Religious, spiritual and astrology apps recorded nearly 30 crore downloads in India between January and September 2026, surpassing their combined total for all of 2025. According to Sensor Tower data, astrology app downloads rose 75% to 15 crore, while religious and spiritual apps grew 47% to 14.6 crore. Astrotalk led astrology app downloads, while AI astrology platforms such as AstroSage Kundli and AstroLokal recorded significant growth.

Shashi Tharoor has criticized the Modi government for its response to protests demanding answers about electoral integrity. Authorities deployed 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel throughout Delhi to prevent dissent at Jantar Mantar. Tharoor noted that the government has denied permission for protests, citing security concerns and procedural requirements. Over 500 protesters were detained as part of preventive measures against potential disruptions.

Trinamool Congress leaders held a peaceful protest in Delhi against the government's actions regarding election management. Members, including Mamata Banerjee, were detained by police during this demonstration. Demonstrators were reportedly not allowed to raise slogans or display posters during the event. Security was heightened across Delhi, with multiple protesters being detained before they could reach their destination.

SBI Capital Markets expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to raise the repo rate by 75-100 basis points during the current tightening cycle, with a larger hike in December 2026 possible depending on inflation data. The report projects consumer inflation to peak in Q3 FY27 before easing, while warning that high crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions and rising borrowing costs could weigh on consumption. Higher rates may support bank margins in FY27, with bonds potentially regaining investor interest in FY28.

IOA elections on December 5, athlete commission polls scheduled for November 3

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has welcomed talks between Washington and Beijing aimed at reducing the risk of conflict. Lai’s annual Double Tenth address on Saturday, marking the anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name, also called for democracies to work together to safeguard regional peace and for the Taiwanese people’s right to exist to be respected. He also warned that mainland China was trying to put pressure on the island to change the status...

Cockroach Janata Party convenor Abhijeet Dipke's parents criticised the government over his detention and the police crackdown on protesters in Delhi. His father questioned the heavy security deployment and defended the right to protest without permission, while his mother condemned his alleged detention aboard a flight. Police detained around 500 protesters.

An archaeological excavation at Thelunganur near Salem, Tamil Nadu, has uncovered a 3,200-year-old bowl bearing five graffiti symbols, potentially offering clues to early writing systems. The site has also yielded iron weapons, a possible steel sword and skeletal remains, helping researchers study Iron Age life and the origins of Tamil-Brahmi.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced new measures aimed at stabilizing the rupee's value in foreign exchange markets. These measures include tightening foreign exchange derivative norms and creating a special window for oil marketing companies. By implementing a cash reserve requirement for large forex derivatives, the central bank seeks to curb speculative dollar demand. The impact of these interventions is expected to affect the rupee's value and forward premiums.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested two people in a money laundering investigation linked to the transnational drug trafficking syndicate allegedly operated by Salim Ismail Dola, who was brought back to India from Turkiye in April. The agency alleged that the accused were involved in the clandestine manufacture of mephedrone, procurement of precursor chemicals and laundering of drug proceeds through hawala channels and multiple bank accounts. Earlier searches across four cities led to the seizure and freezing of assets worth Rs 1.33 crore, along with USD 2,200.