India

Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “frightened” of US President Donald Trump, allowing him to announce India’s decision to stop Russian oil imports. The Congress leader also accused Modi of outsourcing key policy decisions to Washington.

The government has merged 13 Provident Fund (PF) withdrawal provisions into one simplified framework, enabling employees to withdraw up to 75% of their PF balance — including employer contributions — after 12 months, easing eligibility and reducing claim rejections.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great man” and claimed India has assured him it will stop buying Russian oil. Trump said he may meet Modi during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹13,430 crore in Andhra Pradesh, covering power, roads, railways, petroleum, industry, and defence sectors to spur investment, create jobs, and strengthen infrastructure in Rayalaseema and coastal regions.

Top seed Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, and Rakshitha Sree Ramraj won their matches to reach pre‑quarterfinals at the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 in Guwahati. Gnana Dattu is India’s lone hope in boys’ singles after his round of 32 win

Pakistan’s hopes of a historic win over England were dashed by rain, as their Women’s World Cup match ended in a no result in Colombo. Fatima Sana took 4 for 27, but Pakistan’s chase was cut short at 34/0

Chennai Blitz defeated Ahmedabad Defenders 3-2 in a gripping five-set thriller at the PVL 2025 in Hyderabad. Jerome Vinith’s leadership and Azizbek’s blocks were key in the win, which keeps Chennai's playoff hopes alive as they move to sixth place

Puneri Paltan thrashed Jaipur Pink Panthers 57-33 in a dominant PKL 12 outing in Delhi, registering the season’s biggest win and highest score by any team. Gaurav Khatri and Vaibhav Rabade starred with High Fives as Paltan secured a top-two finish

China swept both the men’s and women’s team titles at the Asian Table Tennis Championship in Bhubaneswar. Lin Shidong, Wang Chuqin, and Liang Jingkun led the men’s victory, while the women secured a dominant 3–0 win over Japan

Indian shooter Zoravar Singh Sandhu remains in contention for a medal at the ISSF World Championship Shotgun in Greece, finishing day 1 with 49 hits. Vivaan Kapoor and Bhowneesh Mendiratta also perform well in the men’s trap qualification

Delhi reached a commanding 256/3 on day 1 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D opener against Hyderabad. Despite early breakthroughs by Hyderabad’s bowlers, a solid partnership between Ayush Doseja and Sanat Sangwan ensured Delhi's dominance on the first day

Violence broke out in Assam’s Baksa district as protesters attacked a convoy carrying five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case. Police resorted to lathi-charge and teargas to control the mob, which set vehicles ablaze and injured several people.

Community networks are changing the lives of sex workers, but challenges such as social prejudice and systemic neglect remain

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy told the Supreme Court that the 2015 cash-for-vote trap laid by the Anti-Corruption Bureau was illegal, as it was conducted without an FIR. His counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued that the prosecution was unsustainable under the Prevention of Corruption Act as it stood in 2015, which did not cover bribe givers.

ISRO chief Narayanan said India aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2040, with its Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission set for 2027. He detailed upcoming projects including a space station by 2035 and a Venus orbiter mission

The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board has recommended Ahmedabad as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The final decision will be made on November 26. The bid is significant for India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics, also in Ahmedabad

With public support waning and state forces advancing, Maoists must suspend armed struggle and reconnect with the people to address their needs

Veteran Telugu and Tamil actress-singer R Balasaraswathi Devi, the first playback singer in Telugu cinema, passed away at her Hyderabad residence aged 97

The Indian and Indonesian navies are conducting Exercise Samudra Shakti in Visakhapatnam from October 14–17. Featuring INS Kavaratti and KRI John Lie, the drill enhances cooperation, interoperability, and shared maritime security efforts in the Indo-Pacific region

Twenty-seven Naxalites, including 10 women and 16 with rewards totaling Rs 50 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma. Disillusioned with Maoist ideology, they credited government development schemes and rehabilitation efforts for their decision to return to normal life

The Indian Navy is hosting a seminar on cyber threats to the maritime sector, featuring top ministries, defence experts, and start-ups. The event promotes cybersecurity collaboration, indigenous innovation, and secure maritime growth under national development visions

In Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, 27 Naxalites, including 10 women and 16 with bounties totaling ₹50 lakh, surrendered citing disillusionment with Maoist ideology. Officials credited government rehabilitation efforts and increasing security presence for encouraging the surrender, offering assistance and protection

The family of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who died by suicide in Chandigarh, consented to his autopsy nine days later. His note accused senior officers of caste-based bias. Political leaders demand justice and action against those responsible

The Supreme Court allowed the sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR from October 18–21 for Diwali, balancing environmental concerns and festive traditions. Authorities must monitor pollution levels, and illegal firecracker sales will face strict penalties