Kerala-born model Ravleen Varghese, 25, made her debut at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on October 18, walking the runway twice. Originally from Kodumon, she wore a pink lace lingerie set for her first appearance and a black-and-white outfit for her second. Ravleen moved to Delhi to study design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, where she was scouted by Anima Creative Management at 18. Her career includes international fashion labels, magazine covers, work with designer Sabyasachi and a 2022 New York Fashion Week debut. Diet Sabya celebrated her achievement, describing her as the first Malayali model to walk the Victoria’s Secret show. (PC: X)

Estonian Ambassador to India Kristi Karelsohn has welcomed New Delhi’s efforts to help resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying India has proposed concrete steps that could advance peace. In an exclusive interview with Times Now Digital, she warned that a Russian victory could encourage President Vladimir Putin to pursue further invasions. Karelsohn stressed that Russia must not benefit from its aggression and called for support to help Ukraine win. She also emphasised stronger defence capabilities and credible deterrence to prevent future attacks. Estonia, she said, is working to persuade European countries farther from Russia’s borders to strengthen their defence preparedness, underscoring concerns about Moscow’s future actions and wider European security.

A Delhi court on Wednesday ordered the release of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after seven days in judicial custody in a Jantar Mantar trespassing case. Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) rejected Delhi Police’s plea seeking a three-day extension. The leaders were detained on October 13 for allegedly climbing over a locked gate to enter Jantar Mantar, previously denotified as a designated protest site. Their custody was extended by two days on October 19. Both submitted undertakings pledging to maintain peace and not call protests at Jantar Mantar until it is legally redesignated. Delhi Police has transferred the case to its Crime Branch. Arvind Kejriwal congratulated them on receiving bail.

Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has exposed an alleged cross-border fraud racket involving three Pakistani nationals and four Indians based in Canada, according to India Today. The group allegedly defrauded Canadian banks using artificial intelligence-generated passports, photographs and fabricated identities. Pakistani members reportedly opened bank accounts remotely using forged documents, while their Indian associates in Canada received the corresponding credit cards. The cards were allegedly used to exhaust their credit limits before being discarded. The racket came to light on October 19, when the NCCIA announced arrests in Lahore. Additional Director Atif Ameer outlined the suspected network at a press conference, as investigators pursued the case.

Nike turned part of London City Airport’s runway into a unique running course for its After Dark Tour London 10K, held on October 17, 2026. The sold-out nighttime event attracted around 5,000 women, who ran through East London’s Royal Docks before reaching the airport runway. The race combined fitness, music, lights and community celebrations, promoting women’s participation in sport. Organisers scheduled the event outside the airport’s operating hours, ensuring commercial flights were not disrupted. The initiative formed part of Nike’s global women-focused running series, which promotes confidence, inclusion and shared sporting experiences. 

Several houses were set ablaze in the abandoned Khoikai Kuki village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on October 21, 2026, triggering fresh concerns over ethnic tensions. According to police, suspected militants set fire to the houses around 5:30 a.m. The village, located near Chassad, had been deserted after residents fled escalating clashes between the Kuki and Naga communities. Authorities said the extent of the damage and the identities of those responsible were yet to be established. The continuing violence has reportedly killed more than 50 people and damaged dozens of houses across Manipur this year. 

Police investigations into the October 18 firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai have intensified, with the number of arrested accused reportedly reaching 10. The case involves an alleged conspiracy linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to NDTV reports, investigators suspect a wider network helped arrange and transport weapons used in the attack. Earlier arrests included three alleged shooters and four people accused of supplying weapons. The firing occurred in Mumbai’s Juhu area; Shroff escaped unharmed, while his driver and a passerby were injured. Police are investigating the motive and the alleged network’s involvement. (PC: NDTV)

A Russian Su-30 fighter jet crashed in the Kaliningrad region on October 21, 2026, during a scheduled training flight, according to reports citing Russia’s Defence Ministry. The aircraft went down in an uninhabited area, and the crew successfully ejected before the crash. Russian authorities said the pilots were rescued and that their lives were not in danger. The aircraft was reportedly flying without ammunition. The cause of the crash has not yet been disclosed, and further details may emerge as authorities investigate the incident. 

India continued its impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as athletes Simran Sharma and Dilip Gavit won gold medals on October 21. Simran secured her second gold by winning the women’s 100m T12 final in a Games-record time of 12.02 seconds, following her 200m victory. Dilip Gavit clinched gold in the men’s 100m T47 event, finishing in 10.69 seconds. Mohammed Morssinganakath won silver in 10.72 seconds, completing an Indian one-two finish. Pranav Desai also earned bronze in the men’s 100m T64, strengthening India’s growing medal tally. (PC: PCI)

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday compared the protests by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka with unrest in France, observing that demonstrations there had escalated into violence. “What started as a student protest has become arson and looting,” Justice Subramonium Prasad said during the hearing. The judge questioned the leaders’ alleged breach of a peace bond after they protested at Jantar Mantar, which had been de-notified as a protest site. The court advised them to approach the appropriate revisional court. Das and Ranka later withdrew their plea challenging the extension of their custody. (PC: X)