Times of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the remarkable success of India's para-athletes at the 2026 Asian Para Games, where they earned a historic total of 114 medals, including 30 golds. He urged this triumph to be a stepping stone toward even greater achievements in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, underscoring the strides made in India's para-sports since 2010.

Dhanteras marks the start of the Diwali celebrations and holds significant cultural importance. It is a day when families invite Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari into their homes by purchasing new items. The festival centers on sharing heartfelt greetings with loved ones, reinforcing themes of health and wealth. Many choose to send thoughtful wishes, quotes, and messages to friends, family, and colleagues, adding a personal touch to the festivities.

On Thursday, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing the Pralay missile. This advanced solid-propellant, quasi-ballistic missile is capable of carrying different payloads, with an impressive strike range of 150 to 500 kilometers depending on its weight. Its mobile launch capability introduces tactical flexibility, posing significant challenges for enemy defense systems.

Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya is keen to have Virat Kohli in the dressing room if the senior India batter wants to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Dahiya also expressed his desire to have veteran pacer Ishant Sharma as a red-ball mentor. The Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Services ended in a draw, with Delhi walking away with three points after taking the first-innings lead.

Israeli Arab parties are considering backing an opposition coalition to challenge Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership. Ahmad Tibi has expressed openness to support without formally joining the new government. This election has resulted in a fragmented Knesset lacking a decisive majority. Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has set specific conditions for engaging with Arab factions, marking a noteworthy evolution in the historical dynamics between Arab representatives and Israeli governance.

India secured a silver medal in the team event at the ISSF World Championships held in Doha. However, Manu Bhaker and Suruchi Inder Singh failed to earn individual medals or Olympic quotas. Manu finished fifth while Suruchi placed sixth in the women's 10m air pistol final. Their individual performances disappointed the Indian team as they aimed for Olympic qualification.

Cristiano Ronaldo's international career spanned over two decades and was filled with remarkable achievements and controversies. He experienced public fallouts with coaches and significant incidents during his time in various clubs. Major controversies included a tax fraud case and an explosive interview leading to his Manchester United exit. Additionally, accusations of sexual assault and a red card incident involving Wayne Rooney further shaped his career.

CJP activist Saurav Das rebuffed Union minister Jitendra Singh's allegations regarding foreign funding for their movement. Das demanded the provision of evidence to justify the claims being made against them. Ashutosh Ranka also challenged Singh, questioning the legitimacy of government negotiations with CJP if foreign funding was involved. The three CJP leaders were questioned for four hours by the Delhi Police Crime Branch regarding a recent protest.

Netanyahu's Likud party secured the most seats in the Knesset election but lacks the ability to form a government. Gadi Eisenkot, leading the opposition, has gained support from parties holding a majority of the seats. The Arab parties' strong voter turnout complicates coalition-building efforts for both sides. President Isaac Herzog faces challenges in selecting a candidate to build a coalition successfully.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that Vladimir Putin would not be invited to the 2027 G20 summit. This comes amid the intensified Russia-Ukraine war. However, the US has invited Putin to this year's G20, which has drawn criticism from European leaders. Russia continues to attend G20 meetings, though Putin doesn't attend in person.

Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam have filed for bail in the Supreme Court concerning the Delhi riots case. They contend that the prosecution has failed to call any witnesses during their extensive period of detention. The activists pointed out the looming deadline for submitting new bail applications as established by the Supreme Court.

In an innovative leap in drone technology, Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 is being engineered as a launch platform for smaller kamikaze drones. Recently, it showcased its capabilities by successfully deploying Skydagger FPV drones onto targets. This integration not only enhances the operational range of these attack drones but also allows the TB2 to act as a communications hub, potentially redefining strategic warfare through coordinated aerial strikes from a single unit.

Techies returning from the US are getting into a wide range of tech and techno-functional roles across the board. Employers in India are also increasingly looking for specialised skills rather than treating international work experience as an advantage in itself. So, the important question then is: what are these techies returning to? Are there enough roles to absorb their talent? And, what about the salary levels?

Cristiano Ronaldo has officially retired from international duty with Portugal after 23 years and six World Cups. He announced his retirement through an emotional video message to the Portuguese people, marking the end of his national career. Ronaldo holds a record of 146 international goals and significant victories, including Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League title.

The Bombay High Court has overturned the bail originally granted to Sachin Waze regarding the serious Antilia bomb scare incident. This move came after the National Investigation Agency appealed against the previous bail decision. Waze, arrested in March 2021, remains in custody as the court highlights explosive elements and security threats, raising crucial legal and investigative discussions surrounding the case.

Housing Trust Silicon Valley has unveiled an ambitious 10-year initiative aimed at improving affordable housing in the Bay Area. With a generous $30 million backing from MacKenzie Scott, this plan seeks to bolster homeownership initiatives and forge stronger alliances with policy advocacy. The focus is on maximizing current funding and attracting new resources to create and maintain affordable housing for the community over the next decade.