President Droupadi Murmu made history by becoming the first woman President of India to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. She is only the second President to visit the shrine, after VV Giri in the 1970s. The visit comes years after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. Dressed in a black saree, President Murmu carried the sacred ‘irumudi’ and climbed the 18 holy steps to the sanctum. Her visit was part of a four-day tour of Kerala and was praised by leaders for its faith and symbolism. (PC: India Today)

A Muslim family has captured hearts nationwide by celebrating Diwali on a local street with their children, lighting diyas and sparklers in pure joy. Shared by Times Now, the video showcases the family’s infectious happiness and their embrace of the Festival of Lights, demonstrating love, inclusivity, and cultural harmony beyond religious boundaries. Neighbors and online viewers alike have applauded their beautiful gesture, praising it as a symbol of unity, togetherness, and positivity. This celebration reminds everyone that the spirit of Diwali—light over darkness, hope over despair, and community over division—belongs to all. A truly uplifting moment!

The Karnataka Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) has uncovered a voter deletion scam in the Aland constituency, revealing that data centre operators were paid ₹80 per fraudulent voter deletion application submitted to the Election Commission ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. A total of 6,018 such applications were made between December 2022 and February 2023, amounting to ₹4.8 lakh in payments. The SIT's investigation has identified a data centre operated by Mohammed Ashfaq and Md Akram in Kalaburagi, with links to BJP leader Subhash Guttedar, who lost the 2023 election in Aland to Congress's B R Patil. 

World Health Organization chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that Gaza faces a “catastrophic” health crisis that will last for generations. He said famine, injuries, disease, and damaged hospitals have created a “fatal combination.” Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he urged Israel to allow more aid and to stop linking it to the conflict. Only 200–300 aid trucks enter Gaza daily, far below the needed 600. Dr Tedros said aid should not be “weaponised” and that Gaza’s health system needs urgent rebuilding. He called the current ceasefire fragile but said peace remains “the best medicine.” (PC: BBC)

The recent daylight heist at Paris's Louvre Museum, where thieves made off with jewels valued at €88 million, has captivated global attention. The audacity and precision of the robbery have led social media users to reminisce about Bollywood's iconic action franchise, 'Dhoom'. Many online commentators suggest that Hrithik Roshan, known for his role as Aryan/Mr. A in 'Dhoom 2', would be the perfect fit to portray a mastermind thief in a potential 'Dhoom 4'. The incident has reignited discussions about the franchise's future and the possibility of incorporating real-life inspirations into cinematic plots. (PC: X)  

On October 22, 2025, during President Droupadi Murmu's official visit to Kerala, her helicopter experienced a mishap upon landing at the newly constructed helipad at Pramadam Stadium in Pathanamthitta. The helipad, completed just hours before the landing, had not fully set, causing the tarmac to sink under the helicopter's weight. Emergency personnel swiftly responded, manually moving the aircraft to a safe area. Despite the scare, no injuries occurred, and the President proceeded with her scheduled visit to the Sabarimala temple. The incident has raised concerns about the readiness of infrastructure for high-profile events.

An IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Srinagar made an emergency landing at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport after the pilot detected a suspected fuel leak mid-air on Tuesday. The crew immediately alerted air traffic control and diverted the aircraft as a precautionary measure. Fire and rescue teams were deployed on standby at the airport. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated after landing, with no injuries reported. IndiGo confirmed the incident and said safety checks were underway. The airline is cooperating with aviation authorities to investigate the cause of the leak and ensure aircraft safety compliance.  

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Diwali events in Queens, saying he grew up in an India that celebrated pluralism. Visiting several Hindu temples, Mamdani said Modi and the BJP promote a vision that “only has room for certain kinds of Indians.” He added that his criticism comes from his belief in equality and inclusion. Mamdani said he would represent all New Yorkers, even those who disagree with him. His comments have drawn sharp reactions from Indian leaders and Hindu Americans, some accusing him of being “anti-Indian” and spreading false claims. (PC: X)

Three people were arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman doctor at Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Government Medical College in Uluberia, West Bengal. The accused, relatives of a patient, reportedly attacked the doctor during an argument and threatened her with rape. One of them works as a Home Guard. The doctor filed a police complaint, leading to the arrests of Sheikh Samrat, Sheikh Babulal, and Sheikh Hasibul. The Joint Forum of Doctors raised concerns about doctors’ safety. Opposition BJP criticized the Trinamool government, saying women are unsafe in Bengal. Trinamool called the incident “condemnable” and noted that the accused have been arrested. (PC: NDTV)

In a startling murder investigation in Panchkula, Haryana, the son of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa, 35-year-old Aqil Akhtar, was found dead at his Mansa Devi Complex residence. The FIR alleges Aqil discovered an illicit affair between his father and his wife, and that his mother and sister were conspiring against him. Mustafa refutes the claims, labeling his son a chronic drug addict who had been to rehab several times, and dismisses the FIR as politicised. A five-member special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case thoroughly and impartially. (PC: HT Times)