In 1988, scientists released 88 flea beetles in North Dakota to target leafy spurge

An 1988 release of 88 flea beetles near Valley City, North Dakota, grew into an effort distributing hundreds of millions across North America, suppressing leafy spurge by attacking foliage and roots; stems there fell from 182 per square yard to five by 1994. Sheep grazing aided grass recovery, though site conditions limit effectiveness.

Mamdani supporters rush to defend mayor after report of him using NYPD gym for basketball games

Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew online support after reports said he and friends played late-night basketball at an NYPD academy gym in Queens, allegedly disrupting recruit training. The NYPD confirmed his visits but said training was unaffected; his spokesperson promised another venue if needed. Critics objected, while supporters defended him. The gym is named for fallen officer Steven McDonald.

AP investigation: Documents support claim ICE has detained a mentally ill US citizen since January

Immigration authorities have detained Phillip James for nearly 10 months and are pursuing deportation to Jamaica, despite records indicating he was born in Florida and is a U.S. citizen. His lawyers say schizophrenia underlies his Jamaican-birth claims; officials dispute his citizenship and call his birth certificate fraudulent without proof. A judge may soon consider his release.

Cyclone Arnab: Why Bay of Bengal storms tend to form after the monsoon

Cyclone Arnab is expected to cross Andhra Pradesh near Yanam by Wednesday noon as a very severe storm, with gusts reaching 150 kmph, while six states and territories prepare. The Bay produces four times as many cyclones as the Arabian Sea, aided by warmer waters, Pacific storm remnants and post-monsoon heat retention beneath passing storms.

In Arizona’s desert, a giant indoor ocean showed how CO2 slows coral growth

After decades of decline, Biosphere 2’s Arizona ocean habitat is getting a second life: in February 2026, researchers introduced 108 coral fragments to study coral responses to heat and reef-restoration strategies. Upgraded lighting, circulation and temperature controls support the work. The 2.6-million-liter system recreated past, present and future oceans to investigate how CO₂ acidifies seawater and slows coral calcification.

Upside of untidiness: why little mess can be good for your home

A study of 22 New Zealand households finds mess is not always a problem: clutter can support daily routines, prevent forgotten tasks and accommodate family members’ needs, meaning a tidy-looking home may not function best. Researchers say disorder can also cause stress and conflict, so households balance clearing, tolerating or hiding it as homes are used.

UK court jails 2 Indian-origin men over crash that killed woman, 4-year-old daughter

Two Indian-origin men received 28 years in prison over a 2023 Leeds crash that killed a mother and her four-year-old daughter. Hardeep Bhachu was jailed for 12 years after admitting dangerous driving, while Jasskamal Riyat received 16 years after conviction; CCTV showed them racing before Bhachu’s car struck the victims, who were walking to school.

‘Outrage has been noted’: UP poll body apologises for controversial comment

Uttar Pradesh’s chief electoral office apologized Tuesday for objectionable remarks on its official X account concerning alleged caste bias in erroneous voter slips, calling their tone inappropriate and promising formal, decorous communication. The controversy followed AAP leader Sanjay Singh highlighting absurd voter-roll entries; officials replied that software was not casteist, while invoking caste and religion.

AAP leader’s brother shot dead, friend injured in Amritsar village attack

Tirath Singh, brother of an Aam Aadmi Party block samiti member, was shot dead and his friend wounded near a gurdwara in Amritsar district Monday evening, when an argument escalated into a fight and attackers fired seven to eight rounds. Police cite a longstanding personal grudge, have booked five suspects and launched raids. The attack follows a separate shooting in the district Saturday.

Vijayan thanks Minister Kunhalikutty for remarks on Kannur land acquisition

Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan thanked Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty for affirming that land acquisition near Kannur airport was undertaken with intent, calling his remarks a response to allegations. The exchange came amid expert-panel criticism of KIIFB approvals, including a 5,366-acre proposal that lacked a project report. KINFRA is advancing industrial projects near Kannur and Vizhinjam.

Diwali fervour grips New York City with celebrations of Indian culture, culinary heritage

Diwali fervour has gripped New York City as thousands of South Asian diaspora members gathered for Times Square’s extravaganza, featuring a bazaar, diya lighting, virtual countdown and concert. Events showcased India’s cultural and culinary diversity, including regional cuisine at The Pierre. Organizers said festivities promote peace, unity and India-US ties; Times Square’s annual celebration began in 2013.

Five challenges that could decide Netanyahu’s political future as Israel votes

Israel’s October 27 election is a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu, with security failures after October 7 and the ability to form a coalition likely to determine his future. Voters also weigh military-service exemptions, Arab turnout, judicial reform and living costs. Polls show a Likud–Yashar race, but fragmented blocs and coalition arithmetic may decide who governs.

Pharma CEO gives SUVs to 4 employees as Diwali gift 'for their hardwork and loyalty'

MITS Group in Panchkula gifted four employees Kia Sonet SUVs ahead of Diwali, rewarding performance and loyalty, with celebrations shared online. The company paid the down payments, while instalments are deducted from salaries and vehicles registered to recipients; a lucky draw expands eligibility. Founder MK Bhatia’s tradition includes gifting 51 vehicles in 2025 and 15 in 2024.

King Charles heads to Caribbean as calls for slavery reparations grow

King Charles and Queen Camilla tour the Caribbean amid renewed demands for British reparations for slavery, expected to dominate the Commonwealth summit in Antigua. Charles has voiced sorrow but will not formally apologise or offer compensation. CARICOM calls reparations justice, while Commonwealth leaders support discussing financial remedies or returning artefacts. Britain transported 3.2 million enslaved Africans.

Art Beal turned California’s trash into a nine-level hillside home

Art Beal’s Nitt Witt Ridge, a Cambria hillside home built from salvaged materials over 50 years, became California Historical Landmark No. 939, recognized as a folk-art environment. Beginning in 1928, Beal shaped terraces with hand tools, retaining walls, shells and dump finds. Volunteers sought protection, and restoration followed, but the site is closed and its future uncertain.

In 1904, Newfoundland released 4 moose for hunting; by the 1950s, numbers reached 150,000–200,000

Newfoundland’s moose are reshaping forests: sustained browsing prevents young trees replacing stands, a study in *Forest Ecology and Management* finds. In Gros Morne, 65 square kilometres of forest have become treeless meadows or remnants, and plant diversity has declined. Four moose released in 1904 multiplied amid abundant food and few predators; managers now seek balance.

Poster and graffiti found at Delhi's Shivaji Stadium metro days after airport line defacement

Delhi Police filed a second FIR after graffiti and a poster were found at Shivaji Stadium Metro station, days after posters appeared aboard an Airport Express train. Station staff reported and removed the October 24 defacement; police are reviewing Metro CCTV footage to identify suspects. Earlier, posters targeting the government were found on a train seat.

Utah couple sentenced for helping suspected illegal immigrant escape ICE custody

A Utah couple received four days in prison after pleading guilty to helping a handcuffed man escape ICE custody; they must pay $600 and $28 restitution and serve six months’ supervised release. In October 2025, they helped him flee an arrest at a Salt Lake City Home Depot, then bought bolt cutters to remove handcuffs.

Punjab man groped woman in Gurugram’s CyberHub; cops arrest him from Ferozepur

Gurugram police arrested 27-year-old Anmol Arora in Punjab’s Ferozepur district after CCTV footage identified him in the alleged sexual harassment at CyberHub on October 22. The 33-year-old woman said he touched her outside Decathlon and fled when she raised an alarm. Arrested Sunday, he was released on bail; he had traveled to Delhi for an exam.

Randeep Hooda on working with John Cena: He is a better actor than what people make him out to be

Randeep Hooda says acting remains his “first love,” though his National Film Award for directing *Veer Savarkar* has encouraged him to pursue more projects behind the camera. *Matchbox: The Movie* reunited him with *Extraction* director Sam Hargrave and paired him with John Cena, whom Hooda praised as focused and underrated. He has scripts underway.

Celebrity MasterChef Tamil judge Sashi Cheliah shares his special Lamb Rendang recipe | HT Exclusive

Celebrity MasterChef Tamil judge Sashi Cheliah shared the lamb rendang that earned him his apron on MasterChef Australia. His recipe slow-cooks lamb in a chilli, lemongrass, turmeric, ginger, galangal, shallot and garlic paste, enriched with coconut milk, toasted coconut, palm sugar and kaffir lime leaves. Each preparation revives the defining memory, eight years after his win.

RTI exemption will not shield corruption cases, says Minister Chennithala

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said RTI exemptions for two VACB sections will not bar information on corruption or human-rights violations, but disclosure will come only after investigations conclude, protecting evidence and informants while preserving transparency. FIRs and charge sheets become public afterward; the limited exemption covers 1–2% of cases and followed a vigilance director’s recommendation.

In Mongolia, songs help mother camels accept their newborn calves

Mongolia’s camel-coaxing songs are fading as urban migration, changing livelihoods, climate pressures and fewer young herders weaken the oral tradition, prompting UNESCO’s urgent-safeguarding listing in 2015. Plans include apprenticeships, research and public awareness, led with practitioners. At dusk, singers use melodies and instruments to persuade mothers to accept calves, preserving nomadic knowledge and community ties.

Protests erupt after Odisha man held in narcotics case dies in Haryana police custody

A 22-year-old man detained by Haryana Police in a narcotics case was found dead in an Odisha lodge, triggering protests demanding officers’ arrest as authorities investigate. His family alleged police beat him and disguised the death as suicide, while residents questioned his detention there. Police registered an unnatural-death case and sent his body for postmortem.

October 7 attack, Eisenkot rivalry, public polls: Netanyahu's ultimate test in Israel

Israel’s October 27 election tests whether Benjamin Netanyahu can survive fallout from Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack and retain power, as opponents seek to unite into a coalition. Polls suggest anti-Netanyahu parties could secure seats, but no outcome is assured. Security, legal troubles and military-service exemptions shape choices; the 120-seat Knesset requires 61 seats to govern.

Odisha tribals protest doctor’s arrest; police allege anti-mining violence role

Hundreds of tribals protested in Rayagada, Odisha, Monday, demanding the release of doctor Randall Sequeira and karate instructor Laxman Naik, arrested over clashes linked to Vedanta’s proposed Sijimali bauxite mine. Police allege violence and intimidation; protesters say the arrests aim to silence anti-mining opposition. The April clashes concerned mine-related road construction, amid fears for forests, water and livelihoods.

A New York couple built a $40,000 home from YouTube videos and scrap, then sold it for $290,000

Jessica Patrzyk and her husband built a 2,500-square-foot New York home for $40,000, using YouTube and salvaged materials; they sold it for $290,000 and moved to Florida. The project began with two acres traded for a television and included DIY well and septic work. As housing costs soar, their story inspires but isn’t a blueprint.

Omar Abdullah expands J&K cabinet with 4 Kashmir MLAs; Congress opts out

Abdullah expanded Jammu and Kashmir’s cabinet to its nine-minister maximum Tuesday, inducting four NC legislators: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani. The reshuffle dropped Satish Sharma, leaving Jammu with two ministers. Congress declined cabinet posts until statehood is restored; regulations cap ministerial strength at 10% of the 90-member assembly.

Srinidhi Shetty slams rumours of ₹8 crore remuneration after KGF success

Srinidhi Shetty has dismissed reports that she charges ₹7–8 crore per film, saying she prioritizes good stories and quality roles over money. The KGF actor said her limited filmography reflects those choices, not high fees. She next stars opposite Venkatesh in *Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47 – AK47*, an action-comedy due October 30.

Virat Kohli celebrates Harry Kane’s long road to Ballon d’Or glory

Virat Kohli congratulated friend Harry Kane after the Bayern Munich striker won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to do so since Michael Owen in 2001. Kane scored 73 goals in 65 appearances and helped Bayern complete a domestic treble. Praising Kane’s resilience, hard work and honesty, Kohli wished him and his family well.