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Sunday, November 2, 2025
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The FinePrint

Hibatullah can hide his face. But not the emerging struggle within Taliban leadership

Mullah Umar’s elusive successor, Hibatullah Akhundzada, delivered his Eid message this week. There hasn’t been any explanation though why he doesn't show his face in public.

Whose driving data is it? Ola e-scooter accident in Assam triggers privacy controversy

When Ola Electric released a statement on the accident, it detailed how that particular vehicle was being driven. That has set off a firestorm.

In Meerut, ‘startup culture’ means hard-to-get loans, low demand, misplaced hope

The government is pushing for ‘entrepreneurship’ in small towns and villages through subsidised loans. Here is how the result looks so far in one Uttar Pradesh district.

CAA, CDS, OBCs – Modi govt has perfected the art of creating big bang headlines & dithering

Narendra Modi is arguably the most popular leader. And yet, most of the government’s big bang reforms are seeing no progress.

Patiala clash highlights Punjab’s many Shiv Senas — ‘no political weight but not to be ignored’

Over a dozen homegrown Shiv Senas operate in Punjab, and all seemingly have two main goals: Targeting whatever is left of the Khalistan movement and obtaining police security.

There’s a Chinese ‘storm’ coming. India needs to consider 5 factors to face this challenge

India must devise a new playbook that recognises national security today is a domain of intense competition. It needs innovation and new talent.

Communist Xi explains capital’s benefits as Chinese executives speak up on economic crisis

Business leaders now openly say that Beijing’s zero-Covid policies are slowly destroying the economy. It is becoming difficult for many to justify Xi’s ‘common prosperity’ campaign.

16,000-20,000 additional admissions — how MP-minister quotas ‘overwhelmed’ Kendriya Vidyalayas

These admissions went over & above the seats these central govt schools have. While education minister's quota was scrapped last year, MP quota was done away with this week.

Ukraine has shown Indian diplomacy is like Indian driving—any lane, any time, US or Russia

Academics have warned that India, by following its position, risks China doing invasions along the lines of Ukraine. So, India must outline the ‘red lines’.

Stardust’s bold covers live in memes. ’90s Bollywood go-to gossip magazine is now digital

Stardust magazine is a reminder of the ‘golden’ days of pre-Internet paparazzi. Its quirky covers are our backdoor entry into the lives of 90s superstars.

On Camera

I finally got to say goodbye to Zubeen Garg. ‘Roi Roi Binale’ left me in tears

I wasn't home when others could pay their respects to the singer or catch a last glimpse. The movie was my way of accessing him one final time.

Consumer Price Index gets up to date. Airfare, OTT plans, e-commerce prices in new basket—MoSPI secy

New CPI series will take 2024 as base year, will provide more accurate measure of inflation, spending on digital services. Expected to enhance representation and reliability, says Saurabh Garg.

Joint production, closer ties, emerging tech: The foundation of new defence pact between India & US

The agreement, signed after meeting between Rajnath and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on sidelines of ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, aims to deepen bilateral ties in the critical sector.

Trump’s trade wars have rewritten powerplay, but India didn’t get the memo

This world is being restructured and redrawn by one man, and what’s his power? It’s not his formidable military. It’s trade. With China, it turned on him.