Air India Inaugurates New Direct Toronto-Mumbai Service Air India only carrier to operate direct flights between Toronto and Mumbai. Air India has yet another first to its credit. After introducing Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the popular Toronto-Delhi sector in August, Air India has now inaugurated its new service between Toronto and Mumbai, creating the only direct air link between Canada’s largest city and India’s financial capital. southasianherald.com/air-ind… #NavrattanPaulSingh @airindia

Film Review: Udta Teer Heads Straight to its Target of Amusing Audiences Laugh and be patriotic! Can that be done together? Of course, as this entertainer proves. Can a Pakistani spy work for India after losing his memory? Definitely? He can remember the job he has trained for, but not the country for which he is working! So prepare to smile, chuckle and occasionally guffaw at this man, who is Bilal and thinks he is Vikrant (because he is based in India!) in this thoroughbred entertainer named Udta Teer (an arrow shot from its bow). southasianherald.com/film-re… @rajivvijayakar

Pakistani Podcast Kaisay Signs Knowledge Partnership with Sri Lanka’s Marga Institute Agreement follows a separate partnership in Bangladesh; Kaisay plans work in Nepal next. Kaisay with Raja Jawad, a Pakistani podcast and media platform, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Marga Institute, an independent Sri Lankan development research institute founded in 1972. Under the MoU, Marga will serve as knowledge partner for Kaisay’s Sri Lanka-focused work. southasianherald.com/pakista… @marga_forum

Meera Nair: A Life Shaped by Curiosity, Creativity and Courage On the sidelines of the Indo-American Press Club’s International Media Conference (IMC) held from October 16 -18, 2026 in Cincinnati, OH, I had the opportunity to sit down for a spontaneous and on the spot interview with the acclaimed Malayalam actress, poet, journalist, dancer, and media personality, Meera Nair. What unfolded was far more than a celebrity interview. It was about a story of resilience, courage, and remarkable self-discovery. In an entertainment industry often driven by calculated ambition and carefully crafted public images, Meera Nair stands apart as a woman whose journey has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and an openness to life’s unexpected opportunities. southasianherald.com/meera-n… #AjayGhosh

Obama Sharpens the Midterm Battle: Iran, Inflation and Democracy Become a Test of Trump’s Presidency The former president’s rallies in Ohio and Michigan seek to turn the November 3 midterms into a broader referendum on Donald Trump’s economic choices, foreign policy and conduct in office. With the November 3, 2026, midterm elections approaching, Barack Obama has brought the contest into sharper political focus by linking three anxieties confronting American voters: the cost of living, the consequences of the war with Iran and concerns about the exercise of presidential power. His appearances in Ohio and Michigan, as reported by media on October 25, were not simply campaign events for Democratic candidates. They were an attempt to frame the election as a judgment on the direction of the country under President Donald Trump. southasianherald.com/obama-s… #TNAshok

Western Australia’s Young Basketballers Take Center Stage as National Championships Open in Newcastle Flags of every state and territory, a sea of team colors and a packed grandstand filled the opening ceremony of the School Sport Australia Games in Newcastle on October 25, 2026, as student athletes from across the country gathered for a week of national championships in seven sports, among them the School Sport Australia 12 Years and Under Basketball Championships. City of Newcastle Councilor Peta Winney-Baartz said the city was “delighted to host over 1,500 student athletes from across Australia for six days of competition” across basketball, cricket, football, golf, hockey, softball and touch football, before declaring, “Let the games begin.” southasianherald.com/western… @PoojaBKohli

‘They Are Waiting for You to Say Hello’: Nick Attam’s Mission to Break the Silence on Men’s Health Heading into Movember this November, Townsville community advocate Nick Attam brings two honors with him: Movember’s Fine Growth Award for his efforts over the past year, presented at the 2026 Australian Mo Awards, and a place among Townsville’s Most Influential 2026 from the Townsville Bulletin. What began with a mustache has become a decade of conversations. Hundreds of men, he says, have opened up to him about stress, emotional pressure and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts. His method fits in one sentence. “Just sit there and have a cup of coffee with them and listen to them,” he said. southasianherald.com/they-ar… @PoojaBKohli #NickAttam

Bridge India’s Diwali Dinner Highlights Leena Dhingra’s Partition Memoir Mayfair, London: Bridge India hosted its annual Diwali dinner on October 23 at Kanishka by Atul Kochhar in Mayfair, London, bringing together guests for an evening of conversation, a discussion of family history and fundraising for girls’ and women’s empowerment in India. The event featured a question-and-answer session with actress and writer Leena Dhingra, who discussed her book, Exhumation, and read passages exploring displacement, identity and the intergenerational effects of Partition. Her remarks also addressed her search for information about her great-uncle, Indian revolutionary Madan Lal Dhingra, and her experiences in Britain’s acting profession. southasianherald.com/bridge-… @jtvishnu

Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Why Breast Cancer Awareness Must Begin at Home Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026 is an opportunity for South Asian communities to confront silence, improve early detection, and ensure that no woman faces cancer alone. Each October, cities turn pink and social media fills with ribbons. Yet for countless women, the most important question is not whether they have heard of breast cancer. It is whether they can recognize a warning sign, arrange an appointment, and obtain treatment without delay. southasianherald.com/beyond-… #DrKevinMorris @WHO #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention

Punjab Welcomes Asian Hockey Teams for Champions Trophy Punjab is welcoming hockey teams from Malaysia, Japan, China, South Korea and Bangladesh with drums, bhangra and giddha as Jalandhar and Mohali prepare to host the ninth men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy. Beginning Tuesday, the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar will host the opening round of the six-team tournament. Host India joins the five visiting nations in the competition, which will conclude on November 5. Pakistan is not participating. southasianherald.com/punjab-… @probingeye

Sukarya Founder Meera Satpathy Receives Legacy Leadership Award in Mumbai Meera Satpathy, founder and chairperson of the nonprofit organization Sukarya, received the inaugural “Legacy Leadership – Makers of Tomorrow” Award at the Legacy Leaders Grand Finale on October 23 in Mumbai. The initiative, led by the Arvind Mafatlal Group in association with Network18, recognizes individuals for their sustained leadership and contributions to Indian society, according to a statement from Sukarya. Satpathy was among 10 leaders honored for their work in social welfare and nation-building. southasianherald.com/sukarya… #MeeraSatpathy @sukaryango #ArvindMafatlalGroup

From Dialogue to Action: AIBC Celebrates 40 Years of Australia-India Business Ties Forty years after it was established in 1986, the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) brought its anniversary celebrations to Perth on Friday, October 23, 2026, with its Western Australia chapter hosting the Annual Australia-India Business Address and Dinner at the Duxton Hotel. Four Decades of Australia-India Business Ties Opening the evening, Jyothi Tegginamath, State President of AIBC Western Australia, reflected that the Australia-India relationship “is vastly different from what it was in 1986,” having “grown stronger, deeper and more meaningful,” with people “at the heart of this remarkable journey.” southasianherald.com/from-di… #AIBC

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye Condemn Houthi Attacks at Istanbul Talks Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt have expressed solidarity with Riyadh and condemned recent Houthi attacks targeting the kingdom during a meeting of their foreign ministers in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) said on Friday. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the sixth Regional Four (R4) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. southasianherald.com/pakista… @uniindianews

France Deploys 70,000 Police Ahead of Protests, Paris Museums Close France deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes nationwide on Saturday and closed several major Paris museums as authorities prepared for fresh protests, a week after widespread looting, arson and attacks on public buildings exposed security vulnerabilities and increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The Louvre, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais were among the cultural institutions closed amid fears of renewed violence. Organizers of Art Basel, a major contemporary art fair in Paris, canceled its weekend programme after opening on Friday. southasianherald.com/france-… @uniindianews

Opinion: When Foreign Policies Make a Difference The traditional saying is that Americans vote by their pocketbooks, implying that issues of foreign policy hardly matter in national elections. In the normal scheme of things, issues of how the United States deals with foreign nations prominently figure in Presidential elections. But these are not normal times for America is involved in two theatres: indirectly in Europe by way of the Russia-Ukraine war which will soon enter into the sixth year; and directly in the Middle East by way of the war against Iran that will soon enter its ninth month. Incidentally both conflicts were supposed to have been wrapped up in days, weeks at the most. southasianherald.com/opinion… #SridharKrishnaswami

The Age of Protest: Why the World Needs Social Repair, Not Just Stronger States From economic insecurity to artificial intelligence and climate change, societies are absorbing pressures faster than their institutions can respond. The challenge of our time is not simply to govern change, but to rebuild the social foundations that make change possible. #DrSimranKeshwani

Bryan Allen Campaign Courts South Asian Voters in Pennsylvania’s 18th District On Sunday afternoon, Bryan Allen, the Pennsylvania Democratic Nominee for State Representative in Bensalem Township and Hulmeville (HD-18), hosted a South Asian Community Day of Action; he was joined by State House Representatives Arvind Venkat and Tarik Khan, as well as the honorable Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija. Their shared goal: to spread Allen’s message through as much of the South Asian community as possible. southasianherald.com/bryan-a… #BryanAllen @VenkatforPA @TarikforPA @NeilMakhija

Film Review: Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar is a Six-er of ‘Luv’ The Luv Ranjan brand of romantic cinema is aimed primarily at the youth. I would add an asterisk and say *Youth of all ages! The man who has produced the Pyaar Ka Punch-Nama franchise, the De De Pyaar De franchise, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (most of them also as director) and co-produced Cocktail 2 has given us varied shades of youthful romances, and fresh angles to them as well. He has also made it a point to back talented newcomers and we see that in maximum play in this latest delightful love cocktail wherein he has introduced six newcomers to Hindi mainstream cinema. southasianherald.com/film-re… @rajivvijayakar

Moore Kingston Smith Highlights Auren Rebrand and Indian Business Ties at London Diwali Celebration Liverpool Street, London: Moore Kingston Smith hosted a Diwali celebration in London, highlighting its planned transition to the Auren name in March 2027. Welcoming guests, Vijay Tanna, partner and head of the firm’s India Desk, reflected on Diwali’s celebration of the triumph of light over darkness. He recalled how the festival brought families, friends, and neighbors together during his childhood, filling homes with warmth, laughter, and a sense of community. southasianherald.com/moore-k… @jtvishnu #MooreKingstonSmith #VijayTanna

Moore Kingston Smith Highlights Auren Rebrand and Indian Business Ties at London Diwali Celebration Liverpool Street, London: Moore Kingston Smith hosted a Diwali celebration in London, highlighting its planned transition to the Auren name in March 2027. Welcoming guests, Vijay Tanna, partner and head of the firm’s India Desk, reflected on Diwali’s celebration of the triumph of light over darkness. He recalled how the festival brought families, friends, and neighbors together during his childhood, filling homes with warmth, laughter, and a sense of community. southasianherald.com/moore-k… @jtvishnu #MooreKingstonSmith #VijayTanna