How a pretty South American garden plant spread to 53 countries and choked Africa’s biggest lake

Water hyacinth’s invasion of Lake Victoria damaged fisheries, blocked boats and water systems, harmed ecosystems, and threatened livelihoods, with annual economic losses estimated at $150 million. By 1998, it covered about 20,000 hectares; control efforts reduced it, but floods fueled a resurgence. Native to South America, the ornamental plant spread after introduction and careless disposal.

Want salon-like hair at home? Here are 7 hair straighteners to make styling easier

Amazon India shoppers can choose seven straighteners for everyday use, thick hair, shine, touch-ups, versatility, occasional styling and professional-style control, with options from Philips, Remington, Syska, VEGA, Nova and Ikonic. The model depends on hair texture and styling frequency; prioritize adjustable heat, plate width and safety features, use heat protectant, and never straighten wet hair.

Panel flags NTA staff shortage, moots new question bank system

A parliamentary committee urged the National Testing Agency to fill 16 of its 39 vacant permanent posts and hire examination-security, technology, analytics and logistics specialists, warning that reliance on deputation and contractors weakens capacity. It proposed secure testing centres and stronger question-paper safeguards. The recommendations follow NEET-UG 2026’s cancellation after question overlap and amid scrutiny.

Government proposes tighter curbs on prescription-only drugs ads by pharmacies, wholesalers

The Union health ministry has proposed extending restrictions on advertising prescription-only medicines to retail and wholesale drug sellers, closing a gap that applies only to manufacturers. A draft amendment to Drugs Rules, 1945, seeks stakeholder feedback within 30 days, aiming to curb unauthorised promotion, inappropriate self-medication and antibiotic misuse. The proposal follows advisory-board recommendations; pharmacies welcome it.

US immigration fines: ICE finalizes new rules after judge blocks Trump policy

ICE finalized a rule retaining the Trump administration’s civil immigration fines while allowing certain late appeals when mail delays prevent timely responses, days after a federal judge blocked the earlier system pending litigation. Fines can reach $998 per day and roughly $1.8 million for some immigrants; DHS reported issuing more than 103,000 penalties totaling $84 billion.

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee detained in Gurugram ahead of CJP's Jantar Mantar protest

Please provide the article and its headline, and I’ll summarize it in about 55 words using the inverted pyramid approach.

In 1788, a cactus was brought to Australia for red dye; it later covered 24 million hectares

Australia’s prickly pear invasion rendered 60 million acres unusable until authorities released the Argentine cactus moth in 1926; by 1933, 80 percent of Queensland’s infested land had been cleared. Its larvae destroyed cactus pads, but the moth later endangered Opuntia species and crops elsewhere. Prickly pear arrived in 1788, then spread as hedges and fodder.

In 2007, an Australian garden plant cost Queensland grazing an estimated A$121 million

Lantana has become a costly Queensland weed, with lost grazing opportunity estimated at A$121 million in 2007, versus A$3 million in 1985. Control has mostly failed; the plant now covers five million hectares in Australia and threatens livestock and biodiversity. Introduced from the Americas as an ornamental before 1850, it escaped gardens and spread widely.

In 1994, California ordered LA to curb its Mono Lake diversions and protect a lake near collapse

Mono Lake remains below its 6,392-foot restoration goal, decades after California restricted Los Angeles water diversions, as drought, climate change and ongoing withdrawals slow recovery, the state board says. A 2025 scientific review found the lake has never reached its target since 1994; officials are assessing water budgets and restoration options. Diversions once lowered it 45 feet.

Mrunal Thakur backs Katrina Kaif, Kriti Sanon amid their trolling by ‘crazy people’

Mrunal Thakur has defended Katrina Kaif and Kriti Sanon against online trolling, urging people to respect their choices and recognize their contributions to film and business. While promoting her ZEE5 crime thriller *Pooja Meri Jaan*, she said men, too, face public judgment. Katrina was body-shamed after childbirth, while Kriti drew criticism over a jewellery advertisement.

In 1776, Chinese tallow reached the US; now it infests more than 234,000 acres in southeast Texas

Chinese tallow, an Asian tree once promoted in the Gulf states for soap production, now infests more than 234,000 acres in southeast Texas. Fast-growing trees produce up to 100,000 seeds, spread by birds and water, and regrow after cutting, allowing dense stands to overtake habitats and disrupt agriculture. Controlling the invasive requires monitoring and treatment.

Bihar likely to present over ₹10,000 cr demand to Centre to compensate flood damages

Bihar will seek over ₹10,000 crore from the Centre in flood compensation, as floods affected five million people across 15 districts, damaging crops, roads, embankments and schools. Final assessment is expected next week, delayed until waters recede; preliminary crop losses are ₹270 crore, while rural-road repairs may exceed ₹3,000 crore. Two waves triggered relief efforts.

Kush Maini puts F1 race seat goal on hold but will remain with Alpine in 2027

Indian driver Kush Maini will remain with Alpine through 2027, though his role is undecided after the team retained Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto. He says simulator work and testing will keep him ready for a Formula 1 opportunity, after finishing ninth with 90 points in his Formula 2 season; he joined Alpine’s academy in 2023.

Katie Zacharia looks like Natalie Harp? Images shared online as Trump names Press Secretary

President Donald Trump appointed Katie Zacharia White House press secretary, replacing Karoline Leavitt, as online users compared her with Natalie Harp and shared photos noting resemblance. Zacharia called the appointment an honor and pledged to communicate results; she previously worked at Trump Media and briefly served as a DHS spokesperson. Harp is nicknamed “human printer.”

Shreyas laments ‘dew factor’ after West Indies hand India shocking defeat in Ranchi

West Indies completed their highest successful T20I chase, overhauling India’s 249/5 in Ranchi with nine balls remaining after losing two wickets in the opening over. Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 84 powered a 120-run stand, as heavy dew frustrated India’s spinners. Iyer said there was little margin for error; Samson had earlier scored 82.

Contempt plea in SC over Delhi Metro, rail curbs; home secretary, Delhi Police chief named

Please share the full article. The text provided ends mid-sentence, so I can’t produce an accurate 55-word summary without inventing details.

Faridabad teen dies by suicide at classmate’s home, 9 family members held for violence, 2 cops injured

A 17-year-old boy died by suicide at a classmate’s home in Faridabad as police suspected unrequited love; nine relatives were arrested after allegedly attacking her family and injuring two officers. He had promised his parents to stay away, but returned Thursday night and was found hanging in a family boutique; investigators found no evidence of foul play.

Share intel with Delhi Police: Home secretary writes to top cops across country ahead of CJP protest

Union home secretary Govind Mohan urged police chiefs nationwide to share intelligence and coordinate with Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s October 10 protest march, warning it may attempt unauthorised entry into Delhi despite the prohibition. Authorities cite intelligence and past disorder; Delhi Police denied permission, saying the group violated rules at a previous protest and applied too late.

HT Morning News Brief: Delhi braces for CJP's Jantar Mantar protest, India's counter to Musk

Delhi deployed 40,000-plus police and paramilitary personnel, shut metro services and internet access, and turned central areas into a fortress as the Cockroach Janta Party prepared to protest Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; police detained people near Jantar Mantar. The roundup also notes Scindia’s rebuttal of Musk and Gambhir’s concerns after India’s T20 loss, amid electoral-roll allegations.

In 1870, 12 deer reached New Caledonia from Java; today, an estimated 250,000 to 370,000 live there

New Caledonia’s rusa deer threaten ecosystems, while control is difficult: DNA suggests a freely moving islandwide population, allowing migrants to undo culls. Browsing prevents dry-forest regeneration, erodes soil, and damages trees, but venison and hunting remain important to communities. Introduced from Java in 1870 by 12 deer, the herd reached an estimated 250,000–370,000 by 2011.

Driver burnt alive as moving CNG car catches fire in UP's Barabanki

A CNG-powered car caught fire while moving in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Saturday, killing driver Pradeep Kumar, who was found charred in the wreckage, police said. Kumar was returning after dropping passengers at Lucknow airport when the blaze erupted around dawn in Safdarganj. Passers-by could not rescue him; police identified him by registration, and the cause of fire remains under investigation.

‘Today he didn't message’: Amitabh Bachchan remembers Nana Patekar with emotional throwback video

Amitabh Bachchan was “speechless” after Nana Patekar’s sudden death, revealing the longtime friends exchanged messages every other day and that no message arrived on the day Patekar died. Bachchan shared throwback videos celebrating their bond and praised Patekar’s humanitarian work. Patekar, 75, died at his Goa home and was cremated with state honours in Pune.

Indian man jailed in Paris over leading online child abuse ring

A Paris court sentenced Indian national Rohan Rane, 29, to 20 years in prison for leading “CVLT,” which coerced girls, many minors, into sexual and violent videos. It targeted children in the US, Britain and Canada; prosecutors identified 20 victims, six of whom filed complaints. Rane led the Discord-based network after moving to France to study.

Over 1,000 detained across Delhi ahead of protest against CEC at Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police detained more than 1,000 people ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities. Officers said arrests across districts and transport hubs aimed to prevent mass mobilisation. Expecting over 20,000 demonstrators at Jantar Mantar, police deployed 30,000 personnel and earmarked 13 detention centres.

In the 1940s, New Zealand planted cordgrass to create farmland; it became an estuary invader

New Zealand’s effort to reclaim land with cordgrass created an invasion of tidal mudflats, threatening habitats for birds and shellfish and demanding decades of control. Introduced to bind mud, spartina spread nearly 20-fold in a plot from 1973 to 1982, trapping sediment and replacing open flats. In 2025, DOC planned herbicide spraying, after tests dating to 1980.

Flydubai incident probe: 10 findings on alleged plot to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport

UAE investigators say a flydubai co-pilot planned to hijack FZ1073 and crash it into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, attacking the captain with an emergency axe before crew and passengers intervened; the plane diverted to Saudi Arabia. He reportedly made two prior Tel Aviv flights, while checks missed signs of extremist views; inquiries remain ongoing.

Sahibzada Farhan leads Pakistan to win over Sri Lanka in 1st T20I

New captain Sahibzada Farhan smashed 89 off 53 balls to steer Pakistan to a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, giving hosts a 1-0 lead in the T20 series. Sri Lanka made 182-8, led by Lahiru Udara’s 91; Maaz Sadaqat added 50, while Naseem Shah took three wickets. The remaining matches are Sunday and Tuesday in Rawalpindi.

Tanzid and Islam lead Bangladesh to 317/8 in Afghanistan Test

Bangladesh made 317-8 on day one of their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, with openers Tanzid Hasan (83) and Shadman Islam (67) sharing a 124-run stand. Afghanistan claimed five wickets for 101 after the partnership, but Litton Das’s 53 helped Bangladesh recover. Afghanistan’s home match is played in the UAE amid security concerns.

Career & Finance Horoscope, October 10, 2026

Career choices call for patience, adaptability and clear judgment, as each sign should match its next move to circumstances: Aries should compare options, while Pisces verifies details before committing. Leadership and fresh ideas may open doors for Taurus and Cancer; others should navigate conflict, setbacks or uncertainty thoughtfully. Each sign also receives a crystal remedy.

Aneet Padda calls working with Nana Patekar in Shakti Shalini ‘a lesson’, shares emotional tribute

Shakti Shalini director Aditya Sarpotdar and co-star Aneet Padda paid tribute to Nana Patekar after his death Thursday, remembering his curiosity, generosity and commitment to cinema. Padda said observing the veteran taught her about acting and simplicity, while Sarpotdar recalled his contributions on and off set. Patekar was cremated with state honours at his Pune farmhouse.