Chorbagan stampede: 14 of 25 injured under treatment at pvt hospital, 3 in ICU

Fourteen of 25 people injured in the Chorbagan Puja stampede remain hospitalized, with three in intensive care and one critical, officials said Sunday. One ICU patient has acidosis linked to prolonged crushing; two others are improving, while 11 general-ward patients are stable. Nineteen died in Saturday’s rain-triggered crowd surge; the state will review pandal safety protocols.

Blue petrels return to Macquarie Island after invasive predators are removed

Macquarie Island’s invasive-animal eradication enabled seabird recovery, but rising numbers do not mean species have regained their former ranges. A 2024 study estimated blue petrels grew about 14% annually, reaching 5,588 breeding pairs in 2018, yet remained geographically restricted. Rabbits, rats, mice and cats had damaged vegetation and threatened birds; species and habitat responses vary, underscoring the need for continued monitoring.

HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on October 18, 2026 in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram

Delhi’s October 18 lineup offers theatre, dance, storytelling, photography, comedy and workshops across Delhi and Gurugram. Highlights include *The Ramayana* at Akshara Theatre, Dastangoi and free *Adi Shakti* at India Habitat Centre, a CR Park photowalk, a Navratri workshop and *Rhythm Aur Raas*. A free Dussehra mela at Connaught Place continues through October 19.

Dussehra 2026 | Crafting the Demon King: Ravana maxing in Delhi

Delhi’s Ravana-makers are raising the demon king’s moustache and reinventing his look as Dussehra nears: Titarpur artisan Sonu Kumar tailors moustaches to each effigy’s face and exports elaborate versions to Australia. Young creator Shaurya Tanwar’s muscular Ravana is gaining attention, while rain-damaged artisans face higher costs and scant profits; many make traditional towering figures nationwide.

Once squeezed into 30 stream miles, Arizona’s Apache trout is now off the endangered list

Apache trout’s 2024 delisting marked recovery, not release from conservation: its 38 populations remain small, with only 30 genetically pure. Coordinated management remains essential to prevent nonnative trout from spreading and protect habitat, while its limited range leaves the species vulnerable to wildfire. Decades of federal, tribal, and state collaboration expanded its habitat, but reduced efforts could bring declines.

‘Pandal will collapse, please leave’ mic warning set off Kolkata stampede, 19 dead

An announcement by Durga Puja organisers warning that a pandal might collapse triggered a stampede in Kolkata on Saturday evening, killing 19 people, Suvendu Adhikari said; seven people, mostly organisers, have been arrested. Rain-driven crowding worsened the crush. A sitting judge will lead a probe into lapses at Chor Bagan, one of Kolkata’s oldest venues.

The Mika Haikkinen interview: 'Biggest challenge in F1 is that you have to beat your teammate'

Two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen praised rising star Kimi Antonelli as a “beautiful talent,” saying occasional errors are normal as he develops, despite leading the championship with few races remaining. In Mumbai, Hakkinen also recalled his respectful rivalry with Michael Schumacher and said Formula 1 has made major safety advances since his serious 1995 crash.

Chernobyl’s free-roaming dogs form distinct genetic groups decades after the 1986 disaster

DNA analysis of 302 free-roaming dogs found distinct populations near the Chernobyl power plant, Chernobyl City and Slavutych, alongside family ties spanning locations. Researchers identified 15 family groups, showing shared ancestry and movement coexist with genetic differences. The findings clarify how geography and breeding shape populations, but do not show radiation caused genetic changes; dogs have persisted since 1986 amid abandonment and human activity.

K'taka brings physical RTI applications under Sakala, extends online facility to Gram One centres

Karnataka introduced two measures to improve RTI access: authorities must register postal or in-person applications on the online portal within two days, and residents can submit applications through Bengaluru One, Karnataka One and Gram One centres. Delays may bring compensation and official accountability. Together, they create a trackable RTI application system under the Sakala Act.

World’s largest island Greenland has 80% ice and you can only fly in from Denmark or Iceland

Greenland pairs Arctic adventures—iceberg cruises and the 160-kilometre Arctic Circle Trail—with midnight-sun summers, Northern Lights and protected wilderness. The world’s largest island is remote: 56,000 people inhabit a landmass 80% covered by ice, where towns have no roads linking them and boats dominate. Its Viking-given name contrasts with Kalaallit Nunaat, “Country of the Greenlanders.”

A tree planted to rescue dry land became a health and livelihood threat

Mesquite is difficult to eliminate because trees regrow after cutting and burning, while commercial uses encourage management over eradication. The invasive tree displaces vegetation, reduces grazing land, and threatens health and livestock, but charcoal, animal feed, and honey provide income; sustained harvesting has cleared over 396 hectares. Introduced to restore arid landscapes, it spread aggressively.

Weekly Tarot Horoscope, October 18 to October 24, 2026

This week’s horoscopes advise patience, clear communication, and thoughtful choices as relationships, finances, and opportunities demand care. Aries and Scorpio should manage pressure step by step; Leo and Aquarius may welcome momentum, while other signs are urged toward reflection and practical planning. Every forecast includes tarot guidance, a lucky colour, ritual, tip, and crystal.

Some families lost more than one member in Kolkata puja pandal stampede: CM

West Bengal will establish an SIT led by a sitting Calcutta High Court judge to investigate a Durga Puja stampede that killed 19 and injured 25; seven people, including organisers and security personnel, were arrested. The state promised compensation and medical care. Rain and a narrow lane sparked the crush at Chor Bagan on Saturday.

Vijay Deverakonda says Ranabaali is India's massy Braveheart, Inglourious Basterds, Schindler's List

Vijay Deverakonda called *Ranabaali* an Indian, mass-commercial take on *Braveheart*, *Schindler’s List* and *Inglourious Basterds*, prompting online disbelief and jokes. Speaking in Vijayawada, he said the film reflects Indian history and culture, and called it one of his proudest projects. Released October 16, *Ranabaali* grossed ₹26.65 crore worldwide in two days, despite mixed reviews.

One million migrating raptors dodge illegal hunters above Georgia's Black Sea coast

More than a million raptors funnel through Georgia’s Batumi bottleneck each autumn, but an estimated 9,000 are shot annually, including rare species, despite patrols and conservation efforts. Volunteers with Batumi Raptor Count monitor the passage, while birdwatching tourism gives rural communities income and an incentive to protect birds migrating south from Eurasia toward Africa.

Dussehra 2026 | Screen Ravanas who left a lasting impact

Yash says playing Ravana in *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend*, whose first instalment is due November 5, 2026, is challenging because audiences know the character and expect a fresh interpretation. He follows portrayals by Rajniesh Duggal, Saif Ali Khan, Arvind Trivedi and NT Rama Rao, among others. Since 1917, cinema and television have reimagined Lanka’s king.

US bars Cloudera from green card sponsorship for two years after $2 million settlement

Cloudera agreed to pay $2 million and stop using the labor-certification program for two years to settle allegations that it disadvantaged American workers during green-card recruitment. The deal includes $1.4 million in back pay for eligible applicants, $600,000 in penalties, enhanced monitoring and compliance reforms. It is the 14th settlement under a 2025 worker-protection initiative.

US entrepreneur turns to AI for productivity, ends up with 156 tasks on daily to-do list

US entrepreneur Morissa Schwartz says AI assistants ballooned her daily to-do list to 156 tasks, creating work instead of easing it. She now limits weekday lists to about 25 meaningful items, prioritizes deadlines, groups related tasks and requires proof of completion, measuring productivity by finished outcomes rather than generated checklists. Schwartz is an author and AI strategist.

19 dead in Kolkata pandal stampede; CJI says youth questioning is healthy | Top news

At least 19 died and 25 were injured as rain and surging crowds caused a stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal Saturday. Meanwhile, Washington deferred 100% tariffs on India as Russian oil imports fell; CJI Surya Kant praised youth questioning institutions; Ferrari unveiled an electric car in India; and Saif Ali Khan joked about missing KBC winnings.

Buildings on fire, shops looted, over 1,000 arrested as French protests turn violent

France’s protests over rising living costs and declining public services turned violent, leaving Limoges’ 143-year-old town hall largely destroyed by fire and prompting about 1,200 arrests nationwide. Hundreds of thousands joined marches, while groups looted shops, attacked public buildings and clashed with police. The unrest reflects economic frustration and echoes the 2018 “yellow vest” movement.

In the mid-1800s, South Africa imported lantana for gardens, and it invaded over 2 million hectares

Lantana has invaded more than 2 million hectares in South Africa and remains a major threat despite decades of control. Biological agents have not stopped its growth, while climate models suggest suitable habitat may shift inland by 2100. Researchers recommend adaptive management, including density control and surveillance. The shrub was introduced as an ornamental in the 1800s.

Airlines are getting stricter with cabin luggage: 5 compact trolleys with zero gate-check headaches

Buy by measurements, not the “cabin size” label: IndiGo allows 55 × 35 × 25 cm, but Air India limits depth to 20 cm. Airconic 2.0 is the lightweight practical pick; Acer Barcelona is most compact, while Snitch Rubik, Swiss Military Edge and MOKOBARA Transit offer budget, slim and premium alternatives. Check full dimensions, including wheels and handles, before flying.

France's historic Limoges Town Hall burns down amid protests; US blames ‘immigration’ for unrest

JD Vance urged Americans to heed France’s unrest, blaming Western liberals’ immigration and diversity policies for failed assimilation and warning Democrats seek a similar future. Protests over living costs drew 550,000 people; hundreds were arrested amid looting and fires, while Limoges’ historic town hall collapsed. The demonstrations included Yellow Vests activists, whose movement began in 2018.

‘Birthday vacation in Paris?’ Opposition questions Bhagwant Mann’s France trip

Bhagwant Mann’s France visit has sparked opposition criticism, with leaders accusing Punjab’s chief minister of prioritizing a birthday trip over the drug crisis and justice for activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. Mann is leading a delegation to MARKFED’s stall at Paris’s SIAL 2026 food trade show; the High Court questioned the Centre’s refusal of political clearance.

Saif Ali Khan jokes about not receiving 2 years' worth of ghee he won on KBC yet

Saif Ali Khan joked on The Great Indian Kapil Show that he is still awaiting the two-year ghee supply and cheque he won on Kaun Banega Crorepati, prompting laughter and fresh memes. He appeared with Akshay Kumar on Amitabh Bachchan’s quiz show to promote Haiwaan, where his excitement over Gowardhan ghee made him an online “ghee legend.”

Dogs left behind in Fukushima in 2011 had 5 to 10 times the stress hormone levels of other abandoned

Fukushima rescue dogs had urine cortisol levels five to 10 times higher than comparison dogs, remaining elevated after 10 weeks of care; they were initially less trainable and less attached to caretakers. Researchers linked prolonged stress to disaster-related separation, but the small study cannot establish individual causes. After 2011’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident, pets were abandoned.

Weekly Career & Finance Horoscope, October 18 to 24, 2026

Across the zodiac, professional progress depends on prioritizing work, communicating clearly, checking details, and making informed choices rather than reacting to pressure or uncertainty. Financially, review commitments, avoid impulsive or fear-driven decisions, and balance security with growth. Collaboration, adaptability, and planning can open opportunities. Each sign receives a crystal remedy intended to encourage confidence, focus, or grounding.

Protesters accuse Colombia govt of erasing history at National Museum

Hundreds protested Saturday outside Colombia’s National Museum after President Abelardo de la Espriella’s government removed works on feminism, LGBTQ rights and peace, prompting censorship accusations. Protests turned violent at night as riot police deployed tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons. The president says museums must resist “political indoctrination,” while institutions demand autonomy and warn against rewriting history.

Kangana Ranaut reimagines garba style in ₹2.1 lakh Torani lehenga and heavy oxidised jewellery

Kangana Ranaut raised Navratri fashion stakes in Chhattisgarh, sharing photos and a behind-the-scenes video of her Torani lehenga. The ₹2,10,500 silk ensemble combined maroon heritage prints, embroidery, a tasselled lace-up choli and dupatta, with oxidised silver jewellery, a sleek braid and dramatic makeup. Celebrating indigenous craft, her look inspires bold prints and silver accents for garba.

Rajpal Yadav thanks Supreme Court for allowing him to present his side in cheque bounce case

Actor Rajpal Yadav thanked the Supreme Court for hearing his side in a cheque-bounce case, saying he would accept any decision after mediation. The dispute began with an alleged Rs 5-crore loan in 2010 for his film *Ata Pata Laapata*; seven repayment cheques bounced, and the court ordered him to deposit Rs 2 crore toward the dues.