Kangana Ranaut's 'Ode to the Indian Air Force,' Tejas crash landed at the box office on Friday. The over-acted aerial action thriller is deemed to mark Ranaut's 11th flop film in a row. Desperate for a hit after last year's Dhaakad debacle, Ranaut relentlessly promoted the film on various platforms and also tried grabbing the attention of certain right-wingers by praising Prime Minister Modi as an incarnation of God. She showcased her film to BJP ministers like Rajanth Singh and also posted images of herself with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on social media. However, her cringeworthy promo blitz failed to get Tejas off the ground, as audiences rejected the film's ham-fisted jingoism. With dismal opening day numbers, Ranaut's latest misguided missile seems destined to bomb yet again. After a string of duds, the question remains - how many more flops before Ranaut's career stalls completely?

Tata Group is set to become India's inaugural homegrown iPhone manufacturer for both domestic and global markets after Wistron Corp. agreed to sell its facility, Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing (India) Private Ltd., to Tata for $125 million. The deal is pending confirmation, relevant agreements, and necessary approvals. Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar commended Tata for this strategic acquisition, and the Indian government's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which has bolstered India's position as a reliable hub for smartphone manufacturing and exports. Tata is also expanding its collaboration with Apple, aiming to launch 100 Apple stores in India.  

The Israeli military carried out airstrikes targeting Hamas sites in Gaza on Friday, killing Medkhat Mabasher, a Hamas commander in Khan Younis, and hitting tunnel networks and launch sites. This comes amid over three weeks of violence between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli aircraft also crashed in Gaza due to a technical issue. Former U.S. official Aaron David Miller told the BBC that Israel faces constraints, including uncertainty over its objectives to end Hamas's existence. He said Hamas only needs to survive to claim victory. Overall the conflict continues with no clear resolution in sight, as Israel hits Hamas sites but so far has not achieved its stated goal of eliminating the group.

Indian-American teenager Shripriya Kalbhavi clinched the second-place position at the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, earning a $2,000 prize. A ninth-grader at Lynbrook High School in California, she developed EasyBZ, a cost-effective micro-needle patch for self-automated drug delivery without pills or needles. Kalbhavi, with aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon, is passionate about scientific research and hopes to improve lives by making medication painless and more affordable. The competition also recognized five other Indian-American teens among the top 10 finalists, each receiving a $1,000 prize and a $500 gift card. The first prize of $25,000 was awarded to Heman Bekele from Virginia for his skin cancer-treating soap.  

Egyptian fighter jets flew over two towns as a drone crashed near a Taba hospital, injuring six individuals, who were later treated and released. Egyptian Armed Forces spokesperson Gharib Abdel-Hafez stated that authorities are investigating the incident. Egypt is considering its options to respond once the drone's origin is confirmed. The Israeli army suspects the strike in Taba originated from the Red Sea area, potentially Yemen, and plans to collaborate with Egypt and the US to enhance Red Sea security. Additionally, an investigation is ongoing after a projectile landed near a power plant in Nuweiba.  

The World Health Organization has described dire conditions inside Gaza's battered healthcare system. WHO cited figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry showing over 7,000 Palestinians have been killed in the current conflict. Nearly 40% of the dead are children. Hospitals are overwhelmed, with just 23 of 35 facilities partially functioning. Fuel shortages have caused shutdowns. The WHO said patients are undergoing surgery in hallways with no anesthesia. Bodies of dead children fill wards. Though WHO's access to data is limited, they received a list of 6,747 names and registration numbers of those who had died, and an additional figure - 281 - of bodies that had yet to be identified from local authorities. It said more deaths are uncounted under rubble.

In the ICC World Cup 2023, India gears up to clash with defending champions England on October 29 in Lucknow. India, led by Rohit Sharma, maintains an undefeated streak, securing victories against top teams. Meanwhile, England faces a crisis after losing four out of five matches, prompting criticism and urgency for improvement. Former player Nasser Hussain calls on England to reclaim their greatness and challenge India's dominance. With star player Hardik Pandya's injury, India strategizes player recovery, prioritizing fitness for crucial matches. The encounter intensifies as both teams strive for victory and redemption on the world stage. In the points table, India leads at top with 10 points, while England ranks 9th with only 2 points.  

India's tech expertise takes center stage as Amandeep Singh Gill, Sharad Sharma, and Nazneen Rajani join the UN's High-Level Multistakeholder Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the initiative, aiming to tackle AI challenges and enhance cooperation across sectors. Guterres highlighted AI's potential in crisis management and public services. The diverse panel signifies a collaborative effort to harness AI for Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing India's pivotal role. This union of minds promises innovative strides, fostering international collaboration for a tech-driven global future.

Indian PM Narendra Modi announced that this year's sports budget is three times larger than it was nine years ago. Speaking at the 37th National Games inauguration in Goa, he celebrated India's recent sports successes, including a record 107 medals at the Asian Games. Modi highlighted government efforts to enhance sports infrastructure, athlete selection transparency, and financial support. He expressed India's readiness to host the 2036 Olympics and noted the nation's rising sports achievements. The National Games in Goa feature over 10,000 athletes in 43 sports disciplines and run from October 26 to November 9.  

JP Morgan has upgraded India to an overweight rating, aligning with global brokerages like Morgan Stanley, CLSA, and Nomura. This shift is driven by several factors, including the positive impact of general elections, robust growth in emerging markets' nominal GDP, and the expansion of India's bond market, expected to lower risk premiums. The upgrade is based on both cyclical and structural factors, considering India's strong nominal GDP growth, competitive risk-adjusted returns, and a deeper domestic bond market. Despite challenges in emerging market equities due to rising US long rates, JP Morgan sees potential opportunities. The brokerage has also revised its portfolio to include Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Bank of Baroda, and Hindustan Unilever.