A tense 35-minute hostage crisis unfolded in Mumbai’s Powai area when Rohit Arya, a 38-year-old man, trapped 19 people—17 of them children—inside an audition room at RA Studio. The standoff began when Arya, armed with an air gun, chemicals, and a lighter, threatened to set the room ablaze if police intervened. Swift action by the Mumbai Police Quick Reaction Team (QRT) led to a heroic rescue that prevented a major tragedy. The team of eight commandos entered the audition room

SpaceX has achieved a record-breaking milestone in 2025, marking one of the most prolific years in the history of spaceflight. The company’s unparalleled launch cadence, coupled with rapid rocket turnaround times, has redefined modern rocketry. With more than two months remaining in the year, SpaceX has already surpassed its 2024 total of 138 missions, setting a new benchmark for global orbital launches and solidifying its position as the dominant force in the commercial space sector.

The high-stakes meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, concluded after nearly one hour and forty minutes on Thursday, lasting longer than initially scheduled. The session, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, was seen as a pivotal effort to reduce escalating tensions that have rattled global markets for months. Both leaders are believed to have sought a pathway to prevent further det

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has officially approved the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) system, a new initiative that will allow mobile users to see the real, verified names of callers on their phone screens. This feature, developed in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to bring transparency to digital communication by displaying the name used during SIM registration, rather than relying on third-party caller ID apps like Truecaller. The

In 2025, as the Indian Navy launches Exercise Trishul off the coast of Gujarat, history echoes across the Arabian Sea. The large-scale tri-services drill, featuring warships, fighter jets, tanks, and helicopters, is designed to test India’s combat readiness along its south-western frontier. This very coastline holds immense historical significance — it was here, sixty years ago, that the Pakistan Navy attempted a bold attack on the temple town of Dwarka during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, an

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc during his rallies in Darbhanga, Begusarai, and Samastipur, mocking Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sonia Gandhi for allegedly promoting dynastic politics. Shah claimed that both leaders wanted to make their sons Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister but “both posts were not vacant.” His remark sparked strong reactions as the BJP intensified its campaign ahead of the Bihar Assembly electio

Diljit Dosanjh has once again proven that music knows no borders. The Punjabi superstar has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first Indian artist to completely sell out a stadium show in Sydney, Australia. The concert, part of his ongoing Aura Tour 2025, was attended by an estimated 30,000 fans, transforming the arena into a sea of Punjabi pride and cultural celebration. Tickets for the Sydney show were snapped up within days of release, with some reportedly resell

Islamist groups in Bangladesh are mobilising for a massive rally in Dhaka on November 15, demanding that the Ahmadiyya Muslim community be officially declared “non-Muslim,” following Pakistan’s precedent. The rally, organised by the International Majlis Tahaffuz Khatme Nabuwwat and supported by Hefazat-e-Islam, has invited clerics from Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia, including leaders from Darul Uloom Deoband. The event has escalated fear within the small Ahmadiyya community, which n

India is set to launch Trishul 2025, a major military exercise off the coast of Gujarat beginning October 30, focusing on the Rann of Kutch and the Sir Creek region. The Army has deployed tanks, armed helicopters, and missile units, while the Navy has stationed frigates and destroyers, and the Air Force has sent Su-30MKIs and Rafales. The exercise covers a swathe of north-west Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan until November 10, amid rising tensions with Pakistan, which has expanded military inf

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued long-awaited guidance on October 20, 2025 clarifying the applicability of the newly introduced USD 100,000 one-time fee on certain H‑1B visa petitions, bringing much-needed clarity for international students, employers and visa applicants. The fee, initially announced in a presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, had triggered widespread uncertainty about whether it would apply across the board.  The origina

Mayor Eric Adams has officially endorsed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the upcoming New York City mayoral race, a move that reshapes the city’s political landscape and intensifies the already heated contest. Adams made the endorsement Thursday during a public appearance alongside Cuomo at the New York City Housing Authority’s Carver Houses, declaring his support for the former governor’s bid to lead the city. “I’m fighting for the family of New York, that’s wh

A dramatic robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris has captured the world’s attention — and the internet’s imagination. Thieves made off with priceless jewels in a swift, cinematic-style operation that lasted less than ten minutes. But what has truly taken the spotlight is how netizens have turned the event into a meme fest, drawing hilarious parallels with Hrithik Roshan’s iconic heist scene from Dhoom 2.

Global funding dynamics are shifting dramatically as artificial-intelligence (AI) startups gobble up a growing share of venture-capital (VC) investments. According to recent data, AI-related companies accounted for over half of all VC funding in early 2025, marking a major turning point in the tech investment landscape. The Numbers Tell the Story

In a dramatic twist following India’s victory in the Asia Cup 2025, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi has finally congratulated Team India but not without controversy. Despite India's win, the trophy remains in Naqvi's Dubai office, with the ACC president refusing to hand it over unless the BCCI organizes an official presentation ceremony in Dubai. This condition has been met with resistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had earlier wr

As the world watches the evolving dynamics of U.S.–China relations, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a “fair trade deal” with Chinese President Xi Jinping could soon materialize during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Speaking ahead of the high-profile event, Trump described his relationship with Xi as “strong” and said he expects posit

Karthika Masam 2025 starts on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, and ends on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The important days include Karthika Somavaram dates, Prabodhini Ekadasi, Dwadashi, Karthika Pournami, Utpanna Ekadasi and Karthika Amavasya. The month is considered highly auspicious for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu worship. Devotees observe fasting, light deepams, perform Karthika Snanam, visit temples and follow Ekadasi and Somavaram vratam during this period. Karth

New Jersey’s annual bear hunt is now underway, and early figures from the first phase of the 2025 season indicate that 249 bears have been harvested across the state’s designated hunting zones. The figures, released following the completion of the initial segment, highlight regional variations in bear activity and hunting success, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage the state’s growing black bear population. The fall hunting season is divided into two separate segments. The f

Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025 Tilak Muhurat (Auspicious Time): 1:13 PM to 3:28 PM (IST) Dwitiya Tithi Begins: 22 October 2025 at 8:16 PM Dwitiya Tithi Ends: 23 October 2025 at 10:46 PM What is Bhai Dooj? Bhai Dooj (also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, or Bhai Phota) is

Diwali 2025 Overview Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals across India and the Indian diaspora globally. In 2025, the main Lakshmi Puja (Diwali Day) falls on: Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 Diwali is observed over five days, starting from Dhanteras (Oct 18) and ending with Bhai Dooj (Oct 22). Amavasya Tithi (New Moon)

The Supreme Court of India has allowed the use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the Diwali season under strict regulations. The court’s decision permits their use between October 18 and 21, but only during specific time slots—between 6 am and 7 am, and from 8 pm to 10 pm on the day before Diwali and the day of the festival. The move is part of an effort to strike a balance between cultural celebrations and environmental protection amid growing co