On October 21, 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose declared the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind), uniting thousands under the Indian National Army’s call for independence. This day also marked Thomas Edison’s breakthrough with the light bulb and mass Vietnam War protests
France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy is set to go to prison today (October 21) over charges of acquiring Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential run. Also, the Diwali Muhurat trading will take place this afternoon
Cyprus, the small nation in the Mediterranean, has earned a reputation as the island of cats. Officials note that there’s roughly one feral feline for every one of its one million residents. Now, authorities are trying to come up with a better sterilisation programme to counter the overpopulation
Every now and then, we promise ourselves to focus on fitness. However, not all of us can take out time to pay the hefty fees to go to the gym. From push-ups to squats, bodyweight training has become a popular way of exercise that can be done anywhere and is free
While many in India continue to adhere to the 9 to 5 work day and many offices have gone back to mandating their employees return, others continue to offer remote and hybrid models in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, microshifting, as it is known, is becoming increasingly popular with employees. But what is it? How does it work?
It’s a heist that resembles a scene out of a movie. Four thieves made their way into Paris’ Louvre museum and escaped with eight extremely valuable items of jewellery. However, they missed the hugely valuable crown of Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie, which they dropped on their way out
Every Diwali, the debate over bursting firecrackers, especially in Delhi and NCR, rages on. India marks the festival of lights to commemorate the victory of good over evil. People light diyas and decorate their homes for the five-day festivities. But how did firecrackers become an integral part of the celebrations?
The temple town of Ayodhya resembled a sky full of stars and created history on Sunday. The holy city in Uttar Pradesh created two new Guinness World Records: 26.17 lakh diyas lit at one place and 2,128 people performed ‘aarti’ together
One of the most significant wars, the Sino-Indian War of 1962, began on October 20, 1962. The roots of the conflict lay in differing perceptions of the boundary, particularly the McMahon Line, which India recognised and China rejected. On this day in 1973, the world witnessed the grand opening of the Sydney Opera House
China’s Communist Party is set to hold its Fourth Plenary Session from October 20-23, 2025 — a confidential political gathering expected to define the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The closed-door meeting will shape the direction of China’s economy and governance priorities at a time of slowing global growth
Is it possible to be addicted to food in the same way someone gets hooked on substances like alcohol or nicotine? Research shows that food addiction is real. Hundreds of studies have confirmed that certain foods, often those that are high in sugar and ultraprocessed, affect the brains and behaviour of certain people similarly to other addictive substances like nicotine
Red John is an established figure among the landowners and ranchers of the Brazilian Amazon. He is the one who helps clear pastures cheaply but leaves charred trees in his wake. But Red John is a worker who cannot be controlled.
Can you imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower? Intense rumours have been doing the rounds that the landmark will be brought down in 2026. We fact-check this claim, explain the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict and the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire in our weekly roundup
On October 19, 1987, Wall Street experienced its sharpest single-day collapse in history as the Dow plunged 22.6 per cent — an event known as 'Black Monday'. Also on this day, Saddam Hussein’s trial began, streptomycin was discovered, and Blockbuster debuted
Many food products list only 'vegetable oil' without specifying type or origin and sustainability labels are inconsistent and easily manipulated. So how do you choose the best option? A greater ingredient transparency, accurate information about its source and production holds the answer
A massive fire erupted at Brahmaputra Apartments, home to several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs in Delhi, causing panic just days before Diwali. The multi-storey complex on BD Marg is barely 200 metres from Parliament. Visuals showed dark plumes rising from balconies as residents scrambled for safety, while several fire engines raced to the site to douse the flames
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing to travel to Hungary to meet US President Donald Trump for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. However, travelling outside of Russia, especially the EU, could mean a potential arrest for Putin, who faces a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Prince Andrew has announced that he will give up all his royal titles, including the Duke of York. The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of his ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the resurfacing of controversial allegations that continue to tarnish the British monarchy. But what does this mean for Andrew?
India’s air force has surpassed China to become the world’s third strongest aerial power globally, as per the latest rankings of the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA). The US and Russia dominate the rankings, while China is ranked in fourth spot. Here’s all this and more in our weekly wrap from India
On October 18, 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Russia was seeking to sell the land to prevent potential loss to Britain in the event of war, while the United States aimed to expand its territory and influence in the Pacific. On this day in 2007, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned to the country after eight years of self-imposed exile
Hannibal Gaddafi has been held in Lebanon for nearly a decade under pre-trial detention. Since his father Muammar was deposed in a 2011 revolt, the rest of the family has dispersed all over the world. Let’s take a closer look at what happened to them
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has passed an order banning food and beverage firms from using the Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) tag on products that do not meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. This was brought about as a result of efforts from Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a paediatrician based in Hyderabad. Here’s how she waged a near-decade-long battle
All eyes are on gold as prices soar this Diwali season. It is not a phenomenon related to India alone. But have you ever wondered how much gold there is in the world?
A new study reveals that men with a mutation to the BRCA genes, often known as the ‘Angelina Jolie’ gene because the Hollywood star discovered that she carried the mutation, are at double the risk of developing prostate cancer. Also, tumours tend to be more aggressive in men with the faulty gene
Pakistan’s cross-border strikes against Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan hideouts in Afghanistan triggered clashes that killed dozens and destroyed multiple outposts before a Qatar- and Saudi-mediated ceasefire. As the Taliban celebrated, Afghan social media erupted with the '93,000 pants' meme — a reference to Pakistan’s 1971 surrender to India, which saw 93,000 troops capitulate in Dhaka
Britain’s espionage case against two men accused of spying for China has collapsed. Prosecutors dropped the charges after failing to prove that China was officially deemed a 'threat to national security'. It has left the MI5 chief 'frustrated'
China is set to celebrate Singles’ Day, described as the world’s biggest shopping event, on November 11. It first began as a celebration of singlehood to counter the Western Valentine’s Day. However, with November 11 still weeks away, the shopping and sales have already begun. But why so early?
The premises of the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be home to a Ramayana-themed grand wax museum that will be inaugurated during Deepotsav 2025 by UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The museum, built at a cost of nearly Rs 7.5 crore, will feature 50 lifelike statues of key Ramayana characters, including Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Ravana
Indians are no longer eligible to apply for the 2026 Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) programme, also known as the green card lottery. Under this, the American government allows entry to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. Here’s why India is among the exempted countries until 2028
Marwan Barghouti, the 66-year-old former leader of the Fatah Party, which runs the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and is an ideological rival of Hamas, has been in an Israeli prison for decades. During the recent hostage-prisoner swap, Palestinians wanted Barghouti to be released, but Israel refused. Now, reports have emerged that Barghouti was beaten unconscious by security guards in jail