Israeli forces release Brad Lander with warning after West Bank detention

Congressional candidate Brad Lander was detained by Israeli forces while helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives near Bethlehem, then released with a warning; dozens of volunteers were held. Organizers called it solidarity, while Israel said harvesting near a settlement required coordination and accused Lander of seeking confrontation. Lander, a former city comptroller, is running for Congress.

Indian national among injured as drone debris kills two near Saudi oilfield

Saudi Arabia said debris from an intercepted drone struck a contractor’s vehicle near the Shaybah oilfield Wednesday, killing Filipino and Nepali nationals and injuring Pakistani and Indian nationals. The vehicle caught fire outside the facility, but oil operations were unaffected. Air defenses intercepted the drone targeting an Aramco processing facility amid Houthi-Saudi conflict in Yemen.

UAE nominates official to lead UN

The UAE nominated Lana Nusseibeh for UN secretary-general Wednesday, joining a contest without a frontrunner after all seven candidates drew multiple Security Council vetoes in the latest straw poll. Senegal’s Macky Sall withdrew, while Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan remains a contender. The council recommends a candidate for General Assembly confirmation; Guterres’s term ends in 2026.

Russia agrees to resume three-way talks on Ukraine war with Kyiv and Washington, Kremlin says

Russia agreed in principle to resume three-way negotiations with the United States and Ukraine after Nov. 10, reviving peace talks stalled since February. Adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin made the commitment after meeting U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Talks would address postwar security; previous rounds yielded little beyond prisoner exchanges as attacks continued.

Washington orders US embassy staff, families to leave Saudi Arabia

The United States ordered non-essential embassy staff and families to leave Saudi Arabia as near-daily Houthi attacks intensify, the State Department said Wednesday, citing personnel safety. A drone targeting the Shaybah oil field was intercepted, but falling debris killed two people and injured two. The attacks have escalated since Yemen’s four-year truce collapsed in June.

Visitor killed by piece of roof blown off Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home in Arizona

Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Arizona desert home, remains closed after Brazilian visitor Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, was killed when high winds tore plexiglass roofing from the property last week. Struck Friday, he died instantly as gusts reached 38 mph. The UNESCO-listed 1937 compound, once Wright’s winter home and teaching laboratory, draws 100,000 visitors annually; reopening plans remain unclear.

Trump envoy criticized for calling Putin 'humanitarian'

US envoy Steve Witkoff faced backlash after calling Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” while thanking him for releasing American Stephen Hubbard, detained for years after arrest in Ukraine. Senator Thom Tillis condemned the remark; Trump brushed it off, while Vice President JD Vance defended it as diplomacy. The Kremlin said Russia was open to peace talks.

Meta ordered to pay $25 billion after jury finds over 43 million violations

Meta was ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion after a jury found more than 43 million violations of state consumer-protection law, citing misleading statements about user data, privacy, hate speech and content moderation. Rooted in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the case followed a two-week trial. Meta has paid billions in prior settlements.

Elon Musk responds after Kara Swisher says he could be probed if Trump loses midterms

Kara Swisher warned Democrats could renew investigations into Elon Musk’s companies if they win Congress in the midterms, claiming he might have been jailed under a Harris presidency. Musk responded on X: “Message received.” His companies face federal scrutiny involving Tesla safety, xAI emissions and SEC scrutiny of X. Swisher is a veteran technology reporter.

Pope Leo’s doctors say tests show he needs no further treatment for lung cancer

Pope Leo XIV needs no further cancer treatment after tests confirmed his lung cancer had not spread, Vatican doctors said Wednesday, following surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The 71-year-old pontiff recovered and resumed public appearances. Doctors said the cancer was found incidentally during abdominal examinations, and surgery can be sufficient when tumors are detected early.

A daughter comes home, Bengalis celebrate, and the 48 minutes that mark a moment of divine power

Durga Pujo celebrates Maa Durga’s homecoming, blending devotion with the joy and sadness of welcoming and bidding farewell to a beloved daughter. Shashthi’s Bel-tree folklore and Saptami offerings lead to Ashtami’s 48-minute Sandhi Pujo, honoring her fierce Chamunda form; Navami begins the farewell, culminating in Bijoya Dashami’s Sindoor Khela and immersion. Beliefs differ between communities.

In the Mexican town that makes emblematic Day of the Dead garlands

Huixcolotla’s papel picado makers preserve a Mexican craft as demand surges before Day of the Dead, supplying hand-cut decorations worldwide despite industrial competition. About three-quarters of the town’s 17,000 residents produce the perforated tissue paper for festival altars and year-round celebrations. The tradition began locally in the late 19th century, evolving from farmworkers’ bark-paper designs.

Five vendors fined for illegal cigarette sales in Chandigarh

Five vendors were fined ₹5,500 in Chandigarh on Wednesday for tobacco-law violations during a joint drive that destroyed 255 packets of loose cigarettes worth ₹34,500 and seized imported cigarettes worth ₹3,300 for lacking mandatory health warnings. Three were in Manimajra, two in Sector 16. Permanent task-force raids will continue to promote awareness and enforce COTPA and PECA.

Chandigarh Golf League: Mulligans top Group A; Pirates, Aces, Hawks through to knockouts

Defending champions The Mulligans topped Group A unbeaten in the GB Realty Chandigarh Golf League 2026, while GD Aces earned a knockout place with a 6-1 victory over Swinging Samurai. Mulligans finished on 24 points, beating Soaring Eagles 5.5-1.5 and edging Pirates of the Green through their head-to-head win. Other knockout berths remain undecided.

Asian Champions Trophy 2026: Mohali stadium set for hockey finals after ₹9-cr revamp

Mohali will host both semifinals and the final of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2026 following a ₹9-crore upgrade to the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium. The October 27–November 5 tournament, shared with Jalandhar, features six teams and free entry; Punjab is investing ₹25 crore and pursuing a 2030 Hockey World Cup bid.

Maradona doctor was made 'scapegoat' for his death, Argentine court told

Luque’s lawyers told a court Wednesday that the doctor was innocent and a “scapegoat” in Diego Maradona’s 2020 death, arguing his heart attack was acute and unforeseeable; prosecutors seek 12 years, accusing him of inaction despite warning signs. Seven workers face negligence charges. Maradona, 60, died during recovery after surgery, amid dispute over heart problems.

Chandigarh MC imposes penalties of over ₹1-lakh in a day

Municipal teams issued eight challans worth over ₹1 lakh on Wednesday for littering and illegal dumping, while Mayor Saurabh Joshi’s inspections of Sectors 16 and 24 exposed sanitation lapses and prompted action. Five violations were recorded in southern sectors and three in Sectors 22 and 17; officials documented them and were directed to resolve residents’ complaints.

Chandigarh cafe owner gets bail in assault, kidnapping case

A court granted bail to Vijay Kant, owner of Hard Rock Cafe in Sector 26, in an alleged assault-kidnapping case brought by his security officer. It said the challan and trial would take time, making continued custody pointless, but barred Kant from leaving India without permission. The officer cited four months’ unpaid wages.

‘Diwali gift for commuters’: Alternate route to Chandigarh airport ready by Oct 31

Chandigarh airport commuters gain a faster alternative by October 31, when Mohali’s 164-foot-wide link road opens, cutting journeys from Tribune Chowk by 5–7 km and about 15 minutes while easing congestion on PR7. Most construction is complete, with surfacing pending. The ₹125-crore project, delayed by engineering and administrative hurdles since its 2015 proposal, includes landscaping.

Bills DB Sam Franklin appeals NFL's 1-game suspension, denying he spit at Raiders player

Buffalo Bills defensive back Sam Franklin is appealing a one-game, unpaid NFL suspension for allegedly spitting at a Raiders player, an accusation he denies ahead of Thursday’s hearing. Franklin says he was defending himself, citing video that appears to show a Las Vegas lineman striking him below the waist. Teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson was suspended too.

ESMA: Chandigarh prohibits power firm staffers from going on strike for 6 months

Chandigarh has banned CPDL employee strikes for six months under ESMA, citing fears that agitation could disrupt festive-season electricity supply. Issued October 19, the order followed CPDL’s report of planned union protests. Union president Gopal Dutt Joshi denied any strike call, saying workers opposed their transfer to a private company without consent, while defending peaceful protest.

Movie Review: 'Clayface' arrives as a pretty good R-rated revenge thriller-horror romance

James Gunn’s “Clayface” is a surprisingly effective revenge thriller, romance and body-horror origin story, earning a three-star review. Tom Rhys Harries plays disfigured actor Matt Hagen, whose experimental treatment fuels romance, shape-shifting and bloody revenge, while Naomi Ackie co-stars as the scientist. James Watkins directs this practical-effects-driven satire of Hollywood’s beauty obsession, notably without Batman.

Delay in retiral benefits: HC summons Punjab chief secy on Oct 28

The Punjab and Haryana high court summoned Punjab’s chief secretary to appear October 28, questioning the state’s 25-year failure to answer retirees’ pension petitions and warning of contempt proceedings. Some 50 retirees, whose cases date to 2001, seek pension recalculations; despite costs, the government has not filed replies, and recovery from officials’ salaries remains disputed.

Man United's crisis deepens with 4-1 loss at Champions League newcomer Como

Manchester United’s Champions League struggles deepened Wednesday in a 4-1 loss at Como, with Nico Paz scoring twice and setting up another goal; United has been outscored 6-1 in its last two European matches and sits 20th. Como climbed to sixth, a remarkable rise for a club playing in Italy’s fourth division seven years ago.

US sanctions Greece-, Panama-based law firm over aid to Iranian shipping

The US sanctioned Greece- and Panama-based law firm Karnakis & Karnakis, accusing it of helping Iranian shipping networks conceal vessel ownership and facilitate oil sales benefiting the IRGC’s Quds Force and Houthis. Treasury also targeted Singapore- and UAE-based shipping agents and sought information from seven European banks about ties to sanctioned Iranian institutions, amid US pressure.

India, Singapore commence 33rd edition of bilateral maritime exercise in Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy and Singapore Navy began SIMBEX-2026 in Visakhapatnam on October 21, launching six days of drills and professional exchanges to improve interoperability and maritime cooperation. Harbour activities run through October 23, followed by Bay of Bengal operations featuring anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare. Established in 1994, the exercise supports Indo-Pacific security.

Fact check: 'Judge Judy' aka Judy Sheindlin faces death hoax on her 84th birthday

Judy Sheindlin is alive after a birthday-themed Facebook parody falsely suggested the Judge Judy star had died as she turned 84 on October 21. The post’s caption revealed the joke, and her Instagram account celebrated her birthday. Her courtroom series ran 25 seasons; she later launched Judy Justice, reportedly ending with an October 22 episode.

Epstein's longtime lawyer sued over alleged role in sex trafficking cover-up

Darren Indyke, Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer and estate executor, faces a New Mexico lawsuit alleging he helped conceal sex trafficking at Zorro Ranch; Raul Torrez seeks to block payments to Indyke and co-executor Richard Kahn from Epstein’s estate. Indyke denied knowing of the abuse after working for Epstein since 1996 to manage legal and business affairs.

1 dead, 2 hurt as SUV ploughs into hatchback on Ludhiana–Chandigarh road

A 22-year-old factory worker was killed and two men, including his employer, injured when a speeding Scorpio rammed their i10 near Jamalpur police station on Ludhiana–Chandigarh Road Wednesday. The friends had stopped while travelling to a Dussehra fair after dinner; both survivors suffered minor injuries, the SUV occupants fled, and police are investigating the crash.

Soccer-PSG-Lyon match likely to be postponed amid unrest, say media reports

Paris Saint-Germain’s Sunday Ligue 1 match against Lyon may be postponed after police sought rescheduling over security concerns amid nationwide unrest, though no decision has been announced. The fixture could move to Monday, while authorities prepare a major operation for weekend protests and sporting events. Recent rioting followed demonstrations over living costs and public services.