown my hair just like I had in ‘Mr. India’. So, today hair is also suiting the look).”
India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show airs on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
Mr. India is a science fiction superhero film directed by Shekhar Kapur. Starring Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and Amrish Puri, the film tells the story of Arun Verma (Kapoor), a humble violinist and philanthropist. He receives a cloaking device that provides invisibility.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Kuldeep proved costly, leaking 24 runs in a decisive over featuring three sixes, a boundary, and a wide, shifting the momentum firmly toward the visitors in their massive pursuit of 250.
Arshdeep took the ball for the 18th over but failed to stop the runs, conceding 17 to Shai Hope and Romario Shepherd. The visitors then wrapped up the match in the 19th over, hitting Axar Patel for two sixes to complete the win.
"Definitely! I would have gone with either Arshdeep or Mayank (in the 17th over). Yes, Arshdeep Singh went for plenty in his final over (18th over), but Mayank had struck the early blows. Of the wickets that had fallen, he had taken three," Gavaskar told JioStar.
"His (Mayank) economy rate was about 12 an over, and at that stage, the West Indies needed more than that. So, if he had taken a wicket, and sometimes when the game is going in your favour, who knows, you would have got a wicket even if it had not been off a great delivery," Gavaskar added.
Mayank had one over remaining when Iyer turned to Kuldeep Yadav. The young express pacer had previously broken through the Caribbean top order, taking out Kamil Pooran (0), Shimron Hetmyer (4), and Rovman Powell (24) to reduce the visitors to 58/3 by the sixth over.
Gavaskar emphasised that another breakthrough from Mayank could have derailed the run chase completely.
"And once you get a wicket, suddenly, the opposition is on the back foot. A new batter has to come in. So, maybe that (bringing in Mayank) could have been tried. For me, I think giving Shivam Dube the ball in that ninth over was not exactly what was required at that stage. When the batters were still trying to get their eye in, maybe Kuldeep coming in would have been a better idea," Gavaskar stated, highlighting another bowling option.
]]>Shehnaaz recalled how the latter stood by her during difficult times and even helped her when she did not have clothes.
Taking to her social media account, Shehnaaz clarified that she has not been following Bigg Boss and, therefore, does not know whether Mahhi is playing the game well or badly.
She said that her support for Mahhi remains unwavering, and further recalled the bond they shared and the kindness Mahhi showed her during her struggling days.
“I am not following Bigg Boss so I don’t know how Mahhi is playing good or bad. But I’m still supporting her,” Shehnaaz wrote.
Recalling the difficult phase of her life when Mahhi came forward to help her, Shehnaaz added, “I was also in the same platform that Mahhi is in today and I remember how difficult it was. There was a time when I did not even have clothes. Mahhi stepped in and supported me a lot.”
Shehnaaz also spoke about the emotional support she received from Mahhi. “When I laughed she laughed with me. When I cried she cried with me,” she wrote. “She is genuinely such a pure and clean hearted person. I have seen that side of her and that’s why no matter how she plays inside the house I will always support Mahhi.”
Shehnaaz's statement also offers a glimpse into the bond the two share beyond the reality show.
In fact, during an earlier episode of Bigg Boss 20, the contestants were shown some of the most memorable moments from the show's history. One of the most emotional moments came when Mahhi Vij broke down in tears while watching happy and joyful memories of Shehnaaz Gill and Sidharth Shukla.
As the clips played on screen, Mahhi struggled to hold back her emotions, with tears rolling down her cheeks every time Sidharth and Shehnaaz appeared.
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]]>Maximum temperatures remained above normal across several parts of the state, including Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha, while no rainfall was recorded at most of the reporting stations.
Amravati recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius, 6.8 degrees above normal. Akola recorded 38.8 degrees Celsius, 4.5 degrees above normal, while Wardha registered 37.2 degrees Celsius, 3.8 degrees above normal.
Chandrapur recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Buldhana at 36.5 degrees Celsius and Nagpur at 36.2 degrees Celsius. Washim and Bramhapuri recorded maximum temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius and 35.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Gondia recorded a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Washim recorded a minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees below normal, while Yavatmal recorded a minimum of 19.2 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees below normal. Yavatmal's maximum temperature was unavailable in the bulletin.
Mumbai recorded a maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27.1 degrees Celsius. The maximum was 4.4 degrees above normal, while the minimum was 1.7 degrees above normal.
At Santacruz, the maximum temperature stood at 37.8 degrees Celsius, 4.7 degrees above normal, while the minimum was 25.8 degrees Celsius.
Alibag recorded a maximum of 34.9 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 27.6 degrees Celsius. Ratnagiri recorded a maximum of 36.7 degrees Celsius, while Dahanu recorded 36.9 degrees Celsius.
The bulletin reported no rainfall at Mumbai, Santacruz, Alibag, Ratnagiri and Dahanu.
The forecast issued on Friday said Pune would experience mainly clear skies, becoming partly cloudy towards the afternoon or evening on Saturday, October 10. The maximum and minimum temperatures were forecast to be around 35 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Pune recorded no rainfall in the bulletin's reported observations. Its seasonal rainfall stood at 1.4 mm, against a normal of 40 mm, with a rainfall departure of minus 38.6 mm.
Several stations in Madhya Maharashtra recorded maximum temperatures above normal. Malegaon recorded 38.4 degrees Celsius, 5.6 degrees above normal, while Solapur recorded 37.7 degrees Celsius, 4.5 degrees above normal.
Satara recorded 36.7 degrees Celsius, 5.4 degrees above normal, and Sangli recorded 35.9 degrees Celsius, 4.2 degrees above normal. Jalgaon recorded 38.5 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees above normal.
Pune recorded a maximum temperature of 35.5 degrees Celsius, 3.6 degrees above normal, and a minimum of 21.2 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees above normal. Pune's Lohegaon station recorded a maximum of 36 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 21.8 degrees Celsius.
Nashik recorded a maximum temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius, while Kolhapur recorded 34.1 degrees Celsius. Mahabaleshwar recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 17.9 degrees Celsius.
In Marathwada, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 36.7 degrees Celsius, 4.6 degrees above normal. Parbhani recorded 36.5 degrees Celsius, while Dharashiv recorded 34.6 degrees Celsius.
Beed recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, while its minimum temperature was unavailable in the bulletin. Nanded's temperature figures were also not provided in the available report.
According to the bulletin, Amravati recorded Maharashtra's highest maximum temperature at 39.4 degrees Celsius, while Mahabaleshwar recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 17.9 degrees Celsius.
The data showed no rainfall at most of the listed stations. The bulletin, dated Friday, October 9, 2026, included observations of maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall across the state's weather stations.
]]>On October 8, Jennie made an appearance at The Weeknd's concert at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, surprising fans. The singer joined the Canadian star, and they performed their 2023 collaboration, One Of The Girls. The performance marked the song's first-ever live performance with both artists together.
OOTG - Jennie and The Weeknd (full performance) https://t.co/0xG51Bk8Nd
— ' (@jnksmedia) October 8, 2026
The song, which was released in 2023 as part of the soundtrack for the HBO series The Idol, has remained a fan favourite over the years. The song has spent 20 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100. While One Of The Girls was included in The Weeknd's setlist during the first Goyang show on October 7, Jennie did not make an appearance the previous night.
The song also features Lily-Rose Depp. During the performance, Jennie and The Weeknd were seen facing each other while exchanging lyrics from the sultry collaboration. Videos and images from the concert show the two enjoying the moment, as the crowd cheered them on.
After the performance, the two singers were captured sharing a warm hug before the BLACKPINK star prepared to leave the stage. Before leaving, she also greeted the singer in Korean, saying, "Weekend Oppa, have a great show!" Her playful remark drew laughter from the audience, adding another memorable moment to the evening.
The Weeknd's South Korean concerts marked the singer's return to the country for the first time since 2018. He performed at two shows, held on October 7 and 8 as part of his After Hours Til Dawn tour. According to reports, the two concerts attracted a combined audience of approximately 108,000 people.
]]>Dipke was speaking to ANI in Mumbai before leaving for New Delhi to participate in the protest, which seeks the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Questioning the security arrangements and restrictions ahead of the demonstration, Dipke alleged that the shutdown of transport services and the deployment of security personnel reflected the government's fear of public protests.
"Narendra Modi is a dictator. He is scared. Which is why he has shut down railways, metro, and all roads. If Narendra Modi is so afraid of the youth of this country, the people of this country, then why is he sitting on the Prime Minister's chair?" Dipke said, ANI reported.
He further alleged that the deployment of security personnel in Delhi was aimed at suppressing the protest.
"You brought the army from Jammu and Kashmir and deployed them in Delhi. You brought CRPF forces from Naxal areas and deployed them in Delhi. Are Narendra Modi and Amit Shah waging a war against their own country's people? Is Jignesh Mevani so dear to you that you have deployed your own police force and army force on your own country's people? Somewhere, this is Narendra Modi's fear. I don't know why Jignesh Mevani is so important for them that they want to wage a war on their own country's people," he told ANI.
Dipke also claimed that authorities were detaining people travelling to Delhi to prevent them from participating in the protest.
"They are catching people on trains in other parts of Mumbai; they are not letting them go. And in Delhi, they have shut down everything. This is fear, this is nothing but fear, this is Narendra Modi's fear. And he is afraid that the people of this country will not vote for him after this," he said.
Dipke alleged that police personnel were visiting residential areas to discourage people from joining the demonstration. He maintained that peaceful protest was a fundamental right.
"To save his power, he is picking up people from trains and making announcements in societies that no one should go to the protest. The Delhi Police is going to people's homes and saying no one should protest. Why shouldn't they go? Protesting is our fundamental right. Article 19 gives us the fundamental right to protest in a very democratic and peaceful manner, and that is what we are going to do," Dipke said, ANI reported.
Asked whether he feared being detained upon arriving in Delhi, the CJP activist said he was prepared to face arrest.
"If they want to detain or arrest me, they can do that. I am ready for it. They can arrest or detain me, it doesn't matter to me. Apply UAPA or NSA, apply it, but we will keep fighting for free and fair elections and to save this country's democracy," he said.
Security arrangements have been stepped up across the national capital ahead of the proposed demonstration. More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed amid heightened security measures. The Union Home Secretary has also directed states and Union Territories to maintain law and order.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>Chase stifled India's momentum after an explosive start, picking up three wickets for twenty-four runs by removing Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Shivam Dube.
"If you look at the context of the game, it was a game-changing, match-winning spell. The way he changed his lines was important on this wicket. But against dangerous teams like West Indies, we need to find a way to defend totals," Gambhir stated during the post-match press conference.
Highlighting the spinner's tactical discipline, Gambhir explained how his versatility hurt the Indian batting lineup.
"You have to keep changing your lines and make the batters guess. If you keep bowling the same line and length, they can settle in. He bowled at the batters' legs, went wide and bowled full. He kept changing his approach, and those variations are very important on wickets like these," Gambhir added.
Earlier, India put up a formidable total of 249 for 5, after Sanju Samson's sparkling 82 alongside fast-paced contributions from Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma. However, the visitors successfully chased the target in 18.3 overs.
"I don't blame anyone or anything. The bottom line is that we could not defend 250. They batted extremely well and deserved to win. We still have a lot of work to do."
During the chase, a dropped catch by Mayank Yadav offered a reprieve to Sherfane Rutherford, who capitalised on the chance to score 84 runs and anchor a match-winning, 120-run partnership alongside Shai Hope, who remained unbeaten on 102.
Addressing the fielding lapse and the toss, Gambhir remained optimistic.
"The toss is not in your hands. Catches get dropped; it has happened in the past and will happen in the future. Nobody drops catches intentionally, so you cannot blame anyone for that. I don't know if there is a safe total. We thought 250 was a good score, especially after taking two early wickets. But credit to the West Indies for what they achieved with the bat," he concluded.
]]>According to sources, around 30 to 40 people with criminal records have been picked up from all 15 districts as the police stepped up security arrangements to maintain law and order.
Police are also keeping a close watch on the movements of certain people who could mobilise people or influence them to participate in the proposed demonstration, the source said.
Surveillance has been intensified outside the residences of such people as part of the security measures, added the source.
Security arrangements have been tightened across Delhi in view of the proposed protest.
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]]>The makers have released the first teaser trailer for the film, which has been described as a new take on the long-running horror franchise.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johansson plays Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective who finds herself investigating a series of killings. The story also features a murderer named Father Sunday, played by John Leguizamo, and a priest played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The case takes a dangerous turn as the threat reaches Miller's 12-year-old son, played by Jacobi Jupe.
Take a look at the trailer
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Flanagan, who is best known for his in the horror genre, has directed films such as Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep, based on the works of author Stephen King. He has also made popular Netflix series, including Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher.
The new film comes after Universal Pictures" previous attempt to revive the franchise failed to meet expectations. In 2021, the studio paid USD 400 million for the rights to The Exorcist, which began with William Friedkin's 1973 horror film.
The studio had planned a trilogy, hoping to repeat the success of the Halloween revival directed by David Gordon Green. However, the first film, The Exorcist: Believer, released in 2023, received poor reviews and earned USD 137 million worldwide. The film also brought back original star Ellen Burstyn, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The planned sequel, The Exorcist: Deceiver, was scrapped in 2024. Universal later brought Flanagan on board to give the franchise a fresh start with The Exorcist: Martyrs.
The upcoming film is expected to take the story in a new direction while bringing the horror series back to the big screen.
The Exorcist: Martyrs will release in theatres on March 12, 2027.
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]]>Delhi Police continued to detain activists ahead of the planned demonstration, with authorities citing the lack of legal permission for the protest, according to the account shared.
Dipke, who was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi to participate in the protest, posted a video on Instagram alleging that Delhi Police personnel entered the aircraft after it landed at the airport and attempted to detain him and his associates.
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In the video, Dipke is heard alleging, “So, you can see that Delhi Police is entering the plane to arrest us. They are all entering the plane. We just landed. All the Delhi Police officers are standing in the aisle. They are trying to arrest us from inside the plane. The entire Delhi Police is getting on the plane. This is the fear of Narendra Modi. Not even Indira Gandhi did this during the Emergency. All we wanted to do was hold a peaceful protest, and they are picking us up from the flight like we are criminals.”
“You can see where the nation is heading. They are here to arrest us directly from the flight. This is something not even Indira Gandhi had done. This is dictatorship, where Delhi Police has entered the flight and is trying to arrest us. Come on, arrest us. We are here to be arrested. Come on, arrest us. We are here to be arrested. We are not afraid of you,” Dipke is heard saying.
CJP’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh detained! https://t.co/eCFWPZxYXg
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
The CJP also posted a video of its legal head, Ratna Singh, who claimed that she was being detained while attempting to leave her home in her car.
In the video, Singh is heard saying, “They came to my house in the morning and were told that I was not here. We asked for official notification. Do they have any? They have nothing. They just said, ‘We need to detain you. We have orders from above.’
“I don't know who this ‘above’ is that they received the orders from. They keep saying, ‘Get out of the car. We will detain you at your home.’ They don't even want to take me anywhere else; they want me to stay here only. And I am not getting out of the car. They are not leaving this spot, so I am, in a way, being illegally detained on the road.”
Dhruv Rathee has been detained. The Dictator is TERRIFIED of young people who question its wrongdoings and refuse to stay silent!
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
The CJP also claimed that content creator Dhruv Rathee had been detained, saying, “The Dictator is TERRIFIED of young people who question its wrongdoings and refuse to stay silent.”
Delhi Police said on Saturday that it had detained around 500 people who arrived in different groups from various locations ahead of the planned protest in the national capital. Nearly 50 people with criminal antecedents were also apprehended as part of preventive measures, the police said.
“Around 500 people coming in different groups from various locations have been detained. In addition, nearly 50 anti-social elements with criminal antecedents have been picked up so that they do not disturb the atmosphere or incite trouble,” Delhi Police said.
As part of the security arrangements, the New Delhi district has been divided into 20 operational zones, with dedicated detention centres established for each zone, the police said.
Several demonstrators were detained after gathering at Jantar Mantar and Sansad Marg amid tight security and extensive barricading across the national capital.
Security personnel have been deployed at multiple locations as CJP activists continue to push for a protest against the Election Commission. Entry points to the national capital have been placed under heightened security, while 46 Metro stations have reportedly been closed.
The security measures have been put in place to prevent any untoward incidents during the demonstration, with the police seeking to avoid a recurrence of the July 20 protests.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>The actress shared that strangers treated her differently after she abandoned her trademark red hair for platinum blonde. She shared that some people were apparently surprised to discover her personality has not changed with her appearance.
The Oscar-winning actress, 49, discussed her transformation during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and shared that her new hairstyle has altered people’s expectations of her behaviour. Jessica debuted her new look at the US Open in September, and decided to dye her hair after wearing a blonde wig for her forthcoming Apple TV+ thriller ‘The Off Weeks’.
Jessica said, “When I’m a little bit sassier than normal, people look at me like, shocked. Like they expect me to be soft and demure”.
When the show host asked about her life as a blonde, the actress said, “I will say, we do have a lot of fun. No, I’ve always had a lot of fun. I just played a part where I had a very similar hair color in a wig, and so I guess I got to test drive the hair for a few months. And so I was like, alright, I’m going for it”.
The Apple TV+ production completed filming in the middle of 2026 and is undergoing post-production, although a release date has yet to be announced. The series marks another television project for Jessica, who previously starred in the HBO drama Scenes from a Marriage opposite Oscar Isaac, 47.
The actress also has ‘Other Mommy’ lined-up for release. The psychological horror film is directed by Rob Savage.
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]]>Sanjay and his wife Maheep Kapoor joined Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi on their show Double Date.
Talking about how Sanjay would make her mother feel comfortable on the sets, Neha shared: “My mom used to be on sets but wo Kabhi kamre se bahar aati nahi thi. Aisa nahi hai unko invite nahi kiya jata tha, and she doesn't need any invitation but it was always about keeping me away, and just cocooned in the atmosphere in which I have to work.”
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“Sanjay (Kapoor) was very nice He was doing the balancing act between the director, producer, and going to attend to my mom and making her feel comfortable.”
(“My mom used to be on the sets, but she would never come out of the room. It’s not that she wasn’t invited, and she doesn’t need any invitation, but it was always about keeping me away and just cocooned in the atmosphere in which I had to work.)
(Sanjay was very nice. He was doing the balancing act between the director, producer, and attending to my mom, making her feel comfortable.”)
Neha and Sanjay had previously worked together in Qayamat: City Under Threat.
Talking about Julie, the erotic film produced by N. R. Pachisia and directed by Deepak Shivdasani. The film stars Neha Dhupia, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Yash Tonk, Sanjay Kapoor and Achint Kaur.
The film follows Mihir, an influential businessman, who falls in love with Julie, a prostitute. When he proposes marriage, she hesitates to accept his proposal because of her profession and grim past.
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]]>As Aditya appeared on the popular chat show, 'Koffee With Karan,' with his 'Aashiqui 2', co-star, Shraddha Kapoor, host and filmmaker Karan Johar asked him if he really got drunk for a few scenes of the movie.
Answering KJo's question, Aditya said, "I tried my hand at it. It was the only right thing to do as an actor. I tried it; we packed up one day. Otherwise you are slurring your lines".
Taking a fun dig at Aditya, Shraddha added, "Fully slurring, but it was fun to watch".
Talking about 'Aashiqui 2', the project shows the turbulent love story between a singer, Rahul Jaykar (Played by Aditya), struggling to maintain his fame, and his protege, aspiring singer Aarohi Keshav Shirke (Played by Shraddha). It revolves around how Rahul's alcohol addiction and temperament affect the two.
The film is both an adaptation of the original 1937 version and the 1976 remake of 'A Star is Born'.
Backed by Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt under the banners of T-Series Films and Vishesh Films, the movie is a spiritual successor to the 1990 musical film 'Aashiqui.'
Released on 26 April 2013, 'Aashiqui 2 ' turned out to be a commercial success at the box office despite being headlined by newcomers, and was also one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2013.
The movie was remade in Telugu in 2014 with the title 'Nee Jathaga Nenundali'.
Since its release in 2013, 'Aashiqui 2 ' has gained cult status among audiences.
Its melodious numbers also continue to rule the hearts of music lovers. It was also a breakthrough for the lead singer of the drama, Arijit Singh.
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]]>Looking back on the friendships forged along the way, Renner took to Instagram to express gratitude to fans for being part of the journey, which has now led to what he described as the “biggest movie of all time”.
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“We have always had something to celebrate throughout the years…. The good and the bad. A Throwback today to celebrate all of the fans that forged these friendships, a shared life, and now the biggest movie of all time. Thank you all for sharing this with us !! We love you,” Renner wrote as the caption alongside two pictures featuring the cast of “Avengers”.
Avengers: Infinity War released in 2018. In the film, the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt to stop Thanos from collecting the six powerful Infinity Stones as part of his quest to kill half of all life in the universe.
A year later came Avengers: Endgame. In the film, the surviving members of the Avengers and their allies attempt to reverse Thanos's actions in Infinity War, which erased half of all life in the universe.
The “Avengers: Endgame Encore” released in theaters on September 25 featuring new footage and an exclusive look at Avengers: Doomsday.
Talking about Avengers: Doomsday, the film, which is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, features an ensemble cast led by Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. In the film, the Avengers, Wakandans, New Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the X-Men converge from different universes to face Doom.
Renner began his career by appearing in independent films such as Dahmer and Neo Ned, then in supporting roles in bigger films, such as S.W.A.T. and 28 Weeks Later.
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]]>ANI recently caught up with Hollywood veteran Stanley Tucci ahead of the release of his upcoming film "Masterplan" on Prime Video, and during a brief interaction, Tucci got candid about his experience of sharing screen space with Priyanka Chopra in "Citadel".
"I loved it (experience working with Priyanka Chopra). She is amazing. I really love working with her," Tucci said with a big smile on his face.
In Citadel, Stanley Tucci plays Bernard Orlick, a brilliant technology expert, seasoned spy, and strategic mastermind within the secret intelligence agency Citadel. Working alongside Priyanka Chopra (who essayed the role of Nadia), Bernard navigates a dangerous world of espionage, betrayal, and global conspiracies.
The first season of Citadel was released in 2023 on Prime Video. It also stars Richard Madden. The spy thriller returned for its highly anticipated second season, which premiered in May 2026.
And now, after Citadel, Stanley Tucci has once again reunited with Prime Video for a heist film, 'Masterplan'. In the film, he will be seen playing the role of a "retired thief" who recruits two young strangers to help him steal the iconic Mona Lisa painting.
From what the trailers and posters have revealed, Stanley Tucci's character in Masterplan looks intriguing, promising yet another distinctive performance from the versatile actor.
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Given the film's title, 'Masterplan', when asked if he had ever devised a master plan of his own to break into Hollywood and build a successful career, Stanley Tucci reflected on his journey in the industry.
"Well, you have an idea of what you might do. And some of those ideas have, you know, come to fruition. Some of them I've achieved and others I haven't and probably never will. But there are reasons for that. And, you know, as I say, everything happens for a reason. Sometimes things don't happen for a reason," he emphasised.
Stanley Tucci-starrer 'Masterplan' is directed by Thomas Vincent. Also starring Simona Tabasco and Victor Belmondo, the film is scheduled to be released on October 16.
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]]>Despite the detention, the statement asserted that the gathering would go ahead in solidarity with fellow Indians at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained by Delhi Police ahead of the planned protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, the party said.
In a video statement recorded aboard the aircraft carrying them to Delhi, Dipke criticised the police action, saying, “This is not something even Indira Gandhi did during Emergency; this is a worse situation than that and we are all prepared for arrest.”
Co-convenor Saurav Das alleged that the authorities were attempting to stall a constitutional movement through the use of force.
Despite the detentions and heightened security in the national capital, the party said its nationwide protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would continue, irrespective of whether its leaders were present.
According to the party, Delhi Police personnel entered an Air India flight after it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport and detained Dipke, Das and Ranka.
The party also claimed that social activist and influencer Dhruv Rathee was detained from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram. CJP legal cell head Ratna Singh was allegedly detained from her Delhi residence, while party spokesperson Mehr was also reportedly picked up from her home early on Saturday.
The party further claimed that more than 1,000 volunteers, activists and citizens had been detained across the National Capital Region. It alleged that local stadiums were being used as temporary detention centres.
These figures and claims could not be independently verified at the time of publication.
In its statement, the CJP urged young people and citizens to participate in the movement, invoking the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar.
The party maintained that its central demand remained the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, amid its allegations concerning the electoral process.
]]>MLA Ashish Jaiswal confirmed that the event has been postponed on Instagram. He shared a video revealing that the event has been postponed. In the caption, Jaiswal wrote, "We would like to inform all of you that the grand interaction program with the entire team of the film ‘Ramayana’, which was to be organised at Ramtek on 11th October 2026, has been postponed due to some unavoidable reasons. Actor Ranbir Kapoor, actress Sai Pallavi and the cast of the film were to participate in this program. The purpose of this program was to highlight the importance of the land of Ramtek, which was sanctified by the touch of the feet of Lord Shri Ramchandra (sic)."
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He further shared that Maharashtra is currently facing a severe drought condition, and amid the current situation, helping the farmers remains their top priority. He added that they had discussed it with the film's team, who expressed their willingness to help the farmers. Jaiswal further thanked all the social media influencers who had promoted the event. Ranbir, Sai, and Ravie Dubey were reportedly expected to attend the event.
With the event now postponed, it is not yet clear if the makers will release it online or plan another launch event. The team is yet to share an official update on the same.
Earlier on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the makers had released the first song titled, Jai Jai Ram, from the film.
Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, and Ravie Dubey as Laxman, Ramayana Part 1 is one of the most awaited films of the year. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is produced by Namit Malhotra.
As per reports, Ramayana Part 1 is likely to hit theatres on November 5, 2026, three days before Diwali, while paid previews are also planned for November 4.
]]>Mumbai and its suburbs are likely to witness mainly clear skies, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 36 degrees Celsius and 26 degrees Celsius, respectively. The IMD has warned of a possibility of heatwave conditions in the city and suburbs.
According to the IMD's 8:30 AM weather report, the Colaba observatory in South Mumbai recorded a high of 37.0 degrees Celsius, while the Santacruz observatory in the suburbs logged 37.8 degrees Celsius.
Mumbai recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 89 on Saturday morning, falling in the satisfactory category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s SAMEER app. Air quality in this category may cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
Among the city’s monitoring stations, Deonar recorded the highest AQI at 144, followed by Chembur at 115 and Andheri at 102. Borivali recorded an AQI of 85, while Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) stood at 84. Ghatkopar recorded 82, Colaba 75 and Byculla 74.
Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Thane recorded an AQI of 104, while Navi Mumbai stood at 89 and Kalyan at 85.
Several parts of Maharashtra recorded significantly above-normal maximum temperatures on Saturday, according to the IMD’s weather report issued at 8.30 am on October 10. The maximum temperatures and evening humidity readings in the bulletin correspond to October 9.
Jalgaon recorded the highest maximum temperature at 38.5 degrees Celsius, which was 3.3 degrees Celsius above normal.
Malegaon followed closely at 38.4 degrees Celsius, recording the state’s highest departure from normal at 5.6 degrees Celsius.
Mumbai’s Santacruz observatory recorded 37.8 degrees Celsius, 4.7 degrees Celsius above normal, while Solapur recorded 37.7 degrees Celsius, 4.5 degrees Celsius above normal.
Mahabaleshwar was the coolest reported station, with a maximum temperature of 28.2 degrees Celsius.
Malegaon also recorded exceptionally high humidity, with relative humidity at 95 per cent at 8.30 am and 100 per cent at 5.30 pm on October 9.
At 8.30 am, Mumbai's Colaba recorded 83 per cent relative humidity, followed by Ratnagiri at 82 per cent. Kolhapur and Ahmednagar recorded 79 per cent each, while Dahanu and Harnai stood at 78 per cent.
Satara recorded 77 per cent humidity, Beed 74 per cent and Sangli 71 per cent. Nashik, Osmanabad and Parbhani each recorded 70 per cent.
With the IMD warning of hot and humid conditions across parts of the Konkan region, residents are advised to follow official weather updates and take precautions against prolonged exposure to heat.
]]>The editorial discussed the opposition’s campaign against Kumar, led by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, following allegations of electoral manipulation. It claimed the ruling BJP was protecting the election chief instead of addressing concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
The editorial described such alleged protection as a “betrayal of the nation” and questioned the government’s response to the opposition’s demands.
The Saamana editorial accused the administration of applying different standards to opposition demonstrators and BJP workers.
“While opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were dragged, manhandled, and bundled into police vehicles during peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar, BJP Mahila Morcha activists staging abrasive demonstrations outside the Congress headquarters were granted absolute immunity by the Home Ministry,” the editorial alleged.
The party also claimed that the government planned to deploy around two lakh armed Bajrang Dal members at Jantar Mantar to suppress the opposition’s youth-led “cockroach” movement.
The editorial argued that using political groups or what it described as “private armies” to curb public dissent could lead to anarchy and civil unrest.
The editorial also raised concerns over restrictions on the proposed demonstrations. It cited the denial of formal permission for protests by Delhi Police, the cancellation of long-distance trains travelling towards Delhi and the interception and detention of young demonstrators attempting to reach the national capital.
It argued that these measures reflected an attempt to weaken opposition mobilisation rather than address its concerns over the electoral process.
Referring to remarks by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Abraham Lincoln’s democratic principles, the editorial highlighted the importance of free elections, transparent administration and responsible governance.
It alleged that these principles were being undermined under the present dispensation and expressed concern over what it described as the capture of constitutional institutions.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena further accused the ruling establishment of relying on intimidation instead of political accountability to counter opposition voices.
The editorial warned that public discontent over the alleged erosion of democratic institutions was growing amid escalating tensions between opposition parties and the authorities.
The allegations and characterisations in the editorial represent the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s political position. The supplied report does not independently establish the claims concerning the proposed deployment of Bajrang Dal members or the alleged unequal treatment of protesters.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Rathee was on his way to join the CJP protest in Delhi, which has prompted heightened security arrangements across the national capital, PTI reported.
Earlier this week, Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
The police have stepped up preventive detentions and deployed personnel at strategic locations to prevent protesters from reaching the protest site.
So far, the police have detained around 200 protesters from various locations in the New Delhi area.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police Special Cell also detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke inside an aircraft after it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi on Saturday, following his arrival from Maharashtra.
#WATCH | Delhi Police personnel enter the aircraft that was carrying Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke to Delhi. The flight landed at IGI Airport a few minutes ago. "...I have come here to be arrested; arrest me," Abhijeet Dipke tells Delhi Police "No, this is not an arrest. Please cooperate," Delhi Police personnel tell him.
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
“I have come here to be arrested; arrest me,” Dipke told the police personnel after they entered the aircraft.
“No, this is not an arrest. Please cooperate,” the police personnel responded.
The development comes amid heightened security in the national capital ahead of the CJP protest. Dipke’s detention at the airport comes as authorities step up security measures surrounding the planned demonstration.
Security checks were intensified at the Singhu Border, on the Delhi-Haryana border, on Saturday ahead of the CJP protest in Delhi, ANI reported.
Police also conducted intensive vehicle checks at the Tulsi Niketan border in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, leading to heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel carried out a flag march from Mandi House Circle.
Security was also tightened at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport ahead of CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke’s arrival for the Jantar Mantar 2.0 protest, ANI reported.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police conducted flag marches across the Connaught Place area and detained several demonstrators near Janpath.
The national capital was placed under heightened security ahead of the CJP protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were mobilised across the capital following directives from the Union Home Ministry.
After denying permission for the gathering, citing previous instances of violence, Delhi Police directed teams on the ground to detain anyone attempting to demonstrate. Six stadiums and community centres, including Chhatrasal Stadium and Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, were designated as temporary holding facilities.
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were instructed not to carry firearms, while police teams were equipped with batons and directed to avoid verbal confrontations.
To ensure transparency and prevent confrontations, on-duty Delhi Police personnel were equipped with uniform-mounted body cameras capable of recording footage in low-light conditions.
“These body cams are to protect us and others. In situations of manhandling, allegations are levelled against Delhi Police. So, these body cams will prove whether we did anything to anyone or not. This will record everything,” an on-duty police official said earlier, ANI reported.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
]]>Police also conducted intensive vehicle checking at the Tulsi Niketan border in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Heavy traffic jams were reported at the spot.
Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel carried out a flag march from Mandi House Circle.
Security has tightened at the IGI Airport, Terminal 3 ahead of CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke's arrival for the Jantar Mantar 2.0 protest.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police conducted flag marches across the Connaught Place area and detained several demonstrators near Janpath.
The national capital turned into a high-security fortress ahead of the CJP protest demanding the sacking of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Over 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were mobilised across the capital under directives from the Union Home Ministry.
Having denied permission for the gathering citing past instances of violence, Delhi Police directed on-ground teams to detain anyone attempting to demonstrate, assigning six stadiums and community centres—including Chhatrasal and Rajiv Gandhi stadiums—as temporary holding facilities. While CAPF personnel were directed not to carry firearms, police teams were armed with batons, with instructions to avoid verbal confrontations.
To ensure transparency and prevent confrontation, on-duty Delhi Police personnel have been equipped with uniform-mounted body cameras capable of recording footage even in low-light conditions.
"These body cams are to protect us and others. In situations of manhandling, allegations are levelled against Delhi Police. So, these body cams will prove whether we did anything to anyone or not. This will record everything," an on-duty police official said earlier.
More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel are deployed across the national capital ahead of the protest, amid heightened security arrangements and a directive from the Union Home Secretary to states and Union Territories to maintain the law and order situation.
As a precautionary security measure, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has closed entry and exit gates at select metro stations in central Delhi, while commuters have been advised to use alternative routes amid heavy security curbs across the vicinity.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The proposed demonstration has been called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In its communication to the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of all states and Union Territories, the Ministry stressed the need for immediate preventive action in view of alleged attempts by CJP supporters to enter Delhi without authorisation from different parts of the country, potentially disturbing public peace and order.
The Ministry also called for continuous, real-time Intelligence sharing among state and UT Intelligence agencies, border and transit authorities, and Delhi Police to prevent any unauthorised mobilisation and ensure that the law and order situation remains under control.
In the letter, the Union Home Secretary drew attention to the potential consequences of the proposed gathering, describing the planned mobilisation by the CJP at Jantar Mantar on October 10 as a matter with serious law and order and public order implications.
The communication stated that the request submitted on behalf of the CJP to hold the protest had been categorically rejected and that the proposed assembly had been prohibited by the authorities.
The Home Secretary also referred to a 2018 Supreme Court order, emphasising that established protocols governing assemblies in the designated area must be strictly followed. The Ministry underlined that maintaining public order and ensuring compliance with the law were essential responsibilities of the authorities.
"The Ministry views the maintenance of law and order and public order as a non-negotiable constitutional imperative. Strict and uncompromising execution of the above is solicited to uphold the rule of law," the letter stated.
The Ministry further alleged that the CJP, along with its supporting political parties, organisations and individuals, had a documented history of failing to comply with lawful directions during previous events.
It said earlier mobilisations involving supporters arriving in Delhi from different states had resulted in disruptions to public order and damage to both public and private property, raising concerns about the possibility of similar incidents during the proposed demonstration.
"Their past mobilisations from different states into Delhi resulted in significant disruptions of public order and damage to public/private property," the letter said.
According to the Ministry, credible Intelligence inputs indicate that despite the formal prohibition communicated to the CJP, the organisation and its supporting groups may attempt to defy statutory orders and enter the national Capital without authorisation from various states and Union Territories.
The communication warned that such attempts could create a law and order challenge in Delhi, prompting the Centre to direct the states and UTs to take coordinated steps to prevent any breach of public peace.
"To pre-empt any breach of public tranquillity and to safeguard critical infrastructure, all the states and UTs are hereby directed to coordinate with Delhi Police and operationalise immediate preventive measures under the broad statutory and operational parameters, within the framework of law," the Ministry said.
Several trains were cancelled amid unprecedented security arrangements in view of the protest, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling to different destinations on Saturday.
Passengers at railway stations reported difficulties due to the cancellations, with some being forced to change their travel plans at short notice.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Speaking to reporters in Patna, Prasad said, “Rahul Gandhi lies; he is an expert at lying. Please spare the President. It is inappropriate, and the party has clearly refuted it; there was no such thing. They keep raising a hue and cry about ‘vote theft,’ yet look at how badly they lost, Mamata Ji lost badly in bye-elections in West Bengal, even in Murshidabad, where 70 per cent of the population is Muslim and they also lost in a Lok Sabha seat in Assam.”
“People won’t vote for them, and yet they keep shouting. I have a suggestion for him: The behaviour you engage in while sitting on the roads of Delhi does not befit a Leader of the Opposition,” he added.
His remarks came after LoP Rahul Gandhi and a delegation of INDIA Bloc leaders met President Murmu to raise concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral system and demand action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Following the meeting, LoP Gandhi said he was “stunned” that “she did not deny” the assertion, though she did seek proof. “We have all the proof of how elections were stolen. The entire country has seen it,” he added.
There was no official word from the President’s office on the discussions.
LoP Gandhi also announced that the Opposition would approach the Supreme Court over its concerns regarding the electoral process.
“We will go to the Supreme Court on Monday to meet the Chief Justice of India and hand over a memorandum to him,” the Congress MP further said.
Before the meeting, Gandhi led a group of Opposition MPs and party leaders in a march from Parliament towards Rashtrapati Bhavan. A smaller delegation subsequently met the President to press for the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner.
The memorandum submitted by the Opposition outlined four major demands. These included the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar and the repeal of the 2023 law that provides life-long immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
The Opposition also demanded the immediate suspension of the SIR exercise and the restoration of all 13.3 crore voters allegedly deleted from electoral rolls.
Another demand was a return to paper ballots for all elections. The delegation further sought the repeal of all Assembly elections held over the last two years “in which conclusive evidence of 'vote chori' has been presented”.
The INDIA Bloc has repeatedly raised allegations of irregularities in the electoral process, while the BJP has rejected the Opposition’s accusations.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Kareena's appearance at the Singapore GP was confirmed earlier on Friday after McLaren F1 shared a picture of the actor on their Instagram handle. They welcomed her to the Papaya Family, which is the official global community and fan base of the McLaren Formula 1 Team.
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"The newest member of the Papaya Family, Kareena Kapoor Khan," McLaren F1 shared in the post. Kareena also dropped pictures of herself from the paddock and the circuit on Instagram Stories earlier in the day. She was seen wearing a white tank top paired with off-white trousers and a multicoloured scarf wrapped around her neck.
Later, Google India shared a glimpse of the candid conversation between Lando Norris and Kareena Kapoor on its Instagram handle. The video starts with Kareena jokingly speaking about her husband winning the ‘world championship’ 19 years ago, a playful reference to Saif Ali Khan playing a NASCAR champion in his 2007 film Ta Ra Rum Pum. “So, we're the same, basically,” said Lando in response.
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Kareena then quizzes Lando about his racing career and some questions about McLaren's history and achievements in Formula One. She also made him try Indian masala chai and asked him to guess some common Indian gestures.
In the video, Kareena was also seen teaching the F1 racer about Indian gestures. She also played a rapid-fire QandA with Norris, quizzing him about his wins and McLaren's history in F1.
For the unversed, 26-year-old Lando, from Britain, has raced for McLaren since his F1 debut in 2018. He even won the world championship with them in 2025.
Meanwhile, Kareena was last seen in the investigative drama Daayra, which also starred Prithviraj Sukumaran. The two played cops who face off while navigating the dark and complex world of juvenile crime.
]]>The email states that a committee comprising four students and four faculty members will revisit the examination guidelines, with a focus on a student-friendly approach. The committee will also consider multiple rounds of feedback before finalising the revised rules, students said.
Under the revised procedure, if a case of suspected malpractice is reported during the examinations, the invigilator will collect the relevant material and the student’s original answer book. The student will be provided with a fresh answer book to complete the examination.
Faculty members will be required to record details of the incident in Form 01, while students may submit their version of events through an optional Form 02, according to the email.
The forms do not automatically establish that malpractice has occurred. Students will have an opportunity to explain their actions before a committee, which may impose a penalty if deliberate malpractice is established, the email states.
Gadgets found during the examination will be collected by invigilators and returned to students at the end of the exam, students said. The institute will also alert its Wellness Response Team to provide support to students involved in such cases.
According to the revised guidelines shared by students, suspected malpractice cases will be handled at two levels: the departmental-level Departmental Academic Disciplinary Action Committee (D-ADAC) and the institute-level Academic Disciplinary Action Committee (ADAC).
The D-ADAC will handle cases for which the maximum recommended penalty is a fail grade. Its recommendations will be forwarded to the Dean (AP), who may approve them and send them to the academic office or refer the matter to the institute-level committee for consideration. Decisions at the institute level will then be forwarded to the director, according to the email.
“An instructor cannot independently impose a malpractice penalty outside this process; ordinary academic evaluation remains separate as per the email,” an IIT Bombay student told mid-day.
Students will be required to submit a written response to allegations. If the evidence remains unclear, they will receive the benefit of the doubt, according to the guidelines. The invigilator who files a complaint against a student will not be part of the committees examining the case.
The revised process will also allow students to appeal against disciplinary decisions. Appeals against departmental-level decisions will be referred to the institute-level committee, while appeals against institute-level decisions will be considered by an apex committee.
The guidelines also outline examination-day rules for students and invigilators. Teaching Assistant invigilators have been instructed to report suspected unauthorised activities to the faculty invigilator. Only one student will be permitted to leave for a bio break at a time, students said.
Students who are not appearing for an examination will not be allowed inside the examination building during exam hours. Those taking the exams have been instructed to carry only essential items, with bags, notes, loose papers and books prohibited inside the building.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, laptops and other electronic devices are also prohibited inside the examination area or must be left at a designated location. Students may be checked for possession of prohibited items, according to the email shared with mid-day.
The revised guidelines come ahead of the October 10-11 mid-semester examinations, with the institute set to review student and faculty feedback before issuing the final examination rules.
This is a developing story, and all the updates are yet to be confirmed by IIT Bombay.
]]>Police deployed drones to monitor the movement of people trying to reach the protest site.
Ahead of the proposed demonstration, police sources said more than 600 people with criminal records had been detained across all 15 districts of the national capital as a preventive measure to maintain law and order.
According to the sources, the action was intended to prevent individuals with criminal backgrounds from creating a law-and-order situation during the protest.
Police are also closely monitoring the movements of certain individuals suspected of mobilising crowds or encouraging others to participate in the proposed demonstration. Surveillance has reportedly been intensified outside the residences of these individuals as part of the security arrangements.
Police personnel have been deployed at strategic locations across Delhi, particularly along routes leading to Jantar Mantar and other sensitive areas. The arrangements include increased surveillance and monitoring of people suspected of attempting to disrupt public order.
The proposed protest has prompted heightened security across the national capital, with police maintaining a strict vigil to prevent unauthorised gatherings and any potential breach of peace.
Delhi Police has denied permission to the CJP to hold its proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, citing security considerations and procedural requirements. Police have also said prohibitory orders are in force in the New Delhi area and appealed to people to comply with the restrictions.
The deployment of personnel and increased surveillance are aimed at maintaining law and order during the proposed demonstration, police sources said.
The CJP has called for a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, which is used for voter registration.
The proposed demonstration has led to heightened security arrangements, with police monitoring movement across the city and keeping a close watch on possible efforts to mobilise crowds.
Police have not provided further details about the individuals detained while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. The allegations concerning voter lists remain the stated basis for the CJP’s proposed protest.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>During an exclusive chat with NDTV, Prem Kumar, who's currently working on a film with Fahadh Faasil, opened up about the enduring love he has received for the film over the years. "It is overwhelming. Every year, I put up a poster marking the film's anniversary, whether it is two years, three years or eight years of 96. The response I receive every time is mind-blowing. It's unimaginable for a film to receive so much love, even though it is just a movie. It is beyond my comprehension," says the director.
He further recalled that he penned this story during the floods in Chennai in December 2015, saying, "I strongly believe, and I am not saying this out of humility, that the story chooses me. It is not me who chooses the story. That is how 96 happened, and that is how the film with Fahadh Faasil happened as well. Sometimes a story chooses me, but the time isn't right for it to materialise. Recently, I finished a script based on an idea I had in 2002 and I'll be starting to shoot for that next."
The director also addressed reports of Jyotika being approached to play the role of Jaanu in the film initially. He dismissed the speculations, saying, "Without a doubt, my first choice was Trisha. There were some date issues as she was working in several films and since I had Vijay Sethupathi's dates, there was pressure from various sides to consider someone else. Then Trisha's schedule was rearranged, and I was able to get her dates to match Sethu's. Everything eventually fell into place. I never thought I would direct 96 when I was writing it. I simply wanted to write a script and give it to a director who could make the film. But when I was writing the script, I had Sethu and Trisha in mind and they also liked the script. I write my scripts having certain actors in mind as I need to visualise the characters. Similarly, while writing Meiyazhagan, I had Rajinikanth sir and Kamal Haasan sir in mind."
The acclaimed romantic drama 96 returns to theatres for the third time on October 9 in Tamil Nadu.
]]>Chase delivered standout figures of 3/24 in his four overs, removing key batters Abhishek Sharma (20), Ishan Kishan (43), and Shivam Dube (7) to keep India within reach at 249/5 in their allotted 20 overs at the JSCA International Stadium.
Driven by Hope's unbeaten century alongside blistering half-centuries from Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd, the visitors successfully chased down the target in 18.3 overs, finishing at 252/4 to level the five-match series 1-1.
"Amazing. On a surface and a field like this, to go out for six runs and over is unbelievable. So he really kept us in the game. It was very difficult conditions to bowl on, so the way he bowled and kept us in the game made it a lot easier for us to chase that score," Hope said during the post-match ceremony.
The win marked the highest successful T20I run chase in West Indies history and the second-highest overall in the format, trailing only South Africa's 259-run chase against the Caribbean side in Centurion in 2023.
The record victory looked unlikely early in the response when Indian fast bowler Mayank Yadav reduced the visitors to 5/2 in the opening over by dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer on back-to-back deliveries. However, Player of the Match Hope (102* off 45 balls) anchored the innings through a crucial 53-run stand with Rovman Powell, followed by a game-changing 120-run partnership with Rutherford (84 off 37) and an unbroken 74-run stand with Shepherd (34* off 13).
"(Thoughts at 5 for 2?) That it's going to be a tough chase, but once you chase here in India, you always give yourself a challenge. You always think you're in the game, regardless of what score is on the board, but 5 for 2 is always going to be challenging. (On the belief?) We got that partnership there with myself and Rovman. We just got some more impetus into the innings. And then obviously Sherfane came and did what he did," Hope added.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting, saying the academy would help nurture young boxing talent in the state.
It’s a double high for Borgohain, who has also been promoted from Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) by the Assam Home Department following her latest gold-medal feat.
]]>View this post on Instagram
The global fashion doll franchise has recreated Williams, 45, as part of its Role Model series, with the doll sporting the lime green and white outfit she wore during her title-winning run in Melbourne. The doll was released on October 8.
In a video posted by Barbie on Instagram, Williams, a mother to daughters Alexis and Adira, said she was “especially excited” about the release because her girls love playing with Barbies.
]]>“Today, people have the capacity to spend on high-quality produce coming out of India. This is a mother list of all the people that we are shopping from,” she adds. In the world of AI and digital speed, the idea is to slow down and answer a meaningful question: “What it means to host well. To indulge in the pleasure of tactile and beautiful art of sharing time over food and drinks,” she says.
ON October 10 and 11, 12 noon onwards
AT Pioneer Hall, Bandra.
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ENTRY Rs 699
NOTE Children under 12 enter free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult
Sumit Saran
Mushroom mania
In a workshop called Understanding Gourmet Mushrooms, participants will explore how different varieties respond to heat, fat, and seasoning, and how small changes in technique can transform their flavour and texture. “Cooking is a form of experimentation. Rather than following a recipe step-by-step, we’ll taste and compare a few simple preparations to understand what makes mushrooms work,” says Sumit Saran of Shroomery, a Gourmet mushroom farm in Delhi, who will be helming the session.
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Mohamed Yaseen
Oil’s well
Oil is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in the kitchen. Sign up for a session called The Anatomy of Cooking Oils: Technique, Extraction & Flavour to decode it. “There’s a tendency to look for one ‘best’ oil — for heart health, weight loss, muscle gain or a diet; when the better question is: What are you cooking, how much are you using, and what does your overall diet look like?” says Mohamed Yaseen, CEO, co-founder of Gramiyaa, producer of wood-pressed edible oils. “We’ll guide participants to understand the oil itself: its source, behaviour in cooking and how it fits into everyday diet,” he adds.
LOG ON TO gramiyaa.com
Silchar honey
Bee there
The Beekeeping & Honey Terroir tasting by Sonal Dayal Sarjolta of Shillar House, a Himachal Pradesh based artisanal shop, will guide participants through flora, elevation and flavour linked with the honeybee. “We will talk a bit about bees and then focus more on how region, flora and origin matter in the taste of different honeys. In every spoon of honey lies a landscape — its blossom, its weather, its soul,” says Sarjolta.
LOG ON TO @shillarhouse
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Buckley, 25, a social media influencer and entrepreneur, shared pictures from the wedding on Instagram. “Mr and Mrs Semenyo,” she captioned the post, which garnered over 300,000 likes and congratulatory messages from several footballers, including Semenyo’s Man City mates Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Ruben Dias. Semenyo, 26, and Buckley have been in a relationship since 2020, when the Ghana international was playing for Bristol City. The couple got engaged in November last year, with Buckley announcing the news on Instagram with the caption: “Forever has a nice ring to it.”
The wedding comes amid continued scrutiny of Man City over alleged financial breaches. The club faces more than 100 charges relating to alleged financial rule violations, including claims that it overstated revenue through commercial deals.
]]>City face a severe points penalty or even expulsion from the Premier League after an independent commission found they used “sham” commercial contracts to inflate revenue and cut costs by over £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.
Haaland did not join City until 2022 but it is the current squad that could bear the burden of any sanction. Premier League leaders City return to action for the first time since the guilty verdict was revealed at Liverpool on Sunday. “We have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game,” Haaland told the club’s website.
“We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other.
So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile,” he added. Haaland signed a contract until 2034 last year, but his future is likely to depend on the severity of any sanction.
The Norwegian has scored 169 goals in 205 games for the club and also shone in spearheading his country’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals. Europe’s top teams would be lining up for the 26-year-old should City face dropping out of the Premier League. “I care a lot about City, I have to say,” added Haaland, whose father, Alf-Inge Haaland, also played for the club.
“I care a lot about the fans because I’m a fan myself — I feel with them as well,” he added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The 29-year-old lit up the timing screens with a one minute, 31.156 second lap in his Red Bull to go 0.120 seconds quicker than Mercedes rival George Russell. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was 0.243 seconds adrift in third.
“I did not expect this, very happy to be first,” said Verstappen, fresh from having taken his first win of the season at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, after the session.
“The last few races we have been a lot stronger. This track still highlights a few weaknesses in the car, but we have tried to drive with them as much as possible,” he added.
The sprint pole was Verstappen’s 11th in the format since it was first rolled out in 2021.
It was also his first in any format around the 4.9-kilometer Marina Bay street layout. The track is only one of only two on the calendar the 29-year-old is yet to win at. The other, Spain’s Madring, made its debut just last month.
Verstappen had to wait to have it confirmed, however, with the Dutchman investigated for passing Ferrari rival Lewis Hamilton under yellow flag conditions. He was eventually cleared.
]]>After a controversy-ridden, truncated 2025-26 season, the league will return to the traditional home-and-away format, followed by Playoffs.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Personally, one feels that kilo-for-kilo, Winfield is the better horse of the three thanks to her rather close finish behind Elysium and Kavya in a grade 3 race eight days ago; but ironically, when one factors in the handicap assigned to the three runners, one is forced to doubt that assessment because with the top weight of 59 kg, she has to give 5 kg and more to her two rivals over the trip of 3200m. The race is best left alone from the betting point of view.
First race at 2 pm.
Selections:
Severus Plate (For 4y&o, Class V; 1600m)
Touch Of Mystic 1, Magical Moments 2, Neutron 3.
Truefitt & Hill Trophy (For 5y&o, Class IV; 1000m)
Moonlight Kiss 1, Silver Strike 2, Believe 3.
Conrad Pune Trophy (Class III; 1600m)
Coffee At Eleven 1, Dedication 2, Matisse 3.
Raees Plate (For 3y, Maidens; 1000m)
Absolute Emperor 1, Lucky Diamond 2, Sabalenka 3.
Rodeo Plate (Class IV; 1100m)
Yinsiruk 1, Dreams Come True 2, Santana Row 3.
Lemon Tree Hotels Trophy (Class II; 1000m)
Foxy 1, Gunfire 2, Darcy 3.
Suresh Mahindra Trophy (Class I; 3200m)
Endurance 1, Golden Dancer 2.
Recommendations
Best bet: None
Upsets: Royal Champ (1-4), Nebula (3-5) & Azure (6-2)
Today's pools
Super jackpot: 1,2,3,4,5,6
Jackpot: 2,3,4,5,6
Treble: 4,5,6
Tanala: 1,2,3,4,5,6
The match ended goalless after regulation time, with both teams displaying disciplined defending. In the tie-breaker, St Anne’s converted their first and fifth spot-kicks through Zahra Eran and Aameina Kachwala respectively, while Paher Kathar, Ayesha Khan and Fatema Hotelwala missed.
Bombay Scottish managed just one successful conversion through Aarya Joshi. Nizh Kapadia hit the post, while Ayesha Sukhtankar shot wide.
Myra then rose to the occasion, diving to her right twice to deny Sia Paleja and Kiara Jha, and seal the 2-1 victory. The triumph also ended St Anne’s 20-year wait for the Division I crown.
Meanwhile, St Lawrence High School (Borivli) showed nerves of steel to clinch their maiden boys’ U-14 Division II title after beating St Joseph High School (Wadala) 4-2 via a tie-breaker. St Lawrence’s Pranshu Ghorpade, Tanishq Kori, Vivaan Adarkar, and Vihan Shirke all converted their penalties, while St Joseph managed to score through Dhruv Shinde and Viraj Chavan.
]]>TILL October 11; 11 am to 7 pm
AT Jio World Garden, BKC.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 1500 (visitor pass) Rs 3000 (symposium)
If you’re dropping by for a quick visit, head straight to Undercurrents, the special project curated by fair director Misha Bains. “Bringing together six distinct design practices, the exhibition places works from different moments in their journeys in dialogue, revealing how an idea returns, a material opens up new possibilities or an encounter with craft changes the direction of a work. We hope visitors leave with a closer understanding and a renewed curiosity about the objects around them,” Bains says.
Netherlands-based Inderjeet Sandhu investigates how migration, colonial histories and cultural exchange shape the objects and spaces we call home
At SHED, Priyanka Shah works with materials including wood, stone, glass and pigment, collaborating with specialist makers to create objects where function meets tactile detail
Alex Davis Studio presents Cosmic Tree, one of the installations at the BKC venue.
French designers Frédéric Rochette and Hervé Winkler of RoWin’ Atelier, combine European design influences with traditional craftsmanship and contemporary techniques to create collectibles
Multidisciplinary artist Kunel Gaur examines how everyday forms acquire new meanings through memory, technology and changing cultural contexts
Beyond its exhibits and collectibles, the fair will host a symposium featuring some of the biggest names in design.
» Lessons from Japan
Catch a keynote by Pritzker Prize-winner Shigeru Ban, whose pioneering work challenges conventional ideas of building materials. Centred on his projects such as his paper-tube shelters for disaster-hit communities, Ban will discuss why sustainability must be central to architectural thinking.
ON Today; 12 noon
Shigeru Ban
» Walk the talk
Architect Rahul Kadri, filmmaker and artist Aradhana Seth, and architect Alan Abraham discuss how cities can reclaim public spaces for people.
ON Today; 1.15 pm
The Sanika Chalke-led Imprint Display posted 157-7 in 20 overs thanks to Shraddha Shetty’s 42-ball 81. In reply, Siddhi Rakama’s three-wicket haul ensured Parshwa Bullion were bowled out for 125 in 18.2 overs. Imprint Display pocketed R1 lakh while runners-up Parshwa Bullion received Rs 50,000.
Former India women’s captain Diana Edulji was the chief guest and gave away the prizes.
“The league’s objective is to promote women’s cricket at the corporate level. The participating organisations will provide selected players employment opportunities and/or annual contracts, ensuring their professional growth in cricket,” said Bhushan Patil, MCA Apex Council member and president of Amar Cricketers.
]]>A three-member shooters’ contingent alleged that the Paralympic Committee of India had relaxed selection norms to accommodate four shooters who failed to meet the criteria for the Games.
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]]>Excerpts from the interview:
This book is about what people can do before they become patients. Was there a particular patient, experience or moment that changed how you thought about prevention?
This book came from a lifetime of work and observations. In over 30 years of practising healthcare, I have seen many patients suffer. India is number one in heart disease and diabetes, and I felt we urgently needed something that could help change that.
The principles in the book are also things I have applied to my family, patients and myself. Health is something we need to work on before a diagnosis, rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
The book is built around a 21-day programme. What does the research reveal about how long it takes to convert an intention into a habit? Where does the “21 days” idea fit into science?
One of the first things I explain in the book is that 21 days is not a scientifically established period in which a habit becomes permanent. One often-cited study found that the median time for habit formation was about 66 days. The popular 21-day idea can be traced back to plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz and his 1960s book Psycho-Cybernetics, where he observed that people took about 21 days to adapt to changes in their appearance post-surgery. Over time, this became the belief that it takes three weeks to form a new habit.
I chose 21 days because it gives people enough time to experience the benefits of better choices without feeling overwhelmed. The goal is not perfection in 21 days; it is momentum.
The book highlights the role of holistic wellness in helping you become your best self
Many sections in book emerge from the intersection of your clinical experience and the research around longevity. While writing it, did any research change your idea about health?
What changed my mind most was not one spectacular longevity study, but the evidence. We are fascinated by supplements, wearables and new longevity interventions. However, the basics kept coming up: cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, good nutrition, adequate sleep, stress management and meaningful social relationships.
As a surgeon, I was trained to intervene decisively. If an artery was blocked, there was a problem to solve. But longevity science made me think differently. Health is something you build continuously, long before there is a diagnosis to treat.
Dr Nene urges families and patients to focus on inner well-being as much as physical health
As a surgeon, you’ve observed the consequences of years of unhealthy habits up close. Could you share a few lifestyle choices that people routinely dismiss as ‘normal’ that you now look at very differently?
Physical fitness partic-ularly influenced me. Cardiorespiratory fitness is strongly associated with long-term health, and maintaining muscle is important, too. Exercise is not just about looking fit or losing weight. Fitness affects several organ systems, while movement also influences blood sugar regulation, vascular health, cognition and independence
Walking after meals can improve the body’s glucose response. Eating better, protecting your sleep, doing resistance exercises, managing stress and reconnecting with people who matter can all make a difference. The science may be complex, but the actions do not always have to be.
Strength and resistance training keep your body healthy
Log on to rupapublications.co.in
]]>Big-serving Hurkacz, the 2023 champion in Shanghai, won 6-4, 6-3 as the 39-year-old former World No. 1 faltered against an opponent a decade his junior.
Hubert Hurkacz. Pic/AFP
“I didn’t feel myself on the court,” the Serbian veteran said afterwards.
“It’s a super-quick surface, completely different from Beijing. If you lose your serve, it’s enough to lose a match,” he added.
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]]>It was in the same year that Avantika Khanna Pocha also returned to art after a short break in her practice. She recalls, “It started in school, and I showed at the Lalit Kala Kendra. But I stopped for a while, and restarted with an exhibition in 1999,” she reveals.
Mecklai with husband Jamal. File Pic/Ashish Raje
The Aura in Everything captures this journey through its emotions. “I live between the mountains of Shimla, in Goa near the river, and in Mumbai. This is my depiction of the different worlds,” Khanna Pocha explains.
The series of 32 works can be categorised into pre- and post-pandemic sections, clearly demarcated by a shift in form. “It was during the pandemic that I began turning to colour,” she admits.
The result is a conversation between the internal and external emotions. While the hypnotic geometric patterns in black ink capture the complexities of the mind, her nature works explode with life, movement, and colour. It may feel surreal, but the artist adds, “Nature is not always colour- coordinated, but it is diverse.”
Flamingo in the Electric Garden. Pics Courtesy/Artist; Jamaat; (right) The City of Me
For Mecklai, her love for art traces back to the early years. “I first began visiting art galleries with my dad [the late Jhamat Jagtiani] at the age of six, and bought my first art work at the age of 16,” she shares with a touch of pride.
The gallerist recalls being the outlier as she would walk into galleries as a teenager. “On the other hand, the late Kali Pundole was so excited to have a teenager come into the gallery. He showed me the way. In fact, he let me pay for my first art work in instalments of my pocket money,” she recalls.
Now, she pays that forward by keeping the doors open to curious youngsters, and offering that same instalment option to new and young art buyers who walk in. “To me, when children walk in with questions, it is delightful. I often let the artists address that curiosity. Also, to help and guide first-time buyers through their nervousness is quite wonderful,” she admits.
It is no surprise then that she thrills in Khanna Pocha’s creations. “They are completely about the mind, about what you are going through, perceive, and experience.
Art does not just speak to you, it speaks about you,” the gallerist remarks.
TILL October 14; 11 am to 7 pm
AT Jamaat Art Gallery, National House, Tulloch Road, Apollo Bunder, Colaba.
ENTRY Free
Musk on Friday evening posted screenshots of news reports on Reliance-backed firms' donations to the BJP, hours after he sarcastically addressed industrialist Mukesh Ambani as "Prime Minister Ambani" and accused him of seeking to protect a "monopoly".
Musk had also asked if Ambani would consider allowing the satellite internet service to compete in the country.
Earlier, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia asserted that India does not permit monopolies in any sector, and that despite the buzz around one particular company, three players have received satcom licences and can start operations after individually meeting the security requirements and milestones.
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]]>American Dave Cousins, appointed as India’s chief compound coach in May, is learnt to have “threatened to quit and leave the country” if his pending dues are not cleared.
However, Archery Association of India treasurer Dr Joris Paulose Ummacheril and a Sports Authority of India official said the payment was delayed due to a “technical issue”, which has since been “resolved”, and the dues would be “cleared within a couple of days”.
Cousins helped India win three gold and one bronze medal at the Asian Games.
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]]>For years, South Korea’s dominance in recurve archery has seemed almost unassailable, but Kumkum Mohod believes the aura of invincibility has been shattered and her historic gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games could embolden India to challenge the Korean stronghold more often.
The 17-year-old from Amravati, Maharashtra, scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games. She also struck gold in the women’s team event and added a mixed team silver with Dhiraj Bommadevara, while her individual triumph secured a crucial Olympic quota place for India at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Mohod’s defining moment came in the individual final against South Korea’s Oh Yejin, a double gold medallist in the U-21 category at the 2023 World Archery Youth Championships. With the contest hanging in the balance, the Indian teenager held her nerve to deliver the decisive blow.
“One day, Korea’s invincibility had to be broken. Everyone thought they were unbeatable, but this medal was very important because India had never won an individual recurve medal before. I feel our performances will improve further in future tournaments because everyone will be confident,” Mohod said in an interaction facilitated by SAI. The final went into a shoot-off after the match ended 5-5, and Mohod seized the opportunity to seal the gold with a perfect 10, while Oh managed only an eight.
“My heartbeat was racing at that moment, but I calmed myself, relaxed and told myself that I only had to release the arrow properly and not think about anything else. I knew that was the only arrow that could get me gold, and that patience paid off,” she said.
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]]>Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Anrich Nortje each took two wickets, while spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer had no success.
Left-hander Matt Renshaw led Australian resistance with a gritty 46 not out. He and captain Pat Cummins enabled the tourists to recover from a precarious 124-6.
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]]>The heightened security comes amid traffic curbs, metro restrictions, train cancellations and a mobile internet suspension in parts of the national capital. Delhi Traffic Police has warned of disruptions around Connaught Place, Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk and other key intersections in central Delhi. The diversions, which began at 6 am, will be regulated according to the prevailing law and order situation.
According to the traffic advisory, the affected stretches include the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gol Dak Khana and Windsor Place. Traffic movement may also be affected at Mandi House, the Chelmsford Road and Sansad Marg intersections with Connaught Place's outer circle, the Barakhamba Road intersection and the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction.
Other locations include the Chelmsford Road-Connaught Place outer circle intersection, Bharion Road-Mahatma Gandhi Marg intersection, Lodhi Road flyover, Neela Gumbad roundabout, Madarsa T-point, Samrat Hotel roundabout, Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing, the underpasses beneath the Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyovers, and the Ring Road-San Martin Marg intersection. Visuals showed a heavy police presence around the protest site early in the morning, with personnel stationed along the roads and at barricades across the city. Traffic continued to move smoothly as police kept a close watch on vehicles entering and leaving the area, stopping and checking some cars.
Commuters have been advised to avoid non-essential travel and factor in additional time for their journeys. Those travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals or the airport through New Delhi and central Delhi have been asked to plan accordingly. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had announced the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday until the situation normalised on Saturday.
A 24-hour mobile internet suspension in central Delhi came into effect at 10 pm on Friday. The traffic police said restrictions would be adjusted based on real-time assessments of the situation and could be relaxed or tightened as required. The protest is being held against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the groups demanding Kumar's resignation.
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]]>[popcorn number="45" desc="No. of wickets claimed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar across IPL 2025 and 2026 for RCB at an economy rate of 8.56" class="Default"]
[popcorn number="7.00" desc="Bhuvneshwar’s economy rate in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy series; he conceded 154 runs in 22 overs and claimed eight wickets in seven matches" class="Default"]
While there may be an ongoing debate about whether or not Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the India fold for the upcoming series against New Zealand after a four-year gap is the right move, the fact that New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson is wary of the experienced pacer indicates India’s national selectors have got it spot on.
Lockie Ferguson. Pic/AFP
Ferguson believes the veteran pacer, who is part of India’s touring T20I squad, could pose a major threat to New Zealand’s top order during the five-match series, beginning at Christchurch on October 22.
Asked if Bhuvneshwar’s return would give India an advantage, Ferguson, 35, who has claimed 76 wickets in 54 T20Is, had no hesitation in replying in the affirmative. “Of course. He has played a lot of cricket and has had a fantastic IPL. It’s not easy bowling at the Chinnaswamy [in Bengaluru] — I know that from experience. He has had an amazing IPL this year and the year before. Clearly, he’s a world-class bowler who swings the new ball and is an outstanding death bowler,” Ferguson said during a media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Friday.
Bhuvneshwar, 36, earned his India recall on the back of an impressive run in T20 cricket since 2025. He claimed eight wickets in seven matches for UP in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last November and December before producing a stellar IPL campaign. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he claimed 28 wickets in 16 matches to finish second on the season’s highest wicket-takers list, behind Kagiso Rabada (29). Bhuvneshwar has taken 90 wickets in 87 T20Is.
Ferguson also touched upon how Bhuvneshwar’s experience could benefit India’s younger fast bowlers.
“If I were a young Indian fast bowler looking to learn from someone, he would definitely be at the top of the list. He’s very calm under pressure, very open to talking about the game, and by all accounts, he’s still learning and looking to improve. The fact that he’s come back into the international side after four years is fantastic for his personal career. I’m sure he’ll be a threat to our top order, but as I said, it’s going to be a tight contest in New Zealand, and we’re really looking forward to it,” added Ferguson.
India’s tour to New Zealand that stretches through to December kicks off with T20Is, followed by five ODIs and two Tests.
]]>"She's a GREAT person. Katie is going to be the Press Secretary. She's going to be, I think, terrific," Trump told reporters outside White House before heading to Syracuse, New York, for the midterm election campaign.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said Zacharia, who currently serves as a Senior Communications Advisor to Trump Media & Technology Group, would replace Karoline Leavitt, who left the position in August.
"It is my Great Honor to have just appointed, as Press Secretary, Katie Zacharia. Katie currently serves as Senior Communications Advisor to Truth Social (Trump Media & Technology Group), where she has been outstanding!" Trump wrote.
Trump said Zacharia, a native of California, previously served as Spokesperson and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
"Katie is a distinguished Graduate of Pepperdine University, and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, an attorney, and a frequent Commentator on outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax," he said.
Praising her experience and support for his political campaigns, Trump said Zacharia had assisted his efforts in key swing states, where he claimed his campaign won "7 out of 7".
"She was previously involved in my Campaigns, assisting in key Swing States, where we won 7 out of 7. She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA! I am confident that Katie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next White House Press Secretary, as she has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, the Media, the American People, and my Administration," Trump wrote.
"Katie is replacing the fabulous Karoline Leavitt, who did a fantastic job as Press Secretary. Good luck Katie!" he added.
Meanwhile, Zacharia said Leavitt had set a "high standard" and expressed her intention to continue communicating the administration's achievements to the American public.
"Thank you to President Trump for the distinguished privilege of serving as White House Press Secretary. Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime. President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he works to effectuate that greatness every single day. His confidence is a true privilege, and his leadership is a blessing to this country. The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day. I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out. Following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting. God bless President Trump, and God bless America," she wrote on X.
Thank you to President Trump for the distinguished privilege of serving as White House Press Secretary. Serving President Trump and the American people at this critical 250-year mark is the honor of a lifetime. President Trump has shown America that we can be great again, and he works to effectuate that greatness every single day. His confidence is a true privilege, and his leadership is a blessing to this country. The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day. I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out. Following the fabulous Karoline Leavitt is a high standard, and one worth meeting. God bless President Trump, and God bless America.
— Katie Zacharia (@KatieZacharia) October 9, 2026
According to The New York Times, Zacharia, 41, is a conservative commentator who previously worked as a spokesperson for then-Secretary Kristi Noem at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She has also been a frequent guest on conservative media outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax.
Zacharia is an attorney and a graduate of Pepperdine University and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Before her stint in the Trump administration, she served as general counsel for Fix California, a nonprofit founded by Trump ally Ric Grenell, and White Rose Resistance, an anti-abortion advocacy group, according to her online resume.
She also worked in Beijing for a couple of years and claims to have basic proficiency in Chinese, the report said.
Zacharia takes over the role at a politically sensitive time for the White House, with the Trump administration facing a critical midterm election season and legal challenges to its efforts to ban three news organisations from White House grounds, The New York Times reported.
Leavitt, who frequently clashed with mainstream media outlets, was among Trump's trusted advisers and was regularly praised by the President for her performance.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>The controversy started after Musk questioned the delay in allowing Starlink permission to begin commercial operations in India. The billionaire alleged that the satellite internet company was licensed in more than 165 countries and had spent five years complying with Indian government requirements. He further asked, “Is Ambani the real boss of India?”, suggesting the influence of Mukesh Ambani in the Indian market.
Responding to Musk, the Rajya Sabha MP wrote that no billionaire should dictate a country’s policies, regardless of whether they are Indian or American. He further argued that India must welcome competition in satellite internet services if companies offer affordable connectivity, especially to people living in remote areas.
Mr. Musk, yes, no billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy - Indian or American. India must welcome competition in satellite internet, from Indian and global providers, whoever offers the most practical and affordable last-mile solution for those in remote regions. In countries with lower per-capita incomes, satellite internet must be affordable too. High subscription fees and equipment costs risk putting it beyond the reach of ordinary households. Connectivity must bridge the digital divide, not create a new one. India knows our networks and spectrum are strategic infrastructure, not merely commercial assets. India’s national security safeguards are non-negotiable. Every country makes choices based on its own interests. Those in the West cannot preach free markets while practicing protectionism at home. USA imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs to protect its domestic industry, just as India takes measures to protect its own domestic manufacturers. Both India and the US have restricted Huawei over security concerns. One cannot demand a level playing field from others only when it suits its own agenda. Indians will internally debate, question and address our strengths and shortcomings as a democratic country. Take BharatNet, India’s programme to bring broadband to village-level local bodies. We will question why, as the CAG’s 2026 audit report found, the programme is struggling to meet its original objectives. Why were only 33.2% of service-ready Gram Panchayats operational, despite ₹39,888 crore being spent? At the same time, we know to appreciate our telecom sector and regulations, which has made internet data among the world’s most affordable, bringing millions online. India is a democracy, not a colony. We welcome the world, but we, the Indian people, will decide our own future - not Western vested interests, their double standards or any billionaire - Indian or American.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) October 9, 2026
He further emphasised the importance of national security, mentioning that the country’s telecommunications networks and spectrum are 'strategic infrastructure, not merely commercial assets.' He further stated that Western countries often have double standards on free-market competition. Kamal even cited the United States’ 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as an example of protectionism.
"Indians will internally debate, question and address our strengths and shortcomings as a democratic country. Take BharatNet, India’s programme to bring broadband to village-level local bodies. We will question why, as the CAG’s 2026 audit report found, the programme is struggling to meet its original objectives. Why were only 33.2% of service-ready Gram Panchayats operational, despite Rs 39,888 crore being spent? At the same time, we know to appreciate our telecom sector and regulations, which has made internet data among the world’s most affordable, bringing millions online," he further wrote.
Kamal concluded the post saying, “India is a democracy, not a colony. We welcome the world, but we, the Indian people, will decide our own future - not Western vested interests, their double standards or any billionaire - Indian or American.”
Later on Friday, October 9, Kangana Ranaut praised the actor-politician for his sharp reply, writing, “Ouch!! That must hurt.”
Ouch!! That must hurt @elonmusk No billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy- Indian or American. Well said and well explained. Sharp, on point and sarcastic 👏👌
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) October 9, 2026
She tagged Musk and described Kamal’s response as “well said and well explained. Sharp, on point and sarcastic (sic)."
]]>Speaking about the "highly successful discussion" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said that Russia would supply another 500,000 tonnes of diesel fuel during November and 1 million tonnes immediately thereafter.
He added that Russia would deliver a further 3 million tonnes within a short period, depending on the condition of its diesel refineries.
"I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel," Trump posted on Truth Social.
He further stated that the supplies, along with US control of the Strait of Hormuz, would bring down prices.
"Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" Trump said.
He described lowering prices for Americans, particularly farmers, ranchers and truckers, as his "Greatest Priority" and called the announcement "very big and important".
Trump also reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.
"Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he wrote.
Meanwhile, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak recently said the country's diesel fuel market was balanced and that Moscow would consider partially reopening exports only in the event of overproduction, Russia's TASS news agency reported.
Novak said Russia had renewed its diesel export ban for October but would monitor domestic supply conditions. He added that Russia could not accumulate excessive fuel surpluses because storage constraints could force refineries to reduce production, potentially affecting the output of other petroleum products.
"It is a normal situation because since we produce 80% more diesel than (we) consume in the domestic market, we support the domestic market and cannot accumulate more surplus than available tankage. Otherwise, refining volumes have to be lowered, and this may adversely affect the output of other products enjoying demand," TASS news agency quoted Novak as saying.
This comes after the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Oil Market Report for September 2026, published on September 11, reported that diesel prices in the United States surpassed USD 200 per barrel in early September, marking a 94 per cent increase from pre-war levels.
The report attributed the tightening of global markets to supply disruptions linked to the war in West Asia and Russia's refining crisis. It also noted that net diesel and gasoil exports from Gulf countries and Russia fell by 1.6 million barrels per day in August compared with February, while global observed oil inventories declined by 507 million barrels since the start of the war.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to do everything in its power to help Iran resolve the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Putin made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.
Pezeshkian, meanwhile, said Iran would continue negotiations despite previous attacks during rounds of engagement with the United States.
"We are in talks, but every time we engage in dialogue with America, they attack again; however, we will not withdraw from the negotiating table," he said, according to Iranian news agency ISNA.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Heavy security deployments were witnessed around the Mandi House and Firoz Shah Road areas to maintain law and order and prevent unauthorised assemblies, ANI reported.
To ensure transparency and prevent confrontations during the CJP protest in Delhi, Police personnel on duty have been equipped with uniform-mounted body cameras capable of recording footage in low-light conditions.
"These body cams are to protect us and others. In situations of manhandling, allegations are levelled against Delhi Police. So, these body cams will prove whether we did anything to anyone or not. This will record everything," an on-duty police official said, ANI reported.
In addition to central paramilitary units, the Delhi Police has deployed its specialised all-women 'Pink Force' across key security zones.
Officials said the unit had been deployed in view of recent incidents of alleged misbehaviour towards women police personnel during large demonstrations.
More than 35,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the national capital ahead of the protest, amid heightened security arrangements and a directive from the Union Home Secretary asking States and Union Territories to maintain law and order.
As a precautionary measure, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has closed entry and exit gates at select Metro stations in central Delhi. Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes amid security restrictions in the surrounding areas.
Delhi Police has instructed its teams to detain anyone attempting to stage a protest, irrespective of the location, according to ANI.
The police have also directed Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) units not to issue weapons for deployment related to the demonstration. Letters have reportedly been sent to the concerned directorates regarding the allotment plan.
Unlike the deployment during the INDIA bloc protest, police teams have now been authorised to carry lathis and batons.
In view of what police described as deliberate attempts to record and circulate videos portraying personnel in a negative light, teams have been instructed to avoid verbal confrontations with protesters, ANI reported.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>High winds whipped palm trees and thundering waves crashed along the beaches of the Florida Panhandle and Alabama on Friday as Hurricane Isaias charged toward the US Gulf Coast. "Things are going to get really, really treacherous over the next couple hours," said Jamie Rhome, deputy director for the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters warned of a significant storm surge, damaging winds, flooding and possibly even tornadoes before the storm loses steam as it moves inland and delivers strong winds and rain well north into Atlanta. Wind gusts up to hurricane strength began to lash the Gulf shoreline in the early evening. The low-lying coastal area is known for powdery white sand beaches that are dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks.
In Mobile, Alabama, officials reported downed trees and power lines, while Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, which serves parts of Florida, issued a boil-water notice for its customers. More than 365,000 customers in Florida and Alabama were without power Friday evening, according to poweroutage.com.
A hurricane warning was in place from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to the western Florida Panhandle. Several counties announced mandatory evacuations while Mobile, Alabama, imposed a curfew beginning Friday evening until morning. Residents in Panama City, Florida, braved the rain while filling sandbags Friday to protect their houses. "I mean, it's just the nature of the beast. It's Florida," said Corliss Stone, who works for the fire department.
One of the biggest concerns is a storm surge that could be as high as 6 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.7 meters), according to the hurricane center. Places most at risk include Florida's Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Anne Petzold, who lives with her husband in the Florida beach community of Gulf Breeze, said everyone in their neighborhood planned to ride out the storm. The couple installed hurricane shutters and picked up anything in their yard that could turn into a projectile.
"Everybody does what they can do, everybody asks if they need help - they ask for help, they offer help. All good," she said. "It's just another adventure." Dangerous conditions are expected throughout the western panhandle, southern Alabama and southern Mississippi, the National Hurricane Center said.
In a sign of how serious the warnings are, dozens of Waffle Houses in the Florida Panhandle were closed, according to the company's website. The beloved Southern breakfast chain is known for staying open through severe weather and often is a measuring stick of a storm's severity. Kelsei Frazier, a Florida-native living in Pace who is no stranger to hurricanes, knows all about the Waffle House Index.
"We joke because if Waffle House is still open, then you know it's not a bad hurricane, but all the Waffle Houses that I know of within at least a normal range from us are closed," said Frazier. "Which is a pretty big deal." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned residents to expect power outages, gasoline shortages and closures of bridges and highways. The state's National Gauard deployed about 5,000 soldiers and airmen to help with the response, and search and rescue teams were ready to respond, while some prisons evacuated inmates.
Isaias is expected to weaken and be downgraded to a tropical storm by Saturday afternoon, the center said. Still, heavy rain is forecast as it moves inland, with 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) or even more expected through the weekend from southern Alabama to southwestern Georgia.
Isaias, which is the first hurricane to hit the eastern U.S. since Milton tore up the Gulf Coast of Florida in 2024, also is expected to bring heavy rain and potential flooding to much of the Southeast over the weekend, and then to parts of the Midwest and Northeast into Monday.
The storm grounded most Friday flights at several Panhandle airports, including all flights into and out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, scrapped his plans to attend Saturday's football game between the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He said he didn't want to disrupt the emergency response. Isaias was expected to miss the oil industry's biggest hubs along the Gulf Coast, but fuel prices could rise if power outages shut down refineries for processing crude, industry experts said.
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]]>Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali won the contest for Holborn and St Pancras, the district left vacant by the resignation of former PM Keir Starmer, with 12,292 votes, 45 per cent of the total.
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]]>Protests in Soweto and Durban opposed the Constitutional Court’s decision to remove procedural barriers to seeking asylum.
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]]>Justice A Badharudeen said the information given by the DC, in its entirety, contains sufficient primary materials disclosing the commission of cognizable offences under the PC Act.
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]]>President Herzog on Friday presented the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to six individuals who were on board the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.
“Alongside the Israeli heroes whom we honour today, we send our heartfelt wishes for the full and speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar of India,” Herzog said during the ceremony that took place at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
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]]>#WATCH | Delhi: The RAF has been deployed at Firoz Shah Road, Mandi House, ahead of the protest today at Jantar Mantar. https://t.co/3oGqIqwIUz
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
The Delhi Police put in place extensive security arrangements after denying permission for the proposed demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing inadequate notice and concerns about compliance with rules during an earlier protest.
Police have stepped up surveillance across the city to prevent protesters from assembling at Jantar Mantar without permission and to maintain law and order amid concerns over a possible large-scale mobilisation.
More than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel are expected to assist the Delhi Police in managing the security situation. Personnel have been deployed at strategic locations, while mock drills have been conducted at several places to assess preparedness and response mechanisms.
The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 zones for close monitoring by senior police officers, including joint commissioners, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners. Special commissioners heading various units are also keeping a close watch on developments.
Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said on Friday that the application seeking permission for the October 10 protest was submitted on October 7, just three days before the proposed gathering. She said the prescribed notice period was at least 10 days.
Police have also cited concerns over alleged violations of directions issued by authorities during an earlier demonstration.
The security measures include restrictions on entry and exit at 45 Delhi Metro stations from Friday night. The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Janpath, Supreme Court, ITO and Kashmere Gate, along with several stations in south and northeast Delhi.
According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the restrictions will remain in place on Saturday until further notice. Interchange facilities will be available at the affected stations, except at New Delhi Metro station, where restrictions will apply.
Railway passengers are also likely to face disruptions, with several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm reportedly cancelled.
Police have clarified that passengers with valid train tickets will not be stopped from travelling. However, action will be taken against those attempting to breach law and order.
Security has also been tightened along Delhi’s borders, with additional surveillance and checks on vehicles entering the city. Police are checking hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas, while heightened vigilance is being maintained at bus terminals and other transit points.
Authorities are monitoring social media platforms for attempts to mobilise people for the proposed protest. More than 200 content creators are reportedly under scrutiny as police examine online posts and messages linked to the gathering.
Liquor shops across Delhi will remain closed on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
Police are also making public appeals through religious institutions, urging people to maintain peace and cooperate with the authorities.
The proposed demonstration is against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, which is used for voter registration. These allegations are part of the political dispute surrounding the revision exercise.
With restrictions affecting major transport hubs and several parts of the city, commuters have been advised to check official announcements and plan their journeys accordingly.
Police said security personnel would remain deployed throughout Saturday to monitor crowd movement, prevent traffic obstructions and respond to any attempts to breach barricades.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>The seizure of the tools, announced Wednesday by the FBI and Justice Department, represents the latest law enforcement effort in recent years to go after a broad-based hacking campaign known to the private sector as Flax Typhoon.
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]]>Mark Carney
“The future of Canada will be decided by Canadians and the priorities of Canadians, the priorities of the people of Quebec,” Carney said when asked about Musk’s comments.
Carney said Canadians should be free to live according to their languages and cultures, without interference “from foreign governments and large tech firms.
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]]>With the submissions, Dhurandhar: The Revenge could soon be entering the Grammy race. On Friday, rumours started doing the rounds online that the film was set to contend at the upcoming music gala. Amid the rumours, T-Series confirmed the news, putting all rumours to rest.
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For now, the film's songs have been submitted for the Grammys' consideration. Notably, the consideration campaign does not assure a Grammy nomination. It forms part of the awards-season process wherein the recordings are still required to meet the Recording Academy’s eligibility requirements, as well as to progress through the relevant voting stages before nominations are determined.
Shashwat Sachdev is credited on the campaign listing for Dhurandhar: The Revenge under Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. The category at the Grammys recognises the film’s soundtrack as a collective body of work.
On the other hand, several songs from the film have also been submitted in individual categories. The song Phir Se has been listed under Best Song Written for Visual Media, while Jaan Se Guzarte Hai and Kanhaiyya have been featured under Best Global Music Performance.
Aari Aari, which is a remake of the popular Punjabi song, has been put forward under Best Asian Pop Music Performance.
Dhurandhar The Revenge's Grammy campaign also includes Jasmine Sandlas and Satinder Sartaaj's Jaiye Sajana, submitted under Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song Destiny – Mann Atkeya is submitted under Best Rap Performance, while Vaari Jaavan has been submitted under Best Dance/Electronic Recording. Lastly, the song Hum Pyaar Karne Wale is submitted under Best Remixed Recording.
Dhurandhar The Revenge hit the theatres on March 19, 2026 and went on to crush records at the box office.
]]>The award is often considered the most prestigious honour on the planet. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the peace prize.
As her colleagues applauded and congratulated Navi Pillay for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, her first question was simply: “Is it true?” “I thought it must be a joke,” she said. In a video posted on X by Agnes Callamard, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, Pillay eventually gave an impromptu speech acknowledging her win. “If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump,” Pillay quipped. Referencing the Nobel Committee paying tribute to her “courage,” Pillay says: “Why would you need courage to speak the truth? You interpret the law, you look at all the facts. So it’s impartial decision-making,” she said.
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]]>Fishermen use tyre tubes to catch fish in the Manori Creek stream near Marve Jetty in Malad.
A still from the play; Olive Ridley turtle; Bhaskar Sawant
If you thought weddings were all about the bride and groom, Sangeet Kurmaakhyan had other plans. The musical folk theatre production by Vanyavani brought a sea turtle into a wedding procession at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla on Thursday. Part of the Vanyavani Wildlife Festival 2026, the show blended comedy, music, dance and satire to spotlight marine life and turtle conservation. Written and directed by Makarand Bhaskar Sawant, it used traditional folk forms to bring the plight of sea turtles and the need to protect their nesting habitats to the stage. “Through a play, you can make people realise the importance, causes and effects,” Sawant told this diarist, highlighting its aim to raise awareness about wildlife and the environment.
A moment from a wedding procession in the play. Pics courtesy/Makarand Sawant
Runners gather to pay tribute to the late Girish Bindra. Pics courtesy/@GIRISHAA4U; asics run club
Girish Bindra, the late ultramarathoner and celebrated running coach who passed away in July 2026 after a hard-fought battle with cancer, received a fitting tribute on his 54th birthday earlier this week. Runners from across the city joined the Asics Run Club on Bindra’s favourite route on the Eastern Express Highway to clock in 5.40-km runs. “Others ran for 54 minutes, and a few conquered a 54 km ultra-distance,” a member told us. We’re sure Bindra was cheering them on in spirit. As he once told this diarist in 2024, leading up to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, “Alone, one might lose motivation. But in the community, you have a continuous source of encouragement.”
Girish Bindra
A previous reading session organised by the community. Pics courtesy/Nishna Mehta
Who says book clubs need four walls? The Why Loiter Book Club, a feminist reading group, is taking over Malad’s public spaces, one park at a time. On Sunday, the group will read and discuss poems and books by Savitribai Phule in Hindi, Marathi and English at Adarsh Garden. Initiated by Malad Loiterer, Nishna Mehta, the community hopes to honour women who paved the way for future generations. “It’s about feeling less burdened about existing as a woman,” Mehta said, sharing how the initiative has encouraged women to reclaim public spaces and find strength in collective action.
Boot-shaped glasses for the challenge. Pics courtesy/Rajeev Rajguru (right)
Six seconds to down a beer? Most of us take longer to find the glass. At Sthamba Global Brews in Andheri, only one person has conquered the Oktoberfest Das Boot Challenge, which involves chugging beer from a giant boot-shaped glass without spilling. “Let’s see who else cracks it,” said team head Rajeev Rajguru (left). Prost, brave souls!
]]>Construction or ongoing work cannot and should not be an excuse for leaving stretches in darkness or removing lights for the work but not installing them somewhere in the vicinity so there is enough illumination to avert any danger or mishap; crime like this has happened in the above instance.
Even temporary lighting, or whatever is needed, has to be adequate so that it is a good replacement, not a slipshod one, done in name with no real use at all.
Sometimes, there is material lying around, once again with the excuse that some work is on. Poles, stones, tiles, wood, and even work equipment are lying around close to the site, and people are in danger of slipping or tripping on them, cutting themselves, or even breaking a limb if the fall is bad. At times, wires are seen dangling overhead as work is ongoing, and these are literally touching people’s heads.
Every public space needs bright light and material stowed away properly so it is not hazardous to persons traversing the stretch. Let us see safety when enhancing/expanding amenities.
]]>It was in Japan, seven years ago, that Siami learnt of the sudden demise of her father back home in Mizoram, while the Indian women’s team was competing in the FIH Women’s Series in Hiroshima. Team India’s then coach Sjoerd Marijne immediately asked Siami to fly back home for the funeral, but the striker refused, insisting instead that she wanted to stay back and make her father proud by helping India win the tournament. She did, and helped India beat Chile 4-2 in the semi-finals, and thereafter, Japan 3-1 in the summit clash. It was a huge win because it helped keep alive India’s qualification hopes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Interestingly, this time, Siami helped Team India secure a double high in the same nation — an Asiad gold in women’s hockey after 44 years and direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
Playing for the country is the ultimate honour for any sportsperson, and if the population of your nation is a billion-plus, that privilege becomes even more rare. It’s this rarity that has driven some of the country’s leading sportspersons, including Siami, to overcome personal grief and almost immediately return to successfully don the national jersey with pride. Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Siraj, and Rinku Singh are other examples of sportspersons who overcame the passing of their close family members while on national duty.
During the 1999 World Cup, Tendulkar, who lost his father, flew back from England for the funeral, before returning back to score 140 against Kenya.
In 2020, India pacer Siraj was in Australia as part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, when his father passed away back home. Due to COVID rules and the mandatory quarantine period, his return would’ve been delayed, so to avoid that, he stayed with the team and went on to make a successful Test debut in the series.
During the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026, India’s Rinku Singh lost his father and headed home to complete the last rites before returning for the competition, which India eventually won.
In the above instances of extraordinary sacrifice and patriotism, Siami’s story stands out, as she deliberately chose to remain with the team instead of heading back for her father’s funeral. In fact, her teammates, including then captain Rani Rampal, almost insisted that Siami head home, complete the last rites and then return for the competition. However, the striker, then still only a teenager, would have none of it and eventually managed to convince her coach, skipper and teammates to allow her to stay and play.
So, what does it take to display such exemplary, almost superhuman behaviour, where one overcomes personal grief to not just continue doing your professional job, but in fact, go on to excel in it?
Dr Devendra Save, one of Mumbai’s highly experienced and well-known consulting psychiatrists, tells me that it has everything to do with a strong mind.
“Firstly, let’s get one thing clear. These guys also feel the same pain and hurt just like you and me. It’s not that they are emotionally cold individuals, as some may wrongly feel. It’s just that they can cope with this grief a lot better than you and me,” Dr Save says.
“And this can be attributed to numerous years of hardcore training that they would have undergone, probably from a very young age. Sports training may seem mostly physical, but there is an underlying mental aspect that also develops simultaneously. They have gone through so much physical and emotional stress in their training years that this personal setback is just another stressful situation for them. It’s the same psyche that helps a cricketer focus on a ball coming to him/her at over 100 miles per hour with over one lakh people [spectators] screaming all around. Like Arjuna in the Mahabharata had unshakeable focus on the eye of that fish, similarly, these sportspersons have an unwavering focus too to be able to not just return to their job despite such emotional upheaval, but to also excel in it. For these particular sportspersons, this is just their regular, high-pressure job that demands exceptional mental fortitude. Above all, they are pulling off what is no less than a miracle, but it’s a miracle they always believed in,” adds Dr Save.
Interestingly, a few hours after the Indian team’s gold medal win in Japan, Siami took to social media to reveal her belief in miracles. “John 11:40,” she wrote to her 70,000 Instagram followers, referring to a Biblical verse, where Jesus tells Martha that if she believes, she will see the glory of God, before he goes on to bring her dead brother Lazarus back to life.
mid-day’s Sports Editor Ashwin Ferro loves to play ball, fair and square, and everywhere. He tweets @ashwinferro
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The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
]]>“This will be the first time direct immersion in the tank’s water has been barred, with the tank barricaded. Devotees will use alternative methods, preserving faith and the environment at the same time,” said Sunny Sanap, the area’s public representative.
Sanap said residents had been dissatisfied when traditional Ganpati immersion was barred at the site on environmental grounds, but similar restrictions had not been imposed during Pitru Paksha.
Pitru Paksha, the annual fortnight during which Hindus perform Shradh rituals for their ancestors, is being observed from September 26 to October 10 this year.
Ten artificial tanks have been installed for ritual offerings, along with taps for devotees who wish to bathe. Sanap said the arrangements use water from the revered tank. “Six oxygenation pumps are also running. Additional deployments will be made if required,” he said.
At the October 5 meeting, the ward officer and area corporator had advised priests to guide devotees in conducting rituals in a way that balances religious practices with environmental concerns.
Resident Bhavesh Thakur welcomed the barricading but said preventing fish deaths had previously required considerable volunteer effort and manpower.
“The barricading is a first, but in the past there have been times when no fish died even without barricading. That required a lot of volunteers and manpower. We residents, welcome the decision,” he said.
Santosh Salunkhe, assistant municipal commissioner, BMC’s D Ward.
‘We had barricaded the tank on Thursday night in anticipation of high footfall towards the final days of Pitru Paksha. The move is in line with the Honourable High Court’s decision to protect water bodies from degradation. Residents’ concerns about foul smells and health are also addressed by this move,’
Sunny Sanap, municipal councillor from D-219 ward.
‘We have tried to strike a balance between the long-standing faith of visitors and their rituals, and environmental concerns. Residents are sharing positive feedback on the barricading action. The tank will be off-limits for rituals. At the same time, visitors will have the same tank water in taps and artificial tanks for rituals,’
Jay Mukesh Mehta was held after being on the run for six months, while his wife Sunita Mehta, father Mukesh Mehta, mother and brother are still absconding, the MHB police station official said.
“The 85-year-old complainant resides in IC Colony in Borivli. Her husband died of cancer in 2007. In 2018, the woman had visited her bank after receiving a call regarding pending KYC formalities. During the visit, she came in contact with Mehta, who was working as the bank manager,” the official said.
Mehta told her that his wife was also a manager at another bank and claimed the couple had expertise in the stock market, the official said.
“He further claimed they had helped several people invest in shares and earn good returns. In November 2018, when the woman visited the bank to transfer money to her son, Mehta assisted her with the transaction and again advised her to invest in shares. She initially ignored his suggestion,” the official said.
In August 2021, Mehta visited her residence along with his wife Sunita and again persuaded her to invest in the stock market, promising her attractive returns after telling her share prices were expected to fall due to the COVID-19 situation, the official said. “Between September 2021 and July 2023, she transferred Rs 76.50 lakh for investment in shares. As per the complaint, she was supposed to receive R19 lakh in returns between January 2022 and March 2024, but Mehta paid her only Rs 5 lakh and retained Rs 14 lakh. Mehta promised to return the entire money in six months but did not do so,” he said.
The Mehta family subsequently vacated their Mira Road residence and went missing, after which it was found that they had duped others as well with this modus operandi, the MHB police station official said.
“It was found that the Rs 76.50 lakh taken from the elderly woman in the name of share investments was actually transferred to the bank accounts of the accused. Mehta, his wife, father, mother and brother were then booked for conspiring to misappropriate money and cheating the woman,” he said.
Jay Mehta was arrested on Monday and has been remanded in police custody.
[popcorn number="Rs 5 Lakh" desc="The only returns the banker gave complainant" class="Default"]
]]>Rejecting his application on September 11, a court in Mumbai had ruled that he will face trial in the case.
The accused, Mohammad Shariful Islam, was arrested two days after the January 16, 2025, incident at the actor's residence. He is currently in judicial custody.
On Thursday, Islam again told the court that he intends to plead guilty for all the charges.
Additional sessions judge GP Deshmukh, presiding over the matter, then directed the prison authorities to make a formal communication with the Bangladesh embassy and facilitate Fakir to get in touch with the embassy.
The accused has been charged under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for robbery accompanied by the use of a deadly weapon, causing grievous hurt, house trespass as well as relevant sections of Foreigners Act and Passport (Entry into India) Rules.
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by the intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra. The 54-year-old actor underwent an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital and he was discharged five days later. Islam was arrested by the police two days after the alleged incident.
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]]>According to the police, on October 6, a tourist approached Shivraj Ugle, 31, a forest guard on duty at SGNP, and complained that a person had sold him a torn entry ticket.
SGNP, which is a protected forest area under the direct control of the Maharashtra Forest Department Park. File pic/Nimesh Dave
Smelling a rat, Ugle approached the park’s ticket counter and made inquiries. Officials found that the ticket in question had not been issued from the authorised counter. Sardar was then spotted in the queue of visitors behaving suspiciously. The forest department subsequently examined nine tickets found in the youth’s possession. The paper quality, printing, and fonts on his tickets did not match those of tickets issued through the official counter. Following the discovery, forest department officials handed Sardar over to the Kasturba Marg police, who registered a case against him.
SGNP, which spans an area of 103.84 sq km, is a protected forest area under the direct control of the Maharashtra Forest Department, and the cops are also trying to ascertain the total amount of revenue allegedly lost by the state government through the sale of the fake tickets.
A police officer said, “During questioning, Sardar initially gave evasive answers. However, during further investigation, he allegedly revealed that Thakur had prepared the counterfeit tickets and supplied them to him for sale.”
The action was carried out by Senior Police Inspector Balasaheb Bankar, Inspector Yogesh Pawar, Assistant Inspector Sambhaji Thorat of the Crime Detection Team, Sub-Inspector Sainath Bargaje, and police personnel Mujawar, Mhatre, Puri, Farde, Vadar, Sangle, and Shingte.
]]>For Prasad Paygude, whose family lives barely half a kilometre from the farmhouse, Nana’s death is a personal loss. Their families shared a close bond for over a decade, with the actor attending family functions and village celebrations.
Prasad Paygude said, “I first met Nana in 2014, when I was associated with the construction of his house. Over the years, our families developed a very close relationship. Our last meeting was during the Ganesh festival at Nana’s house. He lived a very simple life, just like any other villager. He would wear his bandi, take his Bullet for a ride, and talk to everyone. There was no airs-and-graces about him. During Ashadh, Nana hosted Akhad mutton feasts at his farmhouse, often cooking for guests himself.”
Spread across 25 to 27 acres, Nana’s farmhouse reflected his love for farming and nature. Rice, wheat, chickpeas, and other crops grew alongside mango, guava, banana, and coconut trees, with livestock also on the property. He consulted agricultural officers and local farmers, while his wife, affectionately called Aai by villagers, guided farming activities, particularly organic cultivation. When villagers complained that monkeys and other wild animals ate the fruit, Nana would say whatever remained for humans was enough, as animals had a right to their share too.
Nana regularly joined village festivals and the annual Kakad Aarti during Diwali. He also supported community celebrations financially and took an interest in local environmental issues, including cleaning streams and removing silt from the Panshet reservoir.
Paygude recalled showing him a video highlighting concerns about water at Khadakwasla reservoir. Nana immediately expressed his willingness to help. Nana also loved children, often playing and joking with Paygude’s son. When Paygude recently bought a vehicle, the actor inaugurated it.
His rural outreach extended beyond Donje through Naam Foundation, which he co-founded with actor Makarand Anaspure. After a devastating fire destroyed farmers’ homes and cattle sheds in Bhagatwadi, Mulshi taluka, the foundation helped rebuild homes and rehabilitate affected families.
Nana was cremated with state honours at his Donje farmhouse on Thursday night. According to residents, he had wished to be laid to rest on the farmland he loved.
Large numbers of villagers gathered for a final glimpse, many waiting for hours and breaking down in tears. Residents also helped with funeral arrangements, including gathering firewood.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Pune to pay his respects. Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Union Ministers of State Ramdas Athawale and Murlidhar Mohol, and several other ministers, elected representatives and dignitaries attended the funeral. Police accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. Citizens, artists, social workers and fans also offered floral tributes.
For Donje, he was more than a celebrated actor. He was the farmer who protected trees, the neighbour who joined festivals, the host who cooked for guests, and the familiar face who took villagers’ concerns seriously. For those who knew him, his roots remained firmly in Donje.
]]>The bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande held that Explanation (iii) to Regulation 3(vii) of the New Bombay Disposal of Lands Regulations, 1975, inserted on February 8, 1990, could not be applied to the two societies’ pre-amendment leases, which did not contain the relevant obligation. The court set aside CIDCO’s demand against Manmandir and corresponding transfer-charge demands concerning Surya Society. It did not strike down the regulation or grant a blanket exemption to other societies. The court also declined wider relief sought by federation because it had not produced necessary documents. Thirteen societies listed in petition were excluded from the relief because the exhibits contained only their names. CIDCO argued that the charges helped it recover unearned gains when flats on land allotted at concessional rates were resold, and that the leases were subject to applicable regulations. Court, however, held that the amendment could not impose a new contractual liability retrospectively on two societies.
Bhaskar Mhatre, secretary of the Navi Mumbai Housing Federation, said, “This is a good order, and it will set a precedent. We will write to CIDCO seeking the same relief for other societies, and may file a PIL if needed,” Mhatre said. Murlidhar Nair, secretary of Manmandir Society, said, “Our lease never mentioned any transfer fee. We learnt of it in 2015, when we applied for conveyance and lease registration.” Ravi Rattesar, chairman of Surya Society, said the members were happy to have received justice after years of litigation and hoped the order would help other societies facing similar demands.
Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, expert director of the Maharashtra State Co-operative Housing and Apartment Federation Ltd said,“This is no blanket exemption. Societies must examine their lease documents, with reference to February 8, 1990, and bye-laws. For post-1990 plots allotted at market rates, further levies deserve Article 14 scrutiny. The federation will pursue remedies,” Parab said.
A senior CIDCO official, requesting anonymity, said the corporation was yet to receive a copy of the order. “Our legal team will go through the same before any official comment can be made at this stage,” the official said.
]]>Ahead of World Mental Health Day, mid-day spoke to IIT alumni from different decades and current students to understand the pressures they faced during their time at the institutes and the support available to them.
The IITians have demanded at least one counsellor for every 250 students. Representation pic/iStock
Vinay Somani, an IIT Bombay alumnus who studied there from 1975 to 1980, said the term “mental health” was not widely used during his time and that life at IITs was simpler than it is today. “Only one or two students who scored very high ranks in JEE and could not cope with lower marks at IIT were the ones who had a breakdown. Since times were simpler, most of us would get time for music, sports, hobbies, and friends to take away the stress. We didn’t even know about counselling, and we would simply go to our professors for help,” said Somani. He said parental pressure and expectations of securing high-paying jobs were not as prominent then.
An alumnus from the 2007 batch said students faced academic pressure while competing with some of the country’s brightest minds. During this period, many students realised that their Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) was not the only factor influencing placements and began adding non-academic achievements to their CVs.
“There was a certain societal expectation, since many of my batchmates were the first IIT-ian from their family. However, in today’s date, the competition has certainly increased due to the sheer volume of people. Today, the opportunities that society views as a good future have also reduced, taking a toll on student wellness,” he said. Friends and hostel ‘wingies,’ or wing-mates, were their main support systems. However, the alumnus said social stigma around seeking professional help discouraged students from approaching counsellors.
A recent alumnus who graduated two years ago said the IIT experience varies depending on the hostel environment. He described an intensely competitive atmosphere, where students face stigma over backlogs and repeating courses.
“I have seen peers get internships with an R1 lakh stipend, but they end up comparing themselves with those that have the Rs 2 lakh internships. Familial pressures are also very high; I have seen parents weep in front of their children after scores,” he told mid-day.
Placement packages, media attention around high-earning students, and family expectations add to the pressure.
“It was during the fifth semester when my mental health wasn’t the best, ahead of placements. The Student Wellness Centre is accessed by many students for such concerns, and in my experience the help you receive is just alright. However, most students I understand actually reach out to these centres for personal or relationship troubles,” he said.
Dr Sreystha Beppari, clinical psychologist at Apollo Clinic, cautioned against assuming that mental health problems are more prevalent today simply because they are more visible. Earlier IITians also faced academic pressure, deadlines, competition, isolation, homesickness, and family expectations, but distress was often normalised as part of success.
“We need to be careful about assuming that mental health difficulties are more prevalent today simply because they are more visible or because people are paying more attention to it,” Dr Beppari said. Today, students face constant peer comparison through digital platforms and uncertainty about career stability and technological changes. Artificial intelligence has added concerns about employability, opportunities, and expertise.
Demands submitted to the IIT Bombay director:
. Better in-person counselling
. At least one counsellor for every 250 students
. Independent audits of the Student Wellness Centre (SWC)
. One counsellor in every hostel
. A psychiatrist available 24/7
. A better-equipped hospital
. Mental health sessions for faculty and staff every two month
Dr Pranav Jeevan, who pursued his master’s at IIT Kanpur and research at IIT Madras and IIT Bombay, said supervisors can be a major source of stress. “The largest mental health concern may stem from your guide. Some campuses debar you if your CGPA dips below 6.5, so that was an added pressure.” Ushak, a PhD graduate from IIT in 2018, said the campus therapist was not very approachable and that the support centre’s conversations were not always student-friendly. Coaching institutes’ promotion of IIT success stories added pressure, while some students were forced to pursue engineering despite having other interests.
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]]>The racket came to light after the Crime Intelligence Unit, acting on a tip-off, arrested the prime suspect in Jogeshwari (West). The accused ran an Instagram account offering to recover lost mobile phones, impersonating an “Inspector Sanjay” to extract money from victims. An inspection of his phones revealed he was illegally sourcing data from associates to locate devices and back up his claims.
Further investigations identified nine individuals in the data-supply chain, resulting in five arrests across three states. Among those apprehended are two serving police constables who aided the illegal data flow.
A preliminary probe shows the network illegally supplied around 50 CDRs, over 520 SDRs, live location data for more than 550 mobile numbers, and information on over 420 IMEI numbers. Officers have seized seven mobile phones linked to the operation.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>On October 3, the IMD had announced the withdrawal of the monsoon from Mumbai. On Thursday, it announced complete monsoon withdrawal from all remaining parts of Maharashtra and issued a heatwave alert for Mumbai. Thursday’s maximum temperature of 37.6 degrees was the highest such reading for October in the past eight years, and Friday’s figure surpassed it. The mercury rose above this mark in October only twice in the past 15 years — in 2018 (38 degrees) and 2015 (38.6 degrees).
Pedestrians cool off with fresh fruit near the Gateway of India. Pic/Ashish Raje
For Saturday, the IMD has forecasted a ‘very likely hot and humid’ day for Mumbai with temperatures expected in the range of 26 degrees and 36 degrees.
A yellow alert has been issued for Greater Mumbai and Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri for October 10. Saturday’s alert marks the third yellow warning for Mumbai in connection with post-monsoon soaring temperatures.
People watch cricket from the shade of a tree at Azad Maidan on Friday afternoon. Pic/Ashish Raje; (right) An inter-school competition coach donning an umbrella hat gestures to the players at Azad Maidan. Pic/Ashish Raje
Explaining the cause behind the soaring temperatures, IMD RMC Mumbai chief Bikram Singh said on Friday, “Anticyclone in Gujarat and adjoining North Maharashtra region has led to the warming.” A day prior, Singh had explained that Mumbaikars would have some relief and the lower humidity in the air wouldn’t make the heatwave feel as bad.
A traffic police officer goes about his duty while protecting himself as best he can in Dadar. Pic/Atul Kamble
Rajesh Kapadia, climatologist and founder of Vagaries of the Weather, expects that the city should be relieved of the soaring temperatures next week. “This weekend will be warmer, but sea breeze should return to the city as the anticyclone effect decreases by next week, ultimately lowering the warming,” said Kapadia.
A fan provides some relief to a woman at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Pic/Ashish Raje
[popcorn number="37.6 degrees" desc="Maximum temperature recorded in city on Thursday" class="Default"]
Mumbai’s PM10 AQI level, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board, stood at 99 (satisfactory) on Friday; this was an improvement from Thursday’s 120 (moderate). Prior to Thursday, the AQI slipped into the ‘moderate’ category (110) only once this month — on October 2. The remaining days saw satisfactory AQI.
]]>According to the FDA’s October 9 statement, inspections revealed deficiencies, including inadequate or improperly displayed Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences, food handlers not wearing gloves, headgear and aprons, and missing medical certificates and mandatory food-safety training records.
Inspectors also reported dirty, damaged walls, ceilings and floors, and rats, cockroaches and flies among the pests cited. Other violations were inadequate refrigeration and improper segregation of raw and cooked food.
The establishments named by FDA:
. Central Canteen, JJ Hospital, Byculla
. Abrar Kirana Store, near JJ Hospital
. Huma Caterer, Islam Gymkhana
. Milkoze Dairy Products, Kandivli East
. La Pinoz Pizza, Santacruz West
. F3 Corporate Hospitality Services, DJ Sanghvi
. College of Engineering, Vile Parle West
. Narayan Dosa, Charni Road
. Golden Star Restaurant, Girgaon
. Paliwal Dairy, Charkop
. Nawab Juice Centre, near Marine Lines station
Residents have also questioned why the BMC proceeded with construction before finalising the hospital’s operating model, warning that an unused building could require additional maintenance and repairs before it opens.
The proposed shift from the PPP model to a charitable-trust arrangement could offer a way forward, but the tender and administrative processes remain pending. Until these are completed, patients in Borivli and Dahisar will continue to wait for the hospital to begin services.
Harshita Ranka, a resident
‘This is sheer lack of vision. How did the authorities start construction of the new hospital building before fixing who will run it? They have wasted so many resources and public money. The infrastructure that stands unused isn’t maintained because it’s not being used at the moment. By the time it is used, some or other paint and repair work will already be waiting. What’s the use of money if it is unnecessarily spent twice on a specific thing?’
The delay has left a major civic healthcare facility unused despite the completion of its building. “The facility was expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the western suburbs and reduce the burden on other public hospitals. But even though the building structure was completed several months ago, the hospital hasn’t started due to bureaucratic delays in decision-making. The nearest civic-run hospital for anyone living in Borivli and Dahisar is Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivli,” said Borivli resident Hemant Sardesai.
]]>With ‘Drishyam: The Conclusion’ enjoying a strong theatrical run, Ajay Devgn has kept the door to a fourth instalment slightly ajar, even as he maintains that the latest film is intended as the finale. Asked about ‘Drishyam 4’ by Gulf News, Ajay said, “At the moment, it is a conclusion. I can’t predict it.” Pressed on whether another film could happen, he added, “See, I can’t predict it. Never say never. But, no, the decision was [that] this is the conclusion, so right now this is the conclusion.”
Mohanlal
One story that doesn’t end
Even as the Hindi Drishyam franchise’s franchise’s fate remains uncertain, Mohanlal’s fourth instalment is officially in works
Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan’s salt-and-pepper look has caught the internet’s attention, with fans applauding the actor for embracing his natural greys at a recent press conference. Sporting a floral shirt, black trousers, and clear-frame glasses, Khan prompted speculation that the look could be for an upcoming project. While responding to questions about Andaz Apna Apna 2 and Lalkaara, he said, “Let’s see what happens,” adding that he prefers to speak about films only when they are “completely final”.
]]>Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture sees Thakur play the titular character, who is accused of driving her friend to suicide as she rejected his romantic advances. The actor’s decision to front the Hindi Zee 5 movie, which also stars Huma Qureshi and Vikram Singh Chauhan, was led by a simple motivation — shed light on the male entitlement and toxic behaviour that sometimes come with unrequited love.
A still from the film. Pics/Youtube, Instagram
“It’s [all] around us. Films show male friends telling the hero, ‘Tu aur try kar, woh maan jayegi’, or that a woman’s no means yes. Haven’t we heard ‘Uski naa mein bhi haan hai’? You can’t get anyone’s love without their consent. That’s why it was important for me to do the film,” she shared, adding that rejection is a bitter pill to swallow for some men. “When their love isn’t reciprocated, some men assassinate the woman’s character. Many lie about being intimate with the woman, [seeing it] as a flex.”
Pooja Meri Jaan also hits close to home for Thakur, whose best friends had developed feelings for her. “When I said no to both, they started calling me names. When I confronted them years later, they said, ‘We had no idea we bullied you’,” she recalled.
]]>He tried several jobs, including a telephone course, selling bananas, running a flour mill and a general store. He eventually began working at repair shops, where people often questioned how a blind man could repair electrical equipment.
“I used to tell them not to worry and come back after two days. I would make every effort to return their equipment in working condition,” Bhoye recalled.
Recently, Bhoye travelled to Bhayandar to collect an old radio from a customer who wanted it repaired. He is now trying to determine whether the vintage set can still be restored and what the repair will cost.
Senior social worker and former Vangani Gram Panchayat member Manohar Shelar said the town is home to a sizeable community of visually impaired people.
According to Shelar:
231
Persons with disabilities officially registered with the Vangani Gram Panchayat
Rs 2600
Cheque distributed to eligible beneficiaries in 2025
5%
Of the gram panchayat’s annual revenue allocated for their welfare, including household goods or financial assistance
Shelar said he had earlier arranged 250 blankets and 250 tiffin boxes. Several visually impaired families have settled near Vangani station, where rooms are available at low rents. “Vangani Gram Panchayat and social workers are continuously supporting our differently abled brothers and sisters,” Shelar said.
Auto-rickshaw drivers in Vangani recognise Bhoye when visitors ask for the “radio repairman”.
Shelar said Vangani’s visually impaired community also includes artists who perform at school programmes and Ganeshotsav celebrations. Social worker Dr Tai Patil has helped 25 visually impaired artists come together to form the Tri Netra Foundation professional orchestra.
Bhoye came to Vangani in 2007. Local resident Ankush Patnore allowed him to stay without charging rent. He initially earned money by selling toys and chikki and providing massage and acupuncture services. He married Gauri in 2008 through a local organisation working for visually impaired people. The couple has two daughters, one of whom is studying in Std XI near Shirdi.
Gradually, Bhoye returned to repairing old radios, tape recorders and other electrical equipment. His home now has dozens of old machines, while more are kept at his native place.
Ashok Gangadhar Bhoye with some of the old radios he repairs at his home in Vangani
Bhoye’s repair business got an unusual start when a Mumbai resident contacted him about an old wooden radio. A scrap dealer was willing to pay Rs 50 for it. Bhoye offered Rs 150, bought the radio, repaired it and eventually sold it for Rs 1600. His reputation has since spread beyond Vangani. He receives calls from different places and travels alone to collect old radios and other electrical equipment. A person from Dombivli’s Deslepada helps him source spare parts. Bhoye also continues to learn through YouTube, with support from his daughter and a person from Gujarat who has trained him through online videos.
Two lifts have been installed on the eastern and western sides of Vangani station through the efforts of the railway passengers’ organisation. Shelar, who is a member of the railway’s suburban advisory committee, has demanded another lift on the platform to make the station more accessible for persons with disabilities.
]]>“I’ve always been drawn to women who have contradictions and don’t fit neatly into a box. That’s something I recognise in Gulrukh as well. She has vulnerability, ambition, intelligence, and strength. That complexity makes her so compelling to me,” said Kamra.
A still from the series. Pics/Instagram
In the Nagraj Manjule-directed series, Gulrukh is a privileged South Bombay woman whose encounter with Varma’s Brij opens her up to a world far removed from her own. As she navigates the power dynamics of the gambling world alongside Brij, she begins to understand her own capabilities. Her rise will become an important part of the next chapter. Kamra reflected, “The second season will give Gulrukh more agency and a greater understanding of what she wants. She isn’t just reacting to the world anymore; she is beginning to shape it in her own way.”
]]>A senior forest department official at SGNP told mid-day that an online e-ticketing and visitor access system could be introduced within the next one to two months. Visitors would be able to buy entry tickets and book other facilities at the park through the portal.
“If everything goes according to plan, we will introduce an online e-ticketing and visitor access system within the next two months. Through this, park visitors can purchase entry tickets and book other facilities at SGNP online,” the official said. The official said the proposed system would improve transparency and curb malpractices, including sale of fake tickets.
In a report published on October 8, mid-day reported that visitors were allegedly sold counterfeit Sanjay Gandhi National Park entry tickets at prices higher than the prescribed rates, causing a potential loss to the Maharashtra government. The Kasturba Marg police arrested Akash Ravindra Sardar, 31, in connection with the case and are searching for the alleged main accused, Ganesh Ishwar Thakur. Police suspect Thakur has the machinery and software used to manufacture the fake tickets.
Thakur was arrested by Aarey police in December 2025 for allegedly forging forest department receipts and cheating filmmakers and the government over shooting permissions at Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Milk Colony.
A forest department source called for a thorough investigation into Thakur’s alleged involvement in the fake-ticket case, citing his arrest in the earlier case. “The police should conduct a thorough investigation to uncover further details about Ganesh Ishwar Thakur and his involvement in criminal activities, given his prior arrest for cheating filmmakers,” the source said. SGNP attracts 20 lakh visitors annually, according to the park sources.
]]>Sources have indicated that Johar is keen to launch his own creation, considering JioHotstar owns the intellectual property that is ‘Koffee with Karan’. A source shared, “While speculation is that Karan has decided to wrap up ‘Koffee…’ to focus on direction, he wants to create a new IP. He is a sharp businessman and a brilliant host. So, he is considering making a new chat show that his banner will hold the rights to. Today, there are many shows that first launch on YouTube, become popular, and are eventually picked up by a streamer.”
Ranbir Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan will appear on ‘Koffee with Karan 9’
For now, however, his energy is directed at ‘Koffee with Karan 9’. This year, he has whipped up an all-stars line-up. The source further revealed, “Salman Khan shot his episode on Thursday. The buzz is that Alia Bhatt will open the show, but Salman is also a strong option. Alia will come with husband Ranbir Kapoor and ‘Love & War’ co-star Vicky Kaushal on the show. Shah Rukh Khan and son Aryan will appear together.”
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna
]]>Passengers are stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus after Central Railway cancelled the Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express and nearly two dozen Delhi-bound trains ahead of Cockroach Janata Party’s October 10 protest in the national capital. Pics/Ashish Raje
Kunal Kamerkar, CJP’s Thane co-ordinator
‘Police arrived at my residence at 8 am and asked me to come to the police station to speak to a senior officer. I went to Manpada police station, where I was asked to wait for a while, so I left. Later, I received another call asking me to visit Diva police station. I had also received calls from various police stations the previous day. With airfares soaring, I am unsure if I can even make it to Delhi. Several other members across Thane and Navi Mumbai have also received notices warning them against participating in the protest without police permission’
Pranaay Ahire, Wadala resident
‘I have not received any police notices yet, but I have received nearly 10 calls from the police since morning. Other members have reported similar incidents. The police are simply checking my whereabouts and asking about my travel plans for Delhi. They have not intimidated or threatened me in any way so far. However, my Instagram account was taken down on Friday’
In Navi Mumbai, co-ordinators reported a similar situation, while suggesting that regular party workers may not be facing the same issues. “Largely, it is the co-ordinators in the city who are receiving notices under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 168, which allows police to prevent cognisable offences. The notices are largely being sent to party workers, while many others have also reported police visits. However, we are not being ill-treated or harassed,” said Amol Asulkar, a CJP worker based in Kamothe.
]]>On September 30, Capt Machchhar saved the lives of 172 passengers, four cabin crew, and two deadheading pilots while being seriously injured on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel, after his co-pilot attacked him with the crash axe kept in the cockpit.
Mandviya, who consulted with Fly Wings Aviation, a flight training institute, in the late 2000s, was one of the instructors who taught Capt Machchhar before he went to New Zealand for further training. Though living in Gurugram, Haryana, Mandviya, who was in Mumbai for a few days, spoke to mid-day about his brave former student.
“Smit came to us as a young boy with ambition and passion to fly back in 2005. He visited our training centre in Juhu with his family to take a look at the facility and joined soon,” Mandviya recounted.
Captain Smit Machchhar, who saved the lives of 172 passengers, four cabin crew, and two deadheading pilots after being attacked by his co-pilot on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Pic/X/@IsraelMFA
According to Mandviya, Machchhar was passionate about a career in flying from the very start. “He was focused, fascinated, and serious about flying; everyone could see that. He finished our course in about a year, which is difficult to do, and then went to New Zealand. When he returned, in 2009-10, we trained him on Boeing planes. After that, he went on to become a pilot at SpiceJet, and soon became a captain, which is a great feat.”
Mandviya added, “He was a pilot who respected his trainers immensely. He was always polite. He would touch my feet sometimes, which, while he didn’t need to do so, showed that he bore respect for teachers. When such a student accomplishes things, every teacher in the world would know how much our hearts fill up with pride.”
Mandviya said he was at home when I got to know about the infamous Flydubai flight. “A colleague of Smit’s called me and told me that a flight Smit was on was embroiled in an incident and asked me to turn on the TV. It was a very shocking moment, but the second we understood that he was alive and was not in danger, the fear turned into pride that can’t be explained.”
He added, “Smit’s uncle called me and asked if I had heard, and both of us were on the call, sharing our pride that a kid we saw grow into a man is now a global hero. Though I haven’t been able to talk to him yet, whenever I do, it will be a very happy conversation.”
“In the middle of the struggle, Smit had the presence of mind to open the cabin door, which let the passengers in, to separate the two pilots and take control of the situation. If the passengers panicked at that time, things would’ve been very different,” Mandviya said, appreciating those who helped Smit when the aircraft was nosediving.
Talking about the two deadheading pilots on board, he said, “They controlled the situation beautifully and took over the flying. With the radar broken, they landed safely, not hurting anyone else on the plane. This is very hard to pull off since we depend on the radar while landing.”
Mandviya believes that the control and speed with which the captain and the two pilots acted showed how well they were trained in their budding years. “No one is trained for such situations; these happen out of the blue. But acting in the right moment matters, and this comes along with good training when the pilots are still in the early stages of learning.”
“I believe that this incident and Smit’s bravery will be taught as a case study in Cockpit Resource Management classes in flight training schools. This will surely help many budding pilots know how to react in such situations even if they never happen again,” Mandviya said.
He also believes that in the coming years many changes will occur in the manner in which pilots’ mental health is treated in the industry. “Every airline has mental health evaluations, but after this, they will make sure that they properly clear pilots before sending them off to fly a plane full of passengers.”
2005
Year Smit Machchhar started undergoing flight training
September 30
Day Capt Smit Machchhar was attacked
The cover of Capt Courageous. Pic/By Special Arrangement
India Post has also joined the global buzz created by Smit Machchhar's valour and has recognised and acknowledged it. On Friday, October 9, on World Post Day, India Post released a commemorative special cover with a cancellation honouring the hero pilot. Presently, these covers are available only at the Thiruvananthapuram Philately Bureau, but we learn they will soon be available at other places. More cheers to the post-er (pun intended) boy of Indo-Israeli friendship.
]]>A long-time friendship is suddenly feeling like something deeper. How do I know if this isn’t just me getting used to him?
Try going out more and spending more time with this person because that will allow you to gauge how you feel. It’s possible that this is one-sided, so look for cues coming from him too.
The inbox is now open to take your most carnal and amorous queries. Send your questions on email to lovedoc@mid-day.com
]]>Aries
March 21 – April 20
Enjoy time spent with your karmic soulmate of so many lifetimes.
Cosmic tip: Don’t build a defensive wall around yourself. By now you know who are the genuine people in your life.
Taurus
April 21 – May 20
Fine-tuned time management to make use of every minute allows completing work in half the time. There’s happiness with your spouse/partner.
Cosmic tip: Absorb and appreciate celestial blessings that surround you.
Gemini
May 21 – June 21
Rewarding yourself with something you’ve longed to own is revealed. Emotions are calmer now.
Cosmic tip: A discussion about feelings helps remain emotionally close.
Cancer
June 22 – July 23
Planetary positions favour leisure travel. An extra busy time at work begins next week. Have an honest conversation with your spouse/partner.
Cosmic tip: Be true to each other always.
Leo
July 24 - Aug 23
Each individual area of life settles down gradually with Celestial blessings. A holiday is enjoyable.
Cosmic tip: Pay attention to this enriching karmic cycle that helps pinpoint wants and needs.
Virgo
Aug 24 – Sept 23
Balancing home and career is a sharp thin line that challenges you every day. Remain hydrated.
Cosmic tip: Stay away from unnecessary arguments, especially in the morning.
Libra
Sept 24 – Oct 22
Stepping back from situations unemotionally brings in the right perspective. A karmic cycle of high income begins.
Cosmic tip: Use a spirit of love and compassion as a guiding light.
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 22
There’s a balance of mind, body and soul that feels so right.
Cosmic tip: Just be yourself to attract the ideal person in your life (don’t make an effort to impress the person).
Sagittarius
Nov 23 – Dec 22
This karmic cycle favours reaffirming and enjoying unconditional love. There is good news from a loved one. Remember to eat at lunch time.
Cosmic tip: Continue being honest and truthful as these are your strengths.
Capricorn
Dec 23 – Jan 20
Circumstances may keep you apart from the love of your life. Talks with clients are positive, but slightly inconclusive. Try not to have a late night.
Cosmic tip: Let go what is unnecessary in life.
Aquarius
Jan 21 – Feb 19
The morning moves slowly but pace quickens post lunch with two new clients coming over to the office for meetings. Health is good.
Cosmic tip: Connect with a friend over lunch if possible.
Pisces
Feb 20 – March 20
A karmic cycle of fame/recognition begins for some, especially if in the media. Life is all about learning, experiencing different facts of living.
Cosmic tip: Imagine a wish manifesting (for it to actually happen).
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has asked police chiefs across the country to coordinate with the Delhi Police and take preventive measures amid concerns that CJP supporters may attempt to enter the national capital despite the denial of permission for the CJP protest in Delhi, ANI reported.
The Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed CJP protest in Delhi through an official order issued on October 9. The order cited procedural non-compliance and the need to comply with the Supreme Court's directions dated July 23, 2018, in WP (C) No. 1153 of 2017, which govern assemblies in the area.
In his letter to States and Union Territories, Mohan highlighted the potential law-and-order implications of the proposed mobilisation and said the request to hold the demonstration had been rejected.
The Home Secretary's letter alleged that CJP and its supporting parties, organisations and individuals had previously failed to comply with lawful directions during mobilisations, resulting in public-order disruptions and damage to public and private property, ANI reported.
The letter also referred to intelligence inputs suggesting that CJP supporters could attempt to enter Delhi from different States and Union Territories despite the prohibition.
The MHA has directed States and Union Territories to coordinate with the Delhi Police and implement immediate preventive measures within the framework of the law to prevent any breach of public peace and protect critical infrastructure.
The letter also called for continuous, real-time intelligence sharing among State and UT intelligence agencies, border transit authorities and the Delhi Police to ensure coordinated action.
The Home Secretary emphasised that maintaining law and public order was a constitutional imperative and called for strict implementation of the directions to uphold the rule of law.
The directions come ahead of the proposed CJP protest in Delhi on October 10, for which the Delhi Police has refused permission.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>In the memorandum, the Opposition leaders alleged that the BJP had completely manipulated both EVMs and electoral rolls in several Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
#WATCH | Delhi: After meeting President Droupadi Murmu, Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "We have submitted a memorandum. We have seen from a positive outlook that she said she will investigate; she will go through the details, and she needs evidence. She has asked us to send, which we said we will... The country is very concerned, and you, as a custodian of the Constitution, should take proper care so that democracy remains. The INDIA alliance is together; we are very strong, and we represent more than 60% of people. She is very positive, and she responded that she will investigate..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2026
The memorandum stated, “We, the Members of Parliament of the INDIA group representing over 60% of the population of our country, approach you with grave alarm over the manner in which the entire election system and the democratic framework of India has been subverted by Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister and Shri Amit Shah, the Home Minister, stealing from crores of Indians their constitutional Right to Vote. This has destroyed the very foundation of our democracy"
“We have incontrovertible proof that Vote Chori has taken place on a massive scale in election after election. Assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, MP, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi and West Bengal have been stolen. Both the EVMs and the electoral rolls have been completely manipulated by the BJP in several other Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Democracy is being murdered in broad daylight. This is a crime against the nation and the Chief Election Commissioner has blatantly cheated and lied to the Hon''ble Supreme Court of India to cover up this crime,” it stated.
The Opposition leaders urged President Murmu to take cognisance of the matter and use her office to ensure that their demands were addressed without delay.
The memorandum listed four demands: “Resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner and the repeal of 2023 law that provides life-long immunity to the CEC and ECs. Immediate suspension of the SIR and immediate restoration of all 13.30 crore voters illegally deleted from electoral rolls. A return to paper ballots for all elections. Repeal all Assembly elections over the last two years in which conclusive evidence of vote chori has been presented.”
The INDIA bloc leaders also cited Article 326 of the Constitution, which provides for elections based on adult suffrage, and argued that the Election Commission must remain accountable to the Constitution.
“Madam President, the Right to Vote is the foundation of representative democracy enshrined in Article 326 of the Indian Constitution. The Election Commission is its constitutional custodian, not its proprietor. He is answerable to the Constitution of India and not to his political masters. No institution can be permitted to alter the rules governing that right, evade accountability for its decisions, and silence those who demand answers through evasion, repression and criminal conduct,” the memorandum further stated.
Concluding the memorandum, the INDIA bloc leaders appealed to the President to intervene at what they described as a critical moment for the country's democratic framework.
“We approach you because, in moments when every other door has been closed, the people of India look to the Office of the President as the final guardian of that covenant. We appeal to your conscience, to your sense of justice, and to your abiding duty to the people of this Republic. Do not let their voice be silenced. We expect you as President of our Republic to discharge your duty to protect the Constitution of India decisively,” the memorandum stated.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>The Social Reckoning is, obviously, the mouse-lion, David-Goliath kinda story — the sorts, where the eventual victory of the underdog offers humanity hope and goosebumps, in equal measure.
And, yes, you do feel both. But to think of it — isn’t this film the David of that story itself?
To be fierce yet fair — how frickin’ wildly can you possibly swing against a living man, i.e. tech czar Mark Zuckerberg, so bloody powerful that he rightly considers himself “post-government” (in the picture), while his might has only grown rather than diminished since the case/inquiry, as surveyed in this pic, was publicly brought to light?
It’s still all about the numbers, isn’t it? 64 is the key one for this movie — basically an exposé to do with the social media network Facebook that, at the point of its setting, circa 2020, had 2.8 billion users, with valuation of a trillion dollars.
What’s 64? The percentage of people sent over to extremist groups on Facebook, pushed toward communal hate, through the algorithm, consciously designed such by Facebook itself.
What if you could, journalistically, prove this, and other stuff that made the corporation complicit in similarly divisive and dangerous moves — chasing numbers at whatever human cost?
Well, the proof was there. What was the real-world consequence? To the best of my knowledge — since most things around tech majors tend to be classified — Facebook merely changed its name to Meta! This movie’s narrative can barely go beyond the metaphor then.
How does one make it so hugely engaging, still? Well, powering through dialogues, bordering on the literary — that writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s indisputably the king of (A Few Good Men, The West Wing).
And two deeply relatable, vulnerable, yet passionate characters, who find a purpose beyond their profession.
That is, the Wall Street Journal investigative reporter, Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White), and his brave source inside Facebook, Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison).
They feel so tentative, hesitant in each other’s company, while their relationship develops, as it only can, with unquestioningly blind trust/faith.
Such that if The Social Reckoning wasn’t a corporate/political drama — it could have well been an equally watchable romantic comedy. Although it’s highly unlikely that the thoroughly clinical, Sorkin, has a hardcore romantic bone in his body (of work)!
For the subtlety/facts of the said case, it’s also hardly surprising that the real cinematic drama — where you sense some motion in your throat — only kicks in over the final 45 minutes of the film, leading to a finale, that had me viscerally clapping in absolute joy, while Madison pumps her fist! What a moment.
Could the movie have been restructured better for a more emotionally seamless experience — who’s to know! The Social Reckoning is the sequel-in-spirit to
David Fincher’s The Social Network (2010), also written by Sorkin.
The actual sequel, I think, are Zuckerberg’s own depositions before US authorities in the past that we’ve all watched live, and they’re fine documentaries by themselves.
It could be unfair to compare Fincher’s pure filmmaking finesse with Sorkin’s more urgently talkie style. Take Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) on political protests/dissent that’s proving to be so prophetic.
It's probably just as unfair to compare The Social Network with The Social Reckoning, but for one PoV. Which is Zuckerberg himself — far more humanised in the former (Jesse Eisenberg), gently bordering on the caricature with the latter (Jeremy Strong).
Or, maybe, it’s just the visual hangover of Strong from Succession — I can’t seem to take him out of the show, even while he plays such a different, morally unambiguous sorta guy.
Perhaps, more likely, it’s gotta do with the aforementioned power and resultant self-censorship — what level of access with Zuckerberg could the filmmakers have been privileged with, anyway?
Consider the scenes to do with the infamous, 2021 Capitol riots in Washington in the film. They refer to Donald Trump as “he”, talking about him all through.
Contrast this with Trump’s forceful biopic, Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice (2024), that pulls no punches. Strong so strikingly shone out there playing Trump’s mentor, Roy Cohn; no?
The Apprentice wasn’t allowed to release in India. I’m glad The Social Reckoning, as a story, even exists. Given America, for all its other issues, continues to value rigorous, independent journalism, and such strong protection to whistleblowers. Imagine if Facebook was Chinese, inevitably the other superpower.
Which, of course, doesn’t absolve the role of American tech giants in collectively warping brains through aggregating hate, conspiracy theories, fake news, history, geography, medicine… ‘WhatsApp University’ has been more the recognisable concern in India. It’s also owned by Facebook.
At the heart of The Social Reckoning is the question of absolutism in free-speech, and if you must ever draw a line — what about exhortation to violence, maybe?
Sorkin’s clear where he stands on that with the film: “Democracy is the best form of government. It’s not the best form of everything!”
]]>The police seized 2.497 kg of mephedrone, also known as MD, and 566 grams of cocaine, with the total value of the contraband estimated at Rs 3,57,91,200, according to a press note issued by the Crime Branch on October 9.
Acting on a tip-off received on October 8 by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigde of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, a team apprehended Ani Ikechukwu Darlington, 41, a Nigerian national residing at Ambika Building in Rohinjan village, Taloja.
The accused was arrested at 9.30 pm on October 8, police said.
According to the police press note, the team recovered 221 grams of mephedrone, valued at Rs 6.63 lakh, from the accused. A further 2,276 grams of mephedrone, worth Rs 68.28 lakh, and 566 grams of cocaine, valued at Rs 2.83 crore, were recovered from his residence.
Police also seized material allegedly used for purchasing and selling drugs.
A case has been registered at Taloja Police Station under Sections 8(c), 21(c) and 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The case has been registered under Crime No. 480/2026.
Police said the accused was previously booked in an NDPS case registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Mumbai, in 2019. He had spent seven years in jail in connection with that case and was released on bail in 2025, according to the press note.
The Navi Mumbai Police said they have stepped up action against drug trafficking. In recent operations, two gangs have been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), while one man and one woman have been booked under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.
Over the past five years, the police commissionerate has registered 2,387 narcotics-related cases and arrested 3,200 accused. It has seized 1,078 kg of drugs valued at approximately Rs 150 crore, according to the press note.
The police have also set up a helpline, 8828112112, for citizens to share confidential information about drug-related activities.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Vishal Hire, with the Anti-Narcotics Cell team led by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigde.
Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, Joint Commissioner of Police Deepak Sakore, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pramod Shewale and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sachin Gunjal have directed officers to continue action against drug trafficking as part of efforts to make Navi Mumbai drug-free.
The operation involved Assistant Police Inspectors Nilesh Dhumal, Tushar Mane and Ganesh Patil, along with other personnel from the Anti-Narcotics Cell.
]]>Addressing a gathering in neighbouring Palghar to hand over land record certificates to project-affected persons (PAPs), Fadnavis asserted that development would mean little if local people were deprived of land, jobs and other benefits.
“The government is committed to ensuring project-affected persons receive proper rehabilitation, infrastructure, basic amenities and employment opportunities. If we make the original inhabitants of this land landless and do not give them a place in the development process, it will not be development but destruction,” Fadnavis said, PTI reported.
Fadnavis acknowledged that people displaced by various projects over the past 30 to 50 years had faced prolonged hardship, with several rehabilitation issues remaining unresolved.
The government has formulated new rehabilitation standards and is working to address pending issues arising from earlier policies, he added.
The Chief Minister said villages where displaced people had been resettled must have adequate infrastructure, essential facilities and access to employment opportunities.
“The benefits of development projects should not go only to people from outside the region. Residents must also get jobs and a share in the prosperity generated by such projects,” he said, PTI reported.
Fadnavis said his government was committed to making Palghar one of Maharashtra’s top five districts in terms of development.
“This will not be possible unless the tribals, poor people, farmers, agricultural labourers and women of this district are included in the development process,” he said.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of inclusive development, Fadnavis said development should not benefit only a handful of people but should reach everyone.
Recalling the hardships faced by families relocated decades ago, Fadnavis said many had effectively been left without adequate facilities.
“You have endured a long period of hardship. Even Lord Ram and the Pandavas did not have to endure the kind of exile that you have suffered. I give you my word today that your period of hardship is over. A new dawn and a new path have begun for you,” he said.
He also assured residents of the Hanuman Nagar and Chandra Nagar areas that the government would work to improve their living conditions.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>MMRC Managing Director Ashwini Bhide sealed the time capsule and unveiled the commemorative trail on Friday, October 9, in the presence of senior officials, including Director (Planning) R. Ramana, Director (Systems) Rajeev and Director (Finance) Yogendra Saxena.
The time capsule will remain sealed for 10 years and is scheduled to be opened on October 8, 2036, marking a decade of full-route operations.
According to MMRC, the capsule contains photographs, records, milestones and memorabilia documenting the development and operation of Mumbai’s first underground metro. The initiative aims to preserve the Aqua Line’s journey and offer future generations a glimpse into its early years.
MMRC described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind in India’s metro sector.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, MMRC introduced the Aqua Line passport and stamp trail, an initiative encouraging commuters and travel enthusiasts to explore the metro corridor and collect specially designed commemorative stamps.
The trail covers 10 designated stations, with each stamp highlighting the distinctive character of the station and its surrounding neighbourhood. The initiative aims to make metro travel an experience of exploration and discovery.
MMRC also felicitated its most-travelled commuters during the anniversary celebrations, recognising their continued use of the Aqua Line.
The celebrations mark one year of full-route operations on Mumbai’s underground metro corridor, which connects key locations across the city.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRC) has recorded more than 7.2 crore passenger journeys on the Aqua Line as the entire corridor completed one year of full-route operations.
The underground metro corridor from Aarey JVLR to Cuffe Parade has recorded 7,20,88,738 cumulative passenger journeys, marking a major milestone for Mumbai's first underground metro line, an official statement said.
The Aqua Line has continued to attract commuters since the entire corridor became operational, it said.
In September 2026, the line recorded an average daily ridership of 2,24,602 on weekdays and 1,31,138 on weekends, according to MMRC.
The figures highlight the growing role of the Aqua Line in Mumbai's daily public transport network.
]]>Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, will preside over the commissioning ceremony. Senior naval and defence officials, representatives from the Ministry of Defence and CSL, veterans, and representatives of indigenous weapon and sensor manufacturers are expected to attend the event.
Named after Mangrol, a coastal town and prominent fishing harbour in Gujarat's Junagadh district, the ship carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol (M85), a minesweeper that served in the Indian Navy until April 7, 2004. The naming continues the Navy's tradition of preserving the legacy of its former warships.
Built with more than 80 per cent indigenous content, INS Mangrol reflects India's capabilities in warship design, construction and the integration of advanced weapons and sensors. Constructed by CSL under the Centre's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the vessel is part of efforts to strengthen self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
Designed to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters, the ship is equipped with modern weapons and sensors, including the Abhay hull-mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Mareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System.
Powered by three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, INS Mangrol is designed for high manoeuvrability in shallow waters. It can also undertake underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare-related tasks.
INS Mangrol is expected to strengthen the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, particularly in coastal waters where larger warships may face operational limitations. It can operate alongside maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and other warships to detect and counter submarine threats.
Its induction will support efforts to protect ports, harbours and coastal approaches while contributing to wider fleet operations.
The commissioning comes amid evolving maritime security challenges and growing underwater threats. The vessel's induction will add to the Navy's capabilities in coastal operations while reflecting India's expanding indigenous warship-building capacity and its focus on operational preparedness and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
]]>The operation covered several regions of Maharashtra, including the Konkan, Nashik, Pune and Vidarbha divisions. It resulted in 12 first information reports (FIRs), 13 arrests and the impounding of three vehicles, an official statement said.
Officials inspected or intercepted more than 53,726 kg of solid food products and 6,098 litres of liquid products suspected of failing to meet food safety standards or being incorrectly labelled.
FDA inspections across Mumbai reportedly found violations including unhygienic kitchens, missing medical and safety certificates, rodent and cockroach infestations, improper separation of raw and cooked food, and the absence of valid food safety licences.
The 10 establishments whose licences were suspended are:
- Huma Caterer — Islam Gymkhana, Marine Drive.
- Central Canteen — JJ Hospital, Byculla.
- F3 Corporate Hospitality Services — Canteen at DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering, Vile Parle West.
- La Pinoz Pizza — Keshav Kunj, Linking Road, Santacruz West.
- Golden Star Restaurant — Sakina Manzil, Charni Road, Girgaon.
- Narayan Dosa — Paras Centre, Opera House, Charni Road.
- Milkoze Dairy Products Pvt Ltd — Captain's Compound, Singh Estate, Kandivali East.
- Paliwal Dairy / Shri Rohit Khetawat — Charkop, Kandivali West.
- Nawab Juice Centre — Islam Gymkhana, Marine Lines.
- Abrar Maiku Khan, operating as Abrar Kirana Store — Near JJ Hospital, Gangaram Sakpal Marg.
The suspensions follow inspections aimed at checking compliance with food safety requirements. The establishments' responses to the action were not included in the information provided.
In the Konkan division, FDA teams seized 52,016 kg of suspected substandard areca nuts at Turbhe MIDC in Navi Mumbai. The consignment was valued at approximately Rs 1.33 crore, according to the supplied details.
At Taloja MIDC in Panvel, officials intercepted more than 4,500 litres of raw cow and buffalo milk that was allegedly incorrectly labelled. They also seized 119 kg of paneer suspected of being substandard.
Enforcement operations in Jalgaon, Dhule and Nashik led to four FIRs and five arrests, with illegal food products worth approximately Rs 23.24 lakh seized.
In Nandurbar, officials seized an Eicher truck carrying banned Vimal Pan Masala and V-1 tobacco products valued at around Rs 69.47 lakh. The vehicle and its contents were handed over to the local police, according to the information provided.
In Pune, FDA teams seized mislabelled farsan, or savoury snacks, and 1,484 litres of milk that reportedly failed acidity tests.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, raids on two establishments resulted in the seizure of prohibited goods worth around Rs 4.41 lakh and two arrests.
In Vidarbha, officials in Nagpur seized 538 kg of misbranded bhagar, a millet-based food product. In Amravati, officers seized 763 kg of refined soybean oil suspected of being adulterated.
The FDA said enforcement drives would continue to protect public health and improve compliance with food safety standards.
]]>The candidates had planned to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence to press their demands. However, police personnel intervened before the proposed march could begin, IANS reported.
Barricades were erected at Gate No. 10, while a large number of security personnel were deployed inside Gandhi Maidan and in the surrounding areas.
The protesters alleged that they had obtained permission to hold a peaceful sit-in, organise a Kalash Yatra and take out a march, but the administration prevented them from proceeding with their planned programme.
According to the candidates, the protest was scheduled to begin at 11 am with a sit-in at Gandhi Maidan, followed by a Kalash Yatra and a march from Gate No. 10 to Dakbungalow Crossing.
The candidates claimed that more than 1,200 posts reserved for women in the driver recruitment process had remained vacant. They urged the authorities to consider filling these vacancies with eligible male applicants from the respective categories, in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules, IANS reported.
They argued that filling the vacant posts would prevent them from remaining unoccupied and create employment opportunities for other qualified candidates.
Radhe Shyam Kumar, one of the protesting candidates, said they had been staging a sit-in at Gardanibagh for several days. He spoke about the difficulties of continuing the agitation, adding that his family had questioned why he was spending time protesting instead of studying, IANS reported.
Kumar maintained that candidates needed to raise their voices to secure their rights. He reiterated the demand that posts remaining vacant after the allocation of seats to female candidates should be considered for eligible male applicants.
He also cited the recruitment process for Sub-Inspectors, arguing that a similar provision should be considered for the driver recruitment drive.
Despite the barricades and the deployment of security personnel, candidates continued to gather near Gate No. 10 of Gandhi Maidan. The protesters maintained that they intended to put forward their demands peacefully.
(With IANS inputs)
]]>Samson's innings included 9 fours and 4 sixes as he dominated the WI bowlers. He was well supported by Ishan Kishan, who scored 42 runs off 22 deliveries. In the death overs, Tilak Varma chipped in with 44 runs off 18 balls to take India to 249/5 at the end of their innings.
For West Indies, Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers after he finished his four-over spell with 3 wickets for 24 runs.
Earlier, after winning the toss, West Indies captain Shai Hope said he was happy to bowl first and chase the score set by the Indian batters. He also touched upon the dew factor as a main reason to bowl first.
"We all know this (dew). Also, considering T20 cricket and how the West Indies have played, we're comfortable chasing. But again, we've got to look at the conditions we're playing in here in India. It's already a bit wet, so it's going to get even worse as the evening goes on. We're just going to try to put them under pressure with the ball and then chase them down. It's about trying to learn from the mistakes we made in the first game. " Hope said.
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer said he was looking to bowl first too but was keen to see how his batters react to batting first. He also confirmed that the Indian team were going with the same team.
"Well, we would have looked to bowl first as well. But obviously, you have to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible. It's a pleasant evening, and there's a little bit of dew around, so hopefully it stays the same in the second innings as well. We've just discussed maintaining our standards throughout the 40 overs we play." Iyer said.
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph
]]>In a statement, NCP (SP) national spokesperson and secretary Clyde Crasto claimed the move was aimed at preventing people from fighting for their fundamental rights, PTI reported.
Questioning the BJP’s support for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who has faced Opposition criticism over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Crasto said, “The extent to which the BJP is protecting the CEC raises one question: do they fear he will spill the beans?”
He accused the government of disregarding the Constitution and democratic principles by allegedly depriving citizens of their fundamental rights. He also demanded that what he termed the government’s “dictatorial behaviour” be stopped.
Separately, NCP (SP) leader Mahesh Tapase criticised the decision to close entry and exit gates at 57 Delhi Metro Stations and impose restrictions at major railway stations in the national capital ahead of the proposed demonstration, PTI reported.
Tapase also questioned the deployment of more than 20,000 security personnel, alleging that the measures were intended to restrict demonstrators.
He claimed the restrictions were an attempt by the ruling dispensation to divert attention from issues such as youth unemployment and electoral transparency.
Tapase said the proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar, spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), reflected growing public anger among ordinary citizens, farmers, women and unemployed youth.
Questioning the government’s economic performance, he alleged that it had failed to generate employment and was instead relying on divisive rhetoric. He maintained that thousands of young people would continue to travel to Delhi to demand accountability despite the security arrangements, PTI reported.
Ahead of the proposed protest, Western Railway (WR) on Friday announced changes to several Delhi-bound trains departing from Mumbai and other cities.
The Mumbai Central - New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12951) and the Mumbai Central - Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953) have been rescheduled by five hours. The Bandra Terminus - Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247) has been cancelled.
WR also announced the cancellation of the Dr Ambedkar Nagar - New Delhi Express (20155), Indore - Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (09309), Indore - New Delhi Express (12415) and Sabarmati - New Delhi Express (12957).
According to Western Railway, the changes were made following a communication from the Railway Board in view of anticipated severe road traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Stations on October 10.
Western Railway, headquartered in Mumbai, covers Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Friday that entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations would remain closed from 9 pm on Friday until further notice due to security reasons ahead of the CJP October 10 protest
The restrictions will continue on October 10. Interchange facilities will remain available at all affected stations, except New Delhi Metro Station, according to the DMRC.
The CJP and several student organisations have called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
The protesters’ demands include the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a freeze on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a halt to upcoming elections, restoration of the January 2025 voters’ list and repeal of the 2023 law governing appointments to the Election Commission.
They have also called for an independent and credible process for appointing Election Commission officials.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>In a letter dated October 9 (Friday) addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the party conveyed its solidarity with the INDIA bloc and the march spearheaded by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
The letter, signed by Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party leaders Sanjay Raut and Arvind Sawant, stated that the party supported the steps being taken to “expose and dislodge” the Chief Election Commissioner and those whom it accused of undermining democratic and constitutional institutions.
The party, however, said it would be unable to attend the meeting with the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan scheduled for 8 pm on Friday due to prior engagements in Maharashtra related to the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections.
“Please convey our complete solidarity towards this crusade of the INDIA Bloc to the Hon’ble President. Our Party is with the Alliance in this historic fight to save democracy and the Constitution,” the letter stated.
The INDIA bloc’s meeting with the President comes amid a series of opposition protests over alleged “vote chori” and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
INDIA bloc MPs met at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on Friday to discuss their strategy for intensifying the agitation. Those present included Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and other opposition leaders.
A select group of INDIA bloc leaders was expected to submit a memorandum to President Murmu at 8 pm on Friday.
On Thursday, opposition leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, alleging a conspiracy involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Election Commissioner to commit “vote chori”. The leaders pledged to continue their agitation until Kumar resigned.
(With PTI inputs)
]]>The block will be in force from 12.25 am to 4.25 am, according to the statement issued by Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek.
During the block, all fast-line trains will be diverted to the slow lines between Andheri/Santacruz and Churchgate.
The change is expected to affect suburban train operations during the four-hour maintenance period.
Western Railway has asked commuters to take note of the block and plan their journeys accordingly.
The maintenance work is aimed at ensuring the upkeep of railway tracks, signalling systems and overhead equipment on the suburban section.
Meanwhile, several long-distance trains connecting Mumbai with New Delhi were cancelled or rescheduled by Central Railway and Western Railway on Friday, a day before the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is scheduled to hold a protest in the national capital against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Western Railway rescheduled two Rajdhani Express trains by five hours and cancelled several other services connecting Mumbai and Gujarat with Delhi. Central Railway also cancelled two Rajdhani Express services between Mumbai and the national capital.
Railway authorities said the decision was taken in view of anticipated severe road traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations on October 10, following a communication from the Railway Board.
Western Railway announced a five-hour rescheduling of the following services:
- Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12951)
- Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953)
The railway also cancelled the Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247) and the Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express.
Other Western Railway services cancelled included:
- Dr Ambedkar Nagar-New Delhi Express (20155)
- Indore-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (09309)
- Indore-New Delhi Express (12415)
- Sabarmati-New Delhi Express (12957)
Central Railway cancelled two Rajdhani Express services connecting Mumbai with Delhi:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (22221)
CSMT-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (22209)
Railway officials said several other trains on the Central and Western Railway networks reached their destinations despite disruptions linked to the planned agitation.
Passengers have been advised to check the latest train schedules before beginning their journeys.
]]>Thackeray also claimed that five lakh voters whose names appeared in the electoral rolls for the Lok Sabha, Maharashtra Assembly and Mumbai civic elections were missing from both the SIR draft roll and the list of Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate (ASDD) voters.
Addressing the issue, Thackeray said his party had initially supported the SIR exercise in Maharashtra, believing it was necessary to identify duplicate and allegedly bogus voters.
“If you ask me, earlier we had faith in SIR in Maharashtra because we thought it was needed. Our Booth Level Agents (BLAs) tried to cover as much ground as possible. In Mumbai, nearly 100 per cent BLAs were deployed, and across several districts, 100 per cent BLAs were stationed,” he said.
He explained that BLAs were tasked with accompanying Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during door-to-door enumeration to help prepare an accurate electoral roll.
Thackeray cited alleged irregularities identified by his party during previous elections, including the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. He claimed that 24,500 allegedly fake or bogus voters had been identified in his Worli constituency alone.
Referring to Mumbai’s electoral rolls, he said that of the 1.31 crore voters, his party had raised suspicions about 30 lakh entries due to alleged duplicate and multiple registrations, as well as names linked to addresses where, he claimed, no houses existed.
Thackeray further said that the party had submitted a list of 17 lakh allegedly bogus voters to the ECI while studying the electoral roll for the Mumbai civic elections. According to him, the party was assured that the discrepancies would be addressed through the SIR exercise.
However, he questioned the change in the voter count recorded in two communications from the Election Commission.
“On May 26, 2026, we received a letter from the Election Commission which showed the number of voters as 9,86,44,413. On August 31, 2026, we received another letter from the Election Commission which showed the number of voters as 9,78,54,049. We want to know where have the 7,90,364 voters gone?” he said.
Thackeray questioned whether these voters were duplicates or “ghost voters” and directed his criticism at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Thackeray also alleged that five lakh voters whose names appeared in the electoral rolls for the Lok Sabha, Assembly and Mumbai civic elections were missing from both the SIR draft roll and the ASDD list.
“These five lakh voters must be in at least one list, either the SIR draft roll or ASDD. The Election Commission has no answer to this,” he alleged.
The claims raise questions about the reconciliation of electoral records across different elections. The allegations could not be independently verified from the information provided.
During his presentation, Thackeray highlighted what he described as discrepancies in the electoral roll for the Bhiwandi East Assembly constituency.
He said the constituency had 3,73,659 registered voters, of whom 1,91,691 cast their votes in the 2024 Assembly elections. However, he claimed the SIR draft roll listed only 1,91,446 voters.
Questioning the difference, Thackeray asked whether the missing voters had been classified as duplicates or ghost voters, or had shifted to other states. He argued that their names should have appeared either in the draft roll or the ASDD list.
Thackeray also cited an example from the Mahim Assembly constituency, where he claimed 900 voters were facing difficulties despite having electoral records dating back to 2002.
According to him, the voters’ names appeared in the 2002 draft SIR roll and in subsequent electoral records, including the latest SIR draft roll. However, he alleged that their details were not being mapped by the software, prompting the Election Commission to issue notices asking them to establish their eligibility and residence in India.
“If this is the situation in one Assembly constituency, then think what must be the situation in other constituencies,” he said.
Thackeray further alleged that in some cases, BLOs and BLAs had not reached voters before they were marked as unmarked or absent, raising concerns about the enumeration process and the accuracy of the draft electoral roll.
]]>Some 30,000 people turned out for the national strike against government austerity measures, police said, with tensions running high after days of student protests inspired by those in France.
Police said they deployed water cannon and tear gas after being targeted with sticks and bottles by young people on the edge of the protest, taking place in the city's central tourist district.
"Several hundred youths gathered along with the demonstrators," police said in a statement. "The atmosphere gradually became more tense and there were serious disturbances to public order."
Police said the main trade union march had gone ahead peacefully.
But an AFP team on its sidelines witnessed groups of youths, numbering hundreds in total, facing off repeatedly with police as tear gas filled the air.
High-school students from Belgium's French-speaking community have been demonstrating against education budget cuts, inspired in part by protests across the border in France.
Several days of demonstrations in the city of Liege, the epicentre of the protests, descended into violence, with some 200 arrests carried out and dozens of police officers wounded.
Friday's day of action was the latest in a series of strikes in recent months against efforts by Prime Minister Bart De Wever to save 10 billion euros ($11.2 billion) over the next few years in a bid to reduce the country's high deficit.
The Flemish conservative is currently locked in protracted talks with his coalition partners to try to find a deal on the cuts by October 13.
Trade unions are pushing for the government to increase taxes on highest earners, rather than impose cuts in areas like health and hike VAT.
"Things are getting worse at an ever-faster rate, people have had enough. Like the teachers, the pupils can also see that conditions are deteriorating," said union representative Luc Toussaint.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>At the trailer launch of Ranabaali, producer Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers openly addressed trolls and said, “I have a small request. I have known Vijay for close to a decade now. He has an extraordinary character and is an extraordinary person. I like him a lot; he’s a very nice person and quite soft. But I see people spreading negative propaganda on social media, no matter what he does. I am requesting all of you. He is such a good man. Why do you need to do this? See his effort instead. If you don’t like a film, you’re allowed to have an opinion.”
#Ranabaali Producer Ravi Shankar ADDRESSES THE NEGATIVITY AROUND #VijayDeverakonda…!! “VIJAY is one of the GOOD & SWEETEST ACTOR we’ve known in the past 10 years of travelling with him. There is unnecessary negativity, propaganda being created around him these days...” https://t.co/NyunILTcqv
— Rangasthalam (@RangasthalamIN) October 8, 2026
He added, “I’ve never seen him talk ill about anyone or care about any of this. He doesn’t have a world beyond his role and cinema. Whatever negativity you have against him in your heart, please get rid of it.”
Vijay Deverakonda called the hate around Ranabaali “manufactured”, reacting to social media claims that audiences would rather watch Jailer 2. He said repeated opinions online can be part of a manufactured narrative.
“First of all, we can’t even call it hate. Because 90 percent of it is manufactured. There’s a batch that drops Reels at a time that they’d rather watch Jailer 2 over Ranabaali, despite it being a Telugu film.” He also added, “People can have opinions, but if you see the same opinion everywhere, it’s manufactured. What they must understand is that the attacks they’re paid for today, AI will do tomorrow.”
The trailer of Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer Ranabaali was unveiled on October 8. The 3-minute-56-second trailer follows the story of a devastating famine that grips South India during British oppression. The film will hit theatres in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam on October 16, giving strong competition to Nelson Dilipkumar and Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2.
]]>During a courtroom sequence in Tum Milo Toh Sahi (2010), Kapadia had to portray an emotional moment. Instead of relying on glycerine to produce tears, Patekar encouraged her to draw on her acting skills and deliver the scene naturally. In an interview with Filmfare, Dimple Kapadia recalled his words: “Dimple glycerine nahi lene ka, dialogue yaad kar.”
The seemingly straightforward instruction reflected Nana Patekar’s emphasis on preparation, authenticity and performance. According to Dimple, he was not concerned solely with his own screen presence; he also wanted his co-stars to perform at their best.
Dimple Kapadia’s memories, however, go beyond acting lessons. Speaking to The Times of India, she described Nana Patekar as “generous and brutally honest,” suggesting that his forthright personality could sometimes be misunderstood.
Their professional association spanned several films, including Prahaar: The Final Attack (1991), Krantiveer (1994), Tum Milo Toh Sahi (2010) and the Welcome franchise. Their collaborations showcased different shades of their performances, from intense drama to comedy.
Dimple Kapadia also recalled Nana Patekar’s spontaneous approach to filmmaking. In another anecdote shared with The Times of India, she described how he began knitting when he noticed her character’s knitting needles in a scene, helping make the moment feel more natural.
In its report on Dimple Kapadia’s recollections, NDTV highlighted the actor’s intimidating presence on set alongside his willingness to help fellow performers. His approach could be demanding, but Dimple Kapadia’s anecdotes reveal a colleague invested in the overall quality of a film. Ultimately, the glycerine remark captures a larger lesson about performance: technical aids can support a scene, but preparation and emotional conviction remain central to convincing acting. Through these memories, Dimple offers a personal glimpse of a performer whose influence extended beyond his own lines and into the craft of those working beside him.
]]>In the video, Allen said two men assaulted him before taking his watch. “I was just robbed off my watch… These two dudes hit me in the head and pointed a gun at me with a knife and then took off,” he said, visibly shaken as blood trickled down his face.
View this post on Instagram
The footage, which Allen shared with his followers, showed two masked individuals approaching and attacking him outside Laurel Supply, a high-end grocery store. The men appeared to target his watch before fleeing. Recounting the theft, the actor repeated, “They had masks on and took my watch. They took my watch. Dammit.”
In the caption accompanying the post, Allen described the incident as a frightening ordeal and raised concerns about safety in the neighbourhood. “West Hollywood is not safe anymore,” he wrote.
The actor alleged that the two men threatened to kill him over his watch. “Robbed at gunpoint and knifepoint by two young men that threatened to KILL me over my watch and would have! God said no tonight. My life for a watch,” he added.
Allen also questioned whether surveillance cameras in the area could help identify the alleged attackers. Tagging Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, he referred to the use of Flock cameras and called for the men to be found. He ended the post by saying he would share more information later.
The footage prompted concerned messages from followers, many of whom expressed relief that Allen had survived the encounter while urging him to get medical attention.
One user advised him to seek immediate evaluation for a possible concussion, writing, “Omg. Please go to the hospital asap. I hope you’re okay.” Another commented, “Oh how scary! At first I thought it was a movie scene. So thankful you are safe.”
Allen rose to prominence as Toby Cavanaugh on the teen drama Pretty Little Liars, which followed a group of friends dealing with secrets and threats from an anonymous tormentor. The actor has also built a following through his work beyond television. His latest post has brought attention to the alleged robbery, with followers waiting for the further update he promised.
]]>For West Indies, Roston Chase was the only wicket-taking bowler as he dismissed Sharma in his first over.
Earlier, after winning the toss, West Indies captain Shai Hope said he was happy to bowl first and chase the score set by the Indian batters. He also touched upon the dew factor as a main reason to bowl first.
"We all know this (dew). Also, considering T20 cricket and how the West Indies have played, we're comfortable chasing. But again, we've got to look at the conditions we're playing in here in India. It's already a bit wet, so it's going to get even worse as the evening goes on. We're just going to try to put them under pressure with the ball and then chase them down. It's about trying to learn from the mistakes we made in the first game. One change. Forde is out, and Motie is in. Everyone's probably going to get a go on this tour. " Hope said.
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer said he was looking to bowl first too but was keen to see how his batters react to batting first. He also confirmed that the Indian team were going with the same team.
"Well, we would have looked to bowl first as well. But obviously, you have to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible. It's a pleasant evening, and there's a little bit of dew around, so hopefully it stays the same in the second innings as well. We've just discussed maintaining our standards throughout the 40 overs we play. We want to ensure we're completely focused on our approach. As I mentioned, we want to keep raising our standards every time we step onto the field. We want to challenge ourselves to keep getting better and make sure we win more matches. We're going with the same team." Iyer said.
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph
]]>A clip from the show has now gone viral, showing the politician sharing the background of his prolonged legal battle. He said, “We had a fight. It was a new marriage. We had a fight for three months. We were different. We got married under pressure. I was a minister at that time, Health Minister of Bihar. I didn't feel like going home. Sometimes I stayed at my friend's house. Sometimes I went somewhere else. She wouldn't let me leave the house early.”
He shared that his wife used to scream and shout at him. He said, “I used to pray at 6 or 7 in the morning. She didn't like it. She told me not to pray. She used to party till 4 or 5 in the morning. I got married in an arranged marriage. I had gone to the Vidhan Sabha. I came back home in the evening. I was entering the bedroom. She was chatting with a boy. She had an ex-boyfriend. She was chatting with him. She was sending him a heart message. She was sending him everything. I saw it all from a distance.”
He shared that even today, when there’s a fight and people raise their voices, he gets traumatised.
Tej Pratap Yadav is the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi. He has remained in the spotlight for his turbulent personal life and strained family relationships. He married Aishwarya Rai in May 2018. The marriage soon encountered serious difficulties, and Tej Pratap filed for divorce within months on the grounds of cruelty. The couple’s separation became a widely reported family controversy, with Aishwarya also making allegations against Tej Pratap, including claims of harassment.
In May 2025, Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled Tej Pratap from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for six years and announced that he was severing ties with him as a family member. The decision followed a now-deleted social media post claiming a 12-year relationship with another woman.
]]>Announcing the channel on his Instagram Story, Salman wrote, “Let's start from the beginning... my official YouTube channel. You'll find everything here, from A to Z.”
The announcement quickly caught the attention of his followers, with the channel reportedly crossing 14,000 subscribers within an hour of its launch. The profile describes Salman as a “Film actor. Artist. Painter. Humanitarian” and confirms that it is his official account.
The channel has already begun offering viewers a glimpse of what is in store, with 10 Shorts uploaded at launch. The initial videos showcase a lighter side of the actor, while the alphabet-themed announcement suggests that the platform could feature a mix of content spanning his personal interests and professional life.
Salman’s YouTube debut also places him among Bollywood celebrities who have built digital audiences outside their film careers. Stars such as Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha, Nora Fatehi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Farah Khan have used the platform to share everything from lifestyle videos and travel diaries to glimpses of their work.
Several South Indian actors, including Allu Arjun and Mohanlal, also have official channels, while television personalities such as Dipika Kakar, Shoaib Ibrahim, Jannat Zubair and Anushka Sen have cultivated audiences through vlogs and everyday content.
Away from his digital debut, Salman continues to balance his television and film commitments. He is currently hosting Bigg Boss 20, marking his 15th season as the face of the reality show. On the big screen, the actor will next appear in Maatrubhumi, previously titled Battle of Galwan. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film also stars Chitrangda Singh. A revised release date is awaited following a delay.
Salman is also set to headline filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally’s upcoming project, titled Monster. The film, which features Nayanthara, is scheduled for a theatrical release on Eid 2027. With his new YouTube channel, Salman is opening another avenue to reach his audience while continuing his work across films and television.
]]>Nana Patekar, who worked with Madhuri in the 1998 film Wajood, was also scheduled to shoot for the premiere episode over the weekend. He and Sonali were set to be among the show’s first celebrity guests, with more prominent Maharashtrian celebrities expected to appear in the coming months. After his demise, the premiere episode will now be graced by Sonali Bendre. Notably, despite their illustrious film careers, Madhuri and Sonali have never shared the screen in a film.
Following his passing, Madhuri shared her heartfelt condolences on Instagram, writing, “A great artist, a powerful personality and an unforgettable voice… With Nana Patekar’s passing, the film industry has lost a treasured and legendary actor. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. A heartfelt tribute.”
Patekar passed away on Thursday after suffering a severe cardiac arrest in Goa. He was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors tried to revive him for around 45 minutes, but he could not be saved. The actor’s mortal remains were brought to the cremation ground in Pune after his fans paid their last respects by offering garlands. He was cremated with full state honours at his Donje farmhouse in Pune on Thursday night. Panaji Police registered an Unnatural Death (UD) case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following the veteran actor’s death.
With a rare first-time pairing, personal revelations and a meaningful cause at its heart, the grand premiere promises an engaging start to the new chapter of Kon Honar Crorepati with Madhuri Dixit. Tune in to watch the grand premiere of Kon Honar Crorepati on October 12 at 9 pm on Sony Marathi and Sony LIV.
]]>Sharing his thoughts with JioStar, Chahal revealed that following Manchester United has remained an integral part of his life since his early years, noting how gathering alongside friends to watch matches lifts the overall passion of being a supporter.
"Manchester United has been a childhood love for me, so the Premier League is something I genuinely enjoy following whenever I get the time. One of my favourite things is getting my friends together, sitting with them and watching a big United game; there is always so much emotion and banter!" he said.
Reflecting on the recent Manchester Derby, Chahal admitted he genuinely thought United would seize the advantage after their opponents were reduced to ten men, only to experience frustration as the match slipped away.
"I watched the Manchester Derby recently. When City went down to ten men, I really felt United would find a way to get the result, and there were moments when it looked like we could take the game. To then see Erling Haaland score and the goal go through that whole VAR drama was painful as a United fan! But that’s football, sometimes you get the result you want, and sometimes you don’t," he remarked.
Despite the setback, the seasoned spinner remains upbeat about the team's capacity to reverse their fortunes, reserving special praise for Matheus Cunha's energetic displays and attacking drive.
"What I really like about this United team is the fight and the unpredictability. Matheus Cunha is someone I really admire, the way he plays with such energy, takes on defenders and keeps pushing the players around him. I genuinely believe this team can still surprise people. As a United fan since childhood, I’ll always believe in the team and keep backing them. That’s what being a football fan is all about," he concluded.
]]>After winning the toss, West Indies captain Shai Hope said he was happy to bowl first and chase the score set by the Indian batters. He also touched upon the dew factor as a main reason to bowl first.
"We all know this (dew). Also, considering T20 cricket and how the West Indies have played, we're comfortable chasing. But again, we've got to look at the conditions we're playing in here in India. It's already a bit wet, so it's going to get even worse as the evening goes on. We're just going to try to put them under pressure with the ball and then chase them down. It's about trying to learn from the mistakes we made in the first game. One change. Forde is out, and Motie is in. Everyone's probably going to get a go on this tour. " Hope said.
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer said he was looking to bowl first too but was keen to see how his batters react to batting first. He also confirmed that the Indian team were going with the same team.
"Well, we would have looked to bowl first as well. But obviously, you have to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible. It's a pleasant evening, and there's a little bit of dew around, so hopefully it stays the same in the second innings as well. We've just discussed maintaining our standards throughout the 40 overs we play. We want to ensure we're completely focused on our approach. As I mentioned, we want to keep raising our standards every time we step onto the field. We want to challenge ourselves to keep getting better and make sure we win more matches. We're going with the same team." Iyer said.
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
West Indies (Playing XI): Shai Hope(w/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Springer, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph
]]>In the video, Gupta addresses a woman in the audience as “Yadavni”, referring to her Yadav surname. When she confirms the term but says she does not like being called that, he reacts with surprise and asks her, “These are your cultural roots, right?”
The woman responds, “I don't like the sound of it.” Gupta then makes a remark about her husband, saying, “Bania husband hai tumhara (Your husband is a Bania).”
He subsequently turns his attention to her accent and asks whether she is from abroad or Gurgaon. Upon learning that she hails from Gurugram, he then adds, “Gurgaon se toh kis cheez ka attitude hai itna (If you are from Gurgaon, what is there to have so much attitude about)?”
Gaurav Gupta was absolutely brutal here. Bro really made her face reality! Bhaya bolne wali 🤣🤣 https://t.co/G204sURtLF
— Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) October 6, 2026
Mocking her way of speaking, Gupta says, “Your accent is something else, as if you have landed here straight from Oxford.”
His exchange did not go down well with netizens, who slammed him for mocking the woman. One wrote, “If your comedy depends on humiliating someone in the audience to make everyone else laugh, it isn’t clever comedy. Making people laugh takes talent. Making one person the joke is easy. The best humour leaves everyone laughing, including the person it is about.”
Another commented, “I have met men like him. They make fun of your accent and mock it just so they can have a try at talking like you. But the thing is, you’ll never be as confident n cool as us women. You’re unfunny, ugly m0rons who do demeaning shit like this n call it humour.”
A third user wrote, “You're not good at your job as a comedian, and people should probably not pay to see you.” Another wrote, “If he talked like that to my partner or a friend, I’d ensure he never gets to speak in public ever again. Wonder how her husband laughed through this entire bit.”
]]>Beyond the series loss, the home side will face serious concerns regarding the ongoing batting slumps of top-order trio Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, all of whom failed to deliver for the second consecutive outing.
Opting to bat, Australia A posted a competitive total of 275 all out in 49.5 overs, anchored by a crucial 101-run partnership for the second wicket between Konstas (67 off 88 balls) and Philippe (58 off 58 balls).
Philippe recovered brilliantly from his low score in the opening match, executing brilliant strokes including a memorable inside-out drive off Nishant Sindhu before bringing up his half-century in 53 deliveries by pulling Yash Thakur to the boundary. Konstas played a slightly more measured anchor role, highlighted by a clean pull shot for six off pacer Arshad Khan.
Although both set batters eventually departed, Philippe falling to Sindhu and Konstas dismissed by Arshad, leaving the tourists at 168 for three in the 30th over, India's bowlers managed to restrict the death-overs momentum. They claimed the remaining seven wickets while conceding 107 runs in the final 20 overs, with Arshad finishing as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/56.
Chasing a target of 276 was achievable, but India A suffered a disastrous start, sliding to 30 for three inside nine overs following the cheap dismissals of Devdutt Padikkal (1), Gaikwad (12), and Sudharsan (13).
Rajat Patidar stood firm as the solitary experienced hand in the middle order, compiling a gritty 67 from 82 deliveries. However, he lacked sustained assistance from the other end. The hosts' highest partnership was a 51-run stand for the fifth wicket between Patidar and Sindhu.
Once Spencer Johnson removed Patidar, any realistic hopes of an Indian recovery vanished. Johnson led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3/35, also accounting for Padikkal and Suryansh Shedge, as India A's innings folded at 206 with nearly five overs to spare.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The two ministers also exchanged perspectives on global developments, strengthening multilateral engagement and partnership between India and the African Union.
"Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at his office today. During the meeting, the Ministers discussed ways to further expand and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in education and culture, trade and investment, and digitalisation," Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.
"The Indian Foreign Minister expressed his appreciation for Ethiopia's impactful participation in the recent BRICS Summit hosted by India," it added.
EAM Jaishankar noted that the Strategic Partnership between India and Ethiopia is based on shared values, common aspirations and South-South solidarity.
"Delighted to meet Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. The India - Ethiopia Strategic Partnership is based on our shared values, common aspirations and historic South - South solidarity. Had wide-ranging discussions on strengthening our bilateral ties, covering trade, investment, development projects to infrastructure, maritime, security, technology and culture. Also exchanges perspectives on global developments, as well as strengthening our multilateral engagement and India - African Union partnership," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X following the meeting.
Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar arrived in Addis Ababa and expressed his keenness to advance strategic partnership with Ethiopia through productive engagements. He arrived in Ethiopia after concluding his visit to Cote d'Ivoire.
"Hello Addis Ababa! Delighted to arrive in Ethiopia. Thank State Minister Berhanu Tsegaye for the warm reception. Look forward to productive engagements to advance our Strategic Partnership," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
Tsegaye noted that EAM Jaishankar's visit will include impactful discussions aimed at taking the multifaceted bilateral partnership between India and Ethiopia to greater heights.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during his visit to Addis Ababa, EAM Jaishankar will hold meeting with Ethiopia's leadership to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral ties and exchange perspectives on regional and global matters of mutual interest. He will also chair the Regional Heads of Mission (HoMs) Conference in Addis Ababa.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>RM acknowledged the excitement surrounding BTS’ first visit to Peru but said the situation had become difficult for the members and their staff. He also extended his appeal to fans at the group’s upcoming tour stops.
안녕하세요 라틴 아메리카의 여러분, 저희는 지금 페루에 와 있습니다. 인생 처음으로 페루에 오는 거라, 너무 설레고 기쁜 마음인데요 ! 지금 저희가 묵는 호텔 앞에 종일 내내 상주하시는 분들 때문에 멤버들과 스탭들이 굉장히 힘들어합니다. 객실 안까지 시끄러워서 다들 잠도 잘 자지 못하고 있어요. 뿐만 아니라 같은 호텔에 투숙하는 투숙객 분들께도 저희가 굉장한 민폐가 되고 있습니다. 반갑게 환영해주시는 마음과 열정은 감사하지만, 저희가 충분히 쉬고 수면을 취하지 못하면 여러분과 함께하는 공연에 지장이 가게 됩니다. 그러니 부디, 리마뿐만 아니라 앞으로 가는 칠레, 브라질, 아르헨티나, 또 후의 아시아의 여러 나라들에서도 호텔 앞에 계속 계시지 말아주셨으면 합니다. 부탁드립니다. 세상에서 가장 멋진 팬들인 아미분들이라면 이해해주시고, 또 그러지 않으실 거라고 믿고 있겠습니다. 보다 서로가 성숙하고 자랑스러운 관계가 될 수 있었으면 좋겠어요. 저희는 오늘 공연도 최선을 다해볼게요. 항상 감사하고 사랑합니다. Los amo.
— RM (@01rkive) October 8, 2026
Welcoming fans in Peru, RM wrote, “Hello, Latin America, we are now in Peru. It’s my first time coming to Peru, so I’m really excited and happy.” However, he explained that fans gathering outside the group’s accommodation had made it difficult for everyone to get adequate sleep. According to the singer, the problem had begun during the group’s previous stop in Colombia and continued in Lima.
“Right now, because of the people who stay stationed in front of our hotel all day long, the members and staff are having a really tough time. It’s so noisy that it’s reaching all the way inside the rooms, and no one has been able to get a good night’s sleep,” he said.
BTS RM added that the crowds were also inconveniencing other people staying at the property. While expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, he emphasised that rest was essential before the group’s performances. “We are truly grateful for your warm welcome and enthusiasm, but if we do not get enough rest and sleep, it will affect the performances we are able to present to you,” he wrote. Recently, he launched his first-ever museum exhibition with his personal collection.
The singer asked fans not to gather outside the group’s hotels in the remaining Latin American destinations, including Chile, Brazil and Argentina. He also extended the request to the Asian countries on the tour schedule. Addressing ARMY directly, RM expressed confidence that fans would understand the need for boundaries between the group and its supporters.
“I hope ARMYs, the coolest fans in the world, will understand, and I believe and hope they will. I hope we can become a more mature relationship,” he wrote. The large crowd in Lima may also have been influenced by a fan-organised drone show reportedly planned near the Larcomar shopping centre in the Miraflores district. According to accounts shared on X, the event had been announced weeks earlier and coincided with a national public holiday. The location was reportedly close to BTS’ hotel, bringing large numbers of people into the surrounding area.
BTS RM ended his message by promising to give his best at the performance and thanking fans for their continued support. Signing off in Spanish, he wrote, “Thank you and love you, always.”
]]>In a post on X, the police department described the message as “An Open Letter to Every Citizen”, adding, “Because beyond every uniform, every opinion and every disagreement, we’re all human first.”
An Open Letter to Every Citizen ❤️ Because beyond every uniform, every opinion and every disagreement, we’re all human first. @LtGovDelhi #WorldPostDay #DPUpdates https://t.co/3C3UGdm6pF
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 9, 2026
The message highlighted the importance of recognising shared human values despite differences in opinions and perspectives.
The post comes amid heightened security preparations in the national capital ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, with demonstrators demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier on Friday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens to participate in the proposed demonstration, alleging that votes were being deleted on a large scale under the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Kejriwal accused the Centre of undermining democracy, alleging that votes belonging to people who did not support the BJP were being deleted while fake votes were being added. These allegations were made by the AAP leader and were not independently established in his remarks.
"I appeal to all the people across the entire country that the way the BJP government at the Centre is playing with our democracy, people's votes are being deleted on a mass scale. Those who don't vote for the BJP have their votes deleted, while fake votes are added. This was happening openly under Gyanesh Kumar,” Kejriwal told reporters.
The AAP National Convenor appealed to citizens across the country to gather at Jantar Mantar in large numbers, stressing that the proposed protest was not about any individual or political party but concerned the country as a whole.
“The entire country is demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. I appeal to everyone, all citizens across the nation, to gather in maximum numbers at Jantar Mantar. This is not about any single individual or party; it is about the country,” he said.
Kejriwal also confirmed that he would participate in the demonstration with his family and urged members of the public to join the protest.
“Protest is beginning at Jantar Mantar. I will be going, my entire family will be going, and I urge all of you to join as well," Kejriwal added.
The remarks come after Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed October 10 demonstration, citing the short notice given for the application, alleged non-compliance with directions during an earlier protest and prevailing law-and-order concerns.
On Friday, October 9, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke reiterated that the organisation would proceed with its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar despite the denial of permission.
Dipke asserted that the demonstration would take place regardless of whether police permission was granted and said activists were prepared to face detention or arrest.
Questioning the security measures introduced ahead of the proposed protest, Dipke alleged that restrictions on public transport and movement in the national capital would inconvenience ordinary citizens.
"What is this fear? Why are you this scared? You are scared of the youth in the country. You shut down trains, you shut down metro; what should one do?" he said.
He also questioned the restrictions on metro services, railway operations and roads, arguing that such measures could themselves create difficulties for commuters.
"Is Delhi a property of Narendra Modi or Amit Shah? Is this their ancestral property? Is this their paternal property? On one hand, you say that due to the protest, people are facing inconvenience, and on the other hand, you shut down all the metro, you shut down all the railways, you block all the roads. Now, won't there be inconvenience for people?" he said.
Dipke maintained that CJP activists were prepared to face detention or arrest in connection with the proposed demonstration, reiterating that the organisation would not withdraw its protest plans despite the denial of permission.
"How many people will they detain? Arrest me, detain me! Saurabh is ready, Ashutosh is ready. Arrest me, detain me!" he said.
(With ANI inputs)
]]>Saba recalled, "It happened very suddenly. I didn’t have any pre-symptoms or any conditions that I think led up to it. One day, I went out and thought the problem was with my stomach, which has always been a sensitive point for me. I thought I had eaten or drunk something that hadn’t agreed with me. I suddenly fainted."
Recalling how she initially mistook her fainting episodes for blood pressure issues, Saba shared an incident when things took a different turn. She said, “I could feel myself becoming very uncomfortable, so I turned to a friend and said, ‘I don’t think I’m quite okay. Maybe we should head home.’ We were about to go out, but suddenly everything went blank. When I regained consciousness, I had already fallen on the road, just outside the building."
It took Saba nearly 20 to 25 minutes to recover from the episode before undergoing an MRI scan. What followed came as a shock to her. "It was something completely unexpected that happened to me at the age of 27, without any warning," she said.
It was not easy for the 27-year-old Saba to process that she would have to undergo brain surgery. Sharing how she was feeling at that moment, Saba said, “Your life suddenly goes numb because nothing feels normal after that. One day, you’re fine, and the next day, you’re told that you’re going to have brain surgery. It’s not something as simple as having your appendix removed. It shatters you in a way, but it also empowers you because you have to deal with it."
"I realised that I was very emotional. I would suddenly find myself crying without knowing why. You are trying to process news that you never expected to receive. What happened to me came with absolutely no warning," Saba added, sharing that she was scared of becoming dependent on someone. So, she asked the doctor whether there was any other alternative to surgery.
Recalling the conversation, she shared, “I asked the doctor, ‘What would you do if you had to do anything further?’ He said radiation was an option. I asked him, "Why don’t we just do everything while I’m here?’ Amma looked at me and said, ‘What’s with her?’ I just wanted to finish it. I didn’t want anything left behind."
]]>She shared photographs while working on her Diwali gifting collection of candles. Taking to Instagram, Twinkle spoke about balancing her writing commitments with her entrepreneurial venture, describing herself as a "jack of many trades" who has also become a "candle wali." "I'm a jack of many trades and the master of one. Writing will always be my main gig but between deadlines, I also became a candle wali," she wrote.
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Talking about her work on the festive collection, the 'Mela' actress revealed that she has been experimenting with different fragrances, jars, labels, and ribbons to ensure every detail is just right. "I've been working on our Diwali gifting collection, which is also an excuse to play with fragrances, jars, labels, and ribbons. Clearly, I need my glasses now to make sure everything is indeed perfect," she added.
Twinkle also shared her thoughts on how fragrance can shape the atmosphere of a home, revealing that the scent of mogra dominates her own space. "The first thing you notice when you walk into a home is the fragrance. Mine smells like a basket of mogra. The perks of owning a candle company. Now I want to know what you think a Diwali candle should smell like? Champa? Mogra? Sandalwood?."
She then invited her followers to share their preferences for festive candle fragrances, asking whether they would choose champa, mogra, or sandalwood for a Diwali candle.
Twinkle shared a series of pictures capturing candid moments of herself writing and making candles for her Diwali gifting collection. In the pictures, she is seen striking candid poses while immersed in her writing and experimenting with candle-making, offering a peek into her creative pursuits beyond her writing desk.
After bidding farewell to acting, Twinkle Khanna carved a niche for herself in the literary world. She ventured into writing in 2015 with her debut non-fiction book, Mrs Funnybones, and later released The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, a collection of short stories.
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]]>Videos of Dulquer Salmaan shooting in Visakhapatnam have surfaced online, showing his interactions with fans. In one video, a woman is seen trying to cross the security cordon to get a picture with the actor. His team can be seen getting annoyed as they try to pull her back. Another video also shows Dulquer’s security forming a chain around him as he walks to his vanity van. A girl can still be seen requesting a photo with him, saying, “Sir, sir, sir,” but the actor continues walking.
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However, other videos show Dulquer interacting with fans. He is seen posing for selfies, greeting people and accepting a shawl gifted to him as a traditional gesture in Andhra Pradesh.
Dulquer Salmaan is in Visakhapatnam with Pooja Hegde to shoot for Sri Sri. The film is directed by debutant Ravi Nelakuditi and produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the SLV Cinemas banner. The movie also features Ramya Krishnan, Jagapathi Babu, Dheekshith Shetty, Rao Ramesh and Sachin Khedekar.
Meanwhile, Dulquer has Aakasamlo Oka Tara, directed by Pavan Sadineni, in his lineup. The film will hit screens worldwide on November 20 this year. It may be recalled that the makers of the film introduced Satvika Veeravalli as the lead a few months ago.
The actor was last seen in the Malayalam film I’m Game. Unfortunately, the Onam release also opened to mixed reviews. A fan of the actor alleged on X that Wayfarer Films was responsible for the film's failure. Defending his production team, the actor said he would stand by his colleagues and take responsibility for the outcome.
"I'll always stand by my team, and if you want to blame someone, you can blame me. No production house or actor in world cinema intends to make mistakes or a bad film."
]]>While Rath secured 1,64,427 votes, Congress’s Milan Pradhan came in the second position, securing 41,674 votes.
CPI’s Santi Gopal Giri was in the third position, receiving 5,779 votes, followed by All India Secular Front’s (AISF) Ali Md Sabe Miraj Khan in the fourth position, securing 1,607 votes.
Ritabrata Banerjee-led Democratic Trinamool Congress finished in the fifth position, securing just 853 votes.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Mamata All India Trinamool Congress was not in the electoral race at Nandigram this time, as its candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination at the last moment, following which Mamata Banerjee announced her support towards the Congress candidate.
This is the highest ever victory margin by any winning candidate from Nandigram since 1967. The previous record was held by current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in 2016, when he got elected from Nandigram as a Trinamool Congress candidate by a margin of 81,230 votes.
“Before the bypolls, I predicted that the victory margin for the BJP candidate this time would surpass my own record in 2016. This is what exactly happened. This would not have been possible unless our candidate had secured the majority of the minority votes in Nandigram,” said CM Adhikari while giving his reactions on the Nandigram assembly polls
In the assembly elections earlier this year, CM Adhikari was elected from Nandigram by a margin of just 9,665 or 50.37 per cent of the total votes polled then. So statistically, in the bypolls this time, BJP witnessed 25.79 per cent positive vote swing, with Rath securing 75.94 per cent of the total votes polled.
Earlier this year, CM Adhikari was elected simultaneously from Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency in South Kolkata, defeating Mamata Banerjee by a margin of little over 15,000 votes. Later he decided to retain Bhabanipur, thus necessitating bypolls at Nandigram.
Hasirani Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant of Suvendu Adhikari, who was assassinated at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on May 6.
The final result of bypolls for Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district of West Bengal is yet to be announced.
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]]>Sharing the moment on Instagram, Ghai said it was a memorable day celebrating cinema at the institute, made even more special by Hema Malini's presence and her heartfelt tribute to the veteran star. The filmmaker also recalled how the audiovisual tribute prepared by students of Whistling Woods International moved everyone present, as they remembered Dharmendra and his contribution to Indian cinema.
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"It was a great day for celebrate cinema at Whistling Woods International when Hema malini ji came personally to pay the tribute to mr Dharmendra - a HE man of Indian cinema. An unforgettable actor and a man we all loved. Yesterday we all got emotional with his AV made by students of whistling," he wrote.
Posting a photograph on social media, Ghai posed with Hema alongside a portrait of Dharmendra, capturing the special moment at the film institute.
For the unversed, Dharmendra died at the age of 89 on November 24, 2025, at his Mumbai residence after battling age-related health issues.
Hema Malini had earlier spoken about the constant support and encouragement she received from her late husband, Dharmendra, throughout her illustrious career. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the 'Sholay' actress recalled how Dharmendra always believed in her abilities and encouraged her to move forward without doubting herself.
"Dharam Ji always used to tell me, 'Never think that just because you're doing fewer films, it's the end of the road. You're doing your dance performances and so many other things-just keep going. It's wonderful. He was always very encouraging and inspiring by the fact that I was constantly performing or keeping myself engaged in one activity or another. He genuinely appreciated it and would always say, 'Just keep doing all of this. Don't stop," she said.
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]]>Section 3(5) of the BNS was invoked in 22 of the 27 FIRs, while Section 223(a) was cited in 18 cases. Sections 221 and 132 were invoked in 17 FIRs each, the compilation showed.
The figures indicate that the four provisions featured prominently in cases registered in connection with the protests.
Section 3(5) of the BNS deals with acts carried out by several people in furtherance of a common intention. Section 223(a) concerns disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, in circumstances covered by the provision.
Section 221 relates to obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions, while Section 132 deals with assault or criminal force used to deter a public servant from discharging their duty.
The sections invoked vary from case to case, and their inclusion in an FIR does not by itself establish the guilt of those named or accused.
27 FIRs registered in 7 days of protests against CEC; four sections invoked most frequently. Out of the 27 FIRs, Section 3(5) of the BNS was invoked in 22 cases, Section 223(a) in 18 cases, and Sections 221 and 132 in 17 cases each. A total of 27 FIRs were registered within seven days regarding the protests against the CEC. According to a compilation of the FIRs, four sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were invoked most frequently in these cases: Delhi Police
— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2026
The 27 FIRs were registered over a seven-day period in connection with protests against the CEC, according to the Delhi Police compilation.
Protests have centred on allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has denied permission for a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party and some student organisations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10, a senior police officer said on Friday, reported the PTI.
At a press conference, Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi range, Nupur Prasad, cited late submission of application and violations of rules during a previous protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as reasons for denying the permission.
"We have received an application from Saurav Das, Co-Convener of Cockroach Janta Party. The application is regarding an intimation for a protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar," she said, as per the PTI.
The protest is regarding demanding accountability from the CEC. This intimation was considered and it was found that it was given at very short notice, she said.
(with ANI and PTI inputs)
]]>Chieng is expected to return as Edison “Eddie” Cheng, Nick’s status-conscious cousin from Hong Kong. The return of other familiar cast members, including Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Gemma Chan, has yet to be officially confirmed.
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Adele Lim, who co-wrote the 2018 film, will return as showrunner and executive producer. She will be joined by original director Jon M. Chu, author Kevin Kwan, and producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.
Lim expressed excitement about expanding the story beyond the film, which introduced audiences to the complicated relationships and lavish lifestyles of Kwan’s characters. “It’s a ‘Crazy Rich’ family reunion! This series is the sequel we’ve been waiting for, but instead of just one movie, we get eight episodes to delve into the characters and worlds of Kevin Kwan’s brilliant books,” she said.
Chu also marked the announcement with an emotional Instagram post, reflecting on the impact the original film had on his career and the people involved in making it. “Eight years ago, Crazy Rich Asians changed my life, and I got to make it with the most creative and hilarious group of people I’ve ever known,” he wrote.
Acknowledging the long-running demand for another instalment, the filmmaker added, “Finally, I get to answer the question I’ve been asked almost every day for eight years: ‘When are we getting the sequel?’ Well… bok bok b----, we’re back.”
The series will draw from Kwan’s broader book trilogy and continue after the events of the 2018 film. With eight episodes planned, the format is expected to offer more room to explore the characters, family dynamics and scandals that shape the lives of Singapore’s elite.
The original Crazy Rich Asians, released in 2018, became a major milestone for Asian representation in Hollywood. Featuring an ensemble led by Wu, Golding and Yeoh, the romantic comedy was the first major Hollywood studio film in 25 years to feature an all-Asian principal cast. It went on to earn more than USD 239 million worldwide.
With Lim and Chu returning alongside Kwan, the upcoming series brings together key creative forces behind the original film. The expansion into television also allows the franchise to explore more of the books’ sprawling social world and the relationships that made the story a global success. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027. HBO has not yet announced a release date, and further casting details are awaited.
]]>The ‘Toxic’ hitmaker took to her Instagram, and shared videos of herself enjoying the rides and posed for photos with Sean Preston Federline, 21, and 20-year-old Jayden Federline at the Tennessee attraction, which was founded by the late country music legend Dolly Parton in 1986.
She wrote in the caption, “Wow wow!!! I didn’t know this place existed, so incredibly cool and exciting… but extremely hot and my skirt is too big for me… family outings!!! DOLLYWOOD IS ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!! (sic)".
The 44-year-old singer's sons, who she has with ex-husband Kevin Federline, both celebrated their birthdays a few days apart from one another last month, and Britney marked the occasion by expressing her desire to be the "best mommy" to her kids.
Earlier, the pop icon spoke about an incident during a recent outing, saying that she was deliberately kept waiting before being led outside at a moment when photographers were ready to capture her.
She took to her Instagram, where she shared a meme with the text overlay that read, “OMG !!!! YOU SCARED THE S**T OUT OF ME”.
Taking to the caption section, she expressed frustration over what she described as a “huge set up” and sarcastically thanked the people around her for making her feel “beautiful” before ending her post with a blunt message to America.
“Don’t just understand, take the time each day and second to REALLY UNDERSTAND how loved each and every one of us are. So loved in a country where we as humanity are never plotted against. Know you might have to stay in the ladies room a bit longer because for some reason your instincts tell you the security you’re with has oddly made it an extra 15 minutes for your food to be paid for. Dear Jesus knows the real innocence on my face to proceed with only food that’s supposed to be served hot but is dreadfully cold … Just happy to be there. When I decide to leave, a birdie tells me, ‘Yo inspector gadget! Remember that pink panther in grade school?’… Huge set up”, she added.
She revealed that after she left the bathroom she was “held outside” for pictures.
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]]>Kagiso Rabada ruled out as South Africa turns to 2 spinners for first Test match against Australia
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was officially ruled out, and world champion South Africa confirmed it was fielding two spinners against Australia in the first Test match at Kingsmead.
Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have been paired at a venue which has favoured spin in recent years. They last played together in South Africa's last Test last November, a 408-run win in Guwahati that clinched a first series win in India in 25 years. Australia will face South Africa in a three-match series.
New Zealand's Mark Chapman, Zak Foulkes ruled out of T20I series against Team India
New Zealand have suffered a major setback ahead of their upcoming T20I series against India, with Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes ruled out due to injuries.
The five-match T20I series will begin on October 22 in Christchurch, which will also host the second match on October 24.
Manav-Manush lose in WTT China Smash semifinals
India's Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah suffered a straight-game defeat against South Korea's Lim Jonghoon and Oh Junsung in the men's doubles semifinals at the WTT China Smash.
The second-seeded Indian pair went down 8-11 6-11 3-11 to the Koreans in 20 minutes.
Yuzi Chahal backs Manchester United to turn their season around after a poor start
Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal remained optimistic regarding Manchester United's campaign, firmly supporting his club to recapture their form in the Premier League after the international break. Chahal was recently spotted experiencing the Manchester Derby live from the stands at Old Trafford.
Hockey India senior men's National Championship 2026 to begin in Jhansi
The 16th Hockey India senior men's National Championship 2026 is set to begin on October 10 in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi with 29 teams competing across three divisions. The tournament will conclude on October 21, with the Division ‘A’ final scheduled for the final day of competition.
]]>The filmmaker spoke with IANS during the promotions of the series, and shared that the author is his childhood hero.
He told IANS, “It's incredible. Stephen King has been my hero since I was a kid. Like he's very much the reason I want to tell stories. And so for something like this, this is our 4th time working together. The conversations at the very beginning are like, ‘I'm not going to do anything unless Steve wants to do it, I'm not going to risk this relationship at this point for anything’. So the conversations were really exciting”.
He further mentioned, “We both had the same feeling at the beginning, which was why do we have to do ‘Carrie’? Like it's been done. It's been done a lot. It's been done perfectly. But I just couldn't stop thinking about the idea. And I really felt like I had a very new way into it that required a lot of changes. And that's where I was scared to have the conversation, because I've never done that with Stephen King's work before. I've always tried to be very faithful. But I said, ‘I think I have a way into Carrie’. It's a lot of changes. It's very different. But here it is”.
The series follows the socially isolated teenager as she navigates high school, bullying and the oppressive influence of her mother, Margaret, while discovering her telekinetic abilities. Flanagan updates the story for the social-media era, bringing cyberbullying, online humiliation and modern teenage pressures into the narrative.
The series expands several characters and explores the psychological roots of cruelty, victimhood and revenge more deeply than earlier adaptations. While Brian De Palma’s 1976 film remains the iconic version, the series format gives the story considerably more room to explore its characters and themes.
The series is available to stream on Prime Video.
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]]>Taking to its X timeline, Zhagaram Studios, which is producing the film, wrote, "It’s time to vibe! First single from #Scene is out now! Aathi Iva Yarraa (Tamil) Ammo Idi Evarraa (Telugu)."
The song, which has been set to tune by Sushin Shyam, has lyrics by Rajpriyan, who has also sung it himself. The film is slated to hit screens worldwide on November 6 for Deepavali this year.
A few days ago, the makers of the film had released the title teaser of the film.
The teaser released opened with a voiceover saying, "You guys keep showcasing his talent to hide and mask his despicable character."
The teaser then showed Suriya arriving on a scene of crime, dressed as a cop. "Who killed whom?," he asks a constable, who replies, "You are here to find that out."
The teaser next showed a jail warden warning inmates about Suriya, who plays a character called Inbaraj. "When suspects see Inbaraj sir, they start behaving in an erratic fashion," he says and is seen issuing a warning to prisoners while asking them to get back into their cells. "No one should step outside. Inbaraj sir is coming."
Suriya tells a prisoner, "Take a good look at my face. To you, I might be the only cop to have ever arrested you. But to me, you are one among the 900 odd criminals I've locked up in prison."
For the unaware, the film went on floors with a traditional pooja here in the city in December last year.
The film, which is being produced by Zhagaram Studios, was initially being referred to as Suriya 47.
Scene has been one of the most anticipated projects of the year, with fans and audiences showing immense curiosity and excitement ever since the collaboration between Suriya and Jithu Madhavan first came into discussion.
Actor Suriya plays the lead in the film with Nazriya Nazim playing the female lead. Rising actor Naslen, who has gained attention with multiple successful outings, plays an important role in this film, which will also feature actors John Vijay, and Anandaraj among others.
The film boasts of a sound technical team. Cinematography for the film is by Vineeth Augustian while music will be by Sushin Shyam. The film will have production design by Ashwini Kale and editing by Ajmal Sabu.
Chethan D Souza is the stunt choreographer for this project, which has triggered huge expectations.
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]]>The statement comes after Martinez accused Berry of physically abusing their son in an alleged September 26 incident. Berry has denied the allegations, and the competing accounts remain part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
According to Page Six, Nahla, Berry’s daughter with Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, said she had lived with Maceo for most of his life and had never seen her mother physically harm him. “I have never seen my mom hit, slap, choke, grab, or physically abuse Maceo in any way,” she stated in the declaration.
Describing Berry’s parenting, Nahla called her a “loving and devoted parent” who could be strict when necessary and expected her children to follow rules and treat others respectfully. She also reflected on her own relationship with the actor, saying, “I never doubted my mom’s love for me. She consistently provided me with stability, support, guidance, and unconditional love.” Nahla added that Berry had encouraged her children to maintain relationships with their fathers and had not spoken negatively about either man to them.
The declaration also refers to an alleged physical altercation between Martinez and Aubry in 2012. Nahla recalled witnessing the incident during her childhood and expressed concern about the effect the current legal dispute could have on Maceo and the wider family.
Martinez’s allegations stem from an incident he claims occurred on September 26. In a court filing seeking a domestic violence restraining order and sole custody of Maceo, he alleged that Berry jumped on their son, placed her hands around his neck and choked him. He also claimed there had been previous instances of physical abuse.
A court subsequently granted Martinez a temporary restraining order against Berry, imposing restrictions on her contact with Maceo while the matter proceeds. Berry has strongly denied the allegations in her own court declaration, stating that she has never physically, emotionally or otherwise abused her son. Her legal team has also called Martinez’s claims meritless and misleading.
According to Berry’s account, the September 26 incident involved playful roughhousing after she entered Maceo’s room to ask him to stop playing a virtual reality game. The former couple married in 2013 and separated in 2015, with their divorce finalised in 2023 following years of legal proceedings. They had previously shared custody of Maceo.
The court is scheduled to revisit the restraining order and related custody matters at a hearing on October 16. The allegations have not been established as fact, and the legal dispute remains ongoing.
]]>The new framework separately provides for disgorgement of wrongful gains, loss avoided or loss caused to investors, removing the existing double counting of such amounts when calculating settlement terms.
Under the new framework, settlement terms will comprise the settlement amount, disgorgement of wrongful gains, wherever applicable, and remedial and regulatory terms (RRT), earlier referred to as non-monetary terms, according to a notification dated October 6.
The new formula for calculating the settlement amount will be based on a base amount linked to the minimum penalty prescribed for the violation under securities laws. The base amount will be adjusted using factors related to the stage of proceedings, regulatory action, gravity of the violation, aggravating factors and mitigating factors, besides legal costs.
Sebi said wrongful gains, loss avoided or loss caused to investors will not be included while determining the base amount. Such amounts, where quantified, will instead be disgorged separately.
This removes the existing double counting of such amounts when computing settlement terms.
The regulator has also introduced a fast-track settlement route based on both monetary thresholds and the nature of violations, including certain disclosure-related violations.
"Fast track settlement shall be of two types --violation based fast track settlement and monetary threshold based fast track settlement," Sebi said in its notification.
Under the monetary threshold-based route, cases where the settlement amount does not exceed Rs 10 lakh will move directly from the internal committee to a panel of whole-time members.
For violation-based fast-track settlements, Sebi will issue a notice offering the entity an opportunity to settle the matter by paying the amount specified in the notice. The settlement order will be passed by the panel of members after payment of the settlement amount.
The regulations also provide for settlement of cases involving misrepresentation of financial statements or diversion of funds, subject to appropriate remedial and regulatory measures, including disclosures and bringing back diverted funds.
The Settlement Regulations, 2026 are expected to make the settlement framework simpler, less discretionary, easier to understand, more predictable and also fast track less serious matters while ensuring that settlement continues to serve as an effective resolution mechanism with an appropriate deterrent against violators of securities laws.
This followed after the board of Sebi approved new rules in its meeting last month.
]]>Recently, the actress was seen outside a studio in Mumbai and was surprised to see paparazzi there. Seeing the paparazzi, Bipasha asked them to make way for her. However, a social media page claimed she got angry at the paps. The actress has now shared a statement and clarified her reaction.
Sharing the video on her Instagram Stories, Bipasha wrote, “Please tell me what is this background music? Someone is going to work and likes to be on time, but just because we question your presence doesn’t mean I am angry. You choose to ignore my thank you at the end conveniently. Anyways, I have no issues with paps ever. Most of them are very respectful towards me always.”
A few months back, in a conversation with Elle, Bipasha spoke about embracing motherhood and opened up about the standards for women's bodies and how they become topics for discussion on social media. "I went through major, major trolling. A few insensitive paps took really bizarre pictures of me. They don’t see how much effort the woman must be putting in, how much they have to do with a baby, with their life, with their lifestyle and also their personal pressures. Nobody really cares. Everybody expects you to bounce back.”
Workwise, Bipasha is set to return to the screen with Hansal Mehta’s crime thriller Barabanki. Sources reveal the actor began shooting for the series in Mumbai last month. Adapted from The Barabanki Narcos: Busting India’s Most Notorious Drug Cartel, written by retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Aloke Lal, the crime thriller is set in 1984. It tells the inspiring story of how Lal led a massive opium raid operation in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district. It also stars Sunny Kaushal and Vishal Jethwa.
She has been on a sabbatical after welcoming her daughter, Devi, in 2022.
]]>A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, that the entire Delhi has been directed to be locked down and that citizens have a fundamental right to protest.
He said that as per their information, there is an order for the closure of 57 metro stations and cancellation of trains coming to Delhi.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and advocate Prashant Bhushan also joined Sibal and urged the apex court to take note of the proposed closure of metro stations, saying the entire Delhi is being barricaded.
The entire city cannot be shut down because police apprehend something and are unable to maintain law and order, the lawyers said.
Justice Bagchi said if the protest organisers are before the court, they can be asked how many people are expected, they should be unarmed and authorities can be directed to regulate the protest.
"If the protest is without permission, then it is not in accordance with law," the bench said, pointing out that it is not unconstitutional.
Justice Bagchi said that for any restraining order, it needs to hear all the parties and balance the equities.
Sibal, Singhvi, Bhushan and senior advocates Vrinda Grover and Gopal Sankaranarayanan said they will come back at 2 pm with a proper petition against closure of stations, roads and barricading.
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]]>The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest against the NEET paper leak culminated in the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister.
The top court also refused the prayer seeking a declaration that police, like the judiciary, exercise sovereign and independent functions in maintaining law and order and investigating crimes, free from interference unless their actions are contrary to law.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard the matter involving a plea concerning the investigation into FIRs registered in connection with the protests at Jantar Mantar.
The petition made the Centre, the Commissioner of Police, the Delhi government, Shailendra Mani Tripathi, one of the PIL petitioners in the CJP protest case, and CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke as parties.
Advocate Mathews Nedumpara, appearing for petitioner L Ramanathan, questioned the maintainability of the PIL seeking judicial intervention in the absence of actual litigants.
He said that people approached the court as though it were their private property.
The CJI, responding to submissions, defended the court's decision to invoke Article 142 of the Constitution to quash certain FIRs.
"There is no guarantee that we keep passing 100 per cent correct orders. You say we should not have invoked Article 142 and quashed FIRs...please appreciate, these are young students.
"We have to see their parents, their future. We don't want them to come to court... You have not seen our order in the case of members of legislative assembly/Parliament," the bench said.
Citing the example of Himachal Pradesh, the CJI said some politicians sat on a dharna there and caused loss to public property.
"But when there was Covid, people of this country were not ready to face this kind of crisis... so people reacted in a way they could react. The High Court declined to quash (the FIRs), but, we allowed, saying they are not hardened criminals," he said.
The bench said that the plea was seeking review of the order quashing FIRs by invoking Article 142 of the Constitution.
The petition sought a declaration that police enjoy an independent sphere of authority in maintaining law and order, investigating crimes and bringing offenders to justice, comparable to the judiciary's independence in administering justice.
It said that just as the executive cannot interfere with judicial functions, police functions in their designated domain should not be interfered with unless police act contrary to law or with mala fide intent, matters which may involve the adjudication of disputed questions of fact.
"Issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus directing Respondent Nos. 1 to 3 (Centre, Delhi government, city police) and to ensure that the investigation into the FIR(s) registered in connection with the Jantar Mantar Protests is conducted independently, fairly, and in accordance with law," the plea said.
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]]>The 30-share BSE Sensex surged 879.09 points, or 1.23 per cent, to settle at 72,472.33. The 50-share NSE Nifty soared 288.65 points, or 1.30 per cent, to end at 22,520.45.
"Benchmark indices staged a strong recovery, witnessing a sharp intraday surge supported by buying in IT stocks following TCS's quarterly earnings announcement. Positive momentum extended to the broader market, with broad-based buying supporting the rebound after the recent selling pressure," Pabitro Mukherjee, Deputy Vice President Research, Bajaj Broking said.
From the 30 Sensex firms, only one ended lower, as Reliance Industries was the only laggard. ITC, Tata Consultancy Services, Adani Ports, Infosys, HCL Tech were the major gainers. Shares of ITC jumped 4.78 per cent. TCS shares gained 4.23 per cent after the company posted a 15 per cent growth in its Q2FY27 net profit.
"Domestic equities staged a relief rally, supported by value buying and short covering after the recent sharp correction. IT stocks outperformed on the back of a strong start to the Q2 earnings season and rising confidence in AI-driven revenue opportunities," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments said.
On Thursday, the Sensex plunged 1,045.46 points, or 1.44 per cent, to settle at 71,593.24, while the Nifty tanked 371.25 points, or 1.64 per cent, to end at 22,231.80.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.32 per cent to USD 102.9 per barrel, according to news agency PTI.
"Sentiment was aided by easing geopolitical concerns following indications that any potential U.S. military action against Iran is unlikely before the midterm elections, helping crude prices moderate. However, persistent FII outflows and elevated global bond yields continue to temper the recovery outlook," Nair said.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers and offloaded equities worth Rs 12,943.58 crore on Thursday. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 10,703.11 crore as per the exchange data.
In Asian markets, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hang Seng index ended higher, while Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended lower.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>All Mail and Express trains departing from their originating stations after 2 pm on October 9 and scheduled to reach New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10 will be cancelled at their source stations.
The decision was taken in view of intelligence inputs and traffic advisories indicating severe road congestion around the two railway stations during the period.
Sources said the precautionary measure was aimed at ensuring passenger safety and preventing inconvenience due to traffic congestion.
Separately, West Central Railway's Bhopal division announced the cancellation of train number 22221 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express on October 9 due to operational reasons.
In a notice, the railway administration said the train had been cancelled from its originating station. Passengers scheduled to board the train from Bhopal were advised to plan their journeys accordingly and use official railway information and enquiry services for updates.
The railway administration expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has heightened vigilance at several borders of the national capital ahead of the protest scheduled for October 10.
Security has been stepped up at the Ghazipur, Chilla, Tikri, Singhu, Gurugram, Kapashera, Loni and Badarpur borders, with police keeping a close watch on movement in these areas.
This comes ahead of the CJP-proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over alleged "vote theft".
However, Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over the accountability of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), citing short notice, past non-compliance with directions and concerns related to public safety, law and order and traffic regulation.
Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Nupur Prasad said an application was received in the New Delhi district on October 7 from Saurabh Das, co-convener of CJP, informing the police about the proposed protest.
"We have received an application from Saurav Das, Co-Convener of Cockroach Janta Party. The application is regarding an intimation for a protest on 10th October at Jantar Mantar. The protest was regarding the accountability of the CEC. This intimation was considered, and it was found that the intimation was given in a very short span of time, whereas as per the prescribed guideline, the intimation has to be received 10 days prior to the protest that is planned. Further, it is also important to mention that on an earlier occasion, when the Cockroach Janta Party was given permission to hold a protest there, they did not follow the lawful directions and did not follow their own undertakings given at that point in time. Therefore, because of not following the legal directions, their own undertaking, and the prevalent law and order situation, and to maintain public safety, law and order, and traffic regulation, this time the permission is rejected; it is not approved," the Jt CP said.
"It is important to mention that in the New Delhi area, Section 163 of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) is in operation, under which, to maintain public order and safety, a reasonable preventive restriction is in place. It is further important to mention that if anybody violates the provisions of Section 163 of the BNSS, then proper legal action will be taken against them," she added.
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]]>Hailing from a family of Indian Tamil descent in Durban, Pillay, 85, who became the first non-white woman judge of the High Court of South Africa, has been awarded the prize "for her efforts to promote peace and international law".
Pillay has been at the forefront in the development of an international legal order, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which selects the winner, said, according to the Nobel Prize website.
It said that it recognises her "role as a driving force in the development of an international system of law and order", and highlighted her "judicial rigour, personal integrity, and considerable courage".
"At a time when the number of wars and conflicts is rising, and when judges and institutions of international law are under political attack, the Nobel Committee wishes to issue a reminder that the ability to resolve conflicts without force or violence is dependent on the international rule of law. An international legal system in which war criminals are held to account, and the victims of abuse see justice served is a precondition for a peaceful world," it said.
Pillay, who began her legal career by defending anti-apartheid activists and opened her own law firm in 1967. She came to notice as part of the defence team in a trial under the anti-terrorism act which exposed the use of torture and unlawful methods of interrogation.
She achieved another significant triumph in 1973 when she won a case for political prisoners on Robben Island, including Nelson Mandela, to have access to lawyers and some other basic rights.
Elevated to the High Court in 1995 after the end of the apartheid regime, Pillay, in 1999, became a judge and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Here, she stood by establishing, in the trial of Hutu leader Jean-Paul Akayesu, that rape and sexual violence would qualify as a war crime.
She was involved in another significant case which held that hate speech, particularly on mass media, would be liable to be tried as a war crime.
Pillay was then appointed a judge on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2003, but resigned in 2008, well before her term ended in 2012, to take over as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Here, her four-year term (2008-12) was extended by another two years.
In 2019, she became an ad hoc judge on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case brought by the West African nation of Gambi, accusing Myanmar of genocide. Hearings on the merits of the case were held and concluded in January this year.
In 2021, Pillay was appointed chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, created after the May 2021 Israel–Palestinian clashes, and served until November 2025. The panel, in June 2024, held that war crimes have been committed both by Hamas and Israel in the wake of the October 2023 attacks, and in September 2025, indicted Israel for committing genocide in its Gaza operations.
Earlier in 2026, Pillay was also conferred the Olof Palme Prize, along with compatriot and legal scholar John Dugard.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The decision means Madhuri will remain at Nandani Math in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, where PETA India alleges she is being kept tethered alone in a shed despite suffering from serious health conditions. The organisation said the ruling was a missed opportunity to advance elephant welfare, particularly as nearly 50 temples across India have adopted mechanical elephants for religious ceremonies.
The Supreme Court also directed PETA India to contribute Rs 25,000 towards Madhuri’s care. The organisation said it would request that the amount be used for veterinary treatment, including pain relief and care for arthritis and fractures.
According to PETA India, Madhuri spent 33 years in chains and solitary confinement at the math. During her rehabilitation at RKTEWT, she was freed from chains, developed a close bond with another rescued elephant, Shanti, and received specialised veterinary care.
PETA India said Madhuri was returned to Kolhapur on September 11-12, where it documented her being tethered alone in the same shed from which she had previously been removed. The organisation also said painted images of trees on the shed’s walls had replaced the natural surroundings she experienced at the Jamnagar facility.
A video shared by PETA India shows Madhuri’s return to the math amid loud fireworks.
A sub-committee of the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC), comprising representatives of the HPC, the Central Zoo Authority and Maharashtra’s Chief Wildlife Warden, had inspected the math and identified concerns about Madhuri’s long-term care.
According to PETA India, the inspection report flagged limited opportunities for exercise and socialisation, excessive human interference, tar roads along the proposed walking route, difficulties accessing a perennial water source, possible water contamination and inadequate specialised veterinary infrastructure.
The report also recorded the math authorities’ acknowledgement that the facility was primarily intended for religious purposes and that Madhuri’s rehabilitation needs were not being met there, PETA India said.
A joint medical examination conducted at RKTEWT in October 2025 documented osteoarthritis, osteolysis and multiple stress fractures. The examination also noted Madhuri’s strong social bond with Shanti.
In December 2025, the HPC reportedly emphasised the importance of continuity of care and cautioned that relocating Madhuri could lead to physical deterioration or a regression in her rehabilitation.
The HPC had ordered her permanent rehabilitation at RKTEWT on June 3, 2025. The decision was subsequently upheld by the Bombay High Court on July 16 and the Supreme Court on July 28, 2025, according to PETA India.
PETA India Vice-President of Policy Khushboo Gupta said the adoption of mechanical elephants by temples demonstrated that religious traditions could be maintained without keeping live elephants in captivity.
Gupta described Madhuri’s return to the math as a setback, arguing that an elephant’s physical and psychological needs should be prioritised.
Elephants are highly social animals, and prolonged isolation, chaining and restricted movement can affect their physical and psychological well-being. PETA India said Madhuri requires specialised veterinary treatment, freedom of movement, access to natural surroundings and water, and opportunities to interact with other elephants.
PETA India said it would continue seeking Madhuri’s permanent rehabilitation at a suitable elephant sanctuary where she could receive specialised treatment, exercise and opportunities for companionship.
The organisation also pointed to the growing use of life-size mechanical elephants at religious institutions across India, saying the alternatives allow temples to conduct ceremonial activities without the welfare concerns associated with keeping live elephants in captivity.
]]>The Regional Meteorological Centre in Mumbai said heatwave conditions were likely at isolated places in districts of South Konkan, while hot and humid weather was expected at isolated locations in North Konkan.
The warning comes as temperatures are set to rise across parts of Maharashtra over the next few days.
The IMD has forecast a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees Celsius in some parts of Maharashtra over the next 48 hours. Temperatures are expected to increase by a further 1-3 degrees Celsius thereafter, according to the PTI.
Maximum temperatures in parts of interior Maharashtra are likely to remain between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius on October 9 and 10, the weather department said.
The rising temperatures could add to discomfort, particularly in areas experiencing hot and humid conditions.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region includes Mumbai and adjoining areas across Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts, with the urban agglomeration spread across nine municipal corporations.
The IMD's warning covers the coastal belt, with the nature of the expected conditions varying between South and North Konkan.
Residents are advised to keep track of official weather updates and take precautions against heat, including drinking sufficient water and limiting prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued its first heatwave warning for Mumbai and some other parts of Maharashtra following the recent withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the state, with temperatures expected to rise in several areas over the next few days.
The IMD has warned of localised heatwave conditions in parts of coastal Maharashtra, with hot and humid weather expected in several Konkan districts over the next few days.
According to the weather bulletin issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) on October 8, isolated pockets of Mumbai and Raigad are likely to experience heatwave conditions on Friday, October 9.
Meanwhile, parts of southern Maharashtra could receive light rain and thundershowers during the afternoon or evening over the weekend.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>He pointed out that MSMEs across sectors have different working capital requirements and cash flow cycles, and added that the Finance Ministry has been advocating a review of the norms.
Under the existing framework, loan accounts are classified as Special Mention Accounts (SMA) based on the period of overdue payments, with categories corresponding to 30 days, 60 days and 90 days, according to PTI. An account is generally classified as a non-performing asset if interest or principal remains overdue for more than 90 days.
Nageswaran said the transition to SMA classification itself can have significant consequences for borrowers, with businesses potentially facing difficulties even before their accounts are formally classified as NPAs.
"The moment you are classified as SMA, then you almost end up becoming already de facto, if not de jure," he said.
He said the financial regulator's rules should reflect domestic business practices and cash flow patterns rather than adopting a globally uniform framework.
"We need to evolve such norms consistent with our practices and cash flow patterns, rather than adopting a globally uniform pattern. These would be some of the things we need to do (for the MSME sector which is a big employment generator)," he said.
Nageswaran further said ease of doing business impacts MSMEs more than large businesses, and smaller businesses face a disproportionately high compliance burden, in terms of both financial expenses and time.
Easing this burden would allow smaller businesses to focus their limited resources and time on core operations and expanding their workforce, thereby creating jobs and delivering tangible benefits at the grassroots level, he said.
He said the MSME growth should focus on deregulation, skill development, greater utilisation of trade agreements and adopting diverse development models suited to the specific needs and circumstances of different states.
He added that government under the leadership of the Cabinet Secretary, has also been pursuing deregulation at the grassroots level for MSMEs over the past nearly two years.
Nageswaran said India needs to take advantage of the various Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other trade agreements.
"We have to leverage the trade agreements we are signing...there is good news that the UK agreement and the European Union agreement, which is going to become operational in two months, both give enormous scope for goods and services of India to reach their markets. And we have to go all out to ensure that we take advantage of it," he said.
The Chief Economic Advisor said microfinance institutions must avoid over-lending, especially amid the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and digital selling.
"I think from a pure finance perspective, the priority should be savings, insurance and then credit, but the sector usually has reversed the order, and that is not the right sequence. And then there have been frequent bouts of over-lending and mis-selling, and this should be avoided," he said.
On AI, he said, "AI may actually end up making us realise that our skill and our strength are in labour-intensive growth, given the labour endowment of this country and the demographic sweet spot we are in."
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The finding offers a real-life link between two actors often compared because of their blonde looks and screen presence. While the connection dates back centuries, it has added a new dimension to the conversation surrounding Sweeney’s resemblance to the Some Like It Hot star.
Sydney Sweeney is this generations Marilyn Monroe. https://t.co/YIRcSSYVIu
— Sash🦋 (@reallysash) May 29, 2026
According to MyHeritage’s research, the connection between Sweeney and Monroe can be traced through their fathers, Steven Sweeney and Charles Stanley Gifford, respectively. The two family lines reportedly lead back to Ezra Perry, an early settler in Sandwich, Massachusetts, who lived in the 1600s.
The distance between the generations explains why the actors are classified as ninth cousins, once removed. The discovery does not suggest a close family relationship, but establishes a shared ancestor several centuries in the past.
Roi Mandel, director of research at MyHeritage, said the team began investigating after noticing the comparisons between the actors. “People have always drawn parallels between Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe, but seeing their paths align on a deeper level inspired us to look for a real bond in the archives,” Mandel said.
The Euphoria actor has previously paid tribute to Monroe through her fashion choices. At the 2026 Santa Barbara Film Festival, she wore a vintage Ceil Chapman gown that recalled Monroe’s appearance on the cover of LIFE magazine in April 1952. The look reignited online discussions about the resemblance between the two actors.
Sweeney is not the only contemporary Hollywood actor found to be distantly related to Monroe. MyHeritage research has also identified Dakota Johnson as Monroe’s ninth cousin, three times removed.
The discovery came amid renewed interest in Monroe following the Verity movie star's portrayal of a version of the late actor in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s short film Flesh Impact. Naama Lanski, a researcher at MyHeritage, said the team explored the possibility of a family connection as Monroe returned to the spotlight.
“With a new film bringing Marilyn Monroe back into the spotlight, our research team wanted to see whether there was a deeper family connection,” Lanski said. She added that the discovery gave the casting an unexpected real-life connection.
With both Sweeney and Johnson linked to Monroe through distant branches of their family trees, the findings offer an unusual footnote to Hollywood’s enduring fascination with the legendary star.
]]>He said party members were prepared to face detention or arrest during the demonstration.
The protest has been called to demand accountability from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Questioning the restrictions imposed ahead of the demonstration, Dipke accused the government of being afraid of young people and criticised the reported disruption to train and Metro services, according to the PTI.
“What is this fear? Why are you this scared? You are scared of the youth in the country. You shut down trains, you shut down Metro, what should one do?” he said, the news agency reported.
Dipke also questioned whether measures taken to prevent the protest would cause greater inconvenience to ordinary commuters.
He criticised the restrictions on public transport and roads, asking whether Delhi belonged to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“On one hand, you say that due to the protest, people are facing inconvenience, and on the other hand, you shut down all the Metro, you shut down all the railways, you block all the roads. Now, won't there be inconvenience for people?” he said, according to the PTI.
Dipke said CJP activists were ready to face police action.
“How many people will they detain? Arrest me, detain me! Saurabh is ready, Ashutosh is ready. Arrest me, detain me!” he said, referring to other members of the organisation, as per the PTI.
Dipke questioned the requirement for prior police permission to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, which is a designated protest site. He invoked Article 19 of the Constitution, which protects certain freedoms, including the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to reasonable restrictions under the law, the news agency reported.
He also questioned the Election Commission's actions in the SIR process and referred to allegations that 13 crore voters had been deleted from electoral rolls.
“Before deleting 13 crore votes, did Gyanesh Kumar take permission?” Dipke asked, while arguing that activists should be able to exercise their constitutional right to protest, reported the PTI.
His remarks came amid the opposition's wider campaign against the SIR exercise and its demand for Kumar's resignation.
Delhi Police has denied permission for the CJP's proposed October 10 demonstration, citing short notice, previous non-compliance with directions and concerns over public safety, law and order and traffic management, the news agency reported.
Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the New Delhi district received an application from CJP co-convener Saurabh Das on October 7, informing the police about the planned protest.
Prasad said the application had been submitted too close to the proposed date, whereas the prescribed guidelines required organisers to inform the police at least 10 days before a demonstration.
She also alleged that the organisation had failed to follow lawful directions and its own undertakings during an earlier protest for which permission had been granted.
“Therefore, because of not following the legal directions, their own undertaking, and the prevalent law and order situation, and to maintain public safety, law and order, and traffic regulation, this time the permission is rejected; it is not approved,” Prasad said, according to the PTI.
Prasad said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in force in the New Delhi area to maintain public order and safety.
She warned that legal action would be taken against anyone violating the restrictions imposed under the provision.
The proposed protest comes amid heightened tensions over the SIR of electoral rolls. The CJP has maintained that it intends to proceed with the demonstration despite the police's decision, while the authorities have warned of action if legal restrictions are breached.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>Sajjanar took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the image after an account alleged that an arrest has been made in connection with the Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR deepfake case.
To clear up the confusion, the commissioner said the image being circulated online was fake. “This is an AI-generated image, not a genuine photograph. Please do not fall for such deepfakes or share them without verifying their authenticity," he wrote.
He reminded people to check before circulating anything on social media. “With AI-generated images becoming increasingly realistic, it is important to question what we see online. Just because a photograph looks convincing does not mean it is real. Misinformation spreads faster when people share content without checking the facts," tagging the Hyderabad police and cyber police handles.
Sajjanar also tagged Jr NTR, asking the actor to take note of how his fans were allegedly misusing the Commissioner’s image, "I ask @tarak9999 garu take note of the misuse of my image by some of his fans."
Recently, an AI-morphed video featuring Janhvi and Jr NTR from Chuttamalle started doing rounds online. The video drew backlash, with both actor taking a stance against the misuse of their visuals.
Janhvi wrote, "What a woman is comfortable with, where she draws the line, and what she chooses to do with her body are decisions that belong exclusively to her. This goes far beyond the AI videos I have dealt with over the last few days, or anything I have personally experienced throughout my career. It is about the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation." Jr NTR, too, threatened legal action against whoever made and shared the video online.
]]>The CJP has announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, for alleged "vote theft."
"I appeal to everyone, to the people of the entire country, to gather at Jantar Mantar in maximum numbers. This is not about one person or party; it is about the nation, and this protest starts tomorrow at Jantar Mantar. I will go, my entire family will go, and all of you should go too," Kejriwal told reporters.
Kejriwal also hit out at the Centre, accusing it of tampering with the voter lists.
"Whoever does not vote for BJP has their vote deleted, fake votes are added, and all this was happening openly under Gyanesh Kumar. The entire country is demanding his resignation," he added.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>In a traffic notification, the police said that a key road near the Veer Savarkar Flyover in Goregaon West has been closed to traffic for a month to facilitate pillar construction for the Coastal Road Project's North Package B.
The temporary restriction came into effect following a notification issued on Friday, October 9, by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic - Western Suburbs) Ajit Borhade. The closure will remain in place until November 9, 2026.
The affected slip road connects Vasari Hill Junction towards MTNL Junction on Swami Vivekanand (SV) Road. Vehicles will not be allowed to use this stretch during the construction work.
The traffic restrictions have been imposed to allow excavation and construction work for 52 pillars along a 1,500-metre stretch.
The broader project covers the stretch from Mind Space and MDP Creek Road, also known as Back Road, to Veer Savarkar Garden and Inorbit Mall Junction, extending towards the Veer Savarkar Flyover on SV Road.
The closure is intended to facilitate excavation work and ensure the safety of motorists and construction workers while reducing the risk of congestion.
Mumbai Traffic Police have announced diversions for motorists travelling through Goregaon West.
Inorbit Mall Junction to Goregaon East: Traffic travelling from Inorbit Mall Junction via Vasari Hill Road towards Goregaon East will remain unaffected. Motorists can continue to use the Veer Savarkar Flyover as usual.
Inorbit Mall Junction to MTNL Junction and SV Road: Motorists heading towards MTNL Junction or SV Road must turn left at Vasari Hill Junction near Eaze-Zone Mall. They should then pass D. G. Khetan International School and use Sundar Nagar Road to reach their destinations.
The notification has been issued under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and Rule 59 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Mumbai Traffic Police have urged motorists to follow directional signboards and instructions from personnel deployed in the area. Commuters have also been advised to use the designated alternative routes and plan their journeys in advance to minimise delays.
]]>The maximum term of imprisonment has been rationalised in cases where the amount of tax evasion exceeds Rs 10 crore to up to five years, or a fine, or both.
Where GST evasion exceeds Rs 5 crore but not Rs 10 crore, imprisonment up to two years, or a fine, or both, has been approved at the 57th GST Council meeting.
In an FAQ, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said that in case someone is convicted, imprisonment will not be compulsory.
"The punishment is proposed to be changed from 'imprisonment and fine' to 'imprisonment or fine or both', so that the court may have discretion in awarding punishment," the CBIC said.
Requirement of a minimum imprisonment of 6 months under section 132 (3) has been removed to confer discretion on the court.
The proposals approved by the Council on Thursday will be implemented from April 1, 2027.
In a major decriminalisation move, the GST Council has decided to remove the arrest provisions under GST, and no person will be arrested by a GST officer for an offence under the law.
However, prosecution may still be launched before the competent court on a complaint filed by the tax authorities, where the amount involved exceeds Rs 5 crore.
The Council has raised the threshold for launching prosecution in GST evasion cases to Rs 5 crore from Rs 1 crore, currently.
]]>The conflict between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed government has widened, with the Iran-backed fighters staging repeated attacks on Saudi targets since they began a lightning offensive just across the border.
While seizing large swathes of territory along the Red Sea coast in Yemen, the Houthis have also attacked Saudi transport hubs, oil facilities and other civilian targets in the world's largest crude exporter.
The Saudi civil aviation authority said two attacks on Thursday on the Saudi capital's airport and a Saudia Airlines plane there "resulted in the martyrdom of three citizens".
The national flag carrier confirmed the death of the plane's captain, expressing "profound sadness" and citing an "incident" at King Khalid International Airport.
Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government forces it backs have struggled to contain the Houthis' advance, despite a counter-offensive aimed at recapturing territory including the area around the Bab al-Mandab strait that is crucial to global energy flows.
But a regional source told AFP on Friday that Riyadh would not bow to the Houthis' "military blackmail" and would not agree to a truce until the Yemeni government regains all territory it has lost in recent weeks.
The attacks forced diplomats stationed in the Saudi capital to shelter in place and international schools to take safety measures, as explosions echoed across the city on Thursday.
Numerous flights at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport were delayed or cancelled, while the airport advised travellers of the "necessity" to contact airlines before their trips.
The kingdom's civil defence agency also said "interception debris" had damaged a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh. It did not say if there were casualties there or provide details of the damage.
The Houthis, whose heartlands are among the Zaidi Shia Muslims in the northwest, had already controlled the capital Sanaa and most of Yemen's major population centres since the start of the war in 2014.
Riyadh's military coalition intervened to support the government the following year.
After declaring their counter-offensive against the Houthis, Yemen's government claimed to have pushed the fighters out of strategic areas on the Red Sea coast and the port city of Mocha.
But the Houthis insist they are holding their territory, and military sources from both sides contacted by AFP have not reported any major changes on the ground.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched missiles at an airport in Najran and an airbase in Khamis Mushait on Thursday.
The Houthis have also warned workers to evacuate Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, having days before hit a major refinery south of the capital.
Admissions by Saudi authorities of civilian targets being hit are relatively rare. There have been few statements on Houthi attacks in recent weeks.
Claims by the warring parties have been impossible to independently verify, with the situation moving fast and access for journalists difficult.
In Yemen, one of the world's poorest countries, ordinary civilians are paying the price for the renewed fighting, with more than 200,000 people displaced since July, according to UN data.
In Yemen's Taiz, the Houthis are laying siege to the government-controlled city in the country's west, depriving residents of their main supply route to the government's temporary capital in Aden.
"There is a crisis in everything: water, gas, vegetables, everything essential", said Um Rian.
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]]>"Indians have made a major contribution to America's technological prowess. Yet, a big part of America no longer wants us," he said in a post on X.
Noting the crackdown on H-1B visa in the US, Vembu said many professionals who have built their life with hard work now have to reconsider their future.
"Indians who are on a visa in the US face the painful prospect of uprooting the life you have built with hard work," he added.
He called the professionals to channelise their efforts in helping India grow.
"Let this be the birth pains of a bold new future. Come back, let's build India," he said.
Indians have made a major contribution to America's technological prowess. Yet, a big part of America no longer wants us. Indians who are on a visa in the US face the painful prospect of uprooting the life you have built with hard work. Let this be the birth pains of a bold new future. Come back, let's build India 🙏
— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) October 9, 2026
Vembu's remarks came after the US suspended eight IT firms, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and Microsoft, from PERM to apply for green cards for foreign workers. It contended that the practice has shut out Americans from the job market.
The Permanent Labour Certification programme, commonly known as PERM, is a key step for many employers seeking employment-based permanent residence for foreign workers.
The Trump administration on Thursday announced the suspension of a key employment-based green card process for eight major technology and outsourcing companies, including India's Infosys, Tata, Wipro and HCL, as Vice-President JD Vance announced a sweeping crackdown on alleged visa fraud.
The action also covers Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe. It prevents the companies from filing new permanent labour certification applications and halts the processing of pending applications under the programme.
US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the decision at a press conference led by Vance, saying the action followed ongoing criminal and federal investigations.
"I am hereby suspending from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme some of the largest IT outsourcing firms in the world, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata (TCS), Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini," Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said, adding the Department of Labour is also suspending Microsoft and Adobe from the programme due to multiple active federal investigations.
Sonderling said the companies named in the action had collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009. According to figures he presented, they had received more than 2.3 lakh H-1B visa approvals and over 1 lakh permanent labour certifications.
Vance accused employers of using the H-1B programme to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
"The H-1B visa program is meant to allow companies to bring in really the best of the best from outside the United States of America for positions that are completely impossible to fill with American workers," he said.
]]>The proposal was among 39 cleared by the Cabinet during its meeting on Friday. Announcing the decision, Adityanath praised Narendra Modi's contribution to the development of Uttar Pradesh and the country.
Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said the Prime Minister shared a close bond with Uttar Pradesh, from where he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Varanasi, the news agency reported.
CM Adityanath said the state Cabinet was grateful to Modi for the airport, which he described as Uttar Pradesh's biggest airport and a future major aviation hub.
The Jewar airport is expected to improve air connectivity and support economic activity in Uttar Pradesh. Modi inaugurated its first phase in March 2026, according to the information provided.
The airport's initial annual passenger-handling capacity is estimated at around 12 million. Once all four phases are completed, it is expected to rank among Asia's largest airports.
Adityanath said improved infrastructure, including expressways, highways, Metro services and the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), had strengthened connectivity across the state, as per the IANS.
He also cited projects such as the BrahMos missile manufacturing unit and the PM MITRA Textile Park in Lucknow, saying they would create opportunities for investment and employment.
The Chief Minister referred to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the return of the idol of Goddess Annapurna from abroad as examples of developments under the Prime Minister's leadership.
He said Uttar Pradesh had made progress in infrastructure and industrial development since 2017 and was strengthening its position as a logistics hub through improved road and air connectivity.
Adityanath added that the Cabinet remained committed to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Separately, Energy and Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma announced plans to deploy 1,725 new electric buses across 18 municipal corporation areas in Uttar Pradesh to improve urban transport, according to the IANS.
Under the procurement policy, 50 per cent of the buses will be purchased from the company quoting the lowest price in the tender. The remaining buses will be sourced from manufacturers based in Uttar Pradesh.
Adityanath also highlighted welfare schemes for poor households, farmers, women and marginalised communities.
He said more than 65 lakh houses had been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, while free food grains were being distributed to 3.67 crore ration cardholders.
The Chief Minister said the Cabinet had reiterated its commitment to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
(with IANS inputs)
]]>Ahead of the match, the West Indies' spinner Akeal Hosein is set to achieve a major feat in his T20I career. He is just five wickets shy of completing his tally of 100 wickets in the format's history.
So far, Hosein has bagged 95 wickets in 100 T20I matches for the Caribbean side. His best bowling figures are five wickets for 11 runs in the shortest format of the game.
If he manages to claim the required wickets tonight, Hosein will then become the second West Indies' bowler to achieve the feat of 100 T20I wickets. Before him, Jason Holder achieved the feat and has 112 T20I wickets under his belt.
Currently, the visitors are trailing the ongoing five-match T20I series by 0-1 against the "Men in Blue".
Earlier, the West Indies suffered a loss by eight wickets in the first match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow. Hope smashed 52 runs in 37 balls, including six boundaries and two maximums. Sherfane Rutherford also garnered 56 runs in 34 balls, with the help of six boundaries and three maximums. With this, the visitors were bowled out for 171 runs in 19.1 overs.
Team India's Naman Dhir returned with three wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets each. Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh claimed one wicket each.
Later in the second innings of the game, the hosts chased the target by scoring 172 runs for the loss of two wickets in 14.4 overs.
Captain Shreyas Iyer delivered a stunning knock of an unbeaten 102 runs off just 43 deliveries, which was laced with 10 boundaries and six maximums. Ishan Kishan stayed unbeaten on 37 runs in 27 balls. He also smashed five boundaries during his knock.
West Indies' Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase bagged one wicket each.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
]]>The accident occurred around 4 a.m. when the two vehicles, travelling in opposite directions, collided. The impact left the pickup badly mangled, trapping seven workers inside the wreckage.
“A truck and a pickup truck travelling in opposite directions collided. The impact left the pickup truck mangled. All the victims were occupants of the Bolero Camper,” an official said.
The seven trapped workers were extricated with the help of a crane, but all died in the accident. More than 20 injured workers were taken to a hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Preliminary reports indicated that the pickup truck was carrying more than 20 workers at the time of the collision.
However, the exact number of occupants and the identities of those killed were not immediately available in the police account.
Officials said the bodies were being transported from Khavda to Bhuj for post-mortem examinations.
Police have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the collision and are examining whether negligence contributed to the accident.
The precise cause of the crash and whether any safety violations were involved remain under investigation.
The accident occurred within the Khavda renewable energy development area, where large-scale clean-energy projects are being developed across the arid region of Kutch. The construction activity has brought a substantial workforce and supporting infrastructure to the area.
Investigators are expected to establish how the two vehicles collided and whether any lapses contributed to the deaths and injuries.
Further details, including the identities of the deceased and the condition of those injured, were not immediately available.
Police have not yet disclosed whether any case has been registered against the drivers or whether any arrests have been made in connection with the accident.
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]]>Gullu allegedly was seen body-shaming the actress during their exchange. In the heat of the argument, Gullu took a dig at Amrapali’s physical stamina, saying, “Do minute chalre hi thak jaati hai.” (She gets tired after walking for just two minutes). He also called her “Moti Buddhi” (thick-headed), with his remarks appearing to take a dig at her body structure as well.
The confrontation did not end there. After the fight, Gullu was seen sitting outside in the lawn, where he referred to Amrapali’s friendship with Love Gill as “Motu Patlu”.
The remark appeared to draw a comparison between the two cartoon characters, with Motu depicted as plump and Patlu as extremely thin, seemingly drawing parallels to the contrasting physical appearances of Amrapali and Lovepreet respectively.
The incident unfolded amid a series of confrontations inside the house. Amrapali and Gullu were seen engaging in a verbal war after Gullu accused Amrapali for adding fuel to Luv and Kanika's fight.
Amrapali retaliated saying she was supporting her good friend and not adding fuel to the fire, as accused by Gullu.
For the uninitiated, Kanika Mann and Luv Gill were seen locking heads post a Ration Task in the house. Luv played the task which eventually led the entire house leaving with no ration for the week.
This left Kanika fuming with rage upon seeing Luv not even feeling guilty about it.
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]]>According to sources, the President's office confirmed the appointment on Friday morning.
The delegation is expected to include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee, the news agency reported.
Opposition MPs have been staging protests in the national capital for the past three days, demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision exercise.
According to the PTI, the INDIA bloc leaders are seeking the President's intervention amid their concerns over the SIR process. The meeting is expected to provide the opposition delegation an opportunity to present its concerns directly to Murmu.
The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise to review and update electoral rolls.
The opposition has raised allegations of irregularities in the process and has stepped up its protests against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Meanwhile, before the meeting, the INDIA bloc MPs were scheduled to meet at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan at 3 pm on Friday and could stage another protest against alleged “vote chori”, sources said, as per the PTI..
The opposition bloc has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to raise its concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, as per the PTI.
Sources said the INDIA bloc was awaiting a response from the President's office. If the delegation does not get an appointment, “all options are on the table”, they said.
Possible venues for further protests include Seva Teerth, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Vice-President's residence, and the official residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The proposed action would mark the fourth consecutive day of protests by opposition leaders over the SIR exercise and allegations of “vote chori”.
Earlier on Thursday, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the INDIA bloc has requested an appointment from President Murmu and is awaiting a response from the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He said the first request letter was sent on October 2. Subsequently, the Rashtrapati Bhavan asked for the names of leaders who would attend the meeting.
(with PTI inputs)
]]>An official statement from the MSRTC stated that under the PPP model we will allow lease periods of 49+49 years, or up to 98 years, to generate long-term revenue for the cash-strapped transport undertaking.
Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik said, “The decision aims to strengthen the corporation’s finances by making planned commercial use of its land assets. A high-level committee headed by Sarnaik has been formed to oversee the process.”
Officials also noted that PPP-based development can be undertaken on different categories of land held by MSRTC, including land acquired through land acquisition, transferred from the erstwhile Road Transport Department, leased to the corporation, or received through gift deeds.
The Maharashtra government while issuing an official press note also mentioned that they will be mandating separate tendering process for every site to ensure transparency in the process.
Under the Maharashtra Public-Private Partnership Policy, 2026, certain concessions may be considered for viable projects at the final stage of development.
“The relevant committee will examine the tender, concession agreement, and project structure, while final approval for each project’s tender will be required at the Chief Minister’s level,” the official note from MSRTC noted.
Describing MSRTC’s land holdings as valuable assets, Sarnaik said the objective was to use them for the corporation’s long-term financial empowerment rather than merely for temporary income.
“The lands owned by the ST Corporation are the valuable assets of the corporation. These lands will not be utilised only for temporary income, but for the long-term financial empowerment of ST,” the Maharashtra Transport Minister said.
He further added that transparent tendering, proper commercial planning, and the PPP model would be used to maximise revenue from the properties.
Sarnaik also mentioned that financial independence was necessary to strengthen the corporation’s passenger services.
“Revenue generated through the development of surplus land would be used to improve MSRTC’s services and facilities,” he said.
]]>The series, directed by Vinay Waikuland, written by Sambit Mishra and Saurabh Sawant, also stars Saqib Ayub, Prayrak Mehta, Sai Tamhankar, Sikandar Kher, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Rajesh Tailang, Chunky Panday, and Bhagavathi Perumal in pivotal roles. On Friday, the makers took to social media to announce the release date of the show. Sharing the poster, they wrote, "Four friends, one theft, and no turning back #ChaarYaarOnPrime, New Series, Oct 23.”
Set against the gritty and vibrant backdrop of early-2000s Mumbai, four friends—Jay, Tony, Saahil, and Sameer—navigate the realities of middle-class life, family responsibilities, and dreams of a better future. Their shared struggles form the foundation of an unbreakable friendship until one fateful decision, born out of necessity, pulls them into a world of crime, gangsters, and relentless police pursuit.
What begins as a desperate attempt to change their circumstances soon spirals into a high-stakes ride where their friendship is their only armor, and every choice brings them closer to danger.
Speaking about the show, Nikhil Madhok, Director and Head of Originals (SVOD), Prime Video, and Amazon MGM Studios India, stated, “Chaar Yaar combines friendship, ambition, humor, and unexpected twists that make for a thoroughly entertaining ride.”
“We have always been at the forefront of backing new talent, and the stellar performances from our young lead cast are an absolute treat to watch. Vinay Waikul’s direction and craft bring a unique new flavor to this world. And we can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience this story when it premieres on October 23.”
“Chaar Yaar” will premiere on Prime Video in Hindi, across India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide, on October 23.
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]]>The panel brought together cast members and filmmakers behind several Marvel Television and Marvel Animation projects. Head of Marvel Television, Animation and Comics Brad Winderbaum kicked off the session, which featured previews, release dates and updates for the studio’s upcoming slate.
Paul Bettany, James Spader, Ruaridh Mollica, Emily Hampshire and showrunner Terry Matalas took the stage to discuss VisionQuest. The cast revealed that attendees would be able to watch the first episode during a surprise screening, with fans also receiving an exclusive mini-poster.
The series follows Vision after he escapes those seeking to turn him into a weapon. While hiding and searching for a new purpose, he turns to the artificial intelligence personalities embedded in his programming, including F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S. and Ultron.
His attempt to remain hidden is disrupted by a bounty on his head, forcing him to flee alongside Thomas Shepherd, a mysterious boy who may be suddenly connected to Vision. As the pursuit intensifies, Vision must confront his identity and Ultron’s influence while trying to uncover the truth about his young companion.
The series also features Todd Stashwick, T’Nia Miller, Lauren Morais, Orla Brady, Diane Morgan and James D’Arcy, among others. VisionQuest will stream on JioHotstar in India from October 14, in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Marvel also confirmed that Zodiac, a new live-action series, is currently in casting and is expected to begin production in 2027. The show is scheduled to arrive on Disney plus in 2028.
Meanwhile, Marvel Zombies will return with three two-part special events. Marvel Zombies: Winter Soldier is planned for Halloween 2027, followed by Marvel Zombies: Fist of Khonshu in Halloween 2028 and Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian in Halloween 2029.
The panel also offered attendees an early look at X-Men '97 season 3. Showrunner Jeff Trammell announced that Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man will premiere on Disney plus on January 13, 2027, and unveiled its poster alongside an exclusive preview.
The cast of Daredevil: Born Again also took the stage, with Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter and Finn Jones sharing a look at the upcoming third season, scheduled to stream in 2027.
With new series, returning animated favourites and an early glimpse of VisionQuest, Marvel used NYCC to give fans a packed preview of what lies ahead across its television and animation slate. VisionQuest will stream on JioHotstar in India from October 14.
]]>A video from the celebration shows Aneet teaming up with actor Ananya Panday for a baby-themed game. The two held a cloth to pass a doll between teams but struggled to keep the game going and accidentally dropped it. Ahaan was also spotted in the background as the family’s younger members joined the fun.
View this post on Instagram
Alanna, who is expecting her second child with husband Ivor McCray, celebrated the occasion at her parents’ residence in Mumbai. Aneet was seen arriving at the gathering on Thursday evening, alongside other guests from the family’s circle.
Her presence at the intimate celebration caught the attention of fans, particularly amid ongoing speculation about her equation with Ahaan. The actors have rarely been seen together publicly since rumours about their relationship began circulating around the release of their film Saiyaara.
The pair have maintained that they are friends, while keeping details of their personal lives private. The latest video, however, offered a candid look at Aneet interacting with Ahaan's family, with her playful partnership with Ananya becoming a talking point online.
Social media users were quick to comment on the clip, with several focusing on Ahaan watching the game in the background. One fan wrote, “Aneet and Ananya two cutey in one frame.”
Another commented on the actors’ apparent comfort around each other, writing, “What do you mean we got to witness Aneet Ananya bonding and Ahaan downbad panday smiling ear to ear at the back!” One more fan described the moment as “so domestic”.
Some viewers also interpreted Aneet's attendance at the family event as a sign of how close she has become to the Pandays. However, neither actor has publicly confirmed the dating rumours.
Aneet and Ahaan made their on-screen pairing debut with Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, which became a major box-office success. Aneet had previously appeared in a cameo in Salaam Venky, while the film marked Ahaan’s acting debut.
The actors are set to reunite for an untitled romantic film directed by Suri. Aneet is also attached to the horror-comedy Shakti Shalini, scheduled for release in March 2027, while Ahaan is working on an action film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.
]]>Exchange filings by the largest private sector lender showed that the ICICI Group veteran is set to be paid Rs 8.97 crore in fixed compensation and another Rs 26.92 crore in variable pay.
The bank has also decided to give him a one-time joining bonus of over Rs 7.3 crore in the first year, the disclosure said, which seeks shareholder nod for his compensation.
Joining bonus includes restricted stock units worth Rs 3.19 crore and ESOPs worth Rs 4.16 crore, both to be vested over four years, it said.
The RBI had cleared Bagchi's remuneration while approving his appointment to lead the systemically important bank. He is an additional director on the board at present, and set to take over on October 27 as the MD and CEO after the end of incumbent Sashidhar Jagdishan's term.
The annual compensation of Rs 35.90 crore is higher than the Rs 17.23 crore remuneration received by Kotak Mahindra Bank CEO Ashok Vaswani in FY26 and Rs 10.30 crore received by Axis Bank MD and CEO Amitabh Chaudhry. Jagdishan had drawn compensation of Rs 28.65 crore, including stock options in FY26.
Bagchi's fixed pay includes a salary of Rs 3.32 crore, provident fund contribution of Rs 39.82 lakh, gratuity of Rs 21.38 lakh, pension/NPS of Rs 46.46 lakh, superannuation of Rs 49.78 lakh and leave fare concession of Rs 55.31 lakh. He will also get other fixed allowances of Rs 1.09 crore.
The remuneration package includes housing benefits of Rs 1.66 crore, conveyance/car allowance of Rs 54 lakh, club membership of Rs 3.73 lakh, loan perquisite of Rs 17.63 lakh, medical insurance of Rs 1.73 lakh and personal accident insurance of Rs 69,384.
Bagchi will be eligible for up to two company cars with an ex-showroom price of up to Rs 1.40 crore each, along with fuel and maintenance benefits. He will also be entitled to a housing loan of Rs 3.75 crore, split into two slabs carrying interest rates of 2.5 per cent and 5 per cent.
His target variable pay for 2026-27 has been fixed at Rs 26.92 crore, equivalent to 300 per cent of the fixed pay. Of this, Rs 8.88 crore will be in cash and Rs 18.04 crore through employee stock options. The cash component will be split equally between upfront and deferred payments, while the ESOPs will vest over four years.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>According to Gulte, Prabhas' upcoming period drama Fauzi is reportedly being scheduled for a March 18, 2027 theatrical release. The film was earlier set to reach cinemas in December 2026; however, its release date has now been pushed ti the first quarter of 2027. With that, it has also averted a clash with Shraddha Kapoor's Eetha.
Fauzi is currently believed to be working on the film's interval sequence, as the shooting is expected to end by mid-December 2026. Some reports have also suggested that the makers are considering October 23 for the teaser launch, coinciding with Prabhas' birthday. However, neither the teaser plan nor the proposed change in theatrical date has received official confirmation.
Meanwhile, Spirit, starring Prabhas and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, is scheduled to release on March 5, 2027. If the new date for Fauzi is confirmed, the actor may have two big films arriving within the same month. However, there is no confirmation on the schedule change for Spirit as well.
A T-series spokesperson had earlier told Zoom, “We are very much on track with the release of Spirit. The film is slated to release on March 5, 2027, and there is absolutely no change to the announced release date."
Helmed by Hanu Raghavapudi, Fauzi stars Prabhas in the role of an officer in a fictional story set against a historical backdrop. The cast also includes Imanvi, who is making her acting debut with the film, alongside veteran performers Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher and Jaya Prada.
Meanwhile, Mythri Movie Makers producer Ravi Shankar had shared details on the revised timeline of Fauzi, saying that the project is a large-scale production. He said, “Fauzi is being pushed a little bit, but it's a next-level movie. You haven't seen Prabhas look so grand since Baahubali. It's a movie of that scale. However, I am sorry that we are pushing it (release date) a bit further. You will cherish it for a lifetime. It's such a massive and great movie."
]]>The US administration has suspended eight technology and outsourcing companies, including Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe, from the programme amid federal investigations into alleged misuse of employment-based immigration processes.
The ministry said the PERM programme, which forms part of the employment-based Green Card process, is distinct from the H-1B visa programme.
"We are aware of the U.S. Department of Labour’s decision concerning the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme for certain companies. It should be noted that PERM is distinct from the H-1B visa programme. The suspension of PERM applications does not, by itself, affect the validity of existing H-1B visas or the status of H-1B visa holders and their dependents, though there could be some impact on the permanent-residency/Green Card process of eligible employees of the affected companies," the ministry stated.
The MEA said the movement of skilled professionals benefits both countries by supporting innovation, research, productivity and job creation.
"It should also be clear that talent mobility adds value to both economies. While it creates opportunities for Indians, it equally helps US companies with cutting-edge talent, innovation, research, productivity, competitiveness and job creation, besides creating shareholder wealth in the US. This is therefore an area of tremendous mutual benefit for the two countries and our expectation is that all stakeholders in this process can appreciate this fact. The steps announced by the US do not advance the shared ambitions of both countries," the ministry stated.
The ministry also criticised US Vice President JD Vance's description of H-1B workers as "indentured servants", saying the phrase carried offensive historical and colonial connotations.
"We have also seen some comments in this context by the US Vice President. We believe that such descriptions are unwarranted and ignore the fact that Indian professionals in the United States are highly educated and skilled contributors to its economy and innovation ecosystem. Indeed, the history of the United States itself has been shaped by generations of immigrants whose labour, enterprise and innovation have contributed to its growth and prosperity. Resorting to terminology that carries painful historical and colonial legacy connotations is deeply offensive."
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Vance alleged that companies were using foreign workers to undercut the wages of American employees. He claimed H-1B workers earned less than US citizens in comparable roles and accused outsourcing firms of contributing to the problem.
US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said the companies had collectively sought millions of foreign workers over the years and received hundreds of thousands of H-1B approvals and permanent labour certifications.
The US administration said the suspensions followed ongoing federal investigations. The action affects the PERM process and does not automatically cancel existing H-1B visas, although eligible employees may face delays in pursuing permanent residency.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>As per IANS, special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts granted more time to the respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on October 28.
Former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was physically present before the Rouse Avenue Court's sessions on Friday, October 9.
The appeal was filed against the August 3 judgment of the trial court, which acquitted Brij Bhushan and Tomar after holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against them beyond a reasonable doubt.
The four women wrestlers have contended in their appeal that the trial court's judgment is not sustainable in law and that the evidence on record was incorrectly assessed.
As per IANS, the appeal also challenges Vinod Tomar's acquittal in relation to the allegation of criminal intimidation under Section 506 Part I of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) levelled by one of the complainants.
Earlier on September 28, the Rouse Avenue Court had issued notice to Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and Vinod Tomar on the appeal and sought their responses by October 9.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar of the Rouse Avenue Courts had, on August 3, acquitted the former WFI chief and Tomar, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against them beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case dates back to January 2023, when several wrestlers, including Olympians Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, accusing Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.
The wrestlers had demanded Brij Bhushan's resignation as WFI chief and sought the dissolution of the federation.
Following a complaint to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P.T. Usha, an inquiry committee comprising eminent sportspersons, including Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt, was constituted.
The Union Sports Ministry subsequently suspended the functioning of the WFI amid the controversy.
Earlier in May 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against the accused, finding sufficient material to proceed against the former WFI chief on charges relating to sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of five women wrestlers.
However, the former WFI chief Brij Bhushan had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, maintaining his innocence.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Special Judge V G Mohite on Thursday acquitted Rijwan Ismail Shaikh and Mahammad Alam Aslam Qureshi of robbery charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and offences under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with a 2022 chain-snatching incident.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on May 22, 2022, when a woman and her husband were walking near Khadakpada Circle in Kalyan West. Two men riding a motorcycle allegedly approached them, snatched the woman's gold chain and fled.
The suspects were wearing helmets, making it difficult for the witnesses to identify their faces. A first information report (FIR) was subsequently registered at Mahatma Phule Chowk Police Station.
During the investigation, police linked Shaikh and Qureshi to the incident following their arrest in another case. Investigators connected them to multiple alleged chain-snatching offences and invoked provisions of MCOCA, which targets organised criminal activity.
The prosecution also claimed that the stolen gold ornament had been recovered through a jeweller. However, the court found that the evidence presented did not adequately establish the accused men's involvement in the specific incident.
The judge noted that the prosecution witnesses had not properly seen the faces of the alleged robbers because they were wearing helmets. Police had also failed to conduct a test identification parade during the investigation.
Such a parade is intended to help establish whether witnesses can identify suspects they claim to have seen during an offence. In this case, the absence of the procedure weakened the prosecution's attempt to establish the identities of the perpetrators, the court observed.
The court also rejected the validity of a confessional statement recorded by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). It held that the accused had not been given the mandatory statutory period of 24 hours to reconsider their decision before making the confession.
The procedural lapse raised questions about the validity of the statement and its use as evidence in the case.
After considering the evidence and procedural shortcomings, the court acquitted both men of the charges and ordered their immediate release from jail.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The announcement has shed light once again on the franchise, which follows Senapathy, a former freedom fighter who fights against corruption. With Kamal Haasan reprising his role, Indian 3 is expected to carry forward the narrative established in the previous instalments.
Sharing the poster on Instagram, the makers wrote, "Senapathy is back with zero tolerance. The resurgence begins in #Indian3 War Mode." The poster gives a powerful, warlike feel, with three riders depicting strength, courage, unity and the beginning of an intense battle.
View this post on Instagram
Kamal Haasan's portrayal of Senapathy has remained pivotal to the franchise. For the unversed, the actor first essayed the character in the 1996 film Indian. The film also starred Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar and Sukanya in key roles.
Besides Kamal Haasan, the Tamil film features an ensemble cast including Samuthirakani, Bobby Simha, Kajal Aggarwal, Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, and Priya Bhavani Shankar in key roles. Written by Jayamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu and Lakshmi Saravanakuman, the film is expected to hit theatres in 2027. However, a confirmed update on the film's release is still awaited.
Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan was last seen in Mani Ratnam's film Thug Life, alongside Trisha Krishnan. The actor has several projects lined up, including Kalki 2 and Nelson's forthcoming film, tentatively titled KH X RK, alongside megastar Rajinikanth, marking their reunion after 47 years.
]]>His remarks come after Musk, in a social media post on X had alleged that his Starlink's satellite communications services were being blocked by certain oligarchs who want to "maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people".
"Let me be very clear. India does not allow a monopoly in any sector. And therefore, even as Satcom is concerned there is not a single licensee that has been chosen. Licenses have been given to everyone who wants to provide these licenses. And today there are three licenses that are out there. There is a lot of conversation about a particular party. But there are three parties that have got licenses," Scindia said at a briefing at India Mobile Congress.
"Let me set the record straight. For us, the Department of Telecommunications, we are technology agnostic... Our job is to be able to provide the bouquet of services to every single customer. It is for the customer to choose in a free market which service he or she prefers, and within that service bouquet, which company's service he or she prefers," he added.
The minister said Musk's Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite venture Jio Satcom and Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, have secured licences, while Amazon's Kuiper has expressed interest and will need to undergo the established procedure.
"We are very clear on our stand. There are three parties that have got a licence, as and when the government decides the charge system on the revenue basis, that spectrum will be assigned to them, and as and when they individually fulfil security conditions, then they can start operations," Scindia said.
"Revenue charges system is finalised once each one of these parties, party A, B, and C, all three individually based on their achievement of milestones with regard to security concerns and prerequisites have fulfilled the requirements, then obviously they can start operations. But that has to be a compliance that is done by each one of them individually," he added.
He further said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the telecom department are close to a final decision on pricing regime for satcom spectrum.
"Initially whether spectrum will be assigned or auctioned, that decision was taken. Secondly, irrespective post that administrative assignment, what the pricing regime will be. And TRAI and DOT have been in conversations on that. We are close to taking the final decision with respect to that. And the third has to do with security requirements and requisites being followed," he said.
Taking a dig at Congress party amid Rahul Gandhi and Elon Musk's exchange on X, the minister said, "As far as the Congress party is concerned... I don't think they themselves know whether they're going left or right."
He said that the opposition political party initially had a problem with "a certain person getting a licence" and said, "Now they have a problem, and they've allied with that person in terms of why he's not getting a license."
"So I don't know whether they have clarity on where they're going, but that is the case with the Congress, which is to be expected," Scindia said.
The Indian government on Thursday had rejected Musk's allegations and had said the country's authorisation framework for telecom and satellite services was "fair and non-discriminatory" and that any suggestion that it was being applied selectively was "baseless and misconceived."
However, in another Post, Musk said his firm had been complying for the last five years with the government and had said "Ambani is the real boss of India".
"Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?" Musk had said.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
]]>Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Fadnavis said nearly 75 per cent of Maharashtra’s crops had been affected, leading to significant agricultural losses. He added that the government was preparing measures to address the emerging situation.
"Challenges are always there. We are a developing economy, and in a developing economy, there is always some challenge or another. But if you ask me about the immediate challenge, I believe the drought caused by El Nino this year is the biggest challenge," he said.
Fadnavis was responding to a question about the biggest challenges he faces as chief minister. His current tenure has placed him among Maharashtra’s longest-serving chief ministers.
Highlighting the extent of the agricultural damage, Fadnavis said the impact of the drought could extend beyond crop losses, potentially affecting drinking water availability and fodder supplies for cattle in the coming months.
"Nearly 75 per cent of our crops in Maharashtra have been affected, resulting in huge crop losses. There could also be problems with drinking water in the coming months, as well as a shortage of fodder for cattle. We are planning for these challenges now," the chief minister said.
El Nino is a climate pattern characterised by the abnormal warming of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. In India, the phenomenon can weaken southwest monsoon winds and contribute to reduced rainfall, prolonged dry spells and an increased risk of drought and heatwaves.
Fadnavis said around 52 per cent of Maharashtra’s geographical area was drought-prone, attributing the recurring problem to the state’s geographical conditions and uneven rainfall distribution.
"This has always been the case because a major part of Maharashtra lies in the rain-shadow region, where adequate rainfall does not occur and where the retreating monsoon is the main source of rainfall," he said.
He also pointed to what he described as a paradox: despite Maharashtra’s recurring drought concerns, around 40 per cent of the country’s major dams are located in the state.
On September 26, the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas, accounting for around 74 per cent of the state’s talukas, amid a rainfall deficit.
The government announced relief measures, including restructuring of crop loans, concessions in land revenue and subsidies on electricity bills.
Fadnavis said preparations were underway to address the immediate challenges posed by crop losses and the potential shortage of drinking water and cattle fodder in the months ahead.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is learnt to have issued an advisory to social media platforms on October 8, expressing concern over the online circulation of certain information related to the ongoing protests that is false, misleading, manipulated or presented out of context.
The IT Ministry has expressed apprehension that such unlawful content may disturb public order, social tranquility and raise law and order concern as well as may incite violence.
"MeitY has advised large social media platforms to identify such unlawful content and prioritise action based on complaints received from authorised government bodies," an official source aware of the development said.
The advisory has asked social media platforms to label synthetically generated content on their platform particularly where the content is presented to depict the ongoing events.
"MeitY has advised social media companies to ensure timely cooperation with law enforcement and other authorised government agencies for action and furnishing information as well as provide assistance as per the applicable law within stipulated timelines under the IT Rules, 2021," the source said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>The decision was taken following a Railway Board communication warning of possible traffic congestion in the areas surrounding the two major railway stations, it said.
According to the notification, the cancelled trains include services originating from Indore, Dadar and Bandra Terminus, as well as a train from Sabarmati.
The following trains have been cancelled:
- Train 20155 (DADN-NDLS): Scheduled to depart from DADN at 3.30 pm on October 9 and arrive at New Delhi at 4.25 am on October 10.
- Train 09309 (INDB-NZM): Scheduled to depart from Indore at 5 pm on October 9 and arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin at 5 am on October 10.
- Train 12415 (INDB-NDLS): Scheduled to depart from Indore at 5.10 pm on October 9 and arrive at New Delhi at 6.20 am on October 10.
- Train 12247 (BDTS-NZM): Scheduled to depart from Bandra Terminus at 5.30 pm on October 9 and arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin at 10.15 am on October 10.
- Train 12957 (SBIB-NDLS): Scheduled to depart from Sabarmati at 7.20 pm on October 9 and arrive at New Delhi at 7.30 am on October 10.
Two services from Mumbai Central have also been rescheduled by five hours.
Train 12951 (Mumbai Central-New Delhi): Originally scheduled to depart at 5 pm on October 9, the train has been rescheduled by five hours.
Train 12953 (Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin): Originally scheduled to depart at 5.10 pm on October 9, the train has also been rescheduled by five hours.
Passengers travelling on these routes are advised to check the latest train status and departure timings with the Railways before leaving for their journey.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways has decided to cancel Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10, citing anticipated severe road congestion in the areas around the stations due to a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, according to sources.
All Mail and Express trains departing from their originating stations after 2 pm on October 9 and scheduled to reach New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10 will be cancelled at their source stations.
]]>Bravo feels that batsmen have improved their game, but said that the bowlers should improve and innovate new things to keep up with the changes in cricket.
"The skills of the batters have improved significantly. Now the bowlers have to improve and innovate. They have to significantly upskill to keep pace with the changes in world cricket," he said in an interaction with Cricketaaa.
The former all-rounder then said that he is glad that his playing days are over.
"The game is changing. It is going to an uphill tempo, and that is good. But the bowlers have to improve and innovate. The way batting is happening across the world, I'm glad my playing days are over," said Bravo.
Meanwhile, former opening batsman Gayle said that the youngsters have started playing a fearless brand of cricket and are attacking the bowlers from the very first ball.
"I am happy that batters are now breaking records rather than bowlers. The reason is simple - youngsters are now playing fearless cricket. They attack from ball one," he said.
"The game has changed. Players have changed. The batters are now hungry to score and they play fearless cricket from the very first ball," added Gayle.
Currently, the West Indies is busy featuring in the five-match T20I series against Team India. Shai Hope-led team is railing the ongoing five-match T20I series by 0-1 against the "Men in Blue".
Both teams will now clash with each other in the second T20I match, which will be played on October 9 at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
(With PTI Inputs)
]]>During a round of charades on the show, Fourth allegedly made exaggerated gestures while trying to guess the words “Bollywood Hero”. His gestures left several Indian viewers offended. Gemini also faced backlash for laughing during the segment.
ผมยืนยันจริงๆ ว่า ผมไม่ได้มีเจตนา และไม่มีความคิดที่จะล้อเลียนเชื้อชาติใดๆทั้งสิ้น ยืนยันจริงๆว่าเป็นเพียงการเล่นเกม แต่ทั้งนี้อยากขอโทษสุดหัวใจจริงๆ ถ้ามีพฤติกรรมใดๆที่ไปทำร้าย จิตใจ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นใครก็ตามนะครับ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่ง แฟนๆชาวอินเดีย จะเป็นบทเรียนที่สำคัญในการปรับปรุงตัวต่อไปครับ 🤍🤍
— FOURTH (@tawattannn) October 8, 2026
Fourth has now addressed the controversy via a post on X on October 8, 2026. He stated that he had never intended to mock any race, while also apologising to Indian fans who were offended by his actions. The actor further reiterated his support for equality and diversity, noting that the gestures were part of a game. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that his intentions did not negate the impact his actions may have had on viewers.
In his apology, Fourth said, “I have always affirmed and supported equality and diversity, and I always will. I truly assure you that I had no intention and no thought of mocking any race whatsoever. I sincerely maintain that it was merely part of playing a game. However, I want to apologise from the bottom of my heart if any of my actions hurt the feelings of anyone, whoever they may be, and especially the Indian fans. This will serve as an important lesson for me to improve my behaviour moving forward.”
During the segment in the show, Fourth was blindfolded and was asked to guess 'Bollywood Hero', while Gemini helped him figure out the clue without saying the words. As Gemini used gestures to guide him, Fourth responded with exaggerated head movements, outstretched arms and dramatic expressions. Fourth also sang ‘Dhoom Machale’ while trying to guess the answer, but was unable to get it right.
A clip of the segment drew criticism from Indian viewers. Many on the internet felt the gestures reinforced stereotypes about Indian dance and culture. Meanwhile, many argued that the issue was not the format of the game , but the way Indian culture was represented during the segment.
]]>Musk claimed that Starlink had spent five years complying with Indian laws and regulatory requirements but was still awaiting the necessary clearances to launch its services.
The remarks came hours after the government rejected his allegations that powerful business interests were obstructing Starlink's entry into the Indian market to protect their position in the telecom sector.
In a post on X, Musk said, “Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?”
Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 8, 2026
He followed it with the question, “Is Ambani the real boss of India?”
Musk had earlier accused unnamed “oligarchs” of attempting to block Starlink's entry into the country to maintain their market dominance. He did not initially name any individual or company in those allegations.
The comments have brought renewed attention to competition in India's satellite communications market, where Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are also pursuing satellite-based services.
The government pushed back against Musk's claims, maintaining that compliance with security requirements is mandatory for all satellite communications service providers.
The Ministry of Communications described suggestions that India's regulatory framework was being applied unfairly or selectively as “baseless and misconceived”. It said the approval process was being followed uniformly for licensed operators.
Starlink has secured a licence to provide satellite communications services in India. However, it still needs to complete security assessments and obtain the necessary approvals, including those related to spectrum, before launching commercial operations.
Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the Department of Telecommunications had issued licences to satellite communications companies and provided provisional spectrum for testing, while security clearance remained pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
"The Department of Telecom has issued licences to all satcom companies as well as provisional spectrum. Now the issue is pending with MHA for security clearance. As soon as it is cleared, they will get it. It has nothing to do with one company," Pemmasani told reporters on the sidelines of the India Mobile Congress.
Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has also said his satellite communications venture is awaiting regulatory approvals.
The controversy also drew a response from Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who replied to Musk on X.
“Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy,” Gandhi wrote.
Musk responded, “Thank you, Rahul. This is indeed troubling”.
]]>The campaign marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service, beginning with his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and continuing through his years as Prime Minister. It seeks to highlight welfare initiatives, public service and development programmes through outreach activities and accounts of beneficiaries.
Acharya Pawan Tripathi, treasurer of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and general secretary of the Mumbai BJP, reflects on the importance of public participation in the country’s development journey and the role citizens can play in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The campaign seeks to take the development narrative beyond government policies and announcements by highlighting experiences from villages, cities and communities, including those of women, young people, middle-class households and economically disadvantaged sections.
Initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Swachh Bharat Mission and Har Ghar Jal have sought to improve access to banking, clean cooking fuel, sanitation and drinking water. These programmes have brought development-related interventions into the everyday lives of families.
While speaking about the campaign, Tripathi said, “Development is not merely about skyscrapers rising in big cities. It is visible when electricity reaches a poor household, when a woman is freed from the smoke of a traditional cooking stove, when a farmer gains access to banking and digital payments, or when a family receives financial protection for healthcare.”
“Schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PM-KISAN and various social security programmes have worked towards this broader objective,” he added.
Tripathi said, “At the same time, India’s digital journey has moved rapidly forward. There was a time when reaching a bank branch itself was a challenge for many people. Today, making payments through a mobile phone has become part of everyday life. UPI has taken digital payments to millions of citizens, while the combination of Aadhaar, Jan Dhan accounts and mobile connectivity has helped expand the direct benefit transfer system.”
Digital public infrastructure has become an important part of India’s development story. However, its reach and impact must be assessed alongside questions of accessibility, implementation and the benefits experienced by different sections of society.
Rural development remains another important aspect of the country’s progress. Roads, housing, electricity, internet connectivity, drinking water and financial inclusion affect rural livelihoods, while irrigation, agricultural infrastructure and market access remain important to farmers.
India’s young population is also central to its development ambitions. Programmes such as Startup India and Digital India, alongside the National Education Policy, have brought innovation, technology and skills into the development discourse. India’s startup ecosystem and ambitions in areas such as space, semiconductors, electronics, defence manufacturing and artificial intelligence are also part of this wider transformation.
Speaking about women’s participation in the economy, Tripathi said, “Women’s participation is equally important in measuring India’s development. Self-help groups, MUDRA loans, women-led entrepreneurship, maternity support, nutrition and healthcare initiatives have sought to strengthen the economic and social position of women.”
The campaign’s official programme list includes Aangan Milan Seva, which provides a platform for community engagement around anganwadi centres. Issues such as nutrition, immunisation, maternal health and child development remain important to improving health outcomes for families.
Tripathi said, “I believe the true value of any government initiative should be assessed beyond figures and documents. This is why the focus on real beneficiary stories under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ is important.”
The campaign includes Seva Ki Kahani and Namo Seva–Ankahi Kahaniyan, among other programmes. Such initiatives seek to bring accounts of public service and welfare closer to citizens. The specific scale and format of beneficiary-story collection should be confirmed with the campaign organisers before publication.
Another programme, Seva Mera Yogdan, focuses on citizens’ participation in community service. Activities such as blood donation, tree plantation, cleanliness drives, health check-ups, water conservation, digital literacy, cyber safety and support for children in need can encourage collective responsibility.
The spirit of service, Tripathi said, should extend beyond political parties and governments. It is also a responsibility of citizenship, with individuals and communities contributing to social welfare.
The campaign also includes Mere Sapnon Ka Bharat–Chitra Seva, which provides a platform for people to express their vision of India’s future through creative participation. Engaging children and young people in conversations about the country’s development can help bring their aspirations into the wider public discourse.
Other campaign programmes include Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra, Seva Setu Abhiyan, Seva Ke Rang–Rashtra Ke Sang, Seva First Innovation Challenge and Sushasan Seva Samvad. Together, these initiatives are intended to encourage participation in public service and discussions around development.
Tripathi said, “I do not see India’s development journey merely as a relationship between the government and its citizens. It is also the journey of a society in which citizens understand their responsibilities and contribute to nation-building.”
Several initiatives launched or expanded during Modi’s tenure have contributed to this development narrative. At the same time, challenges such as unemployment, inequality, agricultural incomes, the quality of education, access to healthcare and regional disparities remain. A balanced understanding of development requires continued discussion of these challenges alongside the achievements.
The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 envisages India becoming a developed nation by the centenary of its Independence. Achieving this goal will require sustained efforts to improve living standards, expand opportunities and ensure that the benefits of development reach different sections of society.
“The goal of a developed India is not the responsibility of one individual, institution or government. It is a long-term journey that can be achieved only through the participation of millions of Indians,” Tripathi said.
Development becomes meaningful when it improves everyday lives through better healthcare, housing, clean water, education and employment opportunities. While government initiatives play an important role, citizens can contribute through volunteering, cleanliness drives, blood donation, water conservation and supporting those in need.
As India looks towards 2047, inclusive growth, responsible citizenship and community participation will remain essential to its development journey. Sustained collective efforts by individuals, communities and institutions can help make development more equitable and ensure that its benefits reach those who need them most.
In a post on X, Fadnavis said he met CyberTech Global founder Amir Rapaport, who is also the author of CyberMania, and Israeli Consul General Yaniv Revach at his official residence, Varsha, in south Mumbai.
The discussions covered the Maharashtra government's MahaCyber initiative, emerging technologies and cybersecurity practices, the chief minister said.
In his post on X, Fadnavis said, "CyberTech Asia coming soon.. It was a pleasure to meet the Founder of Cybertech Global and author of Cybermania Mr Amir Rapaport with Israel CG Yaniv Revach, at my official residence. CyberTech Gobal is a globally acclaimed, premier international exhibition and conference platform for the cybersecurity and digital innovation ecosystems. We had a nice discussion on our initiative MahaCyber, emerging technologies and practices on cyber security. I thank Mr Amir and CG for the invitation to the CyberTech Global Tel Aviv (Jan 2027). We welcome, look forward to colab and bring CyberTech Asia to Mumbai in March 2027, which will be its first time in India!"
CyberTech Asia coming soon.. It was a pleasure to meet the Founder of Cybertech Global and author of Cybermania Mr Amir Rapaport with Israel CG Yaniv Revach, at my official residence. CyberTech Gobal is a globally acclaimed, premier international exhibition and conference platform for the cybersecurity and digital innovation ecosystems. We had a nice discussion on our initiative MahaCyber, emerging technologies and practices on cyber security. I thank Mr Amir and CG for the invitation to the CyberTech Global Tel Aviv (Jan 2027). We welcome, look forward to colab and bring CyberTech Asia to Mumbai in March 2027, which will be its first time in India ! @Cybertech_Globl @AmirRapaport1 @IsraelInMumbai #Maharashtra #Israel #CyberSecurity
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 9, 2026
Announcing the proposed event, Fadnavis said Maharashtra looked forward to collaborating with the organisers to bring CyberTech Asia to Mumbai in March 2027. The event will mark the platform's first edition in India.
CyberTech Global organises international exhibitions and conferences focused on cybersecurity, digital innovation and emerging technologies. Its events bring together industry professionals, technology companies, government representatives and cybersecurity experts to discuss developments and challenges in the sector.
Fadnavis also thanked Rapaport and Revach for inviting him to attend CyberTech Global in Tel Aviv in January 2027.
According to the chief minister, the meeting included discussions on MahaCyber, the state's cybersecurity initiative aimed at addressing digital threats and online fraud.
The initiative serves as a state-level framework for strengthening cybersecurity, investigating cybercrime and improving responses to digital threats. Its work is particularly relevant as online financial fraud and other cyber offences remain concerns for law enforcement agencies.
The meeting also focused on emerging technologies and cybersecurity practices, although the chief minister's post did not specify any new agreements or projects arising from the discussions.
]]>The research paper, titled "Green-light-activated Os(II) metallophotoantibiotics for antibacterial therapy and infected wound healing," presents a promising scientific approach to addressing some of the major challenges in modern healthcare, including antimicrobial resistance, persistent bacterial infections and infected wound healing.
The research represents a collaborative effort between the research groups of Dr. Samya Banerjee, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Sudip Mukherjee, School of Biomedical Engineering, IIT (BHU), Varanasi.Â
The research team comprises Apurba Mandal, Debayani Chakraborty, Arif Ali Mandal, Rohit Pandey, Ashish Kumar Agrawal, Rashi Gautam, and Sweety Tiwari.
The study brings together expertise in chemistry, biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical engineering to explore new approaches for addressing complex biomedical challenges.
The publication of this research in the prestigious Nature Portfolio journal Communications Chemistry underscores IIT (BHU)'s commitment to interdisciplinary scientific research and innovation aimed at addressing pressing societal and healthcare needs.
The study demonstrates how specially designed chemical compounds, activated by green light, can effectively inhibit bacterial growth, disrupt protective bacterial layers known as biofilms and accelerate the healing of infected wounds in laboratory studies involving rats.
The publication in Communications Chemistry marks a notable research accomplishment for IIT (BHU), highlighting the instituteâ¿¿s interdisciplinary research capabilities and its contribution to developing innovative solutions to global healthcare challenges.
Another significant concern is the formation of bacterial biofilms, protective layers formed by bacteria on surfaces, including medical devices, which make infections difficult to eliminate.
To address these challenges, the research team developed three specialised chemical compounds known as osmium-based metallophotoantibiotics (Os1, Os2 and Os3).
These compounds become particularly effective when exposed to green light. Upon activation, they generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), highly reactive molecules that damage bacterial cells and interfere with their essential biological processes, ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth.
The researchers evaluated the compounds against three bacterial species: Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The findings demonstrated effective antibacterial activity under green-light exposure, with Os1 emerging as the most promising candidate among the three compounds.
One of the significant findings of the study is the ability of the developed compound to combat bacterial biofilms.
Biofilms are communities of bacteria surrounded by a protective layer that enables them to persist on surfaces and resist conventional antibacterial treatments. Their formation presents a particular challenge in managing infections associated with medical devices and other healthcare environments.
In laboratory experiments, Os1, when activated by green light, demonstrated approximately 85 per cent inhibition of biofilm formation in both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Hema Malini said she had been travelling when Nana called her approximately a week ago.
In a conversation with IANS during an event, Hema Malini shared her recent contact with Nana Patekar. She expressed regret at missing the opportunity to interact with him and described the loss as a significant one for Indian cinema.
She said, "He rang a few days back. He spoke to me also. Just about a week back also I had one call, I think. But somehow I missed it because I was travelling. So, when I heard today, I was shocked. Our industry, Hindi film and Marathi film industry, has lost such a great actor. He himself was an institution for acting."
Hema also paid a tribute to Nana Patekar on Instagram. The veteran actress lauded his craft and his dedication towards social causes through the Naam Foundation, which supports farmers and underprivileged communities.
She wrote, "Today we have lost an icon of the film industry. Nana Patekar, who has carved a place for himself with his unique acting talent and was hailed as a complete institution of histrionics, is no more. He is known for his tireless work for the Naam Foundation, always devoted to the betterment of farmers and the underprivileged."
View this post on Instagram
Hema also spoke about admiring Nana's wide range of performances in Hindi and Marathi cinema. She also recalled that one time he had named her his favourite actress.
"He has left behind a rich legacy of films in Hindi and Marathi that showcase his great talent in a variety of roles. I loved watching his films and his unique approach to his roles. He too has mentioned that I was his favourite actress in classic cinema. The film industry will surely miss this stalwart," she added.
Other celebrities, including Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Kiara Advani and others, also paid touching tribute to the veteran actor on social media.
]]>According to a police press release, Sitabai Santosh Ingle (35) was detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PIT-NDPS Act) to prevent her from allegedly continuing her involvement in the illegal drug trade.
In a separate but related action, police invoked MCOCA against a gang allegedly involved in supplying mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant drug, across multiple locations in Maharashtra.
The gang was allegedly headed by Imran Hussain Khan (36), who police said had previously been involved in serious criminal cases, including attempted murder and assault.
MCOCA is a state law aimed at tackling organised crime. Its provisions allow authorities to take action against organised criminal activity when the legal requirements for invoking the legislation are met.
The alleged network came under scrutiny after police seized 344 grams of mephedrone, valued at nearly Rs 86 lakh, from a resident of Ulwe in Navi Mumbai in May, the press release said.
The seizure prompted further investigation into the alleged supply network and the people suspected of distributing the contraband across Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Nashik.
Police subsequently invoked MCOCA against the alleged gang as part of efforts to crack down on organised drug distribution.
Ingle was detained under the PIT-NDPS Act, which provides for preventive detention in cases involving illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
According to officials, the action was intended to prevent her alleged continued involvement in selling contraband.
The invocation of MCOCA against the alleged gang marks a move to pursue suspected drug distribution networks under organised crime provisions rather than treating the case solely as an individual drug seizure.
The investigation concerns the alleged supply of mephedrone across several urban centres in Maharashtra. Further details about additional suspects, arrests or seizures were not immediately available in the police statement.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>The incident was reported at 10.24 pm from labour camp on the Powai campus. According to the BMC, the incident was reported by Rajawadi Hospital, following which police and BMC ward staff were mobilised.
As per information received from the medical officer concerned at Rajawadi Hospital, five people were injured in the incident and brought to the hospital for treatment.
Four of the injured were later transferred to Kasturba Hospital, while one was admitted to Rajawadi Hospital. All five were reported to be in stable condition.
Two children, aged 12 and nine, were transferred to Kasturba Hospital.
Three others — Ishwar Singh, 37, was admitted to Rajawadi Hospital, while Shivkumar Singh, 34, and Anilkumar Yadav, 23, were transferred to Kasturba Hospital.
Further details about the cause of the gas leakage were awaited.
Four men died due to suspected inhalation of a toxic gas while allegedly trying to commit a theft on board a foreign-flagged vessel stranded off the Manori beach in Mumbai's Gorai area, police said on October 1.
The ship, on which the incident occurred two to three days back, had run aground four months ago due to strong winds and heavy rainfall, they said.
According to the police's preliminary investigation, a gang had been repeatedly targeting the stranded vessel over the past one month.
Two to three days ago, a group of eight individuals boarded the ship using a speedboat. While one person stayed back to navigate the speedboat, seven others climbed aboard the vessel, the police said.
Trouble began when four members of the gang went into the interior compartments of the ship to cut a gas pipeline using a gas cutter with the intention of committing a theft. But a sudden toxic gas leak inside the enclosed space caused all four to allegedly suffocate and die on the spot, an official said.
The matter came to light when one of their associates approached the Gorai police station and reported that four of his companions were trapped inside the ship, he said.
Following the alert, the local police coordinated with the merchant navy personnel and launched a recovery operation.
On Wednesday, search teams entered the ship with the assistance of a helicopter, retrieved the four bodies, and sent them to a local hospital for post-mortem examinations.
"All four deceased persons are below 30 years of age. Efforts are underway to formally establish their identities and determine how they navigated the sea to execute the thefts," a police official said.
According to the investigators, the gang had previously raided the vessel twice.
Preliminary reports suggest that a case has been registered against the owner of the ship, who is currently abroad and absconding.
Police are also probing allegations that the vessel was involved in illegal oil-related activities prior to running aground, though official confirmation is pending.
The Gorai police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) and further investigation into the incident is underway.
]]>"Strengthening India-Japan Defence Cooperation. A 34-member delegation from the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, JGSDF Command and General Staff Course, visited India from 04 to 09 October 2026 as part of its Foreign Study Tour. The delegation interacted with representatives of the Indian Army and DRDO and visited CLAWS and WARDEC, gaining insights into India's defence capabilities, military training and emerging technologies," the Indian Army posted on X.
"The visit also included an exposure to India's rich cultural heritage. The engagement further strengthened professional military ties, mutual understanding and the enduring defence partnership between India and Japan," it added.
Last month, bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian 2026' between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur, serving as a vital platform for enhancing interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two air forces, the Ministry of Defence said.
"The bilateral air exercise 'Veer Guardian 2026' between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) concluded at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 22 September 2026. The exercise served as a vital platform for enhancing interoperability and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two Air Forces. The IAF deployed a mix of aircraft, including Su-30 MKI, Rafale, and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The JASDF participated with the F-2A fighter aircraft," the ministry said in a statement.
Furthermore, India and Japan held discussions on strengthening bilateral defence technology collaboration, joint exercises and regional security cooperation for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The discussion took place during a meeting between Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and a visiting delegation of Japanese Parliamentarians from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Taro Kono on September 22 in New Delhi.
"Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh met Director General, International Cooperation, LDP, Japan, Mr Taro Kono in New Delhi on September 22, 2026. They held productive exchange of views on strengthening bilateral defence technology collaboration, joint exercises and regional security cooperation for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," the Ministry of Defence posted on X
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>As per IANS, BJP candidates are ahead by over 19,000 votes in Nandigram and 21,000 in Rejinagar.
In Nandigram, BJP's Hasirani Rath is ahead of Congress’s Milan Pradhan by over 19,200 votes. The CPI candidate, Sanitgopal Giri, is in the third position.
In Rejinagar, BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar is ahead of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP)’s Golam Nabi Azad by over 21,000 votes.
The Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi, who was in the second position in the initial round of counting, is now relegated to the third position after two rounds of counting.
The two factions in the Trinamool Congress, namely the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and Ritabrata Banerjee-led Democratic Trinamool Congress, trail well behind the frontrunners.
While the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress is not in the electoral race in Nandigram, the faction’s candidate, Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, is in sixth in Rejinagar.
The Democratic Trinamool Congress candidate Safiuzzaman Sheikh is in the seventh position. In Nandigram, the Democratic Trinamool Congress candidate Ehtesamul Haque is in the fifth position.
Political observers viewed the Rejinagar trend as particularly significant, as more than 65 per cent of the constituency's voters belong to the minority community. One political observer linked the trend to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's recent assurance that his government would not pursue community-based development policies, as per IANS.
A local political observer while briefing about the situation said, “This trend shows that even a section of the minority community in West Bengal has decided to stay with the ruling dispensation keeping in mind the recent assurance by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari that the state government-led by him will not pursue community-based development activities,” as cited by IANS.
However, the Congress candidate from Rejinagar, Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi, said the results were a clear indication of what farcical exercise took place there on October 6. “The trend is exactly what the Chief Minister predicted on Tuesday,” Kafi added.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The incident took place on October 2, when the accused allegedly lured the builder to a hotel in Nalasopara East on the pretext of purchasing a commercial shop at his construction site.
According to police, the main accused, Rohit Subhash Jangid (27), and his accomplices contacted the builder to discuss the proposed purchase of the commercial premises. They allegedly asked him to meet them at a hotel to finalise the deal, reported PTI.
When the builder arrived at the location, the accused allegedly forced him into a black Hyundai Creta SUV. They then threatened him with a gun and demanded money and jewellery, police said.
The accused allegedly held the builder at gunpoint and forced him to hand over Rs 10 lakh in cash and gold ornaments weighing more than 70 grams.
Following the incident, the builder approached the police and lodged a complaint, prompting an investigation into the alleged abduction and extortion, reported PTI.
During the investigation, the Crime Detection Cell-3 in Virar apprehended Jangid and Vansh Shivkumar Gupta, alias Monu (21), on October 4, officials said, reported PTI.
The two were arrested in connection with the alleged crime, while further details about the other accomplices, if any, were not immediately available.
Police said they had recovered the entire amount of Rs 10 lakh and the gold jewellery from the two accused.
The arrests followed a probe launched after the builder reported the incident. Police have not provided further details about the motive behind the alleged crime or whether additional arrests are likely.
The accused are alleged to have used the promise of a commercial property deal to bring the builder to the meeting before abducting and threatening him. The investigation is continuing, police said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Ahead of the match, Team India's wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson will be eyeing a new feat in format's history.
The right-handed batsman is falling short by just six maximums to complete his tally of 100 maximums in the format. So far, he has smashed 94 maximums in 73 T20I matches.
Topping the Indian list is veteran opening batsman Rohit Sharma. He concluded his T20I career with 205 sixes in 159 matches for the "Men in Blue".
Currently, the West Indies is busy featuring in the five-match T20I series against Team India. The visitors are trailing the ongoing five-match T20I series by 0-1 against the "Men in Blue".
Earlier, the West Indies suffered a loss by eight wickets in the first match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow. Hope smashed 52 runs in 37 balls, including six boundaries and two maximums. Sherfane Rutherford also garnered 56 runs in 34 balls, with the help of six boundaries and three maximums. With this, the visitors were bowled out for 171 runs in 19.1 overs.
Team India's Naman Dhir returned with three wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets each. Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh claimed one wicket each.
Later in the second innings of the game, the hosts chased the target by scoring 172 runs for the loss of two wickets in 14.4 overs.
Captain Shreyas Iyer delivered a stunning knock of an unbeaten 102 runs off just 43 deliveries, which was laced with 10 boundaries and six maximums. Ishan Kishan stayed unbeaten on 37 runs in 27 balls. He also smashed five boundaries during his knock.
West Indies' Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase bagged one wicket each.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
]]>The stock jumped 5.11 per cent to Rs 2,181.30 on the BSE. At the NSE, the stock climbed 5 per cent to Rs 2,180.
The company's market valuation surged Rs 36,452.23 crore to Rs 7,88,670.72 crore during the morning trade.
The stock was the biggest gainer among the Sensex and Nifty firms during the initial trading.
The country's largest IT services company, the biggest source of revenues for Tata Sons, posted a net profit of Rs 12,075 crore in the year-ago period and Rs 13,349 crore in the preceding September quarter.
The company said its revenue from operations rose 11.22 per cent to Rs 73,188 crore in the July-September period from Rs 65,799 crore in the year-ago period. In the June quarter, its topline stood at Rs 72,275 crore.
About 10 per cent of overall revenue came from the artificial intelligence (AI) front, where the company upped annualised revenue to USD 3.1 billion from USD 2.6 billion in the quarter-ago period, Chief Executive K Krithivasan said in an analyst call.
For the reporting quarter, growth has been broad-based, Krithivasan said, adding that looking at the pipeline, deal signings and client conversations, he is confident of the growth momentum to continue.
Other IT stocks were also trading higher, including Infosys, Tech Mahindra, HCL Tech and Wipro.
Meanwhile, TCS on Friday said it did not expect the US action concerning the green card programme to affect its workforce strategy or customer engagements. The company cited the single-digit number of applications it had filed under the programme over the past two years and its focus on local hiring.
The US on Thursday suspended eight IT firms, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and Microsoft, from a programme to apply for green cards for foreign workers, contending that the practice has shut out Americans from the job market.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Tucci, who has been feted with several honours including seven Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award, was speaking to IANS for the promotion of his latest project "Master Plan".
Asked how much of a master plan worked for his life and if it worked out the way he had imagined, Tucci told IANS: "Some of it worked out. Some of it didn't."
"I think having a master plan is a really good idea, but don't get too attached to it."
Did working on "Masterplan" change the way you think about the idea of having a master plan, be it in art, life, or relationships?
Tucci saying: "Yeah, I would never have as many secrets. It doesn't work."
In a career spanning over four decades, the 65-year-old star has worked in iconic projects such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games Franchise, Spotlight, Conclave, and Julie and Julia.
Does he have a master plan for his characters, or does Tucci like to let a little happy accident happen now and then?
"Accidents have to happen. That's sort of the point of acting and filmmaking... things can become spontaneous. So, you have the master plan, which is the script, but that plan gets altered slightly day by day."
"Masterplan", which is available on Prime Video, follows a master thief who enlists two strangers for a Louvre heist targeting the Mona Lisa, then reveals they're his children and siblings who must cooperate to pull off history's greatest art theft.
Asked what happens to a character like that when the people he has to control are also the people he loves, he said: "Oh, it's a mess. It turns into a mess. Just like parenting."
A heist depends on absolute trust, but Roger's relationships with his children are built on secrets and deception.
How did he approach playing that contradiction?
Tucci said: "Well, you have to play it. Everything that he says to them, he has to make them believe it. And therefore, the audience has to believe it. That's all."
The star has aced almost everything, be it acting, directing and the art of food. So, what's left on Tucci's master plan?
"I don't know. I don't know. I'd like to do some artwork. I'd like to direct a play again. I'm not quite sure," he said.
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]]>The accused allegedly targeted unsuspecting passengers who picked up these trolleys and crossed customs. They reportedly followed the passengers and later retrieved the gold from the trolleys, using innocent travellers as unwitting carriers without their knowledge.
Acting on intelligence inputs, DRI officials seized the gold. The investigation is expected to focus on the alleged smuggling network and the modus operandi used to transport the gold through unsuspecting passengers.
Earlier, on October 4, the DRI had seized a cumulative 15.59 kg of narcotic drugs, including amphetamine, cocaine and heroin, in three separate intelligence-led operations, the Finance Ministry said. Five people were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In one operation, the DRI, in coordination with the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), had intercepted a car suspected of carrying amphetamine at the Ujjain-Dewas Toll Plaza in Madhya Pradesh.
When signalled to stop, the driver had allegedly broken through the barricade and sped away. The officers pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase lasting approximately 1.5 hours before intercepting it near Bicholi Mardana in Indore.
A detailed search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the contraband concealed inside the spare tyre mounted on the rear door of the Thar, according to the statement.
Earlier, on October 2, the DRI's Mumbai Zonal Unit had busted an international syndicate involved in smuggling 8.5 kg of gold worth Rs 12.65 crore into India and trafficking 1,168 carats of diamonds worth Rs 1.09 crore out of the country to Dubai through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
The DRI had arrested eight members of the syndicate for their alleged involvement in trafficking valuables into and out of the country.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>Malhar Patekar, while speaking to the media, was asked about the cremation being held late at night despite many Bollywood celebrities wanting to attend the funeral. Malhar explained that the family and his mortal remains were in Goa, and thus, considering the long travel, it took them some time to bring the actor's mortal reaims to his farmhouse.
He further shared that the actor passed away early in the morning, and a lot of time had already passed. Thus, it wasn't advisable to keep the mortal remains for long.
He said, "We were in Goa, and his mortal remains were to be brought to the farmhouse in the village. We expected that we would arrive earlier but it took us some time. He passed away early in the morning so a lot of time had already passed and it was not advisable to keep the mortal remains for long. Hence, we had to do the cremation
after the sunset".
Malhar also spoke about carrying forward his late father's legacy of social work, saying, "People like him don't go anywhere, they live forever through the work they are immortal. He always told us one thing that we should get together for humanity and work for the betterment of the world. He used to think on the global level. Our social work covered Maharashtra, pan-India including Jammu and Kashmir, we are doing all our social work there in the education and the health sector. He had already passed on the responsibilities to every single person who deserved it. He had already delegated a lot of work to people who could do justice to it".
"And, he wanted to start everything from scratch and he wanted to spend his life at a place which demanded something from him in terms of social work. I'll make sure that whatever unfinished business is there, it gets completed. His dreams and my dreams collectively is to work for the people, I will ensure that it gets done", he further shared.
Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his Donje farmhouse in Pune district on Thursday night, with a 3-gun salute.
The legendary actor's friends and members of the film fraternity, including Jackie Shroff, directors Anil Sharma, Aneez Bazmee, and producer Firoz Nadiadwala, were seen arriving in Donje to attend his last rites. Similarly, A huge crowd of locals and people from across the state turned up to bid adieu to the departed soul.
Meanwhile, members of the Indian film industry mourned the loss of the actor, expressing grief through social media after learning about his death.
]]>"America is making it harder to move Indian talent there, while technology is making it easier for smaller teams in India to take responsibility for increasingly sophisticated work," he said in a post on social media platform X.
"There is an irony here. In trying to reduce the movement of Indian talent to America, the US may accelerate the movement of American work to India," he said.
Nayar said that he doesn't mean another wave of coding and maintenance jobs but pointed out there is opportunity in architecture, product engineering, cybersecurity, AI implementation, industry solutions and eventually ownership of products and IP.
"Indian teams should not merely receive specifications from New York. They should help decide what gets built. Not merely maintain a global bank’s technology platform, but help redesign the bank. Not just supply engineers to solve somebody else’s problem, but own the problem," he added.
His remarks come after US suspended eight IT firms, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and Microsoft, from PERM to apply for green cards for foreign workers on Thursday. US contended that the practice has shut out Americans from the job market.
On the suspension of the IT companies from PERM, he said, the impact will be limited on India Indian companies.
"One number explains why. Indian IT companies accounted for less than 1,400 of the 117,849 PERM certifications last year. Less than 2 per cent. The direct impact may therefore be smaller than it first appears," he said.
He however cautioned that AI might impact the hiring in the Indian IT sector going forward.
"For thirty years, growth in Indian IT and growth in Indian IT employment travelled together. Win more business, hire more engineers. As AI technology improves productivity, that relationship may weaken. Indian IT could win more sophisticated work and create more value without headcount growing at the same rate," he said.
"So we need a different definition of success. For thirty years, Indian IT competed largely on the cost of Indian talent. The next thirty will depend on the capability of Indian talent," he added.
According to Nayar there are much bigger questions before the industry such as, "Can we create architects rather than only programmers? Build products and IP here? Move more global decision-making to India? Create more value per person and therefore pay our people far better?"
"Those are much bigger questions than how many visas America issues. So worry not about the visa headlines. Trump may make it harder for Indian engineers to move to American work. The opportunity is to make American work move to Indian engineers," he said.
Trump wants fewer Indian technology professionals moving to America. The unintended consequence may be more American technology work moving to India. I have spent more than three decades in this industry. So when I read about the latest US action restricting some large technology companies from using PERM, the route through which employees move towards permanent residency, I was less worried than the headlines suggested. One number explains why. Indian IT companies accounted for less than 1,400 of the 117,849 PERM certifications last year. Less than 2%. The direct impact may therefore be smaller than it first appears. But something more interesting is happening underneath. The original Indian IT model was simple. The customer had important work in America, so we sent Indian engineers there to do it. Then we discovered that much of that work could be done from India. The onsite-offshore model was born. I lived that transition. We may be at the beginning of another one. America is making it harder to move Indian talent there, while technology is making it easier for smaller teams in India to take responsibility for increasingly sophisticated work. There is an irony here. In trying to reduce the movement of Indian talent to America, the US may accelerate the movement of American work to India. But I don’t mean another wave of coding and maintenance jobs. The opportunity is architecture, product engineering, cybersecurity, AI implementation, industry solutions and eventually ownership of products and IP. Indian teams should not merely receive specifications from New York. They should help decide what gets built. Not merely maintain a global bank’s technology platform, but help redesign the bank. Not just supply engineers to solve somebody else’s problem, but own the problem. There is an uncomfortable truth too. For thirty years, growth in Indian IT and growth in Indian IT employment travelled together. Win more business, hire more engineers. As AI technology improves productivity, that relationship may weaken. Indian IT could win more sophisticated work and create more value without headcount growing at the same rate. So we need a different definition of success. For thirty years, Indian IT competed largely on the cost of Indian talent. The next thirty will depend on the capability of Indian talent. Can we create architects rather than only programmers? Build products and IP here? Move more global decision-making to India? Create more value per person and therefore pay our people far better? Those are much bigger questions than how many visas America issues. So worry not about the visa headlines. Trump may make it harder for Indian engineers to move to American work. The opportunity is to make American work move to Indian engineers.
— Vineet Nayar (@vineetnayar) October 9, 2026
"I am hereby suspending from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme some of the largest IT outsourcing firms in the world, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata (TCS), Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini," Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said, adding the Department of Labour is also suspending Microsoft and Adobe from the programme due to multiple active federal investigations.
Sonderling said the companies named in the action had collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009. According to figures he presented, they had received more than 2.3 lakh H-1B visa approvals and over 1 lakh permanent labour certifications.
The country's largest IT services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Friday said it does not expect its suspension from the Permanent Labor Certification Programme (PERM) to affect its workforce strategy or customer engagements. It said its applications under the green card programme were in single digits in the last two years.
The Permanent Labour Certification Programme, commonly known as PERM, is a key step for many employers seeking employment-based permanent residence for foreign workers.
]]>On October 8, Katrina was seen at an event in London to celebrate one year of her beauty brand Kay Beauty in the UK. While interacting with the influencers at the event, Katrina Kaif spoke about the importance of not letting online narratives shape one’s sense of self-worth, especially in an age where everyone has an opinion to share.
Katrina said, “I think we really need to be careful of letting the narrative on social media affect our self-worth and inner value because there are so many opinions out there. If you start catering to all of them, it really hampers your ability to make choices for yourself."
View this post on Instagram
Further speaking about how criticism can also influence one'spersonal choices, Katrina highlighted how constantly responding to public opinion can make it harder to move ahead. She shared that allowing every comment or criticism to affect her decisions could have stopped her from making progress in life. She added, “There are times when the world is going to celebrate you, and other times you have to really be your own biggest cheerleader."
She also emphasised the importance of embracing oneself through different stages of life, admitting that confidence and self-image can fluctuate. The actress said that while there are days when people feel their best, there are also times when they struggle with how they see themselves. Stressing on the need to accept oneself in the present, she highlighted how personal growth is a continuous journey.
Katrina's remarks came a month after Katrina was trolled by a section of users on social media. The trolling came after she arrived at the Ambani family’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with husband Vicky Kaushal. The actor, who embraced motherhood last year, was subjected to remarks about her postpartum appearance.
The criticism sparked a debate about the scrutiny women face over their bodies, especially after childbirth, and the unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities. Following the backlash, several stars, including Salman Khan, came out in support of Katrina.
]]>The Bollywood star, known for his high-octane action moves, reveals that he does not fear being stereotyped; in fact, he embraces the tag that he has become synonymous with. In an exclusive conversation with Mid-Day, the actor addressed the action-hero label that he has carried since the start of his career.
Unlike many actors who worry about being typecast, Vidyut says he always wanted to be recognised for his action skills. When asked if he has ever feared being typecast, the actor said, "I wanted to be typecast. I wanted everybody to say Vidyut does action. I have finally achieved the typecast, and I love it. I wanted to be known for what I do. I wanted to be put in this box that Vidyut can do it and he does action, and he does it so well that there will be a day Street Fighter will call him and make him a part of it, so yes."
Vidyut is set to make his Hollywood debut with the upcoming action film Street Fighter, in which he plays Dhalsim, a skilled yoga practitioner. When asked the Junglee actor if he had to undergo any different kind of physical preparation for the role, he said, "Not the physical prepartion, but I had to understand all the other characters that were in the movie. Every character that Dhalsim has fought, I need to see how they fight with each other. So, that was the homework I had done a lot, which really helped me because I got to know every character."
Street Fighter, directed by Kitao Sakurai, is based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The film also boasts an ensemble cast comprising Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, Andrew Koji as Ryu and Jason Momoa as Blanka, along with Callina Liang, Joe Anoai, David Dastmalchian, Cody Rhodes, Andrew Schulz, Eric Andre, Orville Peck, Olivier Richters, Hirooki Goto, Rayna Vallandingham, Alexander Volkanovski and Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson.
The action-adventure film is set to release on October 16 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu
]]>According to a press note issued by the organisation, students from across Maharashtra have been mobilised to participate in the demonstration scheduled for October 10 in the national capital. Various groups of students have reportedly left for Delhi to join the protest.
The organisation alleged that the students travelling from Pune were detained at Itarsi railway station after being dragged and beaten by police personnel. These allegations have been made by AISF members and were not independently verified in the press note.
The Maharashtra unit further claimed that an earlier attempt had been made to detain the activists at Bhusawal railway station while they were travelling towards Delhi.
According to the AISF press note, a total of 22 students were detained during the operation. Those named by the organisation include Shravani Buva, the AISF Pune coordinator, and Preeti Londhe, a member of the Pune committee.
The organisation alleged that, following the detention, neither AISF representatives nor the students' families had received official information about where the students had been taken. It also claimed that the mobile phones of the detained students had been switched off, raising concerns among their families and fellow activists.
The Maharashtra State Council of AISF has condemned the alleged action and demanded that authorities immediately disclose the whereabouts of all the detained students.
The organisation has also called for the students to be dealt with in accordance with the legal process and released immediately. It has sought a fair investigation into the alleged mistreatment and beating.
AISF said preventing students from travelling to Delhi to participate in a protest through democratic means, while allegedly withholding information about their whereabouts, was a serious matter.
The allegations and demands were made in the organisation's press note. The press note did not include a response from Madhya Pradesh Police or Railway Police regarding the alleged detention.
]]>For the event, Aamir opted for a floral print, button-down shirt styled with black pants and clear-frame glasses. Nailing a salt-and-pepper look, he was asked by the media about his new avatar. The actor then replied that it was not linked to any specific role. While brushing his hand through his hair, the actor remarked, "This look is nothing special; I just stopped dyeing my hair. Bahut bore horaha tha (it’s getting boring)."
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However, director Subash Ghai joked, teasing Aamir that the new look might be for his next film. "You see, whenever you look at him with a different setup, you should understand that he’s studying a character."
Although Aamir has previously been seen embracing the salt-and-pepper look on several public occasions, this latest look recieved praise from his fans for openly admitting that he is not dyeing his hair anymore.
In another video, Aamir Khan was also seen answering a journalist questioning if he will be seen starring in Andaz Apna Apna 2 or Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lala Amarnath biopic, Lalkaar. For Andaz Apna Apna 2, the actor confessed that he is also looking forward to the sequel of the cult classic film, which also starred Salman Khan.
As for Lalkaar, he responded, "Let's see what happens. If we have an official announcement, I will tell you about the film…because every film is a process. And if you say something quickly, and if it doesn't happen, it doesn't seem good. When things are ready, and they're completely final, we will keep everything in front of you."
On the professional front, Aamir Khan was last seen in the family entertainer film, Sitaare Zameen Par, which garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences.
]]>In a post on X on Friday, October 9, Thackeray said he had held a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister after meeting MPSC aspirants in Pune on October 5. He said Fadnavis had responded positively to the issues raised by the students and expressed hope that their expectations would be addressed soon.
सस्नेह जय महाराष्ट्र, ५ ऑक्टोबर २०२६ ला मी जेंव्हा पुण्यात एमपीएससी आंदोलक विद्यार्थ्यांची भेट घेतली तेंव्हा मी तुमचं म्हणणं, तुमच्या रास्त अपेक्षा याबद्दल मुख्यमंत्र्यांशी बोलेन असं आश्वस्त केलं होतं. स्वतःचा राहता जिल्हा, तालुका, आपलं घर तसेच आपल्या कुटुंबाला सोडून नोकरीसाठी राब राब राबणाऱ्या तरुणांना आणि तरुणींना पाहिलं की जिवाची कालवाकालव होते. म्हणून आज या विषयावर माझी मुख्यमंत्र्यांशी सविस्तर चर्चा झाली. ते देखील पूर्णपणे सकारात्मक आहेत हे जाणवलं. आणि येत्या काही दिवसांत MPSC च्या विद्यार्थ्यांच्या नोकऱ्यां संदर्भात एक चांगली बातमी येईल अशी अपेक्षा आहे . तेंव्हा विद्यार्थ्यांनी देखील संयम ठेवावा. राज ठाकरे ।
— Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) October 9, 2026
Thackeray also urged the aspirants to remain patient while awaiting further developments on recruitment-related matters.
Recalling his meeting with MPSC aspirants in Pune earlier this week, Thackeray said he had assured them that he would convey their concerns and expectations to the Chief Minister.
“When I met the MPSC activist students in Pune on 5 October 2026, I had assured you that I would speak to the Chief Minister about your concerns and your legitimate expectations,” Thackeray said in his post.
He added that he had since discussed the matter with Fadnavis in detail and believed the government was receptive to the students’ demands.
“I sensed that he is entirely positive about it as well. And I expect that in the coming few days, there will be good news regarding the jobs for MPSC students. Therefore, the students should also exercise patience,” he said.
However, Thackeray did not specify the recruitment measures discussed during the meeting or provide details of any decisions taken by the government. His statement indicated an expectation of positive developments rather than a formal announcement of new appointments.
Thackeray also highlighted the difficulties faced by young people preparing for competitive examinations and seeking government employment. He noted that many aspirants leave their hometowns and families to prepare for examinations and pursue job opportunities.
“When I see young men and women toiling tirelessly, leaving behind their home district, taluka, their own home, and their families in pursuit of jobs, it tugs at my heartstrings,” he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of students preparing for MPSC examinations have gathered near the S.M. Joshi Bridge in Pune as a protest that has been continuing for the past week draws more participants. Some aspirants and Youth Congress workers have also joined a hunger strike.
The protest entered its eighth day on Thursday, October 8. The students are demanding the resignation and removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. They are also seeking greater transparency in MPSC and other government recruitment examinations, timely recruitment, and measures to prevent question paper leaks and other irregularities in the examination process.
]]>Based on an original script by Brendan O"Hare with thriller undertones, "The Family Disappears" will be produced by Fifth Seasons and directed by "Bad Apples" helmer Jonatan Etzler.
It follows an overworked dad who returns from a work trip to find his family disappeared, while a mysterious newcomer has bought and moved into their home.
With Fifth Season as the studio behind the film, producers are Nick Weidenfeld and Alexis Garcia.
Production for the film is set to begin in Atlanta, Georgia on November 10.
On the work front, David Harbour will star opposite Jason Bateman and Linda Cardellini in "DTF St Louis", a limited series from Steven Conrad, which was one of the biggest hits of this Emmy season with seven wins from 13 nominations.
Coming off the finale of "Stranger Things", he has a packed slate coming up with "Evil Genius", "Violent Night 2", "Little One", "Avengers: Doomsday", "John Rambo", and "A Head Full of Ghosts".
On the other hand, John Cena has won his first Emmy nomination this year as executive producer of Prime Video"s action comedy "Heads of State". He was most recently seen in "Coyote vs Acme" and "Little Brother".
His upcoming slate includes "Matchbox the Movie" and the Netflix comedy "One Attempt Remaining".
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Over the years, Jason Derulo has cemented his position as one of pop's most consistent global hitmakers, with a career built on chart-topping singles and a signature high-energy sound. His celebrated discography includes ‘Jalebi Baby’,'Talk Dirty', 'Swalla', 'Wiggle', 'Whatcha Say' and 'Want to Want Me', among others, amassing billions of streams worldwide. Known equally for his vocals and his dynamic live shows, complete with elaborate choreography and stage production, Jason Derulo has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying performers in pop music today.
While Sunburn Festival’s programming has increasingly embraced sounds beyond electronic music from Arijit Singh joining Martin Garrix on stage at Sunburn Arena in 2025 to artists such as Francis Mercier, whose sound draws from Afro and global influences - the festival has never before featured a headliner from outside the electronic music space. Jason Derulo’s addition marks that first, making him Sunburn’s first-ever pop headliner and signalling the festival’s expanding musical canvas. His appearance at Sunburn Festival 2026 will also mark his first time headlining in Mumbai and his biggest Indian stage to date, giving fans the opportunity to experience his full-scale pop spectacle live.
Jason Derulo said, “India has always shown me so much love and I’m excited to finally bring my full show to Mumbai this December. Sunburn is known for its incredible energy, I’m looking forward to matching that energy.”
Commenting on the announcement, Karan Singh, CEO, Sunburn, said, “Jason Derulo is one of pop’s most consistent global hitmakers and bringing him to Sunburn Festival for the first time is an important moment for us. With The Chainsmokers, Sebastian Ingrosso and DJ Snake already part of this year’s line-up, his addition reflects the scale and evolution of Sunburn’s vision. We’ve always been rooted in electronic music, but the live entertainment landscape today is far more expansive and we see an opportunity to bring audiences a broader spectrum of global sounds and artists. Derulo’s strong connection with Indian audiences makes this a particularly exciting addition and we look forward to bringing his energy and full-scale pop spectacle to Mumbai on one of the country’s biggest stages.”
The filmmaker took to Threads, and put up a strongly worded response. (The user’s original comment has since been deleted).
He wrote, “Although it may seem like it, Hollywood isn’t a place where the only way to make a movie is the public voting on what IP they want to see that they’ve seen countless times before”.
He posted again, “Sometimes someone, in this case initially Mike Flanagan and then James Watkins and Hossein Amini, were inspired by a relatively little-known fictional character and crafted what I believe is a very special story around that character. I’d take that inspiration a thousand times over some writer trying to make a buck by writing a listless screenplay about a majorly popular character he or she has no passion or feel for”.
The film stars Tom Rhys Harries in the titular character of Matt Hagen along with Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan.
As per the film’s official description, “Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured”.
“Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting-edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self, but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge”, it added.
James Gunn’s appointment at DC Studios has been riddled with controversies, particularly the passing of the baton as Superman to David Corenswet from Henry Cavill.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>"Transformers" producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura is attached to the project, with video game developer and franchise rights holder CD Projekt Red also serving as a producer.
'Cyberpunk 2077', which launched in December 2020 after several delays, is set in the seedy, neon metropolis of Night City, according to Variety.
As the player, you assume the role of V, a gun for hire who becomes imbued with a "biochip" that harbors the digital likeness of rock star and notorious criminal Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. V must then work with Johnny to separate their consciousness, all while taking on the evil megacorporation Arasaka, which rules over the dystopian cityscape.
Despite a launch marred by widespread performance issues, "Cyberpunk 2077" went on to become a major hit for CD Projekt Red, selling 40 million copies worldwide. Its expansion, "Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty" has also performed strongly, with sales reaching 15 million copies.
More details regarding the project are awaited.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>According to Delhi Police sources, the complainant claimed to be a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that Congress workers attacked him after he reached the protest site carrying the Prime Minister’s photograph. Police said all aspects of the incident would be investigated.
Fahim Nazir, a resident of Srinagar, told reporters that he was assaulted despite not abusing Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
“EVMs were brought by Rajiv Gandhi for the first time in 1998. You all have the footage. I did not abuse Rahul Gandhi, but I was beaten badly,” he said.
Nazir also claimed that he had taken the initiative to make people aware of what he described as a conspiracy to turn India into Nepal or Bangladesh.
“Questions should be asked of Rahul Gandhi. This is freedom of speech,” he added.
According to reports, the youth had reached the protest site and was allegedly roughed up by a group of protesters after raising slogans in support of Modi. Some protesters, however, alleged that he had verbally abused Rahul Gandhi.
A video of the incident circulating on social media appears to show the man being surrounded, pushed, dragged and repeatedly hit by people in the crowd.
Nazir subsequently alleged that Congress workers assaulted him because he supported the Prime Minister. He denied abusing Rahul Gandhi.
The incident triggered a political backlash, with BJP leaders condemning the alleged assault.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the video on social media and accused Congress workers of displaying an “anarchist mindset”.
Another BJP spokesperson, Sajid Yousuf Shah, also criticised the incident and questioned the Congress’ commitment to dissent and freedom of expression.
The allegations have emerged amid protests by Congress and other opposition parties over alleged discrepancies in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The demonstrations have also targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi Police have registered the FIR against unidentified persons, and the investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and the competing claims made by those involved.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The survey, carried out by the Vadgaon Maval Range Forest Office under the Pune Forest Division, recorded 17 mammal species and 34 bird species through 15,581 photographic records. The findings provide data on wildlife activity around waterholes during periods of seasonal water scarcity and are expected to support future conservation planning.
Motion-triggered cameras were installed at natural water sources across eight villages to monitor animals visiting the sites. The survey documented several protected species, including the Indian leopard, striped hyena, jungle cat, Asian palm civet, small Indian civet and greater false vampire bat. The cameras also captured the elusive rusty-spotted cat, a species classified as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List.
Among the monitored locations, Chikhalse village recorded the highest species richness, with 28 distinct species documented during the survey. The findings point to the significance of local water sources in supporting a diverse range of wildlife, particularly when water availability becomes limited during summer.
The presence of multiple mammal and bird species around these water bodies also highlights their role in sustaining the local ecosystem. The photographic records provide researchers and forest officials with information on the species using these habitats and the areas that may require greater attention in future conservation efforts.
The survey was led by principal investigator Jigar Solanki, with field biologists Rounak Khare and Shraddha Khare, ecologists Sagar Mahajan and Priyanka Jundare, and field assistants Mayur Chaudhari, Vighnesh Dalvi, Sagar Gavade, Shivaji Gade and Rohit Pawar. The Wildlife Rescuer of Maval team also assisted with the fieldwork.
The project was conducted under the supervision of the Pune Forest Division and the Vadgaon Maval Forest Range. Senior officials involved in guiding and coordinating the initiative included Conservator of Forests Ashish Thakare, Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhijit Waykos, Assistant Conservator of Forests Mangesh Tate and Range Forest Officer Prakash Shinde.
One of the key observations was the difference in the timing of human and wildlife activity around the monitored water sources. According to the survey findings, local residents and livestock generally used these water bodies during the day, while wild animals accessed them at night.
Natural water bodies become particularly important for wildlife during the summer, when water availability can decline across forest and adjoining areas. Their continued availability can help animals meet their water requirements and support the broader ecosystem.
Forest officials said the findings would help establish a baseline for monitoring wildlife in the region and identifying locations that warrant conservation attention. The data could also inform the planning of anti-poaching patrols and measures to protect natural water sources and forest corridors.
Maintaining connectivity between forest habitats is important for allowing animals to move between feeding grounds, shelter and water sources. Growing human activity around these areas can put pressure on wildlife habitats, making the protection of natural water bodies and movement corridors a priority.
Prakash Shinde, Range Forest Officer of Vadgaon Maval, said the survey had generated valuable information about wildlife using summer waterholes across the range. The findings are expected to contribute to long-term conservation planning and help forest authorities develop measures to protect the area's biodiversity.
]]>Rani was seen performing prayers at the Badrinath temple on Thursday. She also visited the shrine dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, offering prayers and receiving prasad. She was seen dressed in a traditional outfit, wearing a light-coloured kurta and salwar. She paired it with a yellow scarf and a puffer jacket to stay warm. She also had several flower garlands around her neck. The actress was seen deeply involved in the prayers with folded hands.
Kedarnath में भक्ति, Badrinath में महाध्वज, Rani Mukerji ने जीता फैंस का दिल..!! . . #RaniMukerji #RaniMukherjee #Uttarakhand #KedarnathDham #BadrinathDham https://t.co/vczJdw0t9G
— NEWS PAGE (@UKNEWSPAGE) October 8, 2026
Her presence at the shrine drew attention from pilgrims and locals at the temple. Several people were seen gathering around her and clicking pictures with her. In some of the videos, Rani was seen inside the temple premises, carrying a small offering.
Earlier today, videos of the actress from the Kedarnath temple also surfaced online. She was seen walking towards the shrine and later posing outside the temple. Rani, who was last seen in Mardaani 3, seemingly took time out to seek blessings at Uttarakhand's most revered pilgrimage sites.
Rani Mukerji’s mother, Krishna Mukerji, passed away at the age of 75 on September 22, 2026. According to IANS, the news was confirmed by Yash Raj Films via an official statement, in which the family requested privacy to grive the loss.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Rani Mukerji's mother, Mrs Krishna Mukerji, 75, passed away this afternoon. The family is deeply grateful for your love, prayers, and support and respectfully requests privacy during this time of immense grief,” the statement from YRF read.
Krishna Mukerji was a constant presence in daughter Rani’s life. She was seen accompanying the actress at several public appearances over the years. The mother-daughter duo was known to share a close bond. Rani had often spoken about her mother on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, Krishna was also associated with Bengali cinema. She had worked as a playback singer during her career.
]]>The company said its applications under the green card programme were in single digits in the last two years.
On Thursday, US suspended eight IT firms, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant and Microsoft, from PERM to apply for green cards for foreign workers. It contended that the practice has shut out Americans from the job market.
"Our PERM applications were in single digits in the last two years, and hence we do not expect the suspension of the program to impact our workforce strategy and customer engagements," TCS said in a statement.
TCS said it will comply with any directive from the US Labor Department, and highlighted its workforce strategy is firmly anchored in hiring local talent.
"We have noted the announcement by the US Government on the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM), and TCS will comply with any directive from the Department of Labor. Our workforce strategy in the US is anchored in hiring local talent, supported by a robust campus recruitment model," it said.
The Tata Group company added that it has built a significant local workforce across 31 offices and delivery centres throughout the US.
Earlier, TCS had said it intends to hire an additional 15,000 people in the US over the next five years to expand its local workforce.
Microsoft said a majority of its employees were Americans and said that 80 per cent of the 6000 H1-B visa applications it had submitted last fiscal year were to extend or change the status of existing employees and not for recruiting new people.
"We believe in the strength and talent of the American workforce. That is why the vast majority of Microsoft employees in the US are Americans. We look forward to providing the administration with additional information," Microsoft said in a statement.
"For example, of the approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications we submitted in the last fiscal year, 80 per cent were to extend or change the status of existing Microsoft employees. These were not to hire new people," it added.
IT industry body NASSCOM in a statement said immigration and skilled talent mobility are "two distinct issues" and should not be viewed through the same lens.
"The US Department of Labor has...announced the temporary suspension of certain IT companies, including Indian technology companies operating in the US, from filing new applications under the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) programme. While the decision affects a specific immigration pathway, NASSCOM has consistently maintained that immigration and skilled talent mobility are two distinct issues and should not be viewed through the same lens," the association said.
US is the biggest market for the USD 300 billion Indian IT industry. The latest development is expected to add uncertainty for tech outsourcers that rely on the cross-border movement of skilled professionals, according to PTI. The move comes amid challenges for Indian IT companies in the US, including tighter scrutiny of work visas and higher costs for H-1B applicants.
NASSCOM noted that Indian IT companies have reduced their dependence on H-1B visas and have focused on local hiring.
"However, over the past few years, Indian technology companies have significantly reduced their dependence on H-1B visas, while steadily expanding local hiring and building a strong domestic workforce in the US," it said.
"Consequently, the number of employees transitioning from H-1B visas to permanent residency through the PERM process is also relatively limited," it added.
The Trump administration on Thursday announced the suspension of a key employment-based green card process for eight major technology and outsourcing companies, including India's Infosys, TCS, Wipro and HCL, as Vice-President JD Vance announced a sweeping crackdown on alleged visa fraud.
The action also covers Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe. It prevents the companies from filing new permanent labour certification applications and halts the processing of pending applications under the programme.
US Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling announced the decision at a press conference led by Vance, saying the action followed ongoing criminal and federal investigations.
"I am hereby suspending from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme some of the largest IT outsourcing firms in the world, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata (TCS), Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini," Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling said, adding the Department of Labour is also suspending Microsoft and Adobe from the programme due to multiple active federal investigations.
The Permanent Labour Certification programme, commonly known as PERM, is a key step for many employers seeking employment-based permanent residence for foreign workers.
Sonderling said the companies named in the action had collectively requested nearly three million foreign workers since 2009. According to figures he presented, they had received more than 2.3 lakh H-1B visa approvals and over 1 lakh permanent labour certifications.
Vance accused employers of using the H-1B programme to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
"The H-1B visa program is meant to allow companies to bring in really the best of the best from outside the United States of America for positions that are completely impossible to fill with American workers," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>He also said that the transition phase in West Indies' cricket needs to be as smooth as possible.
"You need resources, both financial and infrastructural, to bridge the gap between grassroots cricket and the players progressing through the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels into the senior team. We have to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible, but achieving that requires the necessary resources and investment," he said.
The former cricketer then said that cricket talent has been in the DNA of the Caribbean people and expressed confidence in reclaiming a place in world cricket.
"The West Indies have always been blessed with cricketing talent; it's part of our DNA. There are certainly some logistical issues that need to be addressed, but I'm confident that once those matters are sorted out, we will be back at the top again," said Benn.
Currently, the West Indies is busy featuring in the five-match T20I series against Team India. The visitors are trailing the ongoing five-match T20I series by 0-1 against the "Men in Blue".
Earlier, the West Indies suffered a loss by eight wickets in the first match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow. Hope smashed 52 runs in 37 balls, including six boundaries and two maximums. Sherfane Rutherford also garnered 56 runs in 34 balls, with the help of six boundaries and three maximums. With this, the visitors were bowled out for 171 runs in 19.1 overs.
Team India's Naman Dhir returned with three wickets, whereas Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets each. Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh claimed one wicket each.
Later in the second innings of the game, the hosts chased the target by scoring 172 runs for the loss of two wickets in 14.4 overs.
Captain Shreyas Iyer delivered a stunning knock of an unbeaten 102 runs off just 43 deliveries, which was laced with 10 boundaries and six maximums. Ishan Kishan stayed unbeaten on 37 runs in 27 balls. He also smashed five boundaries during his knock.
West Indies' Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase bagged one wicket each.
India: Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
West Indies: Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (WK), Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Quentin Sampson, Jewel Andrew (WK), Shamar Joseph.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>Under the new measure, margins charged on the supply and sale of non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs will be limited to 30 per cent of their maximum retail price (MRP). These medicines fall outside the list of drugs covered by government-fixed ceiling prices.
An expert committee under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) will finalise the list of medicines to be covered. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) will subsequently take a decision and issue a notification, the government said.
The cap is intended to address the gap between the prices at which medicines are procured for sale and the amounts patients pay at pharmacies and hospitals.
According to the government's statement, NPPA's analysis of market data found that non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines carry an average price mark-up of around 170 per cent, with mark-ups reaching 700 per cent or more in some cases.
Prices can also vary significantly depending on whether medicines are purchased through retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies or online platforms, adding to the financial burden on patients and their families.
The government cited concerns raised by state authorities in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka, along with patients and civil society groups, over high medicine prices and the substantial difference between procurement costs and MRPs.
The latest decision builds on a February 2019 intervention, when the NPPA capped trade margins on 42 selected non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
According to the government, the earlier measure reduced MRPs by up to 91 per cent across 526 brands and generated reported annual savings of Rs 984 crore for patients.
Essential cancer medicines included in the scheduled list are already subject to government-fixed ceiling prices. The new measure extends price protection to additional medicines outside that list.
The government said the new cap will cover branded and generic medicines, domestically manufactured and imported drugs, as well as patented and non-patented treatments.
Manufacturers will also be required to maintain current production levels to prevent the price intervention from affecting the availability of medicines.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals estimates that the measure could help patients save around Rs 2,500 crore annually. The actual price reductions will depend on the medicines included in the final list and the applicable pricing decisions.
The government said the intervention is intended to improve affordability and limit excessive trade mark-ups in the cancer medicine supply chain.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>Speaking at a conference organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation ahead of World Mental Health Day, experts said mental health should be treated as a broader public health priority, with greater focus on prevention, early intervention and accessible support systems.
Prof Rajinder K Dhamija, director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), said there was still considerable stigma around mental health and people should be encouraged to seek professional help without fear of judgement.
"Mental health cannot be addressed only through clinical and curative medicine; prevention and wellness are equally important," Dhamija said, adding that families, institutions and communities need to work together to improve awareness and encourage timely support.
Former health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said mental health services needed to be taken closer to communities, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and rural areas.
He said initiatives such as Tele-MANAS and the involvement of frontline health workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, could help in early identification and referral, while more people should be trained to provide basic counselling and psychosocial support.
"None of this can succeed without the support of the community," Bhushan said.
Anil Rajput, chairperson of the Advisory Council of the Illness to Wellness Foundation, said supportive families and workplaces were essential to addressing mental health concerns.
He called for creating environments where people could speak about emotional struggles without fear of judgement and said seeking help should be made as normal as seeking treatment for a physical health problem.
"Sometimes, prevention begins with something as simple as a conversation--someone asking, 'Are you alright?' and being willing to listen without judgement," Rajput said.
Padma Shri Prof Sanjeev Bagai, founder and director of Zenre and chairman of Nephron Clinic, stressed the need for a holistic approach to mental wellness, combining early diagnosis and intervention with healthy lifestyle practices.
He said movement, nutrition, adequate sleep, stress reduction and social connection should be considered alongside medical care.
The conference, held under the theme "Mind Matters: Nurturing & Strengthening Mental Health and Wellness", featured sessions on workplace, educational and community well-being, as well as stigma, resilience, emotional balance and healthy lifestyles.
The conference concluded with a call for greater awareness, open conversations and collective action to make mental health and wellness an integral part of healthier individuals, families and communities.
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]]>Speaking to IANS, Raj said, "When the Election Commission acts wrongly, resulting in the deletion of crores of votes or changes Form, the opposition will raise its voice; that is precisely the opposition's role. And why just the opposition? Every citizen, whether from civil society, an NGO, the student community, the youth, or the media, ought to speak up, because democracy is being murdered.”
“That is why the opposition, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, is waging this fight... Saving democracy, the Constitution, and the vote is crucial," he added.
The Opposition leaders held the third day of protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were released by the Delhi Police, hours after their detention during an Opposition protest demanding action against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The two leaders were among the protesters who gathered near Akashvani Bhawan after being stopped from marching towards the Election Commission's office.
Meanwhile, commenting on the order to close liquor shops in Delhi for two days, Raj said, "I fail to see any logic behind shutting them for two days or how that relates to the agitation. However, it might be a diversionary tactic on their part. While the government is certainly free to make such decisions, the rationale escapes me..."
In a preventive measure for maintaining public order ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest, the Delhi government has ordered all city liquor vends to remain closed for two days, starting from Friday, an official said.
The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, "The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14."
The news about the circular, issued by Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority Tanvir Ahmad, spread fast in the national capital on Thursday, with regular customers lining up outside government vends to stock up for the two-day closure.
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]]>In a post on X on Thursday, Mamdani said preliminary reports indicated that ICE agents had surrounded a man and a five-year-old child inside a car before firing multiple rounds. The child was believed to be physically unharmed.
He said, "This afternoon in Marble Hill, a New Yorker was shot by an ICE agent in a residential neighborhood. Early reports indicate agents surrounded him and a 5-year-old child in his car before firing multiple rounds. We believe the child was physically unharmed."
This afternoon in Marble Hill, a New Yorker was shot by an ICE agent in a residential neighborhood. Early reports indicate agents surrounded him and a 5-year-old child in his car before firing multiple rounds. We believe the child was physically unharmed. This is an unconscionable and incredibly serious situation. I have called the President; when we speak I will demand that he ends all ICE enforcement actions in our city. I will not stand by while ICE agents terrorize our communities. Our thoughts are with the injured New Yorker and his family tonight. We are praying for his recovery. Get ICE out of our neighborhoods. Get ICE out of our hospitals. Get ICE off our streets. Get ICE away from our children. Abolish ICE.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) October 8, 2026
"This is an unconscionable and incredibly serious situation. I have called the President; when we speak I will demand that he ends all ICE enforcement actions in our city. I will not stand by while ICE agents terrorize our communities. Our thoughts are with the injured New Yorker and his family tonight. We are praying for his recovery," Mamdani added.
Calling for ICE to leave the city, the mayor said, "Get ICE out of our neighborhoods. Get ICE out of our hospitals. Get ICE off our streets. Get ICE away from our children."
He concluded his post with the words, "Abolish ICE."
According to the New York Post, around 300 anti-ICE protesters gathered outside NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital on Thursday night. Demonstrators demanded the removal of federal immigration agents from city streets.
Protesters chanted, "From Palestine to Mexico, all these walls have got to go."
"We want ICE off our streets. No justice, no peace," the protesters also chanted, according to the newspaper.
The report said NYPD officers used barricades to control the gathering. Some demonstrators pushed against a barrier, triggering a brief struggle during which at least one protester was arrested.
The injured man, a 28-year-old Dominican Republic national, was receiving hospital treatment after being shot in the neck, the New York Post reported. Authorities said the shooting occurred during what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as "a targeted enforcement operation."
ICE said officers were attempting to arrest a Dominican national with a prior grand larceny conviction and multiple previous arrests. The agency also alleged that he had links to the Trinitarios gang.
"During the incident, an ICE officer discharged his weapon and the criminal illegal alien was injured," ICE said, adding that officers "immediately rendered aid."
"The individual is alive and at a local hospital. The FBI and HSI are on the scene. The incident remains under investigation. More information will be shared as it becomes available," the agency added.
ICE criticised sanctuary policies, arguing that the release of individuals it considers dangerous creates risks for officers and the public.
"When dangerous illegal aliens are released back onto the streets by radical sanctuary politicians, our officers are forced to make arrests at large in the community in unpredictable and dangerous environments," the agency said.
"Our officers should not have to risk their lives, and innocent Americans should not have to face unnecessary danger, because sanctuary politicians refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement," it added.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Calling Nana an "adwitiya kalaka" (incomparable artist), Amitabh remembered him as a dear friend, a well-wisher and an outstanding social worker. He said Nana's passing was a profound loss for both the Indian film industry and those who had known him personally.
The video, shared on Sony LIV's official Instagram handle, saw Amitabh emotional while remembering Nana and saying, "His outspokenness, his simplicity, and his courage to speak the truth and call a spade a spade are some of the qualities that set him apart from others. Some people leave our lives, but their voice, their philanthropy, and the lessons they taught remain within us. Nana was one of those people."
View this post on Instagram
The two respected actors collaborated on the 1999 action thriller film, Kohram, helmed by Mehul Kumar. Remembering the bond he shared with his co-actor and friend, Amitabh added, "A personal salute to you, Nana. And a respectful bow to your art, which you lived with complete honesty and dedication."
The KBC host also recalled Nana's appearance on season 16, when the actor took part in a special episode and contributed his prize money to charitable causes. "His words not only inspired us, but the noble cause to which he dedicated his prize money was a true example of his community service. He connected with the farmers of the Maharashtra villages suffering due to inadequate rainfall and personally helped them,” he said. Amitabh Bachchan ended by conveying his heartfelt condolences to Patekar's family on behalf of the entire KBC team.
Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday (October 8) morning at his residence in Goa. The veteran actor’s mortal remains were brought from Goa to Pune to perform his last rites, which are being performed at his farmhouse in Donje village, near Khadakwasla, on the outskirts of Pune. The Maharashtra government dedicated a state funeral to him for his remarkable contribution to Marathi theatre, Hindi and Marathi cinema.
]]>Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police Ankit Verma said the incident was reported on Thursday afternoon in the Chandpur Gram Panchayat area and an investigation was underway.
“We received a report regarding an incident in the Chandpur Gram Panchayat area where a fire occurred. Prima facie, five people were injured; according to the information we have so far, there has been one tragic fatality, one person is in critical condition, and three others are injured,” Verma said.
The SP said the concerned Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and Inspector-in-Charge (IC) reached the scene after receiving information about the incident.
“As soon as we were informed, the concerned SDPO and the Inspector-in-Charge (IC) arrived at the scene, and the investigation is now underway. We will provide further updates as more details emerge during the investigation. Prima facie, it appears that illegal firecracker manufacturing was being carried out at the residence; we will share further details as they become available,” he added.
According to preliminary information, the explosion occurred during the daytime at the house of Manoranjan Swain in Mahilo village under Patilo Gram Panchayat and Tirtol police station limits.
Swain died on the spot, while four others sustained injuries, including one who was reportedly in critical condition. The deceased and three injured persons were taken to Jagatsinghpur District Headquarters Hospital, while one critically injured person was shifted to Cuttack for further treatment.
The blast severely damaged the house, with parts of its walls and roof left hanging. Packets of firecrackers were also found scattered in the surrounding area.
A team from Tirtol police reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident. Police said further details would be shared as the probe progresses and that appropriate action would be taken if illegal storage or trading of firecrackers was found to be involved.
Further details are awaited.
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]]>Forex traders said the rupee opened on a positive note this morning with the dollar index down to 102 levels and Brent also down to USD 103.39 per barrel after US President Donald Trump said that the attack on Iran will happen only after the midterm elections.
However, broader geopolitical pressures on the domestic currency persist and relentless foreign fund outflows is pressurising the domestic unit further, they said.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 96.74, then gained some ground to touch 96.65, registering a rise of 23 paise over its previous close.
On Thursday, the rupee depreciated by 13 paise to close at 96.88 against the US dollar.
"Sustained strength in the US Dollar Index (DXY trading near multi-month highs near to 102.50), Brent crude prices firming back above USD 104 per barrel, and relentless foreign portfolio outflows from domestic equities kept dollar demand elevated among oil marketing companies and importers," said Anil Kumar Bhansali Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading marginally lower by 0.10 per cent at 102.03.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading lower by 1.09 per cent at USD 103.14 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex climbed 292 points to 71,876.10, while the Nifty was trading up 84.60 points to 22,310.40.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 12,943.58 crore on a net basis on Thursday, according to exchange data.
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]]>Ahead of the series, New Zealand has suffered a major blow as Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have been ruled out due to injuries.
Chapman sustained a hamstring injury while playing in a T20 league in Europe last month. After the injury, he has been ruled out of the entire T20I series against the "Men in Blue" and will now aim to return for the ODI series.
On the other hand, Foulkes is dealing with a hip flexor complaint, with no definitive timeline yet established for his return.
The "Black Caps" have now named all-rounder Josh Clarkson and pacer Blair Tickner in their 16-member squad for the five-match T20I series against Team India.
Additionally, star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is in doubt for the T20I series against Team India. The left-handed batsman dislocated his shoulder during a promotional shoot.
The cricketer sustained an injury in an attempt to take a diving catch during a promotional shoot in Auckland on September 16.
Initial assessments by medical specialists on September 18 have ruled out major structural damage, but his return to cricketing action will depend on his progress during the first weeks of his rehabilitation, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
On the other hand, the visitors will receive a major boost as star pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India's T20I mix. The pacer will don the Indian colours after nearly four years.
India: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Matt Henry, Glenn Phillips, Blair Tickner, Michael Bracewell, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner (C), Bevon Jacobs, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Tim Seifert, Josh Clarkson, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway, Nathan Smith, Lockie Ferguson.
(With ANI Inputs)
]]>The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 514.07 points or 0.72 per cent at 72,107.31 in the initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 182.50 points or 0.82 per cent at 22,414.30 in the early trade.
Among the 30 Sensex constituents, only five declined during the initial trade. Bharat Electronics, Reliance Industries, Eternal, ICICI Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were the only laggards.
IT stocks were leading with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Tech Mahindra and HCL Tech all gaining. Adani Ports and ITC were also among the major gainers. The shares of TCS rose 4.57 per cent after the company posted a 15 per cent rise in net profit for Q2 FY27.
On Thursday, the Sensex plunged 1,045.46 points, or 1.44 per cent, to settle at 71,593.24, while the Nifty tanked 371.25 points, or 1.64 per cent, to end at 22,231.80.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, declined 1.11 per cent to USD 103 per barrel, according to news agency PTI.
"Global cues remain mixed, as weakness in US technology stocks and elevated crude oil prices amid Middle East tensions continue to weigh on sentiment, while some easing in US bond yields offers limited relief. Investors will closely track crude oil movements, global market trends and institutional flows for further direction," Hitesh Tailor, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Broking said.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers and offloaded equities worth Rs 12,943.58 crore on Thursday. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing equities worth Rs 10,703.11 crore as per the exchange data.
"This sustained FII selling spree has emboldened the bears to go short even on fundamentally strong bluechips, weakening the market further. Given the elevated crude prices and high US bond yields, FIIs are likely to continue selling in the near-term, irrespective of the favourable valuations, particularly of the large-caps," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments said.
FIIs have sold equity for a massive Rs 36,210 crore through the exchanges in October, so far, he noted.
In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 index and Shanghai's SSE Composite index traded lower, while Hang Seng index quoted higher.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>According to entertainment tracking portal Sacnilk, the Ajay Devgn-starrer collected a net of Rs 13 crore across 15,758 shows on day 7. This takes its total India gross collections to Rs 294.60 crore, and its total India collections have reached Rs 245.50 crore.
Internationally, Drishyam 3 collected Rs 4 crore on day 7, taking its total overseas gross to Rs 89 crore so far. This takes the worldwide gross collection to Rs 383.60 crore, as per Sacnilk.
On Monday, the film collected Rs 21 crore, witnessing a 65.6% drop from its Sunday collection (Rs 53.50 crore). The drop continued on Tuesday, when Drishyam 3 collected Rs 19.50 crore, and on Wednesday with Rs 15.50 crore.
| Day | India net |
| Day 1 (Friday) | 66.75 crore |
| Day 2 (Saturday) | 53.50 crore |
| Day 3 (Sunday) | 61.00 crore |
| Day 4 (Monday) | 21.00 crore |
| Day 5 (Tuesday) | 19.50 crore |
| Day 6 (Wednesday) | 15.50 crore |
| Day 7 (Thursday) | 13.00 crore |
| Total | 245.50 crore |
With Rs 245 crore (net) in India, Drishyam 3 has surpassed the lifetime collections of Drishyam 2 (Rs 240 crore net in India ) and Drishyam (Rs 67.13 crore net in India), respectively. The film is now set to break the record of Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020), which remains Ajay Devgn's highest-grossing film, with a lifetime net earnings of Rs 279.59 crore.
Backed by Star Studio18 and Panorama Studios, with Abhishek Pathak returning to direct the third instalment, Drishyam 3 brings back Ajay Devgn as Vijay Salgaonkar, with Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor and Ishita Dutta reprising their roles from the first and second parts. Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj are the new additions to the cast.
The film hit worldwide theatres on October 2, 2026.
]]>Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrishti Pandey said protests were not permitted at Jantar Mantar or any other location while the restrictions remained in force. She warned that unauthorised gatherings would invite legal action.
“Section 163 is in effect, meaning protests are not permitted-neither at Jantar Mantar nor anywhere else. Any gathering will be considered illegal, and we would be compelled to take necessary legal action against it,” Pandey said.
Pandey appealed to people not to participate in the proposed protest, asking them to prioritise their personal safety and that of their families.
“I would like to urge the protestors not to participate in such illegal gatherings. Please prioritise your own safety as well. Also, consider the safety of your family,” she said.
The DCP also cautioned that taking part in an unauthorised protest could have long-term legal consequences. She urged people seeking to raise their concerns to follow the prescribed legal process.
The warning comes ahead of the proposed October 10 demonstration, with Delhi Police reiterating that gatherings would invite legal action as long as the restrictions remained in force.
Separately, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has launched an investigation into the violence that broke out during a CJP protest in New Delhi on July 20. A case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to sources.
Crime Branch sources said the investigation would focus on identifying those allegedly responsible for the violence. The probe will examine whether the violence was premeditated and whether criminal elements entered the protest sites after the party called for a march towards Parliament.
Officials said investigators would also examine Facial Recognition System (FRS) data collected by the Crime Branch to identify 2,873 suspects described by police as having criminal backgrounds.
The investigation follows the Supreme Court’s directions to cancel 17 FIRs related to the July violence.
According to officials, the Crime Branch will specifically investigate alleged assaults on police personnel, vandalism and damage to public property, including police vehicles.
The police warning ahead of the October 10 protest comes as the investigation into the July incident continues. Authorities have reiterated that any gathering held in violation of the restrictions would face legal action.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>In a post on X, Thackeray responded to remarks by Delhi Police Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrishti Pandey regarding the proposed protest organised by the CJP. He questioned the restrictions on public gatherings and alleged that the government was undermining democratic rights.
He said, “Imposing Emergency without the guts to call it so. What a shame! The world is watching India’s democracy be reclaimed by the citizens, from the grips of autocratic regime that fears real democracy!"
DCP Shrishti Pandey said prohibitory orders under Section 163 were in force and that protests would not be permitted at Jantar Mantar or other locations in the national capital.
Explaining the police position, Pandey said, "Section 163 is in effect, meaning protests are not permitted, neither at Jantar Mantar nor anywhere else. Any gathering will be considered illegal, and we would be compelled to take necessary legal action against it. I would like to urge the protestors not to participate in such illegal gatherings. Please prioritise your own safety as well. Also, consider the safety of your family. Regarding protests that are illegal, there is a proper way to participate in the process. By joining an illegal protest, you could end up facing long-term legal consequences."
Delhi has been placed on high alert ahead of the proposed October 10 demonstration, with extensive security arrangements planned across the national capital, according to sources.
Around 23,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed between October 8 and 12. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also provided additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to assist the Delhi Police in managing security and preventing potential disturbances.
The CJP has announced a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10, with participants expected to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. However, permission for the proposed gathering has not been granted so far, sources said.
Authorities are also monitoring social media activity following calls by some groups for protests and gatherings in Delhi around October 10. Security agencies are keeping track of these developments to prevent confrontations and maintain law and order.
Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have also been alerted in view of the protest calls. In New Delhi, security arrangements are expected to include multi-layered barricades, CCTV surveillance and cameras equipped with facial recognition systems to monitor movement.
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>In the early hours of the vote counting, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates are leading in both the seats, as per IANS.
In Nandigram, BJP candidate Hasirani Rath was ahead of the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Mamata All India Trinamool Congress is not in the contest at Nandigram.
Rath is the mother of Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was assassinated at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on May 6.
In Rejinagar, BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar is ahead of the Congress candidate, Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi. As per the latest information available, Sarkar is ahead by around 6,000 votes, as per IANS.
The trend in Rejinagar is quite spectacular, considering that this is a minority-dominated Assembly constituency with over 65 per cent of the voters being from the Muslim community.
The polling was conducted on October 6.
At the time the report was filed, counting was on for the postal ballots. After the postal ballots are counted, the counting of the EVM votes will begin.
There will be 15 rounds of counting for each of the two Assembly constituencies. Counting started at 8 am, and the final trend is expected to be clear between noon and 1 pm.
In the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was elected from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly constituencies in South Kolkata.
At Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari defeated his predecessor and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by a margin of more than 15,000 votes.
Adhikari retained the Bhabanipur constituency, thus necessitating a bypoll for Nandigram.
On the other hand, former Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir contested and was elected as an AJUP candidate from Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, both in Murshidabad district.
Later, Humayun Kabir decided to retain Naoda, thus necessitating a bypoll for the Rejinagar seat.
(With inputs from IANS)
]]>The plans for tiger conservation and expansion of wildlife habitats in Hadoti-Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar and Baran were highlighted at the closing ceremony of the week-long celebrations, organised under the theme "Connected Habitats, Sustained Wildlife" at Siam Auditorium.
T Mohan Raj, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, said the proposed translocation of a tigress from Maharashtra would be taken up once post-monsoon conditions allow safer tracking and tranquilisation.
He said prey-base enrichment programmes are also being undertaken for Ramgarh Vishdhari and Mukundra Tiger Reserves to strengthen habitats and support tiger conservation.
The celebrations saw enthusiastic participation from nearly 4,500 students from 46 colleges and schools across the district, who took part in forest exposure visits, competitions and safari activities.
Around 700 wildlife enthusiasts attended the closing ceremony, where 105 participants were felicitated for their outstanding contributions and performances in various competitions.
This year's celebrations also featured several new initiatives, including e-rickshaw forest tours, a Munia Walk and a specialised seminar on wolf conservation.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, District Collector Peeyush Samaria said protecting the region's rich biodiversity was a shared responsibility.
Highlighting India's diverse geographical landscape and genetic reservoir of flora and fauna, he said Rajasthan's distinct ecological variation from west to east reflected its immense natural richness.
"A balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife is essential to maintain nature's equilibrium," Samaria said, while lauding the Forest Department's conservation efforts.
He said the enthusiastic participation of students was a positive indicator for the future stewardship of nature.
Samaria also said Kota was rapidly emerging on the global stage and expressed confidence that "the day is not far when Kota will be globally recognised on the tourism map for its rich natural and wildlife heritage".
Pointing to the region's rich fauna, including tigers, otters, deer, gharials, vultures and diverse bird species along the Chambal, Samaria said combining conservation with nature-based tourism presented a key growth opportunity for Hadoti.
Mohan Raj said Kota and the wider Hadoti region held immense potential for wildlife conservation and eco-tourism.
He expressed gratitude to the district administration, police department, media and local nature lovers for their collaborative support in driving wildlife initiatives.
DCF Mukundra National Park Muthu S. reaffirmed the department's commitment to habitat protection and said effective wildlife conservation required active community engagement across all sections of society.
The ceremony concluded with the felicitation of outstanding employees, students and conservationists, followed by a collective pledge by guests and participants to maintain a plastic-free environment and actively participate in environmental protection.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
]]>According to ANI, the Panaji Police has registered an Unnatural Death (UD) case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) after the veteran actor died on Thursday.
As per the police record, the 76-year-old actor was brought dead to the casualty ward of Manipal Hospital, Bambolim, from his residence at Ocean Park, Dona Paula. A further enquiry into the matter, led by PSI Nitin Naik, is currently in progress.
Following the actor's death, Dr Shekhar Salkar, Chief of Oncology Department at Manipal Hospital, told ANI, "Nana Patekar was brought dead to the hospital around 4:30, and he was declared dead by 5:30. We tried our best to save him, but he was brought dead. Cardiac massage was given for 45 minutes to 1 hour, but he just couldn't be saved."
The doctor then recalled the moments before the veteran actor's death, saying, "As per what we recalled, at around 2:30, he sent a message to his friend that he was not feeling well. But as it was nighttime, his friend could not see the message. So he just called him. He went to his house at around 4 o'clock. By that time, he was sweating and all. They moved him, all those primary things. But he was slowly becoming unconscious. So they sent his caretaker to the hospital. He took our ambulance."
"They shifted him to our hospital at around 4:20 or 4:30 am. We also tried our best, but he was brought dead. Then we had to file a police case because there's an MLC (medico-legal case). The body has now been taken to the Goa Medical College for post-mortem. His family was not there. His friends were there with him and a caretaker," Dr Salkar added.
Nana Patekar's last rites were held at his Donje farmhouse near Pune late on Thursday night.
]]>According to the police record, the 76-year-old actor was brought dead to the casualty ward of Manipal Hospital, Bambolim, from his residence at Ocean Park, Dona Paula.
Further enquiry into the matter is currently in progress, led by PSI Nitin Naik, as per ANI.
Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his Donje farmhouse in Pune on Thursday night.Â
After performing the last rites, Nana Patekar's son Malhar Patekar, while speaking to the media, said, "A person like Nana Saheb never truly leaves us; his achievements have made him immortal. Secondly, he always believed that everyone should come together and follow a righteous path on a global scale. Thirdly, regarding the future – carrying forward the vision Nana Saheb left behind is how we will shape the life ahead," as cited by ANI.
The Mumbai Police on Thursday paid tribute to veteran actor Nana Patekar, calling his death ''in theatre and cinema.
It described Patekar as a legendary artist whose contribution to theatre, Marathi and Hindi cinema would remain an enduring legacy.
In a post on X, Mumbai Police said the passing of Patekar marked “the end of an extraordinary chapter” in Indian performing arts.
“His distinctive artistry, powerful performances, and contributions to society will remain an enduring legacy,” the police said.
The city police force also extended its condolences to Patekar’s family, friends and his countless admirers.
Patekar earned widespread recognition through films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Natsamrat and Welcome. He also worked as a director and writer and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2013.
Beyond cinema, Patekar was also known for his social work, including efforts supporting farmers and rural communities through the Naam Foundation.
Maharashtra has announced that Patekar will be accorded a state funeral in recognition of his contribution to Marathi theatre and Marathi and Hindi cinema.
The Mumbai Police concluded its tribute with a prayer for his family, friends and admirers, saying, “May they find strength and solace during this difficult time.”
(With inputs from ANI)
]]>Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who chaired the GST Council meeting, informed that general penalty has been reduced to Rs 10,000 from Rs 25,000. Besides, no notices will be issued in cases below a monetary threshold of Rs 10,000.
Besides, the Council introduced accelerated and largely automated the refunds for taxpayers, and measures to improve ease of doing business.
The changes approved by the GST Council will be implemented from April 1, 2027.
"It is going to be implemented only from April 1, 2027. It will take a full year for it to stabilise this set of process reforms," Sitharaman said.
The Finance Ministry said that GST rate changes will now happen once a year, adding, "The rate structure is settled, so the Council has turned to how the tax works day to day."
The GST rates were not changed at the Council meeting on Thursday, and according to Sitharaman, the tax rate reduction introduced last year had not resulted in any loss of revenue, with collections growing steadily and becoming less dependent on festival months.
The GST rates from September 22, 2025 had witnessed reduction in prices of as many as 375 items, ranging from toothpaste and shampoo to cars and television sets.
Tax rates of 5, 12, 18, and 28 per cent have been clubbed into two rates of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, resulting in a reduced price of 99 per cent of daily use items, according to PTI.
Sitharaman said the next-generation GST, which began with rate reductions, has emerged as a positive, transparent and stable source of revenue for both the Centre and states.
The Council, comprising Union and state finance ministers, also approved a proposal that taxpayers who file returns late, make errors or delay payments will be subject only to recovery proceedings, interest and proportionate penalties.
It also recommended removing the minimum punishment. Besides, the punishment, whether fine or imprisonment or both, will be left to judicial discretion in every case, according to PTI.
On input tax credit (ITC) claims, the Council decided to set up a Committee of Officers to examine how to protect a genuine buyer who holds a proper invoice, has received the goods, and has paid his supplier in full.
"The Committee of Officers will complete its study within three months, and an agenda will be placed before the next Council meeting," the ministry said.
Another recommendation was to extend refunds under the inverted duty structure to input services. Sitharaman said the change would apply to input tax credit claimed on or after November 1, 2026.
Sitharaman said the GST Council had mostly addressed the aberrations because of ITC and addressed the duty inversion.
"So, I don't think there are many outstanding issues which are fundamental to ease of doing business or fundamental to anomalies and rates remain. So, yes, you can say GST next generation GST, 99 per cent issues have been addressed, rate or process," Sitharaman said.
"Business has to be trusted. Taxpayers have to be trusted. And businesses among themselves, with trust, if they do it, we shouldn't be too intrusive," she added.
She further said that the government intends to introduce faceless tax assessment for Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) taxpayers registered in multiple states.
The framework for faceless assessment for CGST taxpayers will be put up for consultation and will be implemented from the next fiscal year, 2027-28, she added.
Under the new framework, tax notices, hearings and orders would be dealt with on a national platform rather than individual formations.
Sitharaman said the Council approved the concept note on the proposal of a single window for scrutiny of returns, audit, adjudications, appeals, taxpayer services and grievance redressal for CGST taxpayers.
"Going forward, we intend to bring a centralised tax administration for these multiple CGST jurisdiction taxpayers with a unified window for all their CGST-related functions," she said.
(With inputs from PTI)
]]>Releasing its first guidelines addressing the sharp rise in obesity among children and adolescents, the WHO instead strongly recommended structured diets, physical activity and behaviour changes.
"WHO does not recommend pharmacological treatment, bariatric surgery (surgery that changes the stomach or digestive tract) or weight-loss devices for children aged 0-9 years," it said.
"For adolescents aged 10-19 years, treatment with approved medicines may be considered only when a supervised multimodal lifestyle programme has not achieved the desired results.
"Bariatric surgery may be considered under strict conditions for adolescents with severe obesity."
The recommendations for those aged 19 and under contrast with the UN health agency's guidelines for adult obesity issued in December 2025, following the surge in popularity of a new generation of appetite-suppressing drugs called GLP-1 agonists -- which includes blockbuster brands Ozempic and Mounjaro.
The WHO said the range of weight-loss and diabetes drugs could be used for tackling obesity -- in adults.
In 2024, some 70 million children aged five to nine were obese, as were 100 million adolescents aged 10 to 19 worldwide, according to the WHO.
Among 5- to 19-year-olds, the prevalence of obesity has surged globally, rising from two percent in 1990 to eight percent in 2024.
"The rise of obesity is observed everywhere in all regions," said Luz Maria De Regil, director of the WHO's nutrition and food safety department.
"It's growing in low- and middle-income countries," while some high-income countries are starting to stop the rise of obesity, without yet making reductions.
"The foundation of obesity care for children and adolescents is not medicine or surgery, but access to comprehensive support that enables healthy eating, physical activity and sustainable behaviour change," she said.
The recommendations also stressed the importance of addressing mental health alongside obesity.
Anxiety, depression and low self-esteem can contribute to unhealthy eating, physical inactivity and social withdrawal, the WHO said.
Children and adolescents living with obesity may experience stigma and bullying, the UN health agency added.
Maria Nieves Garcia Casal, a scientist in the WHO's nutrition and food safety department, told reporters that bariatric surgery may be considered during adolescence for cases of severe obesity accompanied by complications such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension -- if diet and lifestyle changes have failed.
]]>Ten-year-old Swami studies in the Albert Mission School in Malgudi. When a new boy Rajam enrolls in the school, Swami’s best friend Mani’s position is threatened, though the three later become close. Swami and his friends have many adventures, including the ones that take place against the background of Gandhi’s Non Cooperation Movement, participation in which has consequences for Swami. They also form a cricket club, ‘the MCC’ (Malgudi Cricket Club), where Swami often arrives late for practice.
A scene from the television series, Malgudi Days, an adaptation of Swami and Friends. Pics Courtesy/Wikipedia; Amazon
Narayan dedicated this novel to his wife Rajam, who passed away a few years after their marriage. The protagonist Krishna is an English teacher who lives a dull life, teaching at Albert Mission School, until he is joined by his wife and daughter. However, his wife’s death leaves him dealing with grief. One day, he receives a letter from a stranger announcing his wife’s attempts to connect with him. Krishna undergoes a spiritual journey to connect with his wife and to make sense of his life.
The novel won Narayan the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960. The protagonist ‘Railway’ Raju is a crooked tour guide, who falls in love with Rosie, a woman married to Marco. While Marco stops Rosie from becoming a dancer, Raju encourages her. This pushes Rosie to spend more time with Raju; eventually, Marco leaves her. Raju becomes Rosie’s stage manager but engages in an act of forging her signature. The book traces Raju’s transformative journey thereon.
Nataraj is a printer in Malgudi and his friends include a poet and a journalist. Their lives are interrupted when a taxidermist, Vasu, moves into the attic of Nataraj’s printing press, with his ‘stuffed’ animals, and makes their lives difficult. Vasu invites dancing women up to the room. One day, Nataraj gets wind of Vasu’s interest in the friendly temple elephant for taxidermy purposes and chaotic events ensue.
RK Narayan and his wife Rajam
Narayan’s only memoir begins with his childhood days spent in his grandmother’s garden in Madras (now Chennai) with a peacock and a monkey named Rama. From spending time learning from his grandmother, paying visits to the street shops with his photographer uncle, training grasshoppers and scouts, and beginning his journey with fiction, Narayan pours his heart out. The book is written in his typical humorous and endearing style.
Available At leading bookstores and e-stores
. My Dateless Diary: A rare RK Narayan book that chronicles his visit to America.
. A Writer’s Nightmare: RK Narayan’s essays about caste-system, love, monkeys, and Nobel Prize winners.
]]>The current Napoli midfielder Instagrammed a series of photos of the couple, wearing stylish leather outfits with a bit of a retro look for a fashion show in Paris, to his 26.1 million followers.
View this post on Instagram
“A night outside the usual,” he captioned the post.
Fans were quick to laud their style, with one social media user calling them “gorgeous,” while another said: “Wow, Italy is doing Kev well.”
]]>In a recent episode of the Resonancia de Corazon podcast, Yamal revealed he gave her a house as a thank you gift for all the sacrifices she made during his childhood.
“I brought my mother a house where she wanted. Earlier, I used to live in a house where the bedroom and the kitchen were in the same place. Now I see my mother happy and my brother enjoying the childhood, and that’s what makes me truly happy. My mother is my queen, she is the most precious thing in the world to me,” said Yamal.
Yamal has scored 12 goals and racked up seven assists in 12 games across all competitions this season.
]]>That is the idea behind Edible Urban Jungle, a two-day hands-on workshop at Vanvadi, a 65-acre collectively regenerated forest nestled in the Sahyadri foothills of the Western Ghats. Vanvadi began in 1994, when more than two dozen people came together to regenerate land that had been largely clear-felled. Today, it is home to more than 80,000 trees, with seasonal streams, water bodies and a rich variety of forest foods and wildlife.
Participants enjoy a communal meal served on jumbo leafplates; (right) Shevla is one of the wild vegetables grown at the farm
Now, the forest is transforming into a classroom for creating a little wilderness at home. Volunteer teachers and urban jungle experts Inchara Shanthappa and Elijah De Souza will guide participants on how balconies, backyards, and other small spaces can become edible, self-sustaining ecosystems.
The workshop will take participants into the world beneath their feet, exploring living soil and the relationship between water, sunlight, plants and urban biodiversity. They will make compost, self-watering wicking pots and microgreen trays, while getting hands-on with potting and other essential skills for growing food at home.
Inchara Shanthappa
The aim is to understand natural cycles and bring that interconnectedness into everyday urban living.
“It’s not a balcony garden, but a balcony jungle. We are calling it a balcony jungle because we are trying to create a self-sustaining system,” says Shanthappa. “We all have a connection with nature. When you spend time in it, you begin to appreciate it and value it more,” she adds.
ON October 10 and 11; 10.30 am onwards
AT Vanvadi Forest, between Chichwadi and Ware Village, 9 kms from Neral station.
CALL 9930640168 (for registration)
COST Rs 3500
Pic Courtesy/Inner World
Tiny green world
Get hands-on with terrarium-making as you layer soil, plants and colourful pebbles to create a miniature garden in a glass jar to take home.
ON October 11; 3.30 pm onwards
AT Corner of Joy, Sector 14, Vashi.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
COST Rs 899 onwards
Pic Courtesy/Naturalist Explores
Moss magic
Learn the Japanese art of Kokedama, creating a moss-wrapped plant with your own hands while exploring a creative, eco-friendly way to bring greenery indoors.
ON October 10; 9 am onwards
AT Ambedkar Nagar, Dharavi, Bandra East.
LOG ON TO urbanaut.app
COST Rs 577
Pottery time
Try your hand at pottery through pinching, slab-building and sculpting techniques, shaping clay into a piece that is uniquely yours.
ON October 11; 11 am onwards
AT Doolally Taproom, Ghodbunder Road, Thane West.
LOG ON TO happyhikkups.com
COST Rs 899 onwards
. Follow the sunlight: Pick a spot that gets at least 2-3 hours of sunlight a day.
. Start with herbs: Begin with easy, everyday herbs and leafy greens before taking on bigger plants.
. Let the soil live: Use compost and natural organic matter to build healthy, living soil.
. Reuse what you have: Convert old containers, boxes and pots into planters instead of buying new ones.
. Save your kitchen scraps: Composting gives food waste a second life and feeds your plants.
Representation Pics/iStock
. Think beyond plants: Leave room for pollinators and other small creatures that make your mini ecosystem thrive.
. Grow slowly: Start with a few plants, observe what works in your space and allow your tiny green patch to evolve.
]]>In 2017, the two US-returned IT professionals opened their first outlet in Jayanagar in Bengaluru. “I wanted to apply the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) systems over there, with consistent standard operating procedures (SOPs) to South Indian food,” Subramani shares.
Thecha Masala Dose
Over 2500 sq ft, the space is quartered into a 60-seater seating area that runs around the Darshini-styled standing space. Four counters, manned by dedicated station masters, take on the task of quick service.
Considering the rise in Bengaluru-led dining spaces, we wonder if the neighbourhood might not be competitive. “We are not here to compete, just share flavours from home,” shrugs Subramani.
Sakkarai Pongal
The service is efficient as our Ghee Podi Idlis (Rs 150) arrive on the table within five minutes of the order being placed on the self-help kiosks. The Idlis live up to our expectation, with lightly spiced Podi. This writer is comforted to find that the sambar’s consistency is thick, and lacks any hint of sweetness.
We follow this up with the Thecha Masala Dose (Rs 220), a new offering for the Mumbai crowd. The dosa texture balances the outer crispiness with a softer interior. This allows the heat from the thecha to build slowly on the palate, without overpowering the coconut or tomato chutney.
Filter coffee
The menu is familiar, but diverse. With eight varieties of dose, alongside thindis (snacks) like Khara Bhaat, Bisibele Bhaat, and Pulav, the menu serves the objective of quick, but wholesome food. The founders inform us that more popular variants from Bengaluru like Kari Dose and Ragi Dose will be introduced to the menu later.
We follow the fare with a rich Filter Coffee (Rs 70). Of course, our sweet tooth does not allow us to leave before trying the Sakkarai Pongal (Sweet Pongal) (R180). A slight tinge of camphor trickles through the gooey sweetness — an inspiration from the kitchens of Tirupati, Subramani admits.
Founders Varun Timmegowda and Vikas Subramani
“From prepping ingredients, to readying dishes, the idea is to deliver it to the table within minutes; no matter what time you walk in,” Subramani adds. We want it to be a home away from home, shares Timmegowda. A thought to hold on to in a city of migrants like Mumbai.
(From left) The seating area at The Bengaluru Café; the self-help kiosks at the restaurant; visitors experience the Darshini-styled standing space. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
The Bengaluru Café
TIME 11 am to 12 am
AT A2, Gazal Villa, Gulmohar Road, Juhu, Andheri West.
. Ghee Roast Masala Dosa
AT The Rameshwaram Café, Cambata Building, Maharshi Karve Road, Churchgate.
CALL 8655640757
. Benne Masala Dosa
AT Benne- The Heritage Bangalore Dosa, Shree Pant Bhavan, Charni Road East.
CALL 9920877677
. Mangaluru Buns
AT Namah, Four Bungalows, Andheri West.
CALL 8976616336
. Ghee Podi Idli
AT Café Madras, near Maheshwari Udyan, Matunga East.
CALL 0224014419
. Ragi Dosa
AT Kaavali, Chandra Apartment, Nahur Road, Mulund West.
CALL 9819855608
“I saw a cobra, a python, some big lizards, one of which was on the path, I had to jump over it with my bike,” said the Cadillac driver describing his 320km long trip. “I got chased by one dog, got stuck behind a herd of cows on one small track, eventually they moved away,” added the Finn, who left Sepang on Wednesday afternoon.
Bottas, 37, who is a keen cyclist said the idea to do the Malaysia-Singapore trip on a cycle was initially brought up as a joke by his Australian partner Tiffany Cromwell, a professional road and gravel cyclist.
“The wildest part was riding at night in the jungle. Your mind starts to play games, who knows what is out there but you just need to keep going. But riding with your lights at night, that was the most epic part.”
]]>“Considering the kind of talent we have, we should have done much better in the Asian Games. We had done much better the last time [men’s doubles gold, men’s team silver and men’s singles bronze]. I was expecting at least the same medal count as last time, if not better,” Padukone, 71, India’s first All England champion, said after signing a MoU between his Padukone School of Badminton and the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM) in the city.
“They play throughout the year, so it’s extremely difficult to be on top all the time. But I’d like the players to be more consistent. They have a lot of support. They need to put in a little more effort. You pick four or five important tournaments in the whole year and try to reach your peak in those tournaments,” he added.
The badminton great was pleased with the emergence of singles players though. “We have some good players. Aayush Shetty is there in men’s singles. In women’s singles, we have players like Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma. You don’t see so much talent in doubles. But singles has always been our strength and will continue to be,” he said.
]]>Prisha won the girls U-16 category with six and a half points, while Hitansh clinched the boys U-12 title with nine points. Meanwhile, Girisha Pai of Children’s Academy (Kandivli) won the girls U-12 title with eight and a half points.
The boys U-8 title was won by Arjun Kulkarni of JBCN International School (Oshiwara), who bagged eight and a half points.
]]>The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, "The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14."
The news about the circular, issued by Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority Tanvir Ahmad, spread fast in the national capital on Thursday with regular customers lining up outside government vends to stock up for the two-day closure.
The state government's decision to shut liquor vends followed inputs from Delhi Police about possible disturbance of law and order by drunk protesters during the demonstration planned by CJP to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged discrepancies in the poll body.
The Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP movement has planned protests across the nation over a number of days.
In Delhi, the CJP aims to hold a protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar, where it held a similar protest in July against wrongdoings in exams.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police Crime Branch has started investigating the violence that broke out during the CJP protest in July and registered a case under relevant sections of the law, sources said on Thursday.
The Crime Branch sources said the probe will focus on the role of those responsible for the violence that broke out in New Delhi on July 20.
The Crime Branch will specifically investigate whether the violence was "premeditated" or whether "criminal elements" entered the protest sites when the CJP called for a march to Parliament.
On the directions of the Supreme Court, Delhi Police has already cancelled 17 FIRs related to the violence.
The Crime Branch will now specifically probe the violence, which involved assaults on police personnel, vandalism and destruction of public property, including police vehicles.
On July 20, a large number of protesters gathered in and around Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Around 30,000 people took to the streets and attempted to march toward Parliament demanding action against paper leaks and other examination-related irregularities.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>Interestingly, the development came as a surprise to the 53-year-old SKP Athletics Club wicketkeeper-batter, who scored 56 against Prabhu Jolly Young Cricketers in a Dr HD Kanga Cricket League Division ‘D’ match last Sunday, and was due to play against Rajasthan Sports Club at Azad Maidan this Sunday. He has now changed his plans.
“It happened so quickly. I got a call asking whether I was ready to be the head coach of the Chandigarh Ranji team this season. I immediately said, ‘Yes, I’ll do it.’ Chandigarh Cricket Association officials then confirmed the assignment yesterday [Wednesday],” Samant, who played 101 first-class games for Mumbai and Tripura, told mid-day on Thursday.
Samant, who guided Mumbai to their Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph in 2018-19 as head coach, joined the Manan Vohra-led Chandigarh team in Mumbai last evening. “I’m always keen to coach a Ranji team, so I think it’s a good opportunity.
Chandigarh is a totally new team for me. Joining the team just a couple of days before the first Ranji match is definitely a challenge, but I enjoy taking on challenges. Playing against Mumbai at Wankhede is another challenge, so let’s see,” added Samant.
]]>The reason is simple. Two top trainers, two three-year-olds, both unbeaten in four starts each. Local champion trainer Pesi Shroff saddles Jaandaar (Earthlight - Dance Awhile). Bangalore-based Prasanna Kumar sends out Iron Mirage (Dreamfield - Setareh). Neither colt has put a foot wrong so far. Come Sunday evening, sadly, one of them will.
Unbeaten horses draw crowds, and these two have built their own fan bases. Expect the Pune stands to be packed to capacity for the duel. The supporters of both camps will arrive with the same conviction: that their horse simply cannot be beaten. Only one of them will get a standing ovation, and walk into the history books.
Their running styles could decide the Derby outcome, and on that count the pace of the race may tilt things slightly towards Jaandaar.
Shroff's colt has twice shown a spectacular turn of foot on this very track. Settled off the pace, he waits, and when he is asked the question in the straight, the answer comes quickly and emphatically. A finisher with proven acceleration on the home turf is a dangerous proposition in a small field.
Iron Mirage is a different animal altogether. Prasanna Kumar's charge has won all his races on sheer speed. He goes to the front, sets a pace his rivals cannot live with, and simply outpaces and outclasses them. What has impressed most is that he has never shown the slightest sign of tiring. He doesn't just lead; he keeps going.
There is one question that hangs over both colts equally, and it may well be the one that settles the race. Neither has raced beyond a mile. On Sunday, both will be asked to go two furlongs further, over the 2000m of the Villoo C Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr 1). If any stamina issue surfaces, the beneficiary could be trainer MK Jadhav's Beast Mode (Plumatic - Woman O' War) who has staying power as well as turn of foot.
]]>Vance said the United States would continue welcoming foreigners with extraordinary skills and abilities, but added that the H-1B visa programme had moved away from its original purpose.
"We want a lot of other people to come into the United States of America if they have truly elite specialised skills," he told reporters during a press conference on visa fraud.
His remarks came in response to a question about Musk, who had studied in the United States and was accepted at Stanford University before building his business empire.
A reporter asked how the administration could identify the next Musk while restricting opportunities for foreign workers and researchers.
Vance said immigration authorities should apply two tests when considering foreign professionals.
The first, he said, was whether the applicant would fill a position that could not be filled by an American worker.
The second was whether the individual possessed exceptional abilities.
"Are they truly bringing in a special set of skills and abilities and work ethic and competence?" he asked.
Vance said the administration was not opposed to foreign professionals contributing to American innovation and economic growth.
He cited Musk and AMD chief executive Lisa Su as examples of people whose contributions demonstrated the value of exceptional international talent.
However, he added that many employers were using immigration programmes to recruit foreign workers for jobs that Americans could perform.
"Unfortunately, what we see with most H-1Bs is that you're taking somebody, I'm sure in most cases, a decent human being, and they're using them to replace an American middle-class worker," Vance said.
The Vice-President also defended the administration's decision to impose an additional fee on H-1B applications.
He said that companies seeking genuinely exceptional workers should be willing to pay more to recruit them.
"If you're actually bringing a truly elite, genius-level, super-specialised person into the United States of America, you're gonna be willing to pay a little bit extra to bring that person into the, into your company," Vance added.
He said that the higher cost would discourage employers seeking foreign workers primarily to reduce wages.
The H-1B programme allows American employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations, including technology, engineering and scientific research. Employers must meet applicable eligibility and wage requirements.
The programme is particularly significant for Indian professionals, who have historically accounted for a large share of H-1B visa recipients.
Changes in the administration's approach to eligibility and recruitment could therefore have important implications for Indian technology workers seeking employment in the United States.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
]]>As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city's maximum temperature is expected to be around 37 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 25 degrees Celsius.
The island city recorded a maximum temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24.7 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours.
The withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon continued this week, with the line of withdrawal extending through several parts of the country, including Supaul, Ranchi, Raipur, Brahmapuri, Parbhani, Baramati, and Harnai, as per IMD.
According to the weather forecasting agency, the Southwest Monsoon also remained weak over Konkan-Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, and the Gujarat region during the day.
Mumbai's overall air quality index (AQI) on Thursday climbs at 110 on Friday, falling in the 'moderate' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) SAMEER app. Air in this category may cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.
Among the monitoring stations, Deonar recorded the highest AQI at 152, followed by Colaba at 133 and Chembur at 122.
Meanwhile, across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Thane's AQI stood at 96, while Navi Mumbai recorded 96and Kalyan 90.
As of Friday, October 9, Amravati recorded Maharashtra’s highest maximum temperature at 39 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, making it the hottest place in the state, according to the India Meteorological Department's latest Maharashtra weather update. The temperature was 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal for the city.
Yavatmal recorded the second-highest maximum temperature at 38.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Akola at 37.9 degrees Celsius. Jalgaon and Solapur recorded 37.6 degrees Celsius each, while Wardha touched 37.6 degrees Celsius and Chandrapur recorded 37.2 degrees Celsius.
As per IMD, several parts of Vidarbha also experienced hot conditions. Buldhana recorded 36.5 degrees Celsius, while Nagpur recorded 36.4 degrees Celsius. Washim and Bramhapuri recorded 36 degrees Celsius and 35.6 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Gondia recorded 34 degrees Celsius.
]]>Recalling the Krantiveer actor honing his skills at the Worli shooting range in the early 2000s, Sheila Kanungo, 66, a 2002 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, tells mid-day: “He had always been a well-wisher of the sport. But there was a time when he wanted to quit acting and take up shooting. So, he started coming to the MRA [Maharashtra Rifle Association] range in Worli. Initially, he tried the rifle prone event before switching to 300m big-bore. The pistol never excited him. Ironically, although he expected movie offers to decline as he got older, he ended up getting more work. As a result, shooting faded into the background around 2013 or 2014.”
Though Patekar was a good shooter and not a great one, what stood out for Kanungo was his discipline and down-to-Earth demeanour. “I wouldn’t say Nana was the most talented shooter, but he was the most disciplined. He was such an iconic person, yet I never felt I was talking to a legendary actor. He was more down to earth than any of us and would take advice even from young shooters,” adds Kanungo, MRA’s General Secretary.
She also praised the actor’s sense of humour: “He never spared anyone from his jokes and comments, but he was very loving too. He would be critical when needed, but also offer support. Whether it was a function, a prize distribution ceremony or any assistance we needed for a shooter, Nana was always there for us.”
Kanungo also praised Nana for his culinary skills and fitness. “His love for cooking was also well known, especially his zhanzhanit [very spicy] preparations. Fitness, too, was integral to his lifestyle and he was very proud of it. As far as I know, he had even stopped drinking a few years ago. He was very much into eating healthy and going to the gym. So, I’m really shocked and sad to learn that he has passed,” she concludes.
]]>Interestingly, Nana’s shooting journey began because of a Hindi film.
Vishwajeet Shinde
Former India rifle shooter Vishwajeet Shinde, 56, who was shocked to learn of the actor’s sudden passing after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Goa, witnessed the beginnings of Patekar’s shooting journey from close quarters.
“I remember it was in the late 1990s. Nana came to the Maharashtra Rifle Association [MRA] range in Worli to shoot a scene for his film Yeshwant [1997] in which he played a city cop. I was in prime form at the time, and someone suggested that Nana approach me to learn the finer nuances of the sport.
“Nana came up to me and said he had good aim, but wanted to learn more. He told me he could shoot the cap off a bottle. I thought he was joking and told him not to embarrass himself in front of so many people, as he was a well-known celebrity. To my surprise, Nana promptly lined up a bottle and shot its lid off almost effortlessly. I was amazed and told him I’d be happy to be his coach,” Shinde, who currently coaches Western Railway’s shooters, told mid-day.
Thereafter, Nana and Shinde spent many hours working closely at the MRA range. “He was so disciplined and dedicated that he would blindly follow my instructions. If I told him to lie down with the rifle for an hour and do nothing, he would do it. I remember he once came up to me after a tough training session and showed me that he was bleeding, but he never complained,” Shinde added.
After learning the sport, Nana participated in several shooting competitions and won national-level medals at Coimbatore, Indore, and Mau. He also used his popularity as an actor to promote shooting and attract sponsorships.
“Some of India’s shooting legends, such as Anjali Bhagwat, Deepali Deshpande, and Suma Shirur, were promising talents back then, but the sport was short of funds. Nana promptly put in Rs 4.5 lakh from his own pocket to help import Korean training equipment. The rest, as they say, is history, as all three went on to win international medals for the country.
“Nana went on to help many young shooters across the state get sponsorships and top-class foreign equipment. In fact, Nana even approached some of the state’s top politicians to help the MRA acquire its first computerised targets in the early 2000s. Nana did not just love shooting, he truly cared for shooters, too,” Shinde revealed.
]]>Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi announced on Thursday that he would enter a statement into the Congressional Record on Friday, recognising Machchhar's extraordinary courage during the September 30 incident aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The Illinois Democrat said the Indian captain's actions helped avert a catastrophe after the aircraft's first officer attacked him and attempted to seize control of the plane.
According to Krishnamoorthi's statement, the aircraft plunged around 16,000 feet in just 30 seconds during the incident.
Despite suffering serious injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to reach the cockpit door and open it, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.
Two reserve Flydubai pilots travelling aboard the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The flight was carrying 172 passengers, including four American citizens and 27 children, according to the Congressman's statement.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, has 17 years of flying experience, including 11 years as a captain.
In his statement prepared for the Congressional Record, Krishnamoorthi praised the pilot's determination to protect those aboard despite facing a life-threatening attack.
"Even as Captain Machchhar fought for his own life, he understood that the lives of everyone aboard depended on what he did next," the Congressman said.
"Despite his injuries, his years of experience told him that the aircraft was going down, and he found the strength to reach that door."
Krishnamoorthi said the captain's quick thinking and determination had given others aboard the aircraft an opportunity to intervene.
"His presence of mind, determination, and courage gave the passengers and crew the chance they needed to stop the attack and avert a catastrophe," he added.
The Congressman also drew attention to the families whose loved ones survived the incident.
"Behind every person aboard Flight 1073 is a family that was spared an unimaginable loss," he said.
"Because Captain Machchhar refused to give up, the passengers and crew aboard that aircraft had the chance to return to the people who love them."
Krishnamoorthi urged fellow lawmakers to join him in recognising the Indian pilot's actions.
"We extend our warmest wishes to him, his wife Sonal, their two children, and their entire family, and we hope for the captain's full-speed recovery from his injuries at the earliest," he said.
The Congressional Record is the official record of proceedings and debates in the US Congress.
Lawmakers use it to document legislative proceedings and place statements recognising individuals, organisations and significant events on the Congressional record.
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]]>Mumbai skipper Siddhesh Lad, 34, and his deputy Ayush Mhatre, 19, exuded confidence at the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions’ pre-season press conference at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Lad, Mumbai’s crisis man and highest run-scorer last season with 774 runs, admitted there will be pressure of expectations, but insisted his team is ready to win a record 43rd title.
“I feel the pressure will always be there when you are representing Mumbai. But as a unit, we want to embrace it and not run away from it because we know the history and culture we have,” said Lad, who has scored 5,623 runs in 82 first-class matches.
Mhatre, who led India to the 2026 U-19 World Cup triumph in February, has fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered during IPL 2026. The youngster spent around three months at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is ready for the domestic season. Given the additional responsibility of being Mumbai’s vice-captain, Mhatre said he would try to remain calm like his Chennai Super Kings batting great MS Dhoni.
“He [Dhoni] always tells me that you should stay calm on the field. Some decisions we take in aggressive mode are not the right ones. We are in that aggressive mode for only five minutes, so staying calm and making decisions calmly will be helpful. It helped me during the U-19 World Cup too, so I try to remain calm on the field,” said Mhatre, who has scored 660 runs in 13 first-class games.
Asked about the absence of experienced batter and India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, Lad said: “Surya has been a fantastic player for Mumbai cricket. He has done a lot for Mumbai cricket and the Indian team over the years. He is a World Cup-winning captain and there is tremendous respect for him in our group. But whatever the management and selectors feel is right at this moment, as captain, I want to respect it.”
Meanwhile, Lad revealed that India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who bowls leg-spin during the Indian team’s net sessions, has also been working on his wicketkeeping. Mumbai already have two regular wicketkeepers in Akash Anand and Hardik Tamore, with Jaiswal an additional option if required.
“Yashasvi kept wickets for around 10 overs during our practice match. I feel he is trying hard to start keeping wickets. That’s what I heard from him. He wants to keep wickets for Mumbai or the Indian team. That is what he is aiming for, but I don’t
have any clarity on that,” Lad said.
Sanju Samson’s lean run is the lone sore point in an otherwise firing batting line-up and it will prompt the team management to ponder over pairing teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with opener Abhishek Sharma in the second T20I against the West Indies here on Friday.
A win here will power India to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, but the hosts will certainly want a more productive outing from Samson.
The Kerala batter’s last four innings read: 9, 7, 2, 11. Consequently, the partnerships involving Samson in the previous four matches stand at: 7, 12, 2 [both for second wicket with Sooryavanshi coming in as opener], and 29.
But the middle-order led by skipper Shreyas Iyer, who has finally found his footing as T20I captain, has covered up those failures in spectacular fashion. Iyer also hammered his maiden T20I century in the 68th match of his career.
So, there will be a temptation to give Sooryavanshi another run. The left-hander has shown that T20 cricket comes naturally to him in the limited opportunities he has received so far.
His wide and unique range of shots, coupled with the ability to produce match-winning knocks have made him a compelling package.
But India have so far backed the established opening combination of Abhishek and Samson.
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]]>Sharing an update on his arrival, EAM Jaishankar posted on X, “Hello Addis Ababa!
Congratulate @GHessebon on your re-appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Look forward to meeting you soon to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership. 🇮🇳 🇪🇹
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 8, 2026
Delighted to arrive in Ethiopia. Thank State Minister @BerhanuTsegaye for the warm reception. Look forward to productive engagements to advance our Strategic Partnership.”
During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Ethiopia's leadership to discuss the full range of bilateral ties and exchange views on regional and global matters of mutual interest. He will also chair the Regional Heads of Mission (HoMs) Conference in Addis Ababa, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In an earlier statement, the MEA said EAM Jaishankar would hold bilateral meeting with his counterpart to review close ties of friendship and cooperation.
“The visit of EAM is reflective of India’s commitment to deepen its partnership with Africa, and will further India’s solidarity with Global South,” the ministry said.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity to review bilateral cooperation across key sectors and explore avenues for further strengthening India's engagement with Ethiopia and the wider African region.
EAM Jaishankar arrived in Ethiopia after concluding his visit to Cote d'Ivoire.
Earlier on Thursday, EAM Jaishankar congratulated Gedion Timothewos Hessebon on his reappointment as Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and expressed his eagerness to meet him to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“Congratulate Gedion Timothewos Hessebon on your re-appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. Look forward to meeting you soon to further strengthen our Strategic Partnership,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
Hessebon was reappointed following Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali's formation of a new Cabinet. The Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) on Monday established the new federal government, with the ruling Prosperity Party appointing Abiy Ahmed Ali as Prime Minister for a second five-year term.
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]]>In Tamil Nadu, counting will be held for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, with the outcome set to provide an early electoral test for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
Postal ballots will be counted first when the process begins at 8 a.m., followed by votes recorded in electronic voting machines (EVMs). Both constituencies, reserved for Scheduled Castes, went to the polls on October 6 following an intensive campaign involving prominent leaders from the ruling party and the Opposition.
The contests carry considerable political significance for TVK, which came to power after winning 108 seats in the Assembly election, short of the 118 required for a majority.
In West Bengal, counting will take place for the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district. Voting in both constituencies was conducted under unprecedented security arrangements.
The Nandigram contest has drawn particular attention after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate of the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), withdrew her nomination at the last moment. Her withdrawal has led political observers to anticipate a possible victory for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Hasi Rani Rath.
Dey is the mother of late Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was assassinated in Madhyamgram on May 6.
Earlier on Tuesday, Adhikari said that Rath's victory margin in the Nandigram bypoll could surpass the margin he secured from the same constituency in 2016.
Meanwhile, counting will also be held for the Thattanchavady Assembly constituency in Puducherry and the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam.
The results across these constituencies will determine the electoral fortunes of the candidates and parties contesting the bypolls.
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]]>“Our Embassy in the UAE has been in regular touch with his family, his doctors, and hospital and local authorities there, so as to get the latest update about his health,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
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]]>The Helene Boucher Lycee has been a flashpoint for clashes in the French capital, and is one of hundreds of schools disrupted by protesters Thursday.
Riot police gathered in side streets as students converged on the school. At least a dozen demonstrations in support of the high school students’ movement are planned around France later in the day.
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]]>The PM said that India has gained considerable experience in tackling cyberfrauds and is ready to share its learnings with the world.
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]]>The money includes $1 billion under the IMF’s main loan programme and another $210 million under a separate programme aimed at helping Pakistan become more resilient to climate and other long-term risks.
The announcement of the agreement reached after extensive talks between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team and Pakistani authorities was made by the global money lender in a statement from its HQ in Washington.
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]]>“It was a combined attack, involving ballistic and cruise missiles,’” Zelenskyy said. “This is the kind of ‘gift’ Putin gave himself for his birthday,” Zelenskyy said.
]]>Justice Minister Sean Fraser said there is no consensus in the medical community on when mental illness can be considered irremediable and cited concerns about inadequate access to mental health care.
“While there is not a perfect consensus on this issue, we believe this is the correct approach at this particular time,” Fraser said.
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]]>I had the pleasure to direct him in The Confession of Mary. The film’s shoot is complete, about 10 days of post-production work is pending. When he saw the rough cut, he said, ‘I finally feel I am an actor’. That was very humble of him. It lifted my spirit so much. But if I wish he were here to see the final product; he would have been very proud of the film.
We spoke a few weeks ago because the film was going for a screening at Toronto. He called me to ask whether I was going to Toronto. I said, ‘No, but you should go’. He said, ‘No way. I don’t like long flights.’ He then told me how he had once booked a first-class ticket to Melbourne. He went to the airport, checked in, and ran away from the airport when he learnt the duration of the flight. He blew up Rs 7 lakh. When I told him that had I known then, I would have encouraged him to go, he said, ‘No, don’t ever do that. I feel claustrophobic on flights.’
So, he was that kind of a man — on the one hand, [he was scared to get on a plane], and on the other hand, he’d go to Kargil [to motivate the Indian Army]. So, he was a man of extremes. And somewhere in between, we met. I have never seen a more transparent and earthy man.
]]>According to the report, the Pentagon instructed US Central Command (US CENTCOM) several days ago to conclude preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran. The directive did not set a specific date for launching strikes.
US and Israeli officials told Axios that renewed combat operations could take place before the US midterm elections, scheduled to be held on November 3, and possibly ahead of Israeli elections, which are expected a week earlier.
If major combat operations resume, they are expected to include extensive strikes on Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear targets, Axios reported, citing sources.
A White House official said Trump has all options available at any time.
Nov 3
Day US mid-term elections are scheduled
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]]>The findings, from a preclinical study published in Nature Metabolism, could support new strategies for preventing progression toward liver failure. Around 100 million in the US have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, American Liver Foundation said.
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]]>Ahead of Navratri, an artist adds final touches to an idol of Goddess Durga at a workshop in Chinchpokli.
The artwork made by Achyut Palav which resembles Nana Patekar’s signature; (right) Palav with Patekar at the Silver Calligraphy Exhibition in 2011. Pics courtesy/Achyut Palav
Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “A beautiful body perishes, but a work of art dies not,” and calligraphy artist Achyut Palav agrees to the statement when it comes to legendary actor Nana Patekar. “Apart from Nana being a celebrated actor, our relationship bloomed over the love of art. As we attended the same college (Sir JJ School of Art), to me he was a calligrapher, artist, and a true supporter of my work. The signature was my way to honour his legacy the way he would like it, through art.” said Palav reminiscing the actor on his day of passing.
(Far left) Kunal Vijayakar, Mahesh Manjrekar with (far right) Nana Patekar. Pic courtesy/Kunal Vijaykar
Food journalist and author Kunal Vijayakar was among those shocked by the news of Nana Patekar’s passing. Recalling their friendship, he told this diarist, “We bonded over three things: food, especially while working on, the movie, Ab Tak Chhappan (2004), our love for Marathi theatre, and being alumni of the same college (Sir JJ School of Art).”
Despite Patekar’s stoic demeanour, Vijayakar remembers him as “unbelievably funny and extremely warm.” He adds, “He would cook excellent Mutton and Rushichi Bhaji, usually prepared on Rishi Panchami, which falls on the second day of Ganesh Chaturthi.”
(From left) Zahan, Kunal, and Shaira Kapoor at the 2025 Prithvi Film Festival. Pics courtesy/Prithvi theatre; Instagram
With November less than a month away, theatre-goers, fanatics and artistes in the city know what time it is. The Prithvi Festival returns from November 1 to 16, marking its fifth decade, with a line-up that includes 27 Seconds by Motley, Swanand Kirkire’s musical Yo Brother, This is 95, Everything We Forgot To Say with Lillete Dubey, and the Tibetan production Phayul, written by Abhishek Majumdar and Tibetan playwright Tashi Wangchuk, among others.
Lillette Dubey, Swanand Kirkire and Abhishek Majumdar
Kunal Kapoor, trustee of Prithvi Theatre, reflected on the festival, “Since the first festival in 1983, the team has worked hard to keep this tradition alive. With the support of the theatre fraternity and audience, the festival carries on into its fifth decade.”
(From left) Kiran Rao, Sarnath Banerjee and Imaad Shah at the book launch. Pics/Special Arrangement
Kiran Rao and Sarnath Banerjee opened up proceedings nicely. Both admitted that the session felt like being at a picnic, an on-stage adda, reminding us of their common Kolkata roots. By then, Imaad Shah’s first set had already wowed the audience. A sensitive, humour-tinted narrative, aided by Banerjee’s panels in Absolute Jafar (HarperCollins) was splashed on screen to an evocative background score (complete with live actors on stage for added effect). We were in for an immersive storytelling experience for the graphic novel’s launch at the historic Royal Opera House.
Imaad Shah at the book launch
The evening adda organically moved from discussing its plot, to Rao and Banerjee, sharing lessons from raising opinionated, bright children, to a tongue-in-cheek look at societal woes, and the importance of recording emotional history. In between guffaws and applause from an attentive audience, he patiently took questions about his craft and the status of the graphic novel in India (not without taking pot-shots at a few mainstream authors!) in his no-fuss approach, his dry humour, intact. Rao played incisive moderator throughout, juggling between a timely subject and a gifted author. In the audience were Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak-Shah, who would’ve smiled at their son’s brilliant stage work, lending voice and tonality to bring the book to life. Jafar would have been thrilled about being in the limelight, we think.
]]>Anil Sharma
The talk about him being difficult to work with never had any truth in it. I would say that after Dharamji [Dharmendra], Nana Patekarji was the easiest actor to work with. There were talks happening about us collaborating on Gadar 3, but now [that will remain an unfulfilled wish].
I last spoke to him a few months ago. I had thought of visiting him this Ganpati, but I couldn’t make it. Now I feel jo karna hai, turant karlena chahiye.
]]>And then there are couples we see on social media — the hashtag couples, the Insta husband to the Insta wife. The ones who make the right faces, put up big posts for each other, and put up pretty pictures of each other and with each other all the time. Some, like the celebrities, share cute trend videos (Deepika and Ranveer or Aditi Rao and Siddharth), or go on podcasts and show us their chemistry. A recent podcast featuring Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda has gone viral because of their banter and chemistry. But can we ignore that she says she puts him to bed and then sleeps, just because he says he married her not because it was time to, but because he wanted to? Also, can we ignore that she says that the fact that he is around is enough for her? Really?
I don’t want to judge, so I won’t. Maybe sometimes when we are in love, and we all have been, we can do anything for the one we adore, just because “at least they are there”. So maybe she is in that phase of life. Other than that, I feel that there is really no way anyone can tell what a couple is like in real life, by what they share on podcasts or on their Instagram. It’s impossible.
Firstly, chemistry is a farce. You can be in the worst relationship of your life, where you spend all night looking at the phone waiting for a message, but when you meet, the sparks are electrifying. Chemistry often makes us think bad things are good. So let’s not think that just because they smile every time they catch each other’s eyes means anything.
Also, everything you see on social, even from the most authentic creator, influencer or actor, is still filtered down. A couple isn’t going to make a daily vlog about their arguments, resentments, fights, doubts, lack of respect and trust. No. That’s for after the divorce is final. So what do we really see, or know? What they want to show us. To me, online, good couples are those who don’t hide that they are with someone, but don’t go overboard with it either. Real relationships don’t need constant social validation. But if you have never seen anything of a couple, not even a wedding photo, yes, that’s a red flag.
But then, how do we know who is a genuinely good couple? Firstly, it’s not our business. But for the sake of conversation, I feel the only way we can know if a couple is really “happy” or not is by knowing them in real life. And that too for a long time, so you know their love language. Maybe they roast each other to bits, but have also stood by each other in their most challenging times. That’s why I never judge Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor — their roasting is now regarded as toxic, but that’s because those moments are out of context. But do you know their real equation — when Alia says she feels Ranbir gives her “emotional safety”, I would want to believe her.
In my own circle, I have known couples who have seen each other through very bad times and good. They don’t wax eloquent about each other, or say baby after everything, or post pictures every day, but they have done the most important thing: Grown together. I have seen them fight and show affection and annoyance, but never disrespect. They don’t try to change each other. They accept each other’s quirks, friends, and families. I have also known couples where, once married, people have changed so much that you can’t recognise them any more. Those I have lost touch with.
What’s the point of this column? Maybe, only to say that the optics of love are a tricky business, and everyone has to figure out their own dynamics. To look at a couple online, or even in the movies, and want exactly that, well, that’s doing your own unique self a disservice. Every couple figures out their own combined love language and way of showing it.
My favourite couple online is Nauheed Cyrusi and her husband. She is hilarious and so, so, so authentic — I love her. And he is the sometimes unsuspecting, sometimes knowing husband in her content — but only once in a while. They seem like they are being themselves, and their bond seems less intense and more comfortable. They are fun.
But in the end, what’s happening between a couple, really, only the couple knows. And no post can ever reflect it. Remember that for your own good.
See you next time.
Ranting and raving about all that’s trending on social media, Aastha Atray Banan is an author, creator, podcaster, and the Editor of your favourite weekend read, Sunday mid-day. She posts at @aasthaatray on Instagram.
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The views expressed in this column are the individual’s and don’t represent those of the paper
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