Indian Student, 30, Killed In UK Stabbing

A 30-year-old man, identified locally as an Indian student, was stabbed during a street attack in central England and later died of the serious injuries in hospital.

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Woman Forced To Drink Alcohol, Sexually Assaulted By 3 In Kolkata: Cops

A woman was dragged inside a car, forced to drink alcohol and sexually assaulted by a group of men on the Eastern Metropolitan bypass in West Bengal's Kolkata, the police said on Saturday.

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Sourav Ganguly's Wife Files Complaint Against Social Media Abuse

Renowned Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly has lodged a complaint with the police after being allegedly targeted with abusive and derogatory remarks on social media, an officer said on Friday.

The dancer, also the wife of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, filed the formal complaint with Thakurpukur police station, following which the police started an investigation against unidentified persons.

"The abusive posts emerged around Dona Ganguly's dance performance at the Kolkata Film Festival. The complaint specifically pointed to a Facebook page that targeted her," the police officer said.

In the complaint lodged on Wednesday evening, she alleged that through the social media page, users not only "body shamed" her but also insulted her, causing damage to her reputation.

"She has described these acts as defamatory and stated that the posts were intended to tarnish her honour," the officer said, adding that Dona Ganguly provided screenshots of the abusive posts along with a mobile number associated with the Facebook page.

"We are working to identify the individuals responsible for the offensive posts. We are tracing the posts and the associated mobile number to identify the perpetrators," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Defence, Russian Oil, Ukraine War: What's On Agenda For Putin's 2-Day Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India from December 4 to 5. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday that he will be attending the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

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Tesla Power India vs Tesla Power USA: Delhi Court Order Favours US Company

The Delhi High Court has granted interim injunction in favour of US-based Tesla Inc by directing Indian company Tesla Power India not to use trademarks 'Tesla Power' or 'Tesla Power USA' in any form, including manufacturing of electric vehicles.

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Gill Breaks Silence After Gambhir-Coached India's 408-Run Loss To SA

Skipper Shubman Gill, who missed the second Test due to a neck injury, struck a defiant tone of unity and resolve after India's 0-2 series loss to South Africa, saying the team would "rise stronger" despite the setback. The two-Test series ended in humiliation for India as South Africa completed a clean sweep, defeating the hosts by 408 runs in the second Test at Guwahati -- their first series win on Indian soil in 25 years. South Africa had defeated India in the opening Test in Kolkata by 30 runs.

The loss triggered widespread criticism and discussion around the team's performance and leadership with fans booing coach Gautam Gambhir. "Calm seas don't teach you how to steer, it's the storm that forges steady hands. We'll continue to believe in each other, fight for each other, and move forward - rising stronger," Gill wrote in 'X' on Wednesday.

Calm seas don't teach you how to steer, it's the storm that forges steady hands. We'll continue to believe in each other, fight for each other, and move forward - rising stronger. 🇮🇳

— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) November 26, 2025

Gill had retired hurt on four after suffering neck spasm in India's first innings of the Eden Test.

He was subsequently hospitalized and ruled out of the rest of the match.

Gill had travelled to Guwahati but was released on the eve of the Test.

Gautam Gambhir didn't blame any individual for the debilitating 408-run defeat against South Africa in the second Test but dropped enough hints that he was livid with India's stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant for "playing to the gallery".

Gambhir's par-for-the course fiery post-match press conference had one anomaly though -- he was a bundle of contradictions through and through those 15 odd minutes.

India were 95 for one, but things went downhill from thereon with the hosts left stuttering at 122 for seven, largely due to Marco Jansen's exploits with the red cherry.

Pant gave charge to Jansen when he needed to show some discretion, and that shot possibly was the worst of all the dismissals.

After the 0-2 series defeat, Gambhir was asked if he would have expected better from Pant, who is now one short of 50 Test matches.

"You don't blame one individual shot. You don't blame one individual playing in a certain way. You blame everyone. So, me talking about an individual, I've never done that. I am not going to do it," Gambhir said in a no-nonsense manner after fronting up at the media conference.

He was very clear that he didn't want to "brush things under the carpet".

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"Upbringing Guided My Response": Ex Chief Justice On Shoe-Throwing Incident

Former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai opened up on the shoe-throwing attempt made at him during court proceedings, saying that his reaction, to not pursue action against the lawyer, stemmed from his upbringing and personal values.

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Why Mumbai Civic Body Elections Draw National Attention

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Elections are likely to be announced soon. While the elections cater to the Mumbai city and its suburbs, the politics, the money, the campaigns and the political messaging around the elections make it a national

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Massive Ash Cloud Emerges As Ethiopian Volcano Erupts After 10,000 Years

A long-dormant volcano erupted in northern Ethiopia over the weekend, sending ash plumes across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman.

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Merit-Based: Omar Abdullah On Admission Of Muslims In J&K Medical College

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has defended the admission of Muslim students to Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College and said merit, not religion, must be followed by the college. The BJP has issued strong objections to the move.

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Delhi Minister Invokes Lincoln As Student Suicide Puts School Under Scrutiny

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood issued a strongly-worded letter to the principal of St Columba's School, questioning the school's emotional safety ecosystem and urging urgent reforms.

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IAS Officer's "Until A Brahmin Donates His Daughter" Remark Sparks Row

Madhya Pradesh's senior IAS officer Santosh Verma has once again found himself at the centre of a controversy after a video of a remark made by him at a convention on Sunday surfaced online.

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India, Canada Look To Reset Ties As Talks Begin On Key Trade Deal CEPA

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and Canada have agreed to launch negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking a major reset in ties after years of turbulence. The development was announced following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg today.

The Canada-India CEPA negotiations began in 2010 and gained momentum in 2022 with enhanced cooperation in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and critical and rare earth minerals, as well as in areas like tourism, urban infrastructure, renewable energy and mining. The talks were suspended by Canada in 2023.

According to a statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late Sunday, both sides committed to pursuing an ambitious trade pact aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The renewed engagement also includes deepening longstanding civil nuclear cooperation and advancing discussions on long-term uranium supply arrangements, an area of shared strategic interest.

This diplomatic thaw comes after a prolonged period of strain between New Delhi and Ottawa. Over the past several years, India has repeatedly raised concerns about the Khalistani extremist networks operating from Canadian soil, which it says pose a direct threat to India's national security. Ties deteriorated sharply in 2023 after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau levelled unsubstantiated allegations against India regarding the killing of a Canadian citizen linked to Khalistani separatism. India dismissed the claims as politically motivated and lacking evidence, leading to reciprocal diplomatic downsizing and a freeze in trade negotiations.

The shift in tone began earlier this year, driven by sustained engagement between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand. The two leaders met multiple times, paving the way for confidence-building measures and the gradual restoration of normal diplomatic channels. In October 2025, both countries formally announced the normalisation of diplomatic ties, including the reinstatement of High Commissioners in New Delhi and Ottawa.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking to the media earlier on Sunday, said, "Canada is reengaging pragmatically with global giants India and China. Yesterday, Canada, India and Australia formed a new trilateral partnership on technology and innovation, which will accelerate our cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. The partnership will draw on our strengths and will focus on clean energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence to unlock more opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses".

The potential trade deal is likely to include goods, services, investments, agriculture, digital trade, labour mobility and sustainable development, including the mutual interest in advancing the use of AI and digital technology.

The Johannesburg meeting appears to have consolidated that momentum. Apart from CEPA, PM Modi and Carney welcomed the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACTI) Partnership aimed at boosting trilateral cooperation in critical technologies, AI, nuclear energy, and supply chain diversification.

With negotiations on CEPA set to begin and high-level exchanges back on track, India and Canada now stand poised to rebuild a partnership once considered jeopardised. The coming months will test whether this political reset can translate into durable economic and strategic gains for both nations.

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'You Have Votes, I Have Funds': Ajit Pawar's 'Threat' To Voters In Malegaon

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar set the cat among the pigeons while campaigning for local elections when he appeared to threaten voters, saying he would release funds he had promised only if all of his party's candidates were elected. 

Addressing a rally for the Nagar Panchayat elections at Malegaon in Baramati tehsil on Friday, the NCP chief, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said the party had fielded 18 candidates. 

"The Centre and the state have many schemes. The Prime Minister, chief minister and both deputy chief ministers have worked on these together. If all of us work together and implement these schemes properly, we can ensure development for Malegaon," Pawar said. 

"I will ensure there is no shortage of funds if you elect all 18 NCP candidates. If you elect all of them, I will fulfil whatever I have promised. But if you 'cut' my candidates, I will also "cut" (the funds). You have the power to vote, and I have the power to release funds. Now decide what you want to do," he said.

The Opposition slammed the deputy chief minister's remarks and also wondered why the Election Commission has not taken any action. 

"Funds are given from the taxes paid by the common people and not from Ajit Pawar's house. If a leader like Pawar is threatening voters, what is the Election Commission doing?" Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasheb BT) leader Ambadas Danve was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Elections for Nagar Panchayats will be held on December 2.

Earlier Remarks

This is not the first time Pawar has landed himself in hot water with his comments. In January, he was scheduled to address a public meeting in his Assembly constituency of Baramati when he was handed memoranda with demands. 

An angry Pawar had then said, "You have voted for me, but that doesn't mean you own me."

In September, Pawar had sparked a controversy when he was accused of threatening a woman police officer who was cracking down on illegal excavation in Solapur.

The officer, who had been posted to Maharashtra only recently, was handed a phone by an NCP worker and told Pawar was on the line. She informed the deputy chief minister she did not recognise his voice and asked him to call on her cellphone. 

"Main tere upar action lunga (I will act against you). Tujhe mujhe dekhna hai na? Tera number de do ya WhatsApp call karo. Mera chehra toh aapko samajh mein aaega na? (You want to see me, right? Give me your number or call me on WhatsApp. You will recognise my face, right?)... Itna aapko daring hua hai kya (How dare you?)," he asked the officer, before video-calling her and asking her to stop the action she was taking.

Pawar had later claimed he was not threatening the officer or interfering with the law, but was trying to prevent an escalation in the situation on the ground. 

In 2013, the NCP leader had mocked a farmer who had been on a hunger strike for nearly two months, demanding water be released from a dam in the drought-hit state. 

"There is this person from Solapur, sitting on hunger strike for 55 days, demanding water be released from the dam. But where are we going to get water from? Should we urinate? And when we don't have water to drink, it's hard to pass urine as well," he had said.

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Priya Kapur Lawyer's "Wealthy Oliver Twist" Jab At Karisma Kapoor's Children

The Delhi High Court on Friday saw advocate Rajiv Nayar (appearing for Priya Kapur) and Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal (for Azarias Kapur) argue firmly against Karisma Kapoor's children's allegation that their father Sunjay Kapur's will had been forged.

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Brazil's Planned Railway To Amazon Draws Fire On Margins Of COP30

Indigenous protesters at UN climate talks in Brazil have zeroed in on a major grievance: A planned railway that would stretch almost the distance from London to Berlin and cut through the Amazon rainforest.

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1 Dead, 16 Injured After Bus Collision In UP's Hardoi

A man was killed and 16 others were injured after a private bus veered off the Lucknow Highway and entered a field after being hit head-on by an unidentified vehicle coming from the opposite direction on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

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Viral Video Shows How This Scene From Ghajini Was Copied From A French Movie

Aamir Khan and Asin Thottumkal's Ghajini remains one of the most memorable Hindi films of 2008. A remake of the 2005 Tamil hit of the same name starring Suriya, the film itself was loosely inspired by Christopher Nolan's Memento. But beyond the widely known influences, a resurfaced clip has now revealed that one of Ghajini's most iconic moments may have been directly borrowed from another international film, the 2001 French masterpiece Amelie.

A scene from Amelie, featuring Audrey Tautou in the titular role, has been circulating online for its striking resemblance to a beloved sequence in Ghajini. 

In the French film, Amelie tenderly helps a blind man cross a busy street, narrating the world around him with sensory detail. She says, "We just passed the drum major's widow. She's worn his coat since the day he died. Careful. The horse's head on the butcher has lost an ear. That's the florist laughing and he has crinkly eyes. In the bakery window there are lollipops. Smell that! They are giving out melon slices. Sugarplum ice cream. We're passing the pork butcher. Now the cheese shop. Picodons are 12.90, cabecous 23.50. At the butcher's a baby is watching a dog that's watching the chickens roasting. Now we're at the newspaper kiosk by the metro. I'll leave you here. Bye."

Here's the new addition to my #WednesdayPlagiarism series:-

I've attached a sequence from the French movie #Amelie. A landmark Bollywood movie copied the scene beat-by-beat. Not just the essence, even some dialogues were merely translated into Hindi.

Guess the Bollywood movie? pic.twitter.com/UoeLudkvOx

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) November 19, 2025

In Ghajini, Asin's character performs a nearly identical act of kindness. She guides a blind man across the road while describing the surroundings. She says, "Girls are playing in the street in their uniform; a woman is beating her husband; radio is being played at a tea shop. Now we are crossing the temple and now we are at the main road and here is the bus stop."

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Fans have pointed out the similarities, suggesting that this moment in Ghajini was not simply inspired but closely modelled on the French original.

The Two Films

Amelie (2001) is a whimsical French romantic comedy directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, while Ghajini (2008) is an action thriller directed by AR Murugadoss. 

ALSO READ: When Aamir Khan Was Paid Rs 16 Lakh For An Advert, More Than Double What Shah Rukh Khan Asked For

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Meet Vikram "Vik" Bajaj, Jeff Bezos' Co-CEO For Ambitious AI Startup

Vikram "Vik" Bajaj has been named co-chief executive of Project Prometheus, a secretive new artificial intelligence startup. He joins Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in leading the venture.

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1 In Every 25 Attendees: Big Oil Lobbyists Swarm COP30 In Record Numbers

As world leaders gather in Brazil, a shocking new report reveals the climate summit has been quietly taken over by the very industry driving the crisis: fossil fuels.

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Congress To Hold Meeting Of Top Office-Bearers Of States, UTs Undergoing SIR

The Congress has called a review meeting on November 18 of in-charges, state unit chiefs, Congress Legislature Party leaders and secretaries of 12 states and Union territories where Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is underway.

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J&K Announces Rs 10 Lakh Compensation For Accidental Blast Victims' Families

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced an compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of each of those dead in the accidental blast in Nowgam police station.

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Deepa Kumari Of Jitan Ram Manjhi's Party Wins Big In Bihar's Imamganj

The Imamganj Assembly constituency in Bihar delivered a decisive mandate in the 2025 assembly elections, with Deepa Kumari of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) securing a commanding victory.

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32 Bikers And Locals Clash In Kuki Village In Manipur; Incident Not Communal, Say Cops

A group of bikers and locals clashed after an altercation over dangerous driving and noise at a village of the Kuki tribe in Manipur's Ukhrul district, the police said.

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Bhopal Model Death: Boyfriend Charged Under 'Love Jihad' Law

Following the death of 27-year-old model and social media influencer Khushboo Ahirwar, popularly known as 'Diamond Girl', police have registered an FIR against her live-in partner, Qasim Hussain, based on statements by her family.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Adityaraj Singh said a case was filed on Tuesday night under sections related to assault, the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act (commonly referred to as the 'Love Jihad' law), and the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The investigation has been transferred to Chhola police station, which will probe all angles, including alleged coercion, assault, and religious conversion.

Officials had said Qasim and Khushboo were returning to Bhopal from Ujjain on Monday morning when Khushboo's health deteriorated inside a bus near Bhainsakhedi on Indore Road. Qasim took Khushboo to a nearby private hospital and reportedly fled when doctors declared her dead. He was arrested later.

The final postmortem report revealed that Khushboo was pregnant at the time of her death. Doctors determined the immediate cause of death to be a ruptured fallopian tube that caused internal bleeding - a pregnancy-related complication. Officials clarified that assault has not been confirmed.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mayur Khandelwal said, "The cause of death is complications arising from pregnancy. There are no visible injuries on the body. The viscera has been preserved for forensic testing to confirm whether the rupture was natural or externally induced."

Earlier Suicide Attempt

Doctors have told the police that Khushboo had attempted suicide about a year and a half ago. Old cut marks, known as hesitation cuts, which are typically associated with suicide attempts, were found on her hands.

Police said the marks were at least a year old, suggesting that Khushboo had previously struggled with self-harm or mental distress.

Khushboo's family, however, remains unconvinced by the medical explanation. They have accused Qasim of murder, alleging that he refused to marry her after promising to do so. "Khushboo wanted to marry Qasim, but he kept delaying. When she pressed him for marriage, he killed her," said Lakshmi Ahirwar, Khushboo's mother.

Family members claimed they found bruises on Khushboo's body, alleging she had been beaten before her death. They also accused Qasim of deceiving her about marriage and religion.

According to police sources, Khushboo and Qasim had been in a live-in relationship for over a year and a half, living together in Bhopal. Qasim, who runs a cafe in the city, is originally from Ujjain.

Known by her Instagram handle @DiamondGirl, Khushboo was a familiar face in Bhopal's modelling circuit, with thousands of followers. A college dropout from Vidisha, she had been living independently in the city, managing small brand collaborations and modelling assignments.

'Love Jihad' Law

The inclusion of the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, 2021, or the 'Love Jihad' law, has added a political dimension to the case. The Act criminalises religious conversion through coercion, deception, or marriage and carries stringent penalties.

Data presented recently in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly paints a grim picture of its enforcement. Between January 1, 2020, and July 15, 2025, a total of 283 cases were registered under the law. Of these, 197 cases (nearly 70%) remain pending in courts. In the 86 cases that have concluded, there were 50 acquittals, only 7 convictions, and one case that ended in a mutual compromise.

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How Faridabad Terror Module Mastermind Radicalised Medical Students

The mastermind behind the terror module in Haryana's Faridabad which the police and security agencies have smashed has been identified as Imam Irfan Ahmad. He is a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian.

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'Air Battle' In Bihar: Record 450-Plus Flights Ferried Leaders For Campaign

The sound of helicopters taking off from Patna airport has highlighted the election atmosphere across Bihar. This wasn't just part of a typical campaign, but an unprecedented race that set a new record in Bihar's political history.

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Shah Rukh Khan, Son Aryan Arrive At Breach Candy Hospital To Meet Dharmendra

Shah Rukh Khan was spotted arriving at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Monday to visit veteran actor Dharmendra. The actor was accompanied by his elder son, Aryan Khan.

The father-son duo paid a visit to the legendary actor, who has been under medical observation for the past few days. Their presence at the hospital comes amid growing concern from fans and colleagues over the 89-year-old actor's health.

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Earlier in the evening, Dharmendra's family members - Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Tanya Deol - were also seen arriving at the hospital. 

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A while before Shah Rukh Khan's visit, Salman Khan had dropped by to check on the veteran star's condition.

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Providing an update on her husband's condition, Hema Malini took to Instagram to share a message of reassurance and gratitude. "I thank everyone for their concern about Dharam ji who is in hospital for observation. He is being continuously monitored and we are all with him. I request you all to pray for his welfare and speedy recovery," she wrote.

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On the other hand, the statement shared by Dharmendra's family read, "Mr Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Further comments and updates will be shared as available. We request everyone to pray for his speedy recovery and respect the family's right to privacy."

Dharmendra has been in and out of Breach Candy Hospital in recent days for health check-ups and observation.

Meanwhile, he was last seen in the films Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya.

ALSO READ: Hema Malini Arrives At Breach Candy Hospital In Mumbai To Visit Dharmendra

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Decade After Paris Agreement, Experts Say World Has 'Failed' To Halt Warming

The world has changed dramatically in the decade since leaders celebrated a historic climate agreement in Paris a decade ago, but not quite in ways they expected or wanted.

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As More Bodies Are Exchanged, Palestinian Death Count In Gaza Crosses 69,000

Gaza health officials said Saturday that over 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war so far, as Israel and Hamas completed the latest exchange of bodies under the terms of the tenuous ceasefire agreement.

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Jharkhand Man Who Protested Illegal Sand Mining Run Over By Tractor

A 30-year-old man was allegedly run over by a tractor in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Friday after he confronted its driver over illegal sand mining.

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Bihar Saw Remarkable Growth, Now Stagnating Somewhat: Ruchir Sharma To NDTV

The first phase of voting is done in Bihar and, with just days to go for the second phase and the results, NDTV spoke to Ruchir Sharma about what the state needs to do to be on the fast track for growth and what investors would like to see the next state government do to attract global investment.

In an edition of 'Walk The Talk' straight from the hinterland of the state, including a makhana farm and a factory where it is processed, the global investor and author told NDTV's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal that the state saw remarkable growth between 2005 and 2015, but now appears to be struggling to take the next step.

He also spoke about the dangers of a welfare trap and how putting too much money into such schemes doesn't leave enough to invest in infrastructure and long-term growth.

Asked about what he had seen on his current trip to Bihar during the election season and how the state has changed, Sharma said, "I have been in Bihar for four days on this trip. My first trip was in 2005 and there has been a dramatic shift since then. Between 2005 and 2015, we saw a remarkable change in the state. Since then, Bihar has begun to stagnate somewhat. The kind of poverty I have seen on this trip has been heartbreaking. Even in places close to Patna, we saw young children trying to get fish from a pond filled with filth."

"I have consistently said about India that it is a country that disappoints both the optimist and the pessimist. After the optimism that I felt for Bihar, this trip has been a bit dispiriting. The change (in the past 10 years) has not been as dramatic as it should have been for what is the poorest state in India," he emphasised.

The investor said Bihar was "terrible in every way" in 2005 and things changed a lot in the next two terms of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP. There was a massive improvement in roads, infrastructure and law and order from 2005 to 2010, he said, and then in electrification in the next five years till 2015.

"After 2015, the next step should have been the creation of new industries and employment. I think that's where the state is stalling and struggling to find its next growth model," he said.

Delving into numbers, Sharma said Bihar's per capita income began to close the gap to the rest of India between 2005 and 2015, rising from roughly 30% to about 35%. But it has begun to widen again in the past 10 years.

"Bihar's per capita income today, at about Rs 70,000 a year, is less than 30% or approximately 30% of India's per capita income, which is about Rs 2 lakh," he pointed out.

Issues, Way Forward

To a question on what a new government would have to do to give global investors the confidence to invest in Bihar, the author said the state has a lot of talent, but the education system is still weak. He said finding talent that stays in the state is difficult, and real estate and construction have also not picked up.

"My big fear about Bihar is that the state seems to be getting stuck in a welfare trap. Even in this election, nearly 3% of GDP has been announced in pre-poll welfare schemes. When China was at a similar stage of development, it was investing everything in infrastructure and nothing in welfare, because it was practising ruthless capitalism. In India, we are still investing a lot in welfare," Sharma said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to shift the balance towards infrastructure, but it seems to me the amount being spent on welfare by states has gone up significantly. It is a welfare trap. A big factor in this election is the Rs 10,000 given to women by Nitish Kumar's government, but now Tejashwi Yadav is promising Rs 30,000. That's the kind of vicious loop states get stuck in," he cautioned.

Women Factor

Sharma said digitisation has ensured leakages have gone down significantly in welfare schemes and noted that while the election in Bihar seemed close three to four months ago, the NDA now appears to be in the lead. He said the leading reason for this is the Rs 10,000 given to women.

"Nitish Kumar's superpower has been how popular he has been with women and even the BJP has figured out that one possible way to cut across caste lines is to consolidate the women's vote," he said.

Sharma also said there is no visible anti-incumbency in Bihar this time and that he noticed more of it in the 2020 Assembly elections. "Nitish Kumar still enjoys a lot of goodwill," he said.

Prohibition

Asked about the ban on the sale of liquor and the move's popularity, Sharma said good politics is not always good economics.

"When we travelled, we realised drug abuse has gone up and the illegal liquor business has also picked up. In Bihar, hardly any revenue is being generated by state activity and, by implementing prohibition, you have taken another source of revenue away. This is a balance that every state has to get correct. It's one thing for a state like Gujarat to do it and another for Bihar, which does not have that much of a local economy," he said, adding that women still seem happy about the move.

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2 Killed, 3 Injured After Being Hit By Local Train In Mumbai

Two people died and three sustained injuries after they were hit by a suburban train near Sandhurst Road railway station in south Mumbai on Thursday, officials said.

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Delhi Fire Service Took Over 4 Lakh Emergency Calls In 15 Years

In the last 15 years till 2024, the Delhi Fire Service received more than 4 lakh emergency calls, while 6,611 people in the national capital lost their lives in mishaps, including fire, building collapse and road crashes.

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Bangladesh Okays Death Penalty For Enforced Disappearances

Bangladesh's government approved a draft ordinance prescribing the death penalty for perpetrators of "enforced disappearance", amidthe ongoing trial of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 15 serving military officers over crimes against humanity.

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"Prayed For It To Stop": Freed Israeli Hostage Claims Sex Abuse In Gaza

A recently freed Israeli hostage was the first man who publicly claimed that he was sexually assaulted while being held captive in Gaza.

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UP Man Leaps, Grabs Woman's Hand Just As She Jumps Off Bridge, Saves Her

A split second and a man's bravery saved the life of a girl who was about to jump from a bridge in Uttar Pradesh's Deoria.

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Ahead Of COP30, UN Warns World Still Off Track To Meet Paris Climate Goals

A UN report has delivered a wake-up call - there has been progressoncutting greenhouse gases,butnot nearly enough to avoid a hotter, riskier future.

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Watch: Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Saif Ali Khan Get Together

The opening night of the Prithvi Theatre Festival on Saturday, November 1, was a through-and-through glittery affair. The who's who of Bollywood assembled under one roof for a night of celebration, cheer and camaraderie. 

For those unaware, the Prithvi Theatre Festival is a 17-day-long event where the theatre based in Juhu lights up with delightful live performances and vibrant workshops. The festival will conclude on November 17. 

Now, the official Instagram handle of Prithvi Theatre has shared a series of pictures from the inaugural night featuring a lineup of B-town celebrities. The first photo captures a million-dollar frame where veteran stars Naseeruddin Shah and Neena Gupta are seen dancing joyously, smiling ear-to-ear.

Saif Ali Khan is also seen in a joyful mood, speaking with the actor and the trustee of Prithvi Theatre, Zahan Kapoor. Other attendees include actress Pooja Bhatt, his father-filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Bheja Fry star Vinay Pathak. 

Aahana Kumra, Bandish Bandits fame Shreya Chaudhry, Divya Dutta and Zoya Akhtar were also a part of the gathering. Joining them were singing maestros Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj, actor Makarand Deshpande, Pratik Gandhi, designer Masaba Gupta, his husband-actor Satyadeep Mishra and rapper Slow Cheetah, to name a few. 

“An evening of celebration, connection, and theatre's timeless charm. Here's to the warmth, the respect, and the magic that opened Prithvi Festival 2025,” read the side note. 

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A post shared by Prithvi Theatre (@prithvitheatre)

Speaking about the festival, Zahan Kapoor said, “Prithvi Festival is for me a truly magical time, and the buzz of excitement and warmth I find extremely infectious. I want to invite everyone to come, join us for this celebration,” as quoted by The Times of India. 

Some of the standout performances at this year's Prithvi Theatre Festival are Dur Se Brothers' A Fish Ate My Cat. Written and directed by Yuki Ellias, it features Abhishek Saha, Yuki Ellias, Kunaal Sangtani, Mati Rajput, Kurian Joseph, Petra Misquitta, and Latoya Mistral Ferns-Advani in key roles.

Other performances in the lineup include Poor Box Productions' Eden Creek and 72° East Productions' The Queen, as well as a series of workshops led by leading industry professionals. 

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Tendulkar, Rohit, ICC Chief Jay Shah In Attendance For Women's World Cup Final

Cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah, and several celebrities were present in the stands at the DY Patil Stadium to witness India take on South Africa in a historic final of the Women's World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Just as thousands of fans had made a beeline to the stadium to witness the historic occasion of the Indian women's team playing a World Cup final on home soil, cricket stars and celebrities too were in attendance to enjoy the game and support the Indian team.

The stadium was jam-packed with fans who had braved early afternoon rain to remain in and cheer the home team in what is India's third appearance in the summit clash.

Sachin Tendulkar was shown by the broadcasters keenly watching the match while batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, VVS Laxman, and former India batter Brijesh Patel were the other celebrities in attendance at DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma watched the match with his wife Ritika. The broadcasters showed the former India captain engrossed in the game as India batted and posted a competitive score of 298/7 in 50 overs.

is in the house supporting our girls!#AaliRe #CWC25 #INDvSA | Rohit Sharma pic.twitter.com/njK7uZGjWn

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 2, 2025

Rohit also spent some time chatting with ICC Chairman Jay Shah and Nita Ambani, owner of the Mumbai Indians, who he led to five titles in the Indian Premier League. Sachin Tendulkar, too, was photographed with Nita Ambani.

Rohit has recently returned from Australia after representing the country in the ODI series in which he scored a century in the third and final game as India lost the series 1-2.

Bollywood playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan sang the national anthem before the start of the game and also performed in the mid-innings break, which was lit up by a magnificent display of fireworks and lighting.

The start of the match was delayed by two hours because of rain and a wet outfield. Scheduled to start at 3 pm, it got going after 5 without any deductions in overs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Shah Rukh Khan's 60th Birthday: Farah, Karan, And Navya Sail To Alibag

Shah Rukh Khan is going to turn 60 on November 2, 2025, and his fans, family, and friends can't keep calm. If rumours are believed to be true, King Khan will be ringing in his 60th at his Alibag farmhouse.

While the guest list for the celebration has not been revealed, we at least know that his dear friends, Farah Khan and Karan Johar, will surely be with him on his big day.

Farah Khan, Karan Johar And Navya Naveli Nanda Sail To Alibag

Farah Khan shared a video on November 1, 2025, from a boat while sailing to Alibag. "Karan's day out on the RoRo!!" read the caption of the reel.

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The video begins with Farah Khan introducing viewers to Karan Johar. She said, "Look who is here using commercial transport."

Karan replied, "Hi, Farah! Thank you, Farah, for inviting me. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Farah rhetorically asked, "How does it feel to be on the deck here with all of us, common people?"

"Just don't tell anyone," replied Karan Johar, while channelling his inner Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.

Farah Khan, Karan Johar, Navya Naveli Nanda, And Vaidang Raina To Attend Shah Rukh Khan's 60th Birthday Celebration

In a video shared on her Instagram story, Farah Khan also got Navya Naveli Nanda and Vedang Raina in the frame. Navya was holding a basket full of snacks, and Farah quickly pointed out that it looked like a Bridgerton picnic scene.

Farah Khan, Karan Johar, Navya Naveli Nanda, and Vedang Raina are sailing to Alibag. Photo: Farah Khan/ Instagram

While the gang had quite the spread, including pasta, laid out in front of them, they also packed banana chips, cookies, potato chips, biscuits, and a lot more.

On Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday, many of his films are re-releasing in theatres. He also conducted his famous #AskSRK on X (formerly known as Twitter), and wittily replied to a fan asking why he looks so handsome.

"I think age suits me.....sexy at sixty!!! Superb at seventy....Enticing at eighty and so forth," read his answer.

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