Movie Reviews
‘Jatadhara’ Movie Review: Sudheer & Sonakshi’s Star Vehicle Is Choppy, Chaotic
The much-anticipated film Jatadhara, starring Sudheer Babu and Sonakshi Sinha, arrives with high production values but leaves critics divided. While visual spectacle and mythic ambition are clear, the narrative is described as incoherent and uneven. Reviewers praise certain sequences and performances but fault the pacing, character development and editing for weakening the impact of what could have been a standout fantasy-thriller in Telugu cinema next year.
World
$22 Million And 26 Billionaires Couldn’t Stop Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Win
In a stunning upset, Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City despite a $22 million campaign by 26 billionaires aimed at defeating him. Running on a progressive platform focused on affordable housing, free public transport and universal childcare, Mamdani’s victory underscores the power shift away from money-driven politics toward grassroots engagement and demographic change.
Finance
India’s Plan For “World-Class Banks”: FM Sitharaman Sets Growth Agenda
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government is working with the Reserve Bank of India and banking institutions to build “world-class” banks and foster a dynamic ecosystem where more large-scale banks can grow. She said considerable groundwork has already begun and emphasised that mergers alone are not the only route; structural reforms and regulatory environment play key roles.
India
Supreme Court Orders Removal of Stray Dogs from Bus Stands & Railway Stations
The Supreme Court of India has issued a nationwide directive requiring municipal authorities to remove stray dogs from locations such as bus stands, railway stations, hospitals and sports complexes within eight weeks. The order mandates sterilisation of dogs prior to relocation and regular inspections of premises. Animal rights activists argue the move contradicts the Animal Birth Control Rules and raise concerns over feasibility and animal welfare.
Science & Tech
Sridhar Vembu Pushes For Cross-App Chat: WhatsApp To Talk With Arattai Soon
Home-grown messaging app Arattai, developed by Sridhar Vembu’s Zoho Corporation, may soon enable chats directly from WhatsApp users to Arattai users. WhatsApp is reportedly testing a feature in Europe for cross-platform messaging. Vembu had earlier advocated for “interoperability like UPI and email”. If realised, this would mark a major shift in app-ecosystem dynamics in India’s messaging space, signalling potential disruption of closed-platform models and greater user freedom.
India
After 9 Dead In Andhra Temple Stampede, Government May Take Over Private Shrine
A tragic stampede at the privately-managed Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Kasibugga in Andhra Pradesh killed nine devotees—eight women and a 13-year-old boy—and injured dozens. Following the incident, the state government announced plans to take over the temple’s management. The rescue and inquiry highlight gaps in crowd management, private shrine regulation and safety of pilgrimage sites in India, especially during festivals.
India
59% Of Bihar’s Unrecognised Parties Skipped 2023-24 Financial Disclosure: ADR
A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms shows that 59 per cent of unrecognised political parties in Bihar failed to submit their mandatory financial disclosure for the fiscal year 2023-24. The lapse raises concerns about transparency, hidden funding and electoral accountability at grassroots level. The findings may push regulatory reform and stricter oversight of smaller political outfits.
India
British National Facing Deportation Escapes From Delhi Airport, Probe Launched
In a significant aviation-security breach, a British national slated for deportation evaded immigration at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after arriving from Bangkok. The individual slipped past check-ins on 28 October and remains at large as authorities launch a major manhunt. The case has strained oversight of deportation procedures at one of India’s busiest transit hubs.
India
Vote Chori: Rahul Gandhi Says PM Modi, EC Undermining The Constitution
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission of India (EC) of attacking India’s constitution by orchestrating widespread vote manipulation, dubbing it “vote theft”. The claim came amid electoral-roll revisions and protests in Haryana, escalating tensions over democratic integrity. Gandhi stated that his party possessed substantial evidence pointing to mass deletions and fraudulent entries, and pledged to expose the issue to India’s youth.
Sports
Kaif On Samson: Gill Being Groomed For Captaincy, So Samson Lost His Spot
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif claimed that the national team’s selectors are grooming Shubman Gill as the future captain, which he believes is why Sanju Samson lost his place in the playing XI. Kaif highlighted that despite Samson’s good form, the team opted for Gill’s inclusion and Jitesh Sharma’s finishing role, shifting team strategy around leadership succession rather than pure performance metrics.