India swept gold, silver and bronze in the men’s combined F42-44/61-64 javelin event at the 2026 Asian Para Games on Friday. Two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil won gold with a throw of 72.46 metres, earning 1,112 points. Mahendra Gurjar secured silver with 59.03 metres and 1,066 points, while Sandip Sanjay Sargar claimed bronze with 64.48 metres and 1,006 points. Both Gurjar and Sargar established new Games Records in their respective categories. Gurjar finished ahead of Sargar on RAZA points, used to rank athletes in combined-class competitions. Antil, a world record holder, could not surpass his personal best of 74.82 metres, set in May. (PC: X)

A 20-second video of a Bengali family enjoying Durga Puja in North Kolkata has captured widespread attention on social media. The clip shows a couple and their young son riding a rickshaw beneath festive lights. The father encourages his wife to sing along to the Bengali song Dugga Ma Asche, while their child smiles happily. Shared across X, Instagram and Reddit, the video received over three million views on X. Viewers praised the family’s natural affection and simple celebration, saying genuine happiness comes from meaningful family moments rather than expensive holidays or material possessions. 

A 27-year-old IT professional, Suraj Kushwah, has developed Jantar Mantar Chalo, a satirical online video game inspired by protests in Delhi. The game allows players to choose between becoming protesters or Delhi Police officers. Protesters must gather supporters, cross barricades, avoid tear gas and reach Jantar Mantar to stage a demonstration. Police players can disperse crowds and detain demonstrators. The game also features internet disruptions, metro closures and detention centres. Kushwah used AI tools for parts of the coding and artwork. The game gained widespread attention on social media, highlighting how digital entertainment can express political commentary.

Rising anti-Indian and anti-South Asian hate in the United States is prompting Indian Americans to demand stronger action against racism ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. Online hate speech, xenophobic rhetoric and concerns about immigration have intensified tensions, raising fears of real-world discrimination and violence. A September 2026 report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate found that anti-South Asian hate on X increased by 240% between January 2024 and June 2026. Indian Americans are increasingly emphasising political participation, accountability for technology companies and community mobilisation to protect their rights and representation. 

A man was allegedly beaten to death in broad daylight in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on October 22, 2026, after a car rammed into his scooter. The victim, Devesh alias Bunty Dixit, was returning from the gym when the incident occurred near Bajrang Chowk in the CIDCO area. The accused, Pawan Parashar, allegedly attacked him with a hockey stick and an iron rod, striking his head and face. The accused subsequently went to the police station. Police are investigating a possible personal rivalry and business dispute as motives, but the exact reason remains unconfirmed. 

Ukraine has carried out an extraordinary battlefield rescue, using a heavy-lift drone to evacuate soldier Kostiantyn Vlasenko after 491 days in a dangerous frontline zone during the war with Russia. Severely injured in a Russian attack, Vlasenko lost both feet and survived for months while hiding in a hole. Ukrainian forces eventually deployed a large drone to fly him approximately 15 kilometres to safety. The operation highlights how emerging drone technology is transforming military rescue missions, particularly where conventional evacuation is too dangerous. The unprecedented mission offers new possibilities for saving wounded soldiers. 

A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet region on Thursday, October 22, 2026, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens. According to Chinese state media, the quake’s epicentre was near Nagqu in northern Tibet. At least 339 houses collapsed, while rescue teams were deployed to search for survivors and assess the damage. Railway services through affected areas were temporarily suspended, and authorities launched an emergency response. The number of injured later rose to 65, while more than 12,000 people were reportedly relocated to safety. Rescue and relief operations are continuing. 

Indian scientist Debasis Maity and his colleagues at Switzerland’s ETH Zurich have developed an experimental wireless implant that could offer a new approach to managing type 2 diabetes without insulin or glucose-lowering medication. The device uses a specialised catalyst to convert excess glucose into gluconate, which the body eliminates through urine. Connected to a continuous glucose monitor, it activates when blood sugar exceeds a preset threshold. Tests in diabetic mice showed improved glucose control, reduced body weight and lower triglyceride levels over six weeks. However, human trials have not begun, and further research is needed before clinical use. 

Veteran American actor Tom Skerritt, renowned for his performances in Top Gun, Alien and the television series Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93. His family confirmed that he died of natural causes on October 21, 2026. Skerritt played Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in Top Gun and Captain Dallas in Alien. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993 for Picket Fences. With a career spanning more than six decades, Skerritt leaves behind a lasting legacy in Hollywood cinema and television. (PC: X)

A portion of the ceiling at Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) collapsed around 10:05 pm on October 22, 2026, injuring two commuters. The incident occurred near the booking hall entrance amid ongoing redevelopment and maintenance work undertaken by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). The injured, identified as Vinayak Hatkar, 28, and Ayan Matwankar, 24, were taken to St George’s Hospital for treatment. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures at the historic railway station. CSMT handles approximately 12 lakh passengers daily, highlighting the importance of construction safety.