Six-day Himachal assembly winter session at Tapovan from Nov 16

Himachal Pradesh’s 13th session of the 14th assembly opens at Tapovan, Dharamshala, at 2pm on November 16, launching a six-day sitting through November 21; Saturday is a working day. Proceedings begin with obituary references, if any, followed by legislative and government business. The secretariat’s October 26 notification followed the governor’s October 25 order under Article 174(1).

TN: Missing boy found dead, neighbor arrested for cover up of 'accidental' death

Madurai police recovered seven-year-old Muthuvel’s body and arrested Sandhiya for allegedly concealing him after his accidental death during play. Investigators said a 10-year-old boy tightened a rope around Muthuvel’s neck; he became dizzy, struck a temple wall and collapsed at the boy’s home. Search teams found him Monday, a day after he was reported missing.

Data protection law challenge: SC stresses balancing privacy rights with press freedom

The Supreme Court issued notice on the Digital News Publishers Association’s challenge to the data-protection law and 2025 rules, emphasizing that privacy and press freedom must be balanced; it will hear the case November 17. Publishers warn consent requirements could impede public-interest reporting and expose sources through government data demands, while the petition challenges RTI disclosure safeguards.

Keerthy Suresh says ‘financial stability went for toss’ during career lull after Mahanati's success

Keerthy Suresh says she received no offers for six months after her National Award-winning *Mahanati* role, leaving her finances strained as filmmakers reconsidered her career. She welcomed the pause after years of back-to-back filming, focusing on health and money management; the biopic eventually opened doors to stronger roles. She promotes Netflix’s *Akka*, premiering October 30.

Trump claims his uncle invented radar; social media fact checks POTUS

President Donald Trump was quickly fact-checked after claiming his uncle, MIT professor John G. Trump, invented radar during an October 24 Florida speech, joking his uncle might be angry that the U.S. had knocked out Iran’s radar. John Trump contributed to Allied radar research during World War II but did not invent it; radar originated earlier. He was a renowned physicist and engineer.

Delhi HC refuses to stay probe against woman scribe in SC/ST Act case filed by ACP

Delhi High Court declined to halt investigation into an FIR against an independent journalist accused of casteist remarks and public humiliation, issuing notice to police and complainant ACP Vivek Bhagat on her petition to quash it. Replies are due November 16. Her lawyer says the case intimidates her over her earlier sexual-assault complaint against Bhagat.

Delhi HC refuses to stay probe into two journalists accused of making casteist remarks on ACP

Delhi High Court declined Tuesday to halt an investigation into two journalists accused of casteist remarks against ACP Vivek Bhagat during an October 3 protest, issuing notice on their plea to quash the FIR. The court needs Delhi Police’s status report before considering a stay; the case followed a woman journalist’s sexual-harassment allegation against Bhagat, which he denies.

In 1986, biologists captured the last 18 known black-footed ferrets

Black-footed ferrets have rebounded from 18 captive animals in the 1980s, but their recovery remains fragile: despite more than 4,500 captive-bred releases by 2022, only 300 live at reintroduction sites. Dependent on prairie dogs for food and burrows, they face plague, predators and low genetic diversity. Habitat loss and disease nearly erased the endangered species.

Karnataka’s final electoral roll published, nearly 1 crore names deleted

Karnataka’s final electoral roll lists 4,55,00,011 voters, 99.32 lakh fewer than before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), despite adding 8.64 lakh names to the draft. The electorate includes 2.29 crore women, over 2.25 crore men and 2,841 third-gender voters. Online checks are available; deletions included dead, duplicate and untraceable entries, while affected residents may seek inclusion through Form 6.

'After Breaking Bad, Prison Break has begun in Tamil Nadu': Stalin slams Vijay govt

DMK chief MK Stalin accused Tamil Nadu’s Vijay-led government of failing prison security after 17 convicts escaped from Theni jail, calling it unacceptable and invoking “Prison Break.” Four have been recaptured while police search for the others. Prisoners reportedly feigned illness, attacked wardens and fled; the mass escape was reportedly the first of its scale since 1995.

Cyclone Arnab puts Jharkhand on alert; IMD issues heavy rain warning for 3 days

Storm Arnab is expected to bring three days of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds to Jharkhand, prompting flood and wind advisories. IMD issued yellow and orange alerts across districts through October 30. Officials warned of waterlogging, crop damage and risks to weak structures. The cyclone lay 220 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam Wednesday morning.

Australian man digs up gold nugget worth over $150,000 after spotting ‘yellow dot’ in dirt

An amateur prospector unearthed a nearly 1.2-kilogram gold-and-quartz nugget worth an estimated $150,000–$160,000 near Tibooburra, in Australia’s New South Wales; tests found 940 grams of pure gold, and he plans to sell it to a collector. The find followed days of searching. Such nuggets are rare, but prospecting is growing as a peaceful family hobby.

Hormuz tensions are not new: Israel was linked to another oil crisis 53 years ago

The US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz drove prices higher, echoing 1973’s crisis sparked by war involving Israel. Shipping disruptions threaten a route carrying one-fifth of supplies, and attacks have damaged vessels. In 1973, Arab producers embargoed Israel’s supporters as Egypt and Syria attacked, quadrupling prices in four months.

Taylor Swift serves romantic glam in floral mini dress at Nashville Hall of Fame induction

Marking 20 years in music, Taylor Swift became the youngest-ever Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, honoring the city where her career began. At the ceremony, she wore an embroidered black mini dress, retro bob and fringe, and understated makeup, drawing fan praise. Her sound has evolved from country beginnings into pop and indie-folk experimentation.

Strict curbs for non-BS-VI vehicles from November 1 under Delhi winter pollution plan

Delhi will bar non-BS-VI petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside the capital from entering from November 1, exempting electric and CNG vehicles. Officials from Delhi-NCR will coordinate checks and enforce bus standards and truck diversions, while measures target congestion and road dust as air quality worsens. India introduced BS-VI norms nationwide in 2020.

Reached certain understanding on sugar price issue after midnight talks: CM Shivakumar

Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar said farmers and sugar factory representatives reached an understanding on cane prices, with the final rate tied to the Centre’s decision. Farmers demanding Rs 6,000 per tonne called off a planned protest, and both sides are expected to decide within two days. Prices have stagnated for a decade, while delayed crushing threatens crops.

In 2020, Taal Volcano forced residents off the Philippines’ Volcano Island

After Taal Volcano erupted in January 2020, rescuers found Palakitik, a community dog, alive on ash-covered Volcano Island and brought her to safety for care. With authorities’ permission, teams widened their mission, rescuing 132 animals and leaving food and water for those they could not evacuate. The explosive eruption forced evacuations and killed more than 1,000 livestock.

Several injured after car drives into crowd near Hanover in Germany

A BMW was deliberately driven into a group in Neustadt am Ruebenberge near Hanover before midnight Monday, injuring four or five people, some seriously, police said. Officers intervened during a traffic check, firing shots at the vehicle and preventing more harm, while its occupants fled and remain at large; reports suggest those involved knew one another.

In a 10-month Hawaii experiment, scientists gave reef mesocosms future-level CO₂

A 10-month Hawaii experiment found elevated CO₂ cut crustose coralline algae cover from 25% to 4%, an 86% decline, while free-living rhodoliths lost mass and coral calcification fell 15–20%. Because these calcium-carbonate builders stabilize reef frameworks and help coral larvae settle, their loss may weaken reefs. Mesocosm results show vulnerability, not a precise forecast worldwide.

If you struggle to make rangoli, here's what you can try this Diwali

Beginners can create a Diwali entrance without mastering freehand rangoli by using stencils, ready-made mats or beginner kits, while applicators and dotting tools help add colour and detail. Diyas or LED lights, torans and floral garlands complete the display. Choose reusable, easy-to-clean supplies and secure mats safely; these alternatives save time and make useful gifts.

Jackson County couple facing multiple charges over shocking child abuse allegations

An Evans, West Virginia, couple faces six felony child-abuse and neglect counts each after investigators said three children, ages 12 to 17, endured years of physical and emotional mistreatment. Evidence included scars, children’s accounts, photographs and medical examinations; authorities removed the children after one reported bruising. The sheriff’s office alleges assaults, deprivation, degrading punishments and failure to intervene.

Sudan drone strikes kill 21, cause mass outages in east

Drone strikes in Sudan killed 21 people at a market in Nyala and wounded at least 40, while attacks disrupted electricity across Khartoum and eastern states, medics and witnesses said Tuesday. The drone war between the army and Rapid Support Forces is damaging infrastructure. Since fighting began in 2023, it has caused displacement and severe hunger.

Handheld devices to detect spurious drugs in Maharashtra government health systems

Maharashtra, first to adopt the technology, bought eight counterfeit-drug detectors, costing ₹1.2 crore each, and deployed them in flying squads to screen medicines at government health facilities. The devices compare samples with stored ingredients, providing preliminary results within minutes, but NABL-recognised laboratories must confirm suspected drugs before enforcement. Monthly checks cover procurement channels, strengthening medicine-supply oversight.

Budget-friendly festive decor ideas that won't go out of use after Diwali

Refresh homes for Karwa Chauth and Diwali with versatile decor that brightens gatherings without a makeover or seasonal-only spending. Reusable choices include cushion covers, runners, candle holders, lighting, wall plates, glassware, artificial flowers and doormats suited to everyday interiors. Consider space, function, dimensions and colours before buying; festive traditions need not require costly seasonal purchases.

Cheetah cub found injured in MP's Morena, shifted to Kuno National Park; suspected to have been hit

A 19-month-old cheetah cub injured in Morena’s forest is receiving treatment at Kuno National Park, while a State Tiger Strike Force investigates whether someone struck it. Born to Nirva, the cub suffered back injuries; investigators are examining possible links to leopard-poaching networks exposed in the region. It is the first such reported attack since reintroduction.

In 1979, 30 mongooses were released on Amami Oshima to control habu; numbers soon topped 30,000

Japan declared the mongoose eradicated from Amami Oshima in September 2024, after six years without sightings; models put eradication probability at 98.9–99.7%. Over 30,000 traps, cameras and detection dogs supported the campaign, while wildlife showed signs of recovery. About 30 mongooses were introduced in 1979 to control habu vipers, but their spread threatened endemic wildlife.

SC defers to Nov 2 hearing on Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan's plea for release of passport

The Supreme Court postponed until November 2 its hearing on Siddique Kappan’s request to recover his passport, deposited under bail conditions in the Hathras conspiracy case. State counsel sought time to obtain instructions. Arrested in 2020 while traveling to report on a Dalit girl’s killing, Kappan received bail in 2022, with passport surrender among the conditions.

PIL on 'Vande Mataram' song: SC notice to Centre on plea seeking transfer from Delhi HC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response to a plea to transfer a Delhi High Court PIL seeking equal status for “Vande Mataram” and the national anthem. The case was tagged with similar petitions. The petitioner seeks daily school recitals, arguing the song’s role in India’s freedom struggle warrants comparable respect and recognition.

Trans Democrat Avery Rowland makes LGBTQ rights central to Kansas midterms run

Transgender Democrat Avery Rowland says her identity and restrictions on transgender people’s driver’s licenses prompted her 2026 bid for House District 2, where she faces Republican Daniel Muter. She pledges to restore “humanity” and advance equal rights, healthcare, education, infrastructure and investment. Facing a Republican supermajority, she urges voters to choose with heart and conscience.

IND A vs NZ A match ends in a draw, Padikkal emerges as standout performer

New Zealand A drew the unofficial Test against India A after bad light ended the final day, despite falling to 170/9, with Curtis Heaphy’s unbeaten 90 resisting and Auqib Nabi taking three wickets. India A had recovered from 113 all out through Devdutt Padikkal’s 199 in a 516-run second innings; Padikkal also claimed two wickets.