In 1917, Hawaii planted albizia to save its slopes; after Iselle, it helped drive $13M in repairs

Hawaii’s fast-growing albizia, planted to curb hillside erosion, is a hazard to homes, power lines, waterways, and native forests. During 2014’s Tropical Storm Iselle, falling trees trapped residents and contributed to HELCO’s $13 million repair bill; the invasive tree also crowds out native species. Officials urge removal of hazardous trees. Foresters introduced it in 1917.

MHADA lottery 2027: Over 2,000 affordable homes expected to be announced for sale in the Mumbai real

MHADA expects 2,000–2,500 affordable Mumbai homes in its 2027 lottery, with an announcement due in January or February and the lottery likely floated around March or April. Locations, prices and the final unit count remain undecided, officials said. The 2026 draw offered 2,640 homes; MHADA has built 5.27 lakh homes across Maharashtra since 1977.

In 1984, Johnny Carson bought a Malibu estate for $9.5 million; it later sold for $40 million

Johnny Carson’s Malibu estate sold for $40 million in June 2019, 51% below its original $81.5 million asking price after 20 months on the market. Venture capitalist Riaz Valani and wife Augusta Tigrett paid cash for the home and two neighboring lots. Carson bought the oceanfront property in 1984; the Kimmels listed it in 2017.

Nanotyrannus: Rare dinosaur skeleton shatters estimates with $47.3 million sale in New York

Nanotyrannus skeleton Jodi sold for $47.3 million in New York, ranking among the costliest fossils ever auctioned after six bidders drove it beyond its $9 million estimate. The 19.6-foot specimen, with a virtually complete skull, is one of three known. Found in Montana in 2019, it was offered after the genus was confirmed last year.

Last rites of five Guwahati firing victims performed in Assam’s Barpeta, Baksa

The five people killed in Monday’s shooting at Guwahati’s Hotel Bilas Inn were cremated in Assam’s Barpeta and Baksa districts; hundreds mourned four business-family members and their staffer. The sole survivor is hospitalized with a hand wound, while the arrested leaseholder remains in police custody. Police say a dispute over hotel management preceded the attack.

Sneakers and sling bags to blazers and heels, here’s how to style denim dresses for every occasion

Denim dresses suit brunch, work and evenings when styling fits the occasion, says BFAIR creative director Geetika Singh. Pair light, relaxed styles with flats, structured dark designs with blazers, and fitted or wrap silhouettes with heels. Layer seasonally; wash inside out in cold water and shade-dry to preserve colour and shape, making denim a versatile staple.

Laundry to clean drinking water: Delhi plans one-stop hygiene hubs for slum clusters

Delhi’s MCD is piloting an amenity centre at Ekta Camp, RK Puram, due within three months, offering subsidised toilets, showers, laundry and filtered water. Built by Hindustan Unilever under CSR, it will include 46 toilet stalls and wastewater treatment. Modelled on Mumbai’s Suvidha centres, it aims to improve hygiene and reduce untreated discharge from slum clusters.

Robin Williams’ Napa estate sold for $18.1 million, just over half its original $35 million price

Robin Williams’ Napa estate sold for $18.1 million in January 2016, nearly half its original $35 million asking price, after years on the market. French winemakers Alfred and Mélanie Tesseron bought the 640-acre Villa Sorriso in an all-cash deal; the property included an 18-acre vineyard. Williams died in 2014, and price cuts preceded the sale.

Vitamin C vs niacinamide: Which is better for glowing, even-looking skin? A dermatologist weighs in

Niacinamide and vitamin C serve different needs, neither is universally better: niacinamide supports barrier function and controls oil, while vitamin C targets pigmentation, uneven tone and ageing. Niacinamide calms inflammation and reduces pores; vitamin C offers antioxidant protection and supports collagen. Introduce vitamin C cautiously with sunscreen; both can be combined to suit skin type and tolerance.

Karwa Chauth 2026: From fasting together to standing by each other through IVF

Couples facing IVF can manage its emotional demands by treating fertility care as a shared journey, offering reassurance, attending appointments together, and avoiding blame or unrealistic expectations. Experts encourage protecting intimacy beyond treatment and seeking counselling when needed. During Karwa Chauth, partners should discuss fasting with their doctor, since recommendations vary by treatment stage and health.

Uttarakhand proposes ₹7,844 crore supplementary budget for 2026-27

Uttarakhand proposed a Rs 7,844.18-crore supplementary budget for 2026-27, prioritising infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and local bodies, Pushkar Singh Dhami announced. It allocates Rs 4,164.32 crore to capital expenditure and raises local bodies’ tax-revenue share to 12.5%. Funding supports farm procurement, health schemes and digital learning; Dhami says the broader goal is self-reliance by 2047.

Dune Part Three final trailer breakdown: Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides faces Chani’s rebellion

The final trailer for Denis Villeneuve’s *Dune: Part Three* promises a darker reckoning for Paul Atreides, whose rule has made him the oppressor Chani once opposed. Zendaya’s Chani appears to resist him, while Robert Pattinson’s shape-shifting Scytale leads a conspiracy. Chalamet, Zendaya and Momoa return; the film opens December 18, 2026, adapting *Dune Messiah*.

TDP-led alliance win majority of unanimously-elected seats in rural body polls in AP

Andhra Pradesh’s ruling TDP-led alliance won 76 of 77 ZPTC seats decided unanimously statewide, with TDP taking 71, BJP three and Jana Sena two; YSRCP secured one. Results followed rival withdrawals before nominations closed, while the alliance also dominated unopposed MPTC contests, notably in YSRCP stronghold Kadapa. Polling for remaining seats is November 3, with counting on November 5.

In 2004, Washington added a grippy surface to a downhill road after signs failed; crashes fell 78%

Bellevue’s downhill intersection crashes fell 78%, and crash costs 83%, after high-friction surface treatment (HFST) was installed in 2004. It improved tire-road grip after warning signs and other measures failed. Broader FHWA research found wet-weather benefits on curves and ramps, but does not validate intersection results; Bellevue’s missing crash counts and study duration limit conclusions.

Florida man tells judge he'll plead guilty to murder in exchange for ‘cheesesteak' and other snacks

Florida defendant Robert Kessler, 74, offered to plead guilty for a Philly cheesesteak, fries and Pepsi as jury selection began Monday. Representing himself, he faces first-degree murder and abuse-of-a-dead-body charges in Stephanie Crone-Overholt’s 2021 killing; fishermen found her dismembered remains in McKay Bay, where witnesses reportedly saw a man matching Kessler discard bags. Trial continues Tuesday.

Victor Julian Duque: FBI puts Colombian on most-wanted list for alleged drug-money laundering

The FBI is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to Victor Julian Duque’s arrest; he is wanted for allegedly laundering narcotics proceeds. Investigators say he collected cash for Colombia’s Clan del Golfo and deposited $459,953 into accounts tied to fictitious businesses. The network allegedly laundered $54 million since 2021; Duque remains the sole fugitive.

How climate crisis is hurting India more than the world, from deaths to diseases

Climate change warrants recognition as a global health emergency, Lancet Countdown researchers urge, warning harms are accelerating faster than the response. India lost $174 billion in worker earnings to heat in 2025, while air-pollution deaths were valued at $517 billion in 2023. The report calls for health-centred policy and WHO action, tracking impacts since Paris.

Yash takes pride in his Kannada roots at Ramayana premiere in Los Angeles

Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol as Rama, Sita, Ravana and Hanuman, opens November 5, 2026, in five languages. The two-part epic reportedly carries a ₹4,000-crore budget; its sequel is due Diwali 2027. At the Los Angeles premiere, Yash said the film would take India’s heritage to global audiences.

Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls: BJP wins 4, SP 1, ahead on 4 seats

The BJP won four Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats and the Samajwadi Party one, while counting continued in six, with SP leading four and BJP two, potentially marking a gain for the opposition. Results were marred by an Agra clash and SP’s Gorakhpur boycott over alleged irregularities. In 2020, BJP won six of 11 seats.

In 2008, South Carolina fixed one wet, curvy mile of US 25 for $1 million, and wet crashes fell 68%

South Carolina reduced wet-weather crashes 68% and total crashes 56% on a dangerous mile of US 25 with a 2008 high-friction surface treatment costing $1 million, about 80% less than reconstruction. The treatment bonds polish-resistant calcined bauxite to pavement, improving wet-curve grip. Poor drainage, a steep grade and ineffective signs and markings had contributed to the road’s crash risk.

Indian Idol fame Amit Sana says Bollywood’s ‘big insecurity’ made him feel pressured

Amit Sana says Bollywood’s insecure, self-promotional culture left him pressured, prompting him to reject songs and distance himself from the industry. Returning to *Indian Idol Legends Return*, the runner-up sees a chance to show growth and says he has moved on from alleging voting lines were blocked, praising Sony TV’s treatment. The edition reunites contestants.

RJD wrests Patna Teachers’ seat from BJP; Prashant Kishor's party wins in Darbhanga

Four formations split Bihar’s Teachers’ MLC seats Wednesday: RJD won Patna, Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) took Darbhanga, BJP secured Tirhut, and an Independent captured Saran. BJP veteran Nawal Kishore Yadav lost Patna, while JSP defeated Congress in Darbhanga. NDA candidates led in three of four Graduates’ seats; an Independent led in Tirhut. Voting covered eight seats.

Starc satisfied but admits Australia should have done better in the first session

Starc’s six-wicket burst revived Australia in the tied Cape Town decider, with South Africa dismissed for 329 after a 158-run opening stand threatened control. He took 6-72, including four wickets in two overs with the second new ball, as South Africa’s last six fell for 113. Australia must bat without injured Steve Smith, while Starc’s performance marks a turnaround after a difficult series.

Scientists sent a Chernobyl-linked black fungus to the ISS; it grew 21% faster in orbit

An ISS experiment found black fungus grew about 21% faster in orbit, with lower radiation readings beneath it, suggesting—but not proving—potential as a spacecraft shield. The 2022 study measured a 0.84% reduction, while its single flight could not distinguish radiation effects from microgravity. The commercial strain was related to Chernobyl molds, whose melanin may aid radiation response.

Maharashtra MLC polls: Mahayuti leads on 3 seats, MVA ahead in 2 as vote count enters day 2

Mahayuti leads three of five Maharashtra legislative council seats, while opposition MVA is ahead in two as paper-ballot counting continues. BJP leads in Pune teachers’ and Nagpur graduates’ seats, Shiv Sena’s Kiran Sarnaik in Amravati, and NCP (SP) candidates in both graduates’ contests. Turnout ranged from 58.67% to 91.08% among 1.06 million eligible voters statewide.

Sea waves hit roads, trees uprooted as Cyclone Arnab landfall process brings heavy rain

Cyclone Arnab began making landfall along Andhra Pradesh and Yanam early Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas, while flooding stranded four people in Kakinada before police rescued them. Authorities evacuated vulnerable residents and deployed shelters, medical teams and transport, as railways and airlines cancelled services and schools closed in Odisha and Jharkhand.

Tribals withdraw march to Maharashtra secretariat after CM assures action on demands

Nearly 49,000 tribal protesters called off their march toward Mumbai’s secretariat after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered time-bound action on demands including education, forest rights, rehabilitation, water and Aadhaar registration. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presented government resolutions in Thane, prompting the withdrawal. Led by Shramjeevi Sanghatana, the march began in Bhiwandi, with participants from four districts.

Donald Trump may love the Middle East to death

Trump’s war on Iran threatens the Gulf’s trade-driven future, as attacks on shipping, airports and data centres risk driving investors away and undermining its connectivity-based prosperity. Gulf leaders want Iran integrated into global trade, not destabilised in ways that strengthen hardliners. Before the conflict, Trump praised their modernisation, though his nationalism clashes with peaceful commerce.

Polling underway for phase 2 of Rajasthan panchayat polls, faulty EVMs delay start at few booths

Voting began Wednesday across 22 Rajasthan districts in the second phase of panchayati raj elections, covering 352 zila parishad and 2,197 panchayat samiti wards, with polling open until 6 pm. EVM malfunctions delayed voting at some booths, but polling resumed after replacements. Each voter casts two ballots; the four-phase election continues November 3 and 14.

Start your day with less stress: Yoga poses, breathing exercises and morning habits that can help

An intentional morning routine can promote calm and readiness, Akshar advises, starting with gratitude before getting out of bed and resisting phone scrolling. Gentle stretches and Cat-Cow movements wake the body, while Bhrामari breathing and meditation may aid concentration. He recommends sipping water, eating without screens, and focusing on a task at a time.