Veteran actor Satish Shah, known for his iconic comic roles in film and television, passed away in Mumbai on Saturday. He was 74. His death follows the recent passing of comedian Asrani, marking another significant loss for Indian entertainment.

Family sources said the actor had been undergoing treatment for kidney-related complications and had undergone a kidney transplant earlier this year. Despite medical intervention, his condition deteriorated over the past week.

Born in Bombay in 1951, Shah built a versatile career spanning over five decades. He appeared in over 250 films, spanning from mainstream entertainers to cult classics. His role as Municipal Commissioner D’Mello in the 1983 satire Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro remains one of the most memorable comic performances in Hindi cinema.

On television, Shah became a household name with the sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, where he played Indravadan Sarabhai,  a character that combined humour with warmth and everyday relatability. The show continues to enjoy a dedicated fan following even today, nearly two decades after its release.

Shah’s funeral took place on Sunday at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai. Family members, colleagues, and several well-known film and television personalities attended the ceremony. Members of the Sarabhai vs Sarabhai cast were present and were seen consoling one another.

Tributes poured in across social media, with actors, directors, and public figures recalling his generosity, professionalism and ability to make a scene come alive with minimal effort. Fans shared clips of his performances, describing him as an actor who made humour feel natural and genuine.

Satish Shah is survived by his wife, designer Madhu Shah. The family has requested privacy as they mourn the loss.

His passing marks the end of an era in understated, character-driven comedy — one defined not by volume, but by timing, empathy, and a rare sense of authenticity.

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The Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 is set to kick off with an expanded schedule and venues. The men’s league will be played across three major cities—Chennai, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar—while the women’s league will once again be held entirely in Ranchi, following the success of last year’s format.

The men’s tournament will begin on January 3, 2026, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai, featuring the Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans. The action will then move to Ranchi from January 11 to 16, hosted at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium.

The final leg will take place in Bhubaneswar at the Kalinga Stadium from January 17 to 26, culminating in the final on January 26. A total of 33 matches are scheduled for the men’s league, with eight teams competing in a round-robin format followed by knockout rounds.

The women’s league will kick off on December 28, 2025, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi. The four participating teams—Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers—will compete in a round-robin format, with the final scheduled for January 3, 2026.

The decision to host the men’s league across three cities aims to promote hockey nationwide and provide fans in different regions with access to top-tier matches. The women’s league’s return to Ranchi ensures a centralized, high-quality experience for both players and fans.

This season’s HIL promises to showcase the best of Indian and international hockey talent, as teams vie for supremacy in one of the country’s premier sporting leagues.

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Thailand is grieving the loss of Queen Mother Sirikit, who passed away at the age of 93, palace officials confirmed on Friday. She died at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped the modern Thai monarchy and touched the lives of countless citizens.

Born in 1932 in France, Sirikit was the daughter of Thailand’s ambassador to Paris. As a young woman, she met King Bhumibol Adulyadej, marrying him in 1950 and stepping into her role as queen consort at a pivotal moment in Thailand’s history. Her elegance, charm, and poise made her an international style icon. She collaborated with designers like Pierre Balmain and championed Thai silk, breathing new life into the nation’s textile industry and promoting Thai craftsmanship on the world stage.

But her influence extended far beyond fashion. Queen Sirikit was deeply committed to improving the lives of her people. She led initiatives in rural development, healthcare, and education, earning admiration and affection from Thai citizens. Her charitable work and devotion to preserving Thai culture cemented her role as a nurturing, maternal figure for the nation.

A year-long mourning period has been declared, with flags flying at half-mast and public events paused in her honor. Her remains will be enshrined at Bangkok’s Grand Palace. Her son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, now reigns as Rama X.

Queen Mother Sirikit’s life was defined by grace, resilience, and unwavering service to her people. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her compassion, cultural vision, and dedication to Thailand will continue to inspire generations to come.

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As Delhi gears up to celebrate Chhath Puja, the city has announced a public holiday on Monday, October 27, giving schools and government offices the day off. The announcement comes as the city prepares for the festival’s most sacred day, when devotees offer prayers to the setting sun along riverbanks.

The Delhi government has made extensive arrangements to ensure devotees can celebrate safely and comfortably. Over 1,300 ghats across the city, including 17 model ghats along the Yamuna River, have been equipped with essential facilities such as tents, toilets, drinking water, lighting, and enhanced security. These preparations aim to make the festival accessible, organized, and enjoyable for all participants.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally inspected the Pochanpur Ghat in Dwarka Sector 23B, overseeing the decoration, cleanliness, and safety measures. The inspection emphasized the administration’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment for devotees.

In line with environmental concerns, the government has intensified its Yamuna cleaning initiatives, which have shown visible improvements in water quality over recent months. New ghats and upgraded infrastructure also form part of the city’s efforts to host a safe and eco-friendly celebration.

The government has also withdrawn FIRs filed against devotees in previous years, signaling support for cultural traditions while maintaining public order. Authorities have assured citizens that the ghats will be regularly monitored to avoid overcrowding and ensure smooth rituals.

With these preparations in place, Delhi is set to host a vibrant Chhath Puja celebration, reflecting the city’s cultural heritage and commitment to the welfare of its residents and devotees alike.

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At the Berlin Global Dialogue in Germany, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, declared that New Delhi will not enter trade agreements under pressure or without safeguarding its national interests.

“We are in active dialogue with the European Union. We are talking to the United States, but we do not do deals in a hurry and we do not do deals with deadlines or with a gun to our head,” Goyal said.

India continues to negotiate a prospective bilateral deal with the United States and a long-pending free-trade agreement (FTA) with the EU.

However, Goyal emphasised that New Delhi will reject any imposition of restrictive conditions that could hinder its future trade options, asserting that deals must reflect long-term partnerships built on trust and mutual benefit.

In Berlin, Goyal met with key European officials, including Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commissioner for Economy & Productivity, to discuss progress on the India-EU FTA.

He stressed that while both sides are making advances on some chapters, sensitive issues like environmental standards, rules-of-origin and market access remain unresolved.

Goyal’s remarks come at a time when India is under growing pressure from Western partners to curb purchases of Russian crude oil.

He questioned why India was being singled out when other nations such as Germany and the UK are reportedly seeking exemptions from US sanctions on Russian oil.

“The decision to buy a particular product from a country is something that the entire world will have to take a call on,” Goyal said.

He reiterated that India’s trade policy is anchored in national interest, stating: “I do not think India has ever decided who its friends will be based on any other considerations other than national interest.”

He pointed out that the country will not accept being told who it can or cannot do business with.

India is also confronting high tariff barriers from the United States, where Indian goods have faced steep duties in recent months.

In response, Goyal said, “We’ve accepted that there are tariffs on us, and we’re looking at newer markets, stronger domestic demand and a resilient structure.” He noted India’s demographic strengths—about 1.4 billion people with an average age of 28.5 years—as a foundation for its long-term strategy.

While New Delhi remains open to trade pacts, Goyal made clear that timelines and deadlines will not drive India’s choices. Trade deals, he said, should span decades, not merely address short-term access or tariff concessions. “Trade deals are for the longer duration. It is not only about tariffs or access to goods and services; it is also about trust and relationship,” he told the conference.

As negotiations continue with both the EU and the US, the Indian government appears determined to strike deals that suit its future economic ambition—rather than concede to external timetables or conditions.

With key issues still on the table, including market access, sustainability clauses, and reciprocal obligations, the outcome of these talks may shape India’s trade architecture for years to come.

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Kerala is poised to make history this Kerala Piravi, November 1, its formation Day, by becoming India’s first state to eliminate extreme poverty. The announcement, set in Thiruvananthapuram, will bring together Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, key ministers, and iconic film personalities Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Kamal Haasan, marking a landmark moment of social progress and collective pride for the state.

This grand announcement follows a focused, four-year effort launched in 2021 to identify and support families living in extreme deprivation, those unable to secure the essentials required for dignified living, including food, shelter, clothing, education, healthcare, and access to sanitation. The initiative began with a door-to-door survey that identified around 64,000 families across 14 districts living in conditions of severe vulnerability.

Instead of offering a uniform scheme, the government adopted a micro-plan model, designing individual support strategies for each household. Local bodies, Kudumbashree or neighbourhood group workers, health volunteers, and social development teams coordinated efforts on the ground. Interventions ranged from building or repairing homes, providing land to landless families, ensuring access to welfare documents, arranging job or skill training, enabling small enterprises, and connecting people with healthcare and social protection networks.

As of October, the verified count of families in extreme poverty had reduced significantly, following targeted rehabilitation measures. More than 3,900 families received newly built homes or housing upgrades, thousands regained access to ration and identity documents, and livelihood support programmes were strengthened at the ward level. The government has described this not as charity, but as restoring dignity, security, and the possibility of upward mobility.

While the achievement marks a first in India and is being hailed as a model of decentralised welfare planning, experts emphasise that sustaining the progress will be crucial. Ongoing monitoring, timely intervention, and ensuring that families do not slip back into vulnerability remain key priorities for the government.

The declaration on Kerala Piravi Day will be accompanied by cultural programmes and community celebrations, reflecting the state’s belief that social progress is not just measured economically, but also in shared pride, collective wellbeing, and the spirit of Kerala’s formation.

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The much-anticipated visit of the Lionel Messi-led Argentina national football team to India, scheduled for the FIFA international window from November 10–18 in Kerala, has been officially called off. The country’s football federation, Argentine Football Association (AFA), confirmed that the fixture will no longer go ahead as planned in November, attributing the postponement to delays in obtaining FIFA-clearance alongside unresolved logistical and contractual issues.

Originally revealed in August, the friendly match was set to see Argentina face an unnamed opponent in Kochi during the November FIFA window — a landmark event for Indian football, with hopes running high among fans in Kerala and across the country.

In subsequent weeks however, multiple reports flagged concerns: the AFA cited incomplete payments from local organisers, inadequate venue readiness and the uncertainty of securing timely FIFA approvals.

Despite the concerns, local authorities in Kerala continued to express optimism.

The state’s Sports Minister stated in May that while logistical complications had arisen, the contract remained valid and the event could still proceed. The minister reiterated that the government’s role was limited to facilitating the process, as the match sponsorship lay with a private broadcaster rather than the state itself.

For many supporters in Kerala — one of India’s strongest footballing states with a passionate fan base for Argentina — the development is a disappointment. Early promotional activities had included renovation works at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium (Kochi) with the venue being upgraded to host what was billed as the state’s biggest sporting spectacle. Now, with the match postponed to a later FIFA window, both the state and fans are left waiting for clarity on a rescheduled date.

The AFA has not yet specified a new date for the India fixture, stating only that it is expected to be held in a subsequent international window after November. Local organisers, through social-media posts, have confirmed that the match has been postponed, not cancelled, and are working with the football federation on the next steps.

For Indian football, the proposed visit carried symbolic significance. Messi has considerable standing in the country and Argentina’s presence was expected to shine a spotlight on India’s football infrastructure and fan culture.

The postponement therefore not only dampens enthusiasm but also delays a rare opportunity for Indian audiences to witness a match featuring one of the world’s most celebrated players on home soil. Meanwhile, Argentina will continue its schedule without the Indian leg, and local fans and authorities are now awaiting formal confirmation of the next window and venue.

Until then, the question of when — or if — Messi and his national side will play in India remains open.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have reaffirmed their support for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for chief minister in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The announcement signals a united front by the ruling alliance ahead of the crucial state polls.

Speaking at a rally in Samastipur, PM Modi praised Nitish Kumar’s leadership and highlighted the development initiatives undertaken during his tenure. Modi said that Bihar has progressed under the guidance of Nitish Kumar, and the NDA is committed to continuing this journey of growth, emphasizing stability and continuity in governance.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also underlined the alliance’s cohesion, stating that there is no disagreement among NDA partners regarding Nitish Kumar’s leadership. Singh contrasted the NDA’s unity with the opposition Mahagathbandhan, noting that while the Congress has declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s CM face, the Mahagathbandhan has yet to present a collective leadership choice.

Political analysts say this public endorsement aims to consolidate voter confidence by projecting stability and experience, especially as the NDA looks to counter opposition narratives in Bihar’s high-stakes electoral battle. Nitish Kumar has served multiple terms as Bihar’s chief minister, and his continued leadership is being positioned by the alliance as a guarantee of governance and development continuity.

With campaigning intensifying across the state, the NDA’s reaffirmation of Nitish Kumar as its CM candidate marks a key moment in the 2025 Bihar Assembly election cycle, setting the stage for what promises to be a tightly contested contest.

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Cold showers may be the latest viral wellness trend, but a wave of online warnings has sparked anxiety, especially among men in their 30s and 40s, linking the practice to increased stroke risk. Health experts say those fears are overstated and not supported by science.

Sudden exposure to cold water does cause a brief “cold shock” response whwerein the heart rate spikes, breathing quickens, and blood pressure rises momentarily. But for people in good health, this reaction doesn’t translate into a higher risk of stroke. Cardiologists cite this as a normal physiological adjustment. While cardiovascular events do occur more frequently in the early morning, shower temperature isn’t always a deciding factor.

That being said, doctors urge caution for individuals with underlying heart disease or high blood pressure. Some medical professionals advise that people already having cardiovascular issues, it’s best to avoid extremes, whether that’s very cold or very hot water.

For most healthy adults, cold showers may actually offer a few perks. They can improve blood circulation by constricting and then reopening blood vessels, give skin a healthy flush, and provide an instant jolt of energy and mental clarity. Athletes often swear by them for faster muscle recovery, while some studies suggest mild immune‑boosting effects through brief cold exposure.

The key, experts emphasize, lies in listening to your body and easing into the habit. Start with shorter exposures or alternate between warm and cool water to help your body adapt comfortably.

Cold showers can be refreshing and even beneficial, but they’re not a cure‑all or a cause for alarm. As with most health trends, balance and common sense go a long way. Before embracing any extreme wellness practice, it’s wise to consider your own health profile and get medical advice if needed.

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