Cyclone 'Tej' intensifies into a 'cyclonic storm,' set to escalate into a 'severe cyclonic storm' by Sunday, alerts the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The deep depression over the Southwest Arabian Sea prompts warnings of very rough to phenomenal sea conditions until October 23. The cyclone, moving west-northwest, is expected to impact the south coasts of Oman and adjoining Yemen. Fishermen are cautioned against venturing into the sea, with rough conditions forecasted along Odisha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh coasts. While Gujarat remains unaffected, other regions including Kerala, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura brace for anticipated effects, anticipating rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds due to Cyclone Tej's impact.

Originally from Pakistan, Labhshankar Duryodhan Maheshwari arrived in Tarapur, Gujarat, in 1999 with his wife for fertility treatment. He later established a successful business and acquired Indian citizenship by early 2006. However, on Thursday, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested him for allegedly aiding Pakistani agents in accessing sensitive information about the Indian Army. The ATS alleges that Maheshwari assisted Pakistani agents in obtaining an Indian SIM card, which they used to hack the phones of Indian defense personnel's children attending Army schools. Reportedly, he did this in exchange for assistance from Pakistani officials in obtaining visas for his family members.

The ISRO rocket, initially delayed due to an anomaly, successfully lifted off from Sriharikota in a revised launch schedule. Carrying payloads essential for crew safety in the Gaganyaan mission, the spacecraft launched at 10 am after the issue causing the initial delay was identified and corrected. This accomplishment represents a significant milestone in India's space exploration, bolstering the safety and potential success of future crewed missions. It showcases ISRO's commitment to overcoming technical challenges, solidifying its pursuit of ambitious goals in space exploration, and prioritizing the well-being of its astronauts."

Dhordo village in Gujarat has been bestowed with the prestigious title of "Best Tourism Village" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The Ministry of Tourism celebrated this achievement, recognizing Dhordo's exceptional commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter, expressing his delight and sharing fond memories of his visits to Dhordo in 2009 and 2015. He encouraged people to share their own experiences using #AmazingDhordo, aiming to inspire more travelers to explore this culturally rich and naturally beautiful destination.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station, marking a significant milestone in India's transportation infrastructure. He also flagged off the RapidX train, officially launching the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in the country. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that RRTS trains will be named 'Namo Bharat'. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, with a design speed of 180 km/hr, will reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour, connecting urban centers like Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.      

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, pleasantly surprised Delhi Metro commuters as he took his first ride on the city's public transport system. Sharing his experience on social media, Garcetti praised Delhi Metro's efficiency and referred to it as "mera Metro" (my Metro). He traveled from RK Puram to Okhla NSIC Metro Station on the Magenta Line, engaging with passengers and capturing moments with a selfie. Garcetti's positive remarks highlight Delhi Metro's reputation as a well-maintained, efficient, and green public transport system, earning accolades from an international diplomat.  

An Israeli panellist took offense to the green, red and black colors of Indian news channel TV anchor Shreya Dhoundial's saree during a Mirror Now debate, insinuating it represented the Palestinian flag. When questioned about a bombed Gaza hospital, he stated "blue and white will always prevail" referring to Israel's flag colors. Dhoundial asserted the saree was her late grandmother's and carried no political meaning. She refused to let the guest dictate her attire or views and reiterated she would speak the truth. The exchange sparked reactions over attempting to politicize clothing and silence journalists.

Despite the Supreme Court's recent refusal to grant legal rights to same-sex marriages in India, Ananya Kotia and Utkarsh Saxena, prominent petitioners in the case, defiantly exchanged engagement rings in front of the court. The historic judgment, denying recognition to LGBTQIA+ unions, has stirred criticism. Ananya shared their photo, stating, "This week wasn't about a legal loss, but our engagement. We'll return to fight another day." The court's decision, leaving the community disheartened, emphasized the role of legislative bodies in determining marriage rights for same-sex couples.

After 15 years, Delhi's Saket Court has convicted all five accused—Ravi Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Ajay Kumar, Baljeet Malik, and Ajay Sethi—in the 2008 murder case of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan. She was shot dead in her car while returning home from work. The breakthrough came when two of the accused were arrested in connection with another case, leading to their confession. The conviction, welcomed by Vishwanathan's family, not only brings closure but also serves as a deterrent against such crimes, emphasizing the persistence of justice even after prolonged delays.

Organizers of a Garba event in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh have sparked controversy by mandating Aadhaar card checks and Tilak for male attendees to allegedly prevent 'love jihad'. Sankalp Sanskriti Sanstha, the organizers, justify it saying they want to restrict non-Hindu participation and end 'love jihad', though police cite it being a private event. Tilak is seen as verifying attendees are Hindu. District authorities said they will review if any complaint is received. Critics argue such moves stigmatize interfaith relationships by framing them as 'love jihad'. The event revives debate on the controversial term often used to allege forced religious conversion in romantic relationships.