Row Over Delhi Air Force Station Land Takeover, Sports Complex Shut, Ex-Air Chief Flags ConcernA major controversy has surfaced over the proposed reclamation of approximately 40 acres of land housing the Air Force Sports Complex within the Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has initiated moves to reclaim prime government land situated near the Prime Minister's residence, including adjoining facilities like the Delhi Gymkhana Club and Jaipur Polo Ground.
Before demitting office, former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to register strong concerns, highlighting that the decades-old site holds critical facilities and essential services for Air Force personnel and their families. The sports complex, which accommodates an eight-to-nine-hole golf course, a swimming pool, and a gymnasium, has been shut since 28 October due to administrative reasons.
The sudden closure also led to the cancellation of the traditional ceremonial farewell golfing event planned for the outgoing Air Force Chief, even as the government reviews the issue.BJP Targets AISA Chief Neha Bora Over Temple Priest Remarks, Alleges Hindu HateA political controversy has erupted after Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared an undated video of All India Students' Association president Neha Bora. In the clip, Bora criticises the Brahmanical system, citing a couplet from Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas and raising concerns over the safety of women, alleging sexual assaults by temple priests while referring to cases in Unnao and Kathua.
The BJP termed her statements anti-Hindu and accused the opposition, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, of targeting Hindu traditions. Responding on India Today, BJP leader and advocate Nalin Kohli condemned the comments, asserting that rape is a heinous crime that must not be communalised.
Kohli further questioned Bora's selective citation of religious texts and highlighted constitutional boundaries concerning public order under Article 19, demanding an apology and clarification over the remarks.Markets Open Higher Above 23,500; Adani Plans Expansion; Gold, Silver SlideIndian equity markets opened higher with the Nifty crossing the 23,550 mark, supported by gains in IT, banking, and FMCG stocks. The Indian rupee opened stronger at 94.66 per dollar, gaining 24 paise.
Meanwhile, gold and silver prices slid ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali, with MCX silver falling below 1.8 lakh rupees. Crude oil dropped overnight, easing pressure on the domestic economy amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the US midterm elections.
Adani Group announced plans to borrow 1.5 billion dollars via AdaniConnex as part of a 100 billion dollar investment in data centers by 2035. Corporate earnings remained in focus, with ITC posting a drop in profitability amid lower cigarette EBITDA, while Marico reported a 29 percent rise in net profit.
Additionally, restaurants in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune prepare for menu price hikes of 10 to 15 percent due to rising milk and commercial LPG costs. Sun Pharma recorded 11 percent revenue growth in the first half of the fiscal year.Cyclone Murasu Hits Andhra: Coastal Belt Flooded, Trees Uprooted, NDRF DeployedCyclone Murasu battered the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh after making landfall south of Ongole, bringing heavy rainfall and wind gusts of up to 120 kmph.
In districts such as Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, and Guntur, severe winds uprooted trees and damaged electrical poles, blocking arterial roads. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force were deployed alongside emergency machinery to clear blockages and restore vital road and power connectivity.
Support and machinery were also mobilised from neighbouring states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu actively reviewed the situation across affected districts with local collectors.
Low-lying coastal regions remain at risk of inundation, prompting the evacuation of vulnerable residents to designated relief and rescue centres. Although the storm weakened into rain bands post-landfall, the India Meteorological Department warned that heavy rain would persist across multiple districts for the next 24 hours.