The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a warning concerning increasing financial frauds through deepfake videos. These scams involve fraudulent advertisements impersonating political leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Victims often receive calls from international numbers claiming they have won welfare benefits or cashback rewards. They are led to make repeated payments before receiving any promised funds or rewards.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a warning concerning increasing financial frauds through deepfake videos. These scams involve fraudulent advertisements impersonating political leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Victims often receive calls from international numbers claiming they have won welfare benefits or cashback rewards. They are led to make repeated payments before receiving any promised funds or rewards.

Indian athletes compete across multiple events on Day 3 of the Asian Para Games, including archery, athletics, badminton, shooting, and swimming.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has warned about rising fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms. These deceptive ads feature manipulated videos of public officials and promote non-existent welfare schemes. Victims are lured with false promises of financial rewards, which leads to significant financial losses. The advisory encourages individuals to verify any claims related to government schemes through official sources.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has warned about rising fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms. These deceptive ads feature manipulated videos of public officials and promote non-existent welfare schemes. Victims are lured with false promises of financial rewards, which leads to significant financial losses. The advisory encourages individuals to verify any claims related to government schemes through official sources.

India's Nishad Kumar won the gold medal with a jump of 7.11m on his debut at the Asian Para Games.

India's free trade agreement with New Zealand will begin on October 20 and provide duty-free access for Indian goods. This agreement aims to boost bilateral trade significantly by 2030, increasing it from $2.4 billion to nearly ₹35,000 crore. New Zealand will grant 100% market access, while India will provide tariff concessions on 70% of its tariff lines. Customs clearance timelines will be expedited, enhancing trade efficiency and reducing costs.

Artificial intelligence systems like chatbots are becoming more emotionally engaging, prompting concerns over manipulation by users. The recent policy change by Anthropic restricts cruelty towards AI models, which has reignited debates on AI welfare and consciousness. Researchers are divided on whether AI systems deserve moral consideration, reflecting uncertainty within the industry. There are fears that recognizing AI rights may weaken human accountability for harmful actions.

France Protests news: After violent protests across France resulted in extensive damage to businesses and public buildings, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced curfews. Thousands of individuals were arrested during the unrest that followed rising living costs. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez resigned amid criticism of the government's handling of law enforcement. Significant property damage occurred, especially in Marseille and Limoges, where city halls were attacked.

A Brazilian bricklayer sold his belongings and travelled nearly 2,000 km to meet a woman he believed was his future wife, only to discover that she was an AI-generated character on TikTok. Edimar Martins, 49, ran out of money after failing to find her and received assistance to return home. The person behind the account denied speaking to him or inviting him to travel.

FIFA Peace Prize: To address the controversy, FIFA has officially deferred the decision to its Football Social Responsibility Committee.

Arpita Sahu quit her HR job in Delhi after four and a half years and moved to Goa in search of purpose and a fresh start. Through Instagram videos, she has shared her hopes of finding a sense of belonging alongside concerns about financial security, life without a regular salary and the pressure to succeed. Her decision has prompted mixed reactions online, with users offering advice, encouragement and perspectives on finding fulfilment.

School holiday tomorrow, October 20, 2026: Schools in several states are expected to remain closed for Dussehra and Vijayadashami, while West Bengal will observe Bijoya Dashami on October 21. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have reported extended Dasara holidays, but reopening dates may vary. Students and parents should check their school’s official holiday circular for confirmation.

India will implement a quota system for importing apples, kiwifruit, Manuka honey, and albumins from New Zealand. The quotas will gradually increase over five years, allowing for proper regulation of imports. Apple imports will be capped initially, with no allowances in the first year. The duty rates will vary depending on the product and its CIF value, affecting import dynamics.

The TATA Women’s Premier League 2027 auction will take place in Kochi, Kerala. A total of 146 players are available for the five franchises to choose from. Of these, 119 are Indian players, while 27 players are overseas cricketers. The auction will begin at 5:30 PM, allowing teams to strengthen their squads with strategic choices.

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will come into effect on October 20, enhancing trade for both nations. New Zealand expects increased demand for its agricultural products, particularly kiwifruit, honey, and apples, in India. The agreement includes provisions to ensure tariff-free access for Indian goods in New Zealand's market. Both countries aim to strengthen economic ties and improve productivity in agricultural sectors.

Helicopter services linking Sanjauli in Shimla with Rampur and Reckong Peo will begin on October 21. The service aims to improve air connectivity and provide easier transport options for residents in remote areas. It will operate three days a week, offering timely departures and arrivals. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this initiative to enhance regional transportation.

Helicopter services linking Sanjauli in Shimla with Rampur and Reckong Peo will begin on October 21. The service aims to improve air connectivity and provide easier transport options for residents in remote areas. It will operate three days a week, offering timely departures and arrivals. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced this initiative to enhance regional transportation.

The Kingdom Centre, a 99‑storey tower in downtown Riyadh that houses the regional office of the International Monetary Fund, has also requested workers in its offices to stay away until further notice.

A second unusual Chinese vessel suspected of being designed to launch and recover large underwater drones has appeared in Guangzhou, raising questions over whether Beijing is developing a fleet of specialised motherships to extend its undersea operations beyond coastal waters. The smaller vessel, seen under tow on the Pearl River in images circulating online, resembles a ship about 200 metres long seen at a Shanghai shipyard last month that has since been launched. Both feature conspicuous...

Indian tax officials are investigating Pernod Ricard and Diageo for how they classified bulk Scotch imports. These companies may have improperly benefitted from reduced tariffs under a recent trade agreement. Tax inspectors made surprising visits to both companies' offices to gather information about their practices. The investigations are part of a broader scrutiny faced by foreign investors in India.

Elon Musk has unveiled an ambitious plan to grant one SpaceX share to every American child next year, aiming to empower future generations through investment opportunities. With more than 72 million minors in the U.S., questions arise regarding who qualifies for this potential windfall, valued at over $10.5 billion based on current prices. Final specifics from Musk's team remain pending, igniting curiosity across the nation.

Elina Svitolina has publicly addressed the emotional impact of the war in Ukraine on her personal life. After difficult contemplation, she announced her separation from French tennis player Gaël Monfils. Svitolina expressed a need to rediscover herself outside their marriage for her well-being. Despite this change, she emphasized that their commitment to co-parenting their daughter, Skai, remains unchanged.

Mumbai Police arrested three individuals for allegedly shooting at actor Tiger Shroff's car in Andheri. Two of the arrested suspects are from Haryana, while the third is from Bihar, with no minors involved. Investigators are questioning the suspects to uncover the motive behind the attack. The motorcycle used in the incident has been located, but no weapons have been recovered.