BJP MP Tejasvi Surya made history as the first Indian parliamentarian to complete the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, a grueling endurance event involving a 1.9 km swim, 90 km cycling, and 21.1 km running. Surya clocked a time of 8 hours, 27 minutes, and 32 seconds in Goa, after rigorous training over four months. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah praised Surya’s achievement, with Modi noting it would inspire youth to pursue fitness. Bishworjit Saikhom won the men’s category in 4 hours, 32 minutes, while Yasmin Halawa claimed the women’s title at 5 hours, 22 minutes, and 50 seconds.

The Uttar Pradesh government is gearing up for its eighth Deepotsav in Ayodhya, marking the first Diwali at the newly constructed Ram Temple. With a target to light 2.8 million diyas along the Saryu river, this year’s celebration aims for a world record. Special eco-friendly wax lamps will be used to protect the temple's structure. Over 30,000 volunteers and 2,000 supervisors are meticulously arranging diyas across 55 ghats, with an 80,000-diya Swastik at Ram Ki Paidi. The temple will remain open for “Bhavan Darshan” from October 29 to November 1.

A LocalCircles survey reveals that 18% of families in Delhi-NCR plan to burn firecrackers this Diwali, even as air quality in the capital worsens. Out of 10,526 respondents, 55% oppose cracker usage due to pollution, while 19% said they like crackers but cannot access them in their cities. Meanwhile, 9% have already acquired firecrackers, and another 9% plan to find ways to obtain them. The survey, involving validated LocalCircles members, highlights citizens' growing awareness of air pollution, yet a significant portion remains committed to continuing the firecracker tradition.

Actor Vijay, at his first political rally in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram, introduced his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and outlined its ideologies. Vijay emphasized secularism, equality, social justice, and promoting Tamil as the administrative language in courts. He called for removing the Governor’s post and highlighted inspirations like Periyar, Ambedkar, and Velu Nachiyar for TVK’s vision. TVK’s manifesto aims to create equal opportunities for women, conduct caste-based census, eliminate religious and caste-based discrimination, and establish a two-language policy. Expressing his sense of duty, Vijay stated, “What will I do for the people who made my life?”

Bollywood star Salman Khan continues to face death threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi due to the 1998 blackbuck case. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait advised Salman to visit a temple and ask for forgiveness. Tikait warned that Bishnoi, whom he called a “bad man,” might harm Salman despite being in jail. The threats resurfaced after politician Baba Siddique was murdered, with Bishnoi’s gang claiming responsibility. Bishnoi’s gang considers blackbucks sacred to their community, and Salman’s involvement in the case has sparked anger. Authorities have increased security around the actor to ensure his safety.

On Sunday, more than 50 Indian flights, including those from Akasa Air, IndiGo, and Vistara, received bomb threats, adding to over 350 similar hoaxes in the past two weeks. The threats were mainly issued via social media. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government plans to ban those responsible for these threats from flying. He also mentioned stricter penalties and support from international and law enforcement agencies to curb such incidents. The IT Ministry has urged social media platforms to remove false information promptly, as officials work to trace those behind the threats.

At least 10 people were hurt, two critically, in a stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus early Sunday. The incident happened as hundreds of people tried to board the moving Gorakhpur-bound Antyodaya Express. With Diwali and Chhath celebrations near, crowds flocked to the station to travel home. Many unreserved passengers rushed to grab seats, causing chaos. Videos on social media show injured passengers and a hectic scene. Opposition leaders criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, saying he focuses too much on the bullet train project instead of local rail safety. Injured people were taken to Bhabha Hospital.

During his 115th Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi warned citizens about “digital arrest” scams, emphasizing that no government agency contacts individuals via video call for arrests. He advised using the cyber helpline 1930 if contacted by fraudsters impersonating officials. Modi also announced national celebrations for the 150th anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and tribal leader Birsa Munda, urging citizens to participate. With World Animation Day approaching, he highlighted India’s growing animation industry and its collaboration with global studios like Disney and Warner Brothers, aiming to position India as an animation powerhouse.

Murugesan, a resident of Erode, Tamil Nadu, was conned out of Rs 3.2 lakh by scammers using fake documents featuring Amitabh Bachchan’s photos and posing as government officials. The scam began with a message claiming he won Rs 25 lakh in a Kaun Banega Crorepati lottery, requiring “disbursal fees.” Additional fraudulent demands from supposed government offices and a woman posing as a CBI officer brought total losses to Rs 3.2 lakh. After realizing the fraud, Murugesan filed a complaint with the PMO, prompting the CBI to investigate under various IPC and IT Act sections.

In Agra, Rakesh Rajput, the son of a hotel owner, has been accused of abducting and raping a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint on October 21 at his father’s hotel on Fatehabad Road. According to the police, the girl’s mother reported that Rakesh had lured her daughter with a job offer and later threatened her with a gun. The Tajganj police have registered charges of abduction and rape against him. The girl underwent a medical examination and provided her statement, confirmed by Tajganj SHO Jasbeer Singh.