Times of India

In Covington, Tennessee, Micky Thornton transformed a childhood aspiration into reality by building a vast backyard pool. Initially a family retreat, this impressive space evolved into a gathering hub, hosting everything from birthday celebrations to weddings. Notably, it has become a venue for over 400 baptisms, deepening its community ties. Thornton's journey showcases that the pursuit of extraordinary dreams demands patience and dedication to refining one’s vision.

The Union Cabinet has greenlit a substantial Rs 10,000-crore SME Growth Fund dedicated to bolstering small and medium enterprises. This initiative focuses on equity investments in growth-driven manufacturing businesses that demonstrate strong viability and scalability. While the fund's launch is promising, the specifics of how to apply are still under wraps, making its successful impact contingent on the effective expansion of the chosen enterprises.

Allison Ellsworth began making homemade soda in her Texas kitchen to address her digestive concerns before selling it at farmers’ markets. After appearing on Shark Tank and building Poppi through social media, her business grew to over $500 million in annual revenue. In 2025, PepsiCo acquired the prebiotic soda brand for $1.95 billion.

Rekha Arya, a cabinet minister in Uttarakhand, has filed a police complaint against her husband Girdhari Lal Sahu. She accused him of physical assault, harassment, and making death threats towards her. In response, Sahu released a video alleging that Arya's claims are based on an AI-generated audio clip. Arya has alleged corruption against Sahu, claiming he is responsible for her political rise.

A man, who was working in the US, booked a 1,208-square-foot flat along with a car parking space in Patna. The booking was confirmed in 2005, and the agreement for sale was signed in 2007. The total price agreed upon for the flat and parking space was Rs 10,41,250. Before the agreement was executed, the man had already paid Rs 9 lakh to the builder.

A federal judge has ordered the reopening of the diversity visa lottery for 2027, allowing 55,000 applicants. The ruling came after a lawsuit filed against Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the lottery's registration. Judge Jinsook Ohta mandated a 30-day registration period for submissions, which must meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, new policy changes require some applicants to return to their home countries for Green Card processing.

At 36, after years of setbacks, selection hurdles and changing sports, Suchika Tariyal finally has the Asian Games medal she had chased since childhood. India’s first Asian Games MMA medallist came within 700 grams of a place in the final at Aichi-Nagoya. From an eight-time national judo champion to a ju-jitsu world champion, Tariyal’s journey has been shaped by financial strain, doubts over her age and her husband Kapil Hooda’s unwavering faith.

Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, an IAS officer, reportedly insulted a subordinate female officer during a video meeting. This incident has sparked widespread condemnation from various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. Ranjan allegedly used derogatory language and threatened to get the officer suspended. While the labour department claimed the video is fabricated, JKAS officers assert its authenticity. Numerous calls for inquiry and action against Ranjan have been made following this incident.

Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs’ popular tight end's investment in Six Flags faces pressure.

After winning Fame Gurukul, Qazi Touqeer found himself at a crossroads as he received multiple offers. However, he declined a prominent role from Ekta Kapoor, which sparked misunderstandings. Under pressure while discussing the opportunity, he soon faced backlash from the media, who branded him arrogant for his choice, despite having already committed to a film project.

Chirag Baretha, a decorated para-badminton player, and fellow para-shuttlers have filed a petition after being excluded from India’s 2026 Asian Para Games contingent despite meeting the selection criteria. Alleging unfair treatment and procedural irregularities, they have challenged the roles of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Badminton Association of India (BAI), raising questions about transparency in the selection process.

Gelato, a tiny kitten rescued from the streets with injuries, had difficulty using traditional wheelchairs due to his size. Innovative and compassionate individuals repurposed toy cars to create a functioning wheelchair for him. His journey captured the internet’s heart, culminating in his adoption by a caring tattoo artist familiar with the needs of special-needs pets.

Amid fluctuating oil markets, current tensions in the Middle East and possible shifts in US sanctions have resulted in a marginal decline in oil prices. WTI crude is priced at $97.31, with Brent crude at $105.40. While recent moves to lift restrictions on certain vessels aim to counter soaring global freight rates, the International Energy Agency's diesel release hasn't completely eased concerns about oil supply.

Ukraine's shortage of Patriot air defence missiles has left it exposed to Russian missile attacks and critical infrastructure damage. Recent attacks have targeted power plants in Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in casualties. Relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the US government have soured amid disputes over energy and military support. Additionally, limitations on Starlink connectivity have disrupted military operations in Ukraine.

Teenage cricket star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi went viral after jokingly warning airport paparazzi, “Reel ke chakkar mein thuk jaoge,” urging them to prioritise safety over filming. He was in New Delhi to meet PM Narendra Modi during a felicitation ceremony for India’s Asian Games contingent. Modi encouraged athletes to inspire children, highlighting sports’ role in teaching discipline, resilience and perseverance through his message, “Jo Khelega, Woh Khilega.”

Imran Khan has been asked by the FRRO to leave India by October 28, raising legal concerns. Lawyers argue that he did not participate in the protest and only passed through the area. The police have charged the protestors for illegal assembly due to lacking permission for the demonstration. Legal representatives plan to seek CCTV footage to support Khan's claims regarding his involvement.

The investigation into Shiva Sharma's death has led authorities to search for Shraddha Dubey across borders. CCTV footage reportedly shows Shraddha, her sister Rashmi, and an associate Adil in Nepal. They are believed to have fled Lucknow soon after the incident, raising suspicion. Sharma's family has alleged foul play, while Dubey maintains her innocence and claims he died by suicide.

Maya Angelou's wisdom teaches us to pay attention to actions that unveil true character within relationships. Oprah Winfrey underscores the need to view consistent behavior as significant rather than waving them off as simple mistakes. A relationship thrives on accountability, fostering awareness of recurring patterns. Although trust and forgiveness are vital components, they should never excuse ongoing disrespect or lack of integrity.

Former India spinner R Ashwin criticised the team management for dropping Kuldeep Yadav from the last two T20Is against the West Indies, saying the decision “lacks a bit of common sense.” Ashwin argued Kuldeep’s variations troubled the visiting batters and could have saved India 15–20 runs. However, he supported Kuldeep’s exclusion in Indore due to the ground’s small dimensions.