‘Never-ending’ world cruise shuts down, passengers asked to get off near Cambodia

Villa Vie Residences has suspended operations of cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey near Cambodia, citing fuel costs that made voyages unsustainable; residents were ordered off within hours. The company is arranging accommodation, while crew remain aboard. Fuel costs rose from $1,800 per cabin to $6,000–$8,000. Launched in 2024, the “never-ending” cruise sold cabins for $119,999–$439,999.

Rajnath Singh to push for deeper defence ties at ASEAN defence ministers' meet in Philippines

Singh’s Philippines visit for the October 28-29 ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus will seek stronger defence ties, new cooperation and a free, open Indo-Pacific, officials said. Bilateral talks will build on India’s offer to collaborate on patrol vessels, radars, air defence systems, helicopters and drones. The regional forum unites ASEAN’s 11 members and eight dialogue partners.

In an AI blow-up, would insurance pay out?

Credit-default swaps, once intended as dependable debt insurance, are increasingly a flimsy parachute: novel restructurings evade or delay payouts, leaving investors exposed as global debt risks mount. Recent cases involving Altice and Ardagh tested the contracts, while complex AI-sector financing could make losses harder to classify. Failures in Greece and Portugal already weakened confidence.

UAPA does not bar bail for all foreigners; illegal entry is key, rules SC

The Supreme Court ruled that UAPA does not automatically bar bail for foreign nationals: Section 43D(7) applies only when they entered India illegally or without authorisation, not when a lawful visa expires. It upheld bail for Sri Lankan Mohamed Rifas, holding his default-bail right was not displaced; he faces terrorism-related allegations arising from a state case.

Kim Jong Un’s curious visit to China

Kim Jong Un’s surprise China visit signals a bid to restore ties with Beijing after growing Russian ties, possibly ahead of talks with Donald Trump. The trip celebrated wartime solidarity, following a long-delayed border bridge’s opening. Kim met Wang Huning, not Xi Jinping, as Beijing seeks influence amid Russia’s expanding support, despite China’s trade dominance.

Subhas Chandra Bose's grandnephew writes to I&B minister, demands action against Fauzi teaser

Chandra Kumar Bose, Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew, urged Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to investigate and pull down Prabhas’s *Fauzi* teaser, saying it trivialises Netaji and distorts history. The clip depicts Bose meeting Hitler and praising a fictional Indian spy; Bose sought corrections and action against responsible Censor Board officials. Hanu Raghavapudi directs *Fauzi*.

Netanyahu hails ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to eliminate Iranian threat with Trump's help

Netanyahu vowed to join US President Donald Trump in eliminating Iran’s “existential threat,” calling it a historic opportunity as election projections showed a deadlock with challenger Gadi Eisenkot. He pressed for a national right-wing government, rejecting reliance on Arab parties he called anti-Zionist. Polls differed on bloc totals; one forecast assigned Arab parties 16 seats.

Espionage racket busted in Bihar: 2 held for supplying WhatsApp OTPs to Pakistani agents

A police team arrested two men in Raxaul for allegedly helping Pakistani intelligence operatives activate Indian WhatsApp accounts by supplying phone numbers and OTPs for payment. Seized phones reportedly contained communications and money-transfer records; the suspects were taken to Vijayawada on transit remand as investigators pursue links. The probe began with an Andhra Pradesh case.

Sunday was disappointing, but good tidings are round the corner for Indian golf

Vani Kapoor’s career-best runner-up finish at the Hero Women’s Indian Open lifted Indian golf, although Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum won with a bogey-free 65. Vani climbed to 69th in the LET standings, keeping a full card within reach; Shubhankar Sharma tied 11th, Aditi Ashok improved LPGA prospects, while 13-year-old Ojaswini Saraswat’s made cut offered fresh hope.

Gadi Eisenkot: The former general challenging Netanyahu

Exit polls showed Israel’s wartime election deadlocked, with Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc neck and neck with Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp, leaving power uncertain. The former military chief, now leader of centrist Yashar!, offers a moderate alternative but remains hawkish on security. Fragmented politics could make Naftali Bennett a kingmaker; coalition talks may take days or weeks.

Claude Code and your Google TV: Vibe coding, and a new lease of life

Claude Code’s debloating and custom launcher revived three TVs—from an older OnePlus to newer Xiaomi and Blaupunkt models—showing sluggishness often stems from software bloat, not weak hardware. Google’s ad-filled interface and manufacturers’ preloaded apps share blame. Apps are disabled, not deleted; users should verify changes, retain restore scripts, and use wireless ADB cautiously.

Trump jokes $5,000 would buy only ‘a hamburger and maybe dessert’ amid affordability push

Donald Trump joked that $5,000 would barely cover a hamburger and dessert at Mar-a-Lago while promoting his proposed payment to adult Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress. At a Texas rally before the midterms, he urged recipients to spend the money in the United States, while Democrats questioned its cost and feasibility. The pitch comes amid voter frustration over prices and the economy.

Lil Durk seeks bond as slain rapper Lul Pab’s mother says she does not oppose release

Rapper Lil Durk has asked a federal judge to release him on bond after acquittal in a murder-for-hire case, while awaiting a separate racketeering-related murder trial in August 2027. His defense says the verdict weakens prosecutors’ case and proposes financial guarantees; the victim’s mother and supporters back release. A bond hearing is set for November 4.

Greater Noida authority sets up 224 anti-smog guns to mitigate air pollution

Greater Noida has deployed 224 anti-smog guns, 107 water tankers and 11 sweepers to curb pollution, with monitoring divided across 21 zones. Teams will suppress dust, clear garbage, wash roads and trees, and act against polluters and garbage burners. The measures follow NCR’s Graded Response Action Plan; residents can report burning by phone or Mitra app.

Gzb: 25-yr-old held for stabbing man to death

Police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly stabbing 31-year-old Himanshu Chaudhary to death during a road-rage dispute in Muradnagar on October 8. Their handlebars brushed on Jalalabad Road, sparking a fight in which the suspect allegedly stabbed Chaudhary and fled. A bag left at the scene helped police identify him; he was arrested Tuesday.

Gzb: 60-yr-old man gets 20 years jail for raping 4-yr-old neighbour

A Ghaziabad court sentenced a 60-year-old man to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined him ₹50,000 for raping his four-year-old neighbour in June 2022, officials said. The court said the crime undermined neighbourhood trust. Her parents found her inside his locked home after searching; charges were upgraded from sexual harassment to rape after her magistrate statement.

Yeida to set up police and traffic booths at 5 key locations

Yeida will build booths for police and traffic personnel at five locations near schools, homes, the Yamuna Expressway and Noida airport, responding to increased traffic; work should finish within three months of starting. Two airport police stations, inside the domestic and outside the international terminal, will assist passengers, handle complaints and enable real-time digital coordination.

Panchkula’s only hydraulic fire rescue platform grounded

Panchkula’s only hydraulic rescue ladder is unusable after its registration expired, forcing reliance on Chandigarh for high-rise fire rescues and risking delays as the city grows vertically. A Chandigarh vehicle may take 36 minutes to reach Sector 5, versus 10–12 minutes locally. The fire department has 84 personnel against 114 sanctioned posts; Haryana has two.

3 months after research scholar’s electrocution: Panjab University inquiry flags glaring safety gaps

PU’s audit flags road, electrical, building and fire hazards after scholar Jyoti Yadav died in suspected electrocution on a waterlogged campus path. The university earmarked ₹3 crore for road upgrades and is pursuing phased repairs, with damaged junction boxes, unrefilled extinguishers, and CCTV and signage gaps identified. An inquiry cited exposed cabling and maintenance lapses.

Chandigarh MC General House meet today: On agenda, proposals to simplify issuance of separate property IDs

Chandigarh’s civic body will consider easing rules for separate residential property IDs and requiring Lion Services to pay sanitation workers by the seventh at its General House meeting. The tax proposal retains payment of dues but drops owner signatures on residential division plans; commercial and industrial rules remain unchanged. The agenda includes an anti-drug report.

Chandigarh: 10th Military Lit Fest to bring tales from battlefield

The 10th Military Literature Festival, November 13–15 at Chandigarh’s Lake Club, will gather officers and diplomats, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Highlights include discussions on valour and modern warfare, weapons displays, regional dances, veterans’ conversations and vintage cars. Launched in 2017, the annual government-Army event reflects Punjab’s defence legacy.

Himachal: Solo paragliding resumes at Bir-Billing with strict safety conditions

Solo paragliding at Bir-Billing resumed Tuesday under stringent safety conditions after a fatal crash and mishaps prompted a one-day suspension, Baijnath officials said. Pilots must hold valid credentials, register, carry safety and communication equipment and live-tracking devices, and avoid hazardous weather; marshals can halt flights. The Kangra site has seen repeated foreign-pilot rescues and deaths.

Himachal HC quashes 6-month extension to PWD engineer-in-chief

Himachal Pradesh High Court quashed PWD engineer-in-chief Narinder Pal Singh’s six-month extension, ordering him to relinquish charge and directing the state to complete selection for his post by November 11. It ruled the April 28 notification illegal, citing no public-interest basis. The promotion process had stalled, and petitioner Chauhan could be promoted retrospectively if recommended, with benefits.

Autonomous state medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh: Robust infrastructure but faculty strength needs a shot in the arm

Uttar Pradesh’s expanding state medical colleges boast modern campuses but cannot provide adequate local care, as faculty and specialist shortages force patients with treatable conditions to travel long distances, burdening referral hospitals. Many facilities also lack critical equipment and intensive-care services, undermining treatment and medical training. Launched in 2019-20, the one-district-one-medical-college drive seeks to widen access.

Pay ₹3L to student, consumer panel orders immigration firm

Chandigarh’s consumer commission ordered Settling Abroad Services to pay Monika ₹2.89 lakh with 6% annual interest and ₹30,000 compensation and costs, finding the firm had underpaid her tuition and failed to arrange transport and lodging. The shortfall cost her a scholarship and tuition discount; she had hired the firm to handle her UK study application.

Delhi airport's T3 set for makeover with new carpets inspired by Indian heritage

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will replace 40,000 square metres of carpet across Terminal 3’s departure area, introducing an Indian-heritage design in terracotta, rust, ochre and orange. The phased work began in June to limit disruption. Patterns will enliven waiting areas, while a grey base supports upkeep. The routine refurbishment follows earlier flooring changes and social-media debate.

Central varsity, groundwater board ink pact to map heavy metal contamination in Bathinda

The Central University of Punjab and Central Ground Water Board will investigate uranium and other groundwater contaminants in Bathinda and Goniana, identifying high-risk areas and informing sustainable water management. Under their MoU, CGWB will sample groundwater before and after monsoon, analyse metals and chemicals, map contamination and monitor water levels, with CUP research support through the national NAQUIM programme.

After 2019 Lok Sabha poll run-up, Amit Shah to address BJP’s state working committee on October 30

Amit Shah will address the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh working committee in Lucknow on October 30, launching a 2027 third-term bid amid cadre fatigue, coordination gaps and a resurgent SP-Congress challenge. Leaders will discuss booth management and social coalitions after the BJP’s 2024 tally fell to 33 seats; Shah previously led victories in the 2014 and 2017 polls.

Congress to continue fight for CEC’s resignation: Lamba

Congress will continue its agitation until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns and accountability is established over alleged attacks on voting rights, Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba said Tuesday, urging women nationwide to join its November 1 Delhi rally. Chandigarh leaders alleged government efforts to obstruct attendance and deletions of eligible voters’ names from electoral rolls.

Himachal CM announces 5% hike in deities’ honorarium

Sukhu raised honorariums for Kullu’s deities by 5% and bajantris by 10%, and announced infrastructure and hospital investments, including ₹1,100 for each deity’s chief gur. He also inaugurated a ₹200-crore academic block at Hamirpur Medical College and launched four allied-health courses with 210 seats. The announcements came during International Kullu Dussehra, following the district’s severe 2023 disaster.