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Farmers plan sustained protest over voter rights, to coordinate with CJP: Vijoo Krishnan
India’s farmers’ movement is preparing sustained voter-rights protests, with nationwide action October 23 and mobilisation November 26, AIKS leader Vijoo Krishnan said. Though not joining CJP, farmers will coordinate with other groups, build grassroots support, demand guaranteed MSP and oppose trade deals. November 26 marks six years since the Delhi Chalo march against farm laws.

Bike used for firing at Tiger Shroff recovered by police, two detained
Mumbai police recovered the motorcycle used in the shooting involving Tiger Shroff and detained two people for questioning. CCTV footage led officers to the abandoned bike near Andheri station; police are reviewing railway-station footage with facial-recognition software after suspects reportedly boarded a train. The Sunday attack wounded Shroff’s driver and an autorickshaw driver, both stable afterward.

Delhi’s three-day Dandiya festival concludes at Chhatrasal Stadium
Delhi’s three-day Dandiya/Navratri Festival 2026 concluded Sunday at Chhatrasal Stadium, drawing thousands to celebrations inaugurated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The closing programme, dedicated to teachers, brought educators and young people together through folk dance, music and food. Organised with Delhi Tourism and the Delhi government, the festival promoted India’s festive traditions and cultural participation.

K’taka makes night-time attendance mandatory for govt employees at designated headquarters
Karnataka will require officials to live at designated headquarters and record geofenced night attendance through Kartavya, piloting the system for taluk and primary health-centre doctors from November 1, 2026. Doctors must check in after 9 p.m.; unauthorized absences may bring discipline. Contract and outsourced staff also face app-only attendance and payment rules, following complaints of delayed public service.

Abishek Bajaj recalls playing football with Tiger Shroff hours before shooting attack on him
Abhishek Bajaj and Karan Veer Mehra said they played football with Tiger Shroff hours before gunmen fired at his car in Mumbai’s Juhu area. Shroff was safe; his driver and an autorickshaw driver were injured. Mehra’s car followed Shroff’s, and he saw blood after the shots. Police are investigating; alleged gang claims remain unverified.

Florida planted Brazilian pepper as an ornamental shrub; it now infests over 700,000 acres
Brazilian peppertree thrips established at 35% of surveyed sites, suggesting promise against peppertree, which covers 700,000 Florida acres. Released at 567 sites from 2019–2021, the South American insects damage leaves and stem tips, slowing growth and reproduction, but researchers say monitoring must continue. Introduced as an ornamental, the shrub crowds out native species and can harm wildlife and people.

Tel Aviv-Vienna flight makes emergency landing in Bulgaria after unspecified threat
An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna landed safely in Sofia Sunday after a bomb threat prompted diversion, with 57 aboard. The Airbus A320 was searched after passengers disembarked, and the airline said rebooking would follow inspection of the plane. Bulgarian officials said crew reported the threat near Romania; a fighter jet escorted the aircraft.

Rail passengers could face fine, jail time for loud calls, playing audio on speakers
Southern Railway passengers playing speaker-mode music or videos, or making loud calls at stations and aboard trains, may face a ₹1,000 fine, up to six months’ imprisonment, or both under Railways Act nuisance provisions. Divisions must issue multilingual announcements and notices, responding to complaints that the behaviour disturbs travellers and recalling a 2012 Railway Board advisory.

Netanyahu warns future US president could be hostile to Israel, eyes India ties
Netanyahu warned that a future US president could turn hostile toward Israel, urging ties with India and Latin America to reduce reliance on Washington. Ahead of the October 27 election, he presented a doctrine focused on using Donald Trump’s tenure to strengthen US relations while diversifying alliances. Rival Gadi Eisenkot dismissed it as slogans without strategy.

Minister Chennithala warns of crackdown on illegal spas, says legislation under consideration
Keralam will intensify raids on unlicensed spas amid reports of sexual exploitation, fraud and assaults, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said, warning that operators violating legal requirements face closure and prosecution. The government is considering legislation to regulate the sector. Police have launched Operation Spa and will expand anti-drug enforcement while cracking down on drunk driving.

Florida welcomed a pretty purple plant in the 1880s; by the early 1960s, it covered 120,000 acres
Florida’s water hyacinth is an invasive threat, choking waterways, worsening floods, depleting oxygen, harming biodiversity, and disrupting recreation. It covered more than 120,000 acres, but herbicide management has reduced infestations; prevention remains vital, and plants should never be discarded in waterways. Native to South America, it was introduced in Florida in the 1880s as an ornamental.

Kylie Jenner steals spotlight in '$50 million fantasy bra' as she makes Victoria’s Secret Show debut
Kylie Jenner made her Victoria’s Secret runway debut October 18 in the record $50 million Fantasy Bra, sharing the catwalk with veteran Angels and newer supermodels, including Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid and Anok Yai. Fifteen artisans spent 1,000 hours crafting its 4,410 diamonds; the brand said Jenner’s cultural influence made her a strategic choice.

The math of the 30% cap on 137 cancer drug margins, and what it means for patient bills
From November 9, India will cap trade margins at 30% of pre-tax MRP on 137 non-scheduled cancer drugs, with patient savings estimated at ₹2,500 crore annually and price cuts reaching 70%. Pharmacies and hospitals must display revised prices. The measure limits supply-chain mark-ups, not manufacturers’ prices, using emergency public-interest powers after concerns over steep medicine margins.

US woman swaps law aspirations for a mechanic job at a ski resort, says she earns more than friends
At 25, Victoria Madsen says leaving university and a law career to become a ski-lift mechanic has brought independence and earnings above many friends. Hired after work at Sundance Mountain Resort, she trained on the job, moved into her apartment and bought a car. Her path reflects Gen Z’s interest in trades amid AI concerns.

Teen detained in Karnataka's Kalaburagi over suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba contacts
Police detained 19-year-old jewellery shop worker Mamatazwul Malik in Kalaburagi for questioning after intelligence suggested possible social-media contact with people linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Investigators are reviewing messages for sensitive information, but no complaint or FIR has been filed, and authorities have not established his alleged association. The detention follows other Karnataka investigations into suspected online extremist contacts.

From decision-making to SIR deadline extensions: What changed at ECI since Sep 23
Following reports that two commissioners objected to decisions made without approval, India’s Election Commission revised procedures and voter safeguards, capping deletion objections, moving SIR document checks to booth officers, and helping omitted eligible voters. It also ordered searchable roll PDFs, extended deadlines and announced summary revisions in 17 states and territories, amid protests over the exercise.

Film workers' body demands protection for Tiger Shroff after shooting incident
FWICE condemned the shooting targeting Tiger Shroff’s vehicle, demanding protection for the actor and his family and an investigation. Police formed 15 teams after gunfire in Juhu injured Shroff’s driver and another person, while the actor escaped. Shinde assured the family of state support; FWICE linked the attack to a previous shooting involving filmmaker Rohit Shetty.

Sensex, Nifty open lower as investors track bank earnings, rising oil prices
Indian equities opened lower Monday, with the Sensex down 0.18% and Nifty 0.21%, as investors weighed HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank earnings against crude at $108 a barrel. HDFC’s profit missed forecasts, while ICICI beat estimates; oil threatens inflation, imports and margins. The decline followed the indexes’ strongest weekly gains in six months, led by IT stocks.

US issues alerts for Saudi, UAE; warns citizens over likely flight disruptions
U.S. diplomatic missions issued alerts across 12 Middle Eastern locations, warning Americans of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures amid regional tensions; the notices do not confirm closures. Citing Iranian and Iran-aligned threats, including Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, officials urged travelers to verify flights, avoid gatherings and follow local guidance; Americans should not travel to Iran.

MHA plans Census 2027 tableau for Republic Day parade as part of outreach drive
The Ministry of Home Affairs plans a Census 2027 Republic Day tableau, subject to Defence Ministry approval, to raise public awareness. The registrar general’s campaign includes a commemorative stamp, national advertising, local outreach events and round-the-clock social-media monitoring. Delayed from 2021, census operations will reach most of India in February 2027, with open-ended caste enumeration.

Logitech MX Keypad Review: A clever way to cut down on repetitive tasks
Logitech’s MX Keypad is a versatile macro keypad that streamlines repetitive work through customizable LCD keys, broad software support and multi-action commands, which automate CMS tasks and recurring ChatGPT prompts. Mushy feedback, awkward ergonomics without its stand, wired-only connectivity and warmth during prolonged use weaken the experience. Though marketed to programmers, it serves many professions.

Karan Veer Mehra recalls chaos after gunshots were fired at Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai
Tiger Shroff escaped with minor abrasions after three gunmen fired at his car in Mumbai’s Juhu area following a football match; his driver and a passing autorickshaw driver were injured. Television actor Karan Veer Mehra, driving behind him, recalled seeing blood as people fled, initially mistaking shots for fireworks. Police are reviewing evidence; gang claims of responsibility remain unverified.

Grass fire, fuelled by 96 km/hour winds, kills 4 soldiers at Canada army base
Four Canadian soldiers died and 39 people were injured, 19 critically, when a grass fire engulfed troops conducting live-fire training at CFB Wainwright, Alberta. Winds reaching 96 km/h drove flames toward soldiers after officials believed the blaze was contained. The cause remains under investigation; the base trains troops, including those preparing for deployment to Latvia.

INDIA bloc rally on November 1 to have wider stakeholders
INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan will unite opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations in demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal, reflecting Rahul Gandhi’s view that “all protests are one.” Delhi Police has cleared the rally. The broadened coalition follows recent anti-CEC marches; organizers are finalizing participation and coordination.

DJB to monetise biogas from sewage treatment plants for power generation and vehicle fuel
Delhi Jal Board will invite private firms to buy raw biogas from two sewage treatment plants, turning gas now flared or underused into fuel or electricity. Expressions of interest cover Keshopur Phase-I and Yamuna Vihar Phase-II, with agencies expected by November. Buyers must finance processing facilities; the pilot could expand across all Delhi’s 37 plants.

Hard shell vs soft shell luggage: I have travelled with both, and here is the suitcase type I prefer
After frequent trips and stays in compact hotel rooms, the writer prefers an expandable hard-shell suitcase for most journeys, valuing its structure, divided packing and protection. Soft-shell cases open more easily in tight spaces and offer flexible capacity and pockets, suiting shopping-heavy trips and road travel. The writer has tested more than 25 luggage brands.

In 1920, saltcedar covered an estimated 10,000 acres. By the mid-1960s, it topped 1.2 million acres
Saltcedar control remains controversial because removing the shrub does not reliably increase streamflow, restore native plants, or benefit wildlife, researchers say, so managers should target suitable sites and monitor results. Introduced for shade, windbreaks, fuel, and ornamental use in the early 1900s, tamarisk spread from 10,000 acres in 1920 to over 1.2 million by the mid-1960s.

Shakira to Ben Affleck: Relationship experts feel ‘not every bond is meant to last forever’
Break-ups need not end in resentment: celebrities increasingly credit partners for lessons, support and influence, while experts say gratitude can emerge with time, healing and recognition that a bond mattered without being right or permanent. Shakira, Harry Styles and Ben Affleck offer examples; such relationships can teach love, boundaries and self-worth long after separation.

COP17: Global progress on biodiversity targets to be assessed ahead of COP31
At COP17 in Yerevan, nearly 200 countries will assess progress toward 2030 biodiversity goals, while a UN review warns fewer than half of assessed targets are on track. Delegates will confront implementation gaps, harmful subsidies and a $200-billion annual finance pledge, alongside Indigenous rights. The review precedes COP31, where climate and biodiversity action are closely linked.

Meghalaya identifies 3.4 lakh hectares of cultivable wasteland: Study
Satellite imagery identified 340,673 hectares of potentially reclaimable wasteland in Meghalaya, 15.2% of the state, offering a baseline for agricultural planning, but sites need assessment before cultivation. Sparse scrubland accounted for 60.64% and ranked highest for reclamation, followed by dense scrubland and shifting cultivation. The 2025–26 map was 86% accurate; soil, water, slope and ecological effects remain unassessed.


