Mehak Sharma, a 19-year-old from Jogi Cheema village, was tragically found murdered at her Croydon residence in South London. Allegations from her family suggest that her 23-year-old husband, Sahil Sharma, had repeatedly threatened her and, ultimately, was responsible for her murder on a Sunday. Mehak had moved to London five months after their June wedding. Her mother, Madhu Bala, recounted that Mehak had shared her husband's mistreatment. Worry set in when Madhu didn't receive Mehak's usual morning call on Monday, only to learn that Sahil was in custody, facing murder charges from the London Metropolitan Police. Mehak worked as a caretaker in Croydon, and her family is seeking the assistance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to repatriate her body to India. The police are also appealing to neighbors for information to aid their investigation.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, facing allegations of accepting a cash bribe to ask questions in Parliament, walked out of a Lok Sabha Ethics Committee meeting. Moitra, accompanied by opposition MPs, objected to "filthy questions" posed by the committee chief, BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, regarding her relationship with businessman Darshan Hiranandani. Moitra denied the bribery accusations, attributing them to a "sour personal relationship." Opposition MPs defended her, stating the shared ID was used only for legitimate parliamentary purposes. The tense cross-examination session led to Moitra and others leaving the meeting.

A life-size statue of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was unveiled at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium amid festive fervor. Positioned by the stand named after him, the statue sculpted by Pramod Kamble captures Tendulkar playing a stroke. In the presence of dignitaries, a nostalgic Tendulkar recalled sneaking in to watch a match at 10 and revealed he declined India captaincy in 2007 due to ankle injuries. Chants of "Sachin, Sachin" echoed as confetti and beats of 'dhol' marked the ceremony. Tendulkar thanked MCA for the honor and shared anecdotes from his early Wankhede visits.

The Russian government has simplified norms allowing Indian nationals to open bank accounts with Russian banks remotely while still in India. In a social media post, the Russian Embassy in India said Indian tourists or students can now open accounts by approaching an Indian bank tied to the Russian Central Bank. They can then conveniently obtain a debit card to initiate transactions upon arriving in Russia. The Embassy said the process is straightforward and Indian nationals should contact partner Indian banks for guidance on opening these Russia-based accounts. The move is aimed at convenience for Indian tourists and students in Russia.

Archaeologists express grave concern over the fate of an 80-pillar assembly hall believed to have hosted Emperor Ashoka's meetings 2,000 years ago. Buried 20 feet underground since 2004 due to waterlogging, experts call for its immediate re-excavation. The site, located in Kumhrar area, Patna, holds significant historical value, representing Mauryan architectural prowess. Experts emphasize its restoration as the only evidence of Mauryan emperors' architectural activities in the Indian subcontinent. The demand coincides with the release of draft heritage bye-laws, urging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to bring the ancient structure back to the surface. [ Representative Image ]

The first ever Ram Leela event was held in London on October 30, 2023, marking a historic celebration of Indian culture. Organized by the community group Sutton Friends, the event at Thomas Wall Theatre attracted distinguished guests including the likes of Paul Scully, the IT Minister of the United Kingdom, and Elliot Colburn, the Member of Parliament representing Carshalton, UK. Adding to the grandeur of the occasion were notable figures such as Colin Stears, Mayor of Sutton, Sanjay Singh from the Indian High Commission, Sunil Chopra, Former Mayor of Southwark, and Ravi Sharma of RJ Lyca gold. The event was further graced by encouraging messages from Ram Vilas Sharma, the former Education Minister of Haryana.With over 35 artists, 130 volunteers and viewership across London and India, the LED-wall production was an unforgettable showcase of heritage. Although in-person attendance was limited this year, Sutton Friends have expressed plans to expand the event in 2024 with backing from officials, allowing more people to enjoy the cultural spectacle.

Delhi grapples with a severe air quality crisis as the city's Mundka area records an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 616, classified as 'hazardous.' The National Capital Region is marked with maroon flags denoting perilous air quality. Persistent stubble burning in Punjab and low wind speeds exacerbate the situation. The Delhi High Court holds the forest department responsible for the deteriorating AQI, emphasizing the impact on children's health. Municipal Corporation allocates funds to combat the pollution crisis in the city, as Delhi faces prolonged 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality conditions.          

After analyzing the October Hamas attack in Israel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh advised the Indian Army to "expect the unexpected" and bolster border security. The Army made emergency purchases of anti-drone systems, sensors, and other equipment under "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" to secure borders against asymmetric strikes. Efforts are ongoing to stop cross-border infiltration from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and neutralize terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. The Navy also inspected vessels along the western coast following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack to prevent a repeat strike. India is studying the Hamas-Israel conflict to understand the future of the Middle East.

In a significant development, the US Embassy in India has opened more than 2.5 lakh visa interview appointments, drastically reducing wait times for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa applicants. The wait period for B1/B2 interviews in Delhi has plummeted from 542 days to just 37 days, marking a remarkable improvement. Other major cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai have also seen substantial decreases in wait times. The drop follows concerted efforts by the US Embassy, in collaboration with the Indian government, resulting in a boost for visa applicants. [ Representative Image ]

A division emerges among tech titans as Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe, shares his perspective on work hours, contrasting Narayana Murthy's recent proposal for millennials to work a 70-hour week for nation-building. Speaking at Osmania University, Narayen emphasized the importance of individual choice, urging youngsters to do what works best for them. He encouraged professionals to take control of their careers and not perceive themselves as victims, advocating a long-term view. This stance diverges from Murthy's suggestion, sparking a debate within corporate India about the optimal work-life balance.