Delhi’s teen birder inspired by Cornell’s Merlin App publishes ode to birds

*Birds at the Edge: Endemism and Survival in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands* celebrates the archipelago’s birdlife while urging stronger biodiversity documentation and conservation. Co-authored by birder Fateh Jahaan Singh Dhaliwal and Amrit Raha, the e-book draws on fieldwork, photography and citizen-science records of endemic and vagrant species. Released October 10, it reflects Dhaliwal’s Cornell-inspired journey.

Sharad Navratri Day 6, 2026: What Maa Katyayani teaches about anger and emotional boundaries

Sharad Navratri’s sixth day, October 16, 2026, honours Maa Katyayani, whose message urges people to confront injustice, protect values and set boundaries rather than silently endure unfairness. Astrologer Poonam Dutta says anger may surface as exhaustion or frustration; identify its cause, communicate calmly and take deliberate action. In Hindu tradition, Katyayani embodies courage and dharma.

Santa Paula Cornell Fire: Map, evacuation updates as Ventura County blaze prompts shelter order

The Cornell Fire broke out in Ventura County, burning 0.23 acres of heavy vegetation, with no structures threatened, according to officials. An evacuation warning is in effect for the Santa Paula 19 zone, while residents on Todd Road 01 are under a shelter-in-place order. Reported around 1:50 a.m. October 16, the fire remained under assessment.

Burrow: Bengals ‘got to be better’ after Week 5 win as bye begins

The Bengals enter their bye 3-2 after a 31-24 win over Miami, with Joe Burrow saying they must improve “everywhere” before an AFC North matchup against Baltimore. Cincinnati must correct penalties, red-zone fumbles and run defense while using the break to recover players. A revamped defense led by Dexter Lawrence and Boye Mafe offers hope.

Aaron Rodgers vs. Todd Bowles should be quite a chess match when Steelers visit the Buccaneers

Sunday’s Steelers-Buccaneers matchup pits Aaron Rodgers against Todd Bowles’ disguised pressures as Pittsburgh visits Tampa Bay. Rodgers ranks third in career passing touchdowns and has thrown three TD passes in three straight games, though he’s 1-2 against Bowles’ defenses. Rookie Jalon Daniels makes third start after leading the Bucs past Dallas; Pittsburgh leads series 10-2.

Vegas bettor pleads guilty to game-fixing, point-shaving schemes

Las Vegas sports bettor Shane Hennen pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges tied to point-shaving, game-fixing and illicit NBA betting, including bribing basketball players and exploiting nonpublic information. He faces up to 125 years in prison across Pennsylvania and New York cases, with sentencing scheduled for 2027. Previously, he pleaded guilty in an allegedly Mafia-linked rigged-poker scheme.

Large wildfire breaks out in Los Angeles County

The Peak Fire has broken out in Azusa, Los Angeles County, and has grown to 15 acres, with no containment reported and evacuation warnings issued, according to Watch Duty. The fire remains active, and this developing report may be updated as more information becomes available. No cause or further details about the incident were provided.

Argentine protesters, police clash at demo over university funding

Thousands protested in Buenos Aires Thursday against President Javier Milei’s university spending cuts; the main march stayed peaceful, but breakaway demonstrators threw stones, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannon. Protesters demanded implementation of a 2025 funding law, which the government has not enacted despite court orders. Under Milei’s austerity, university spending fell 41% in real terms.

Olympics-Dispersed Games to become increasingly common, says USOPC CEO Hirshland

Dispersed Olympics are likely to become the norm as growing scale makes it difficult and costly for one host city to provide needed infrastructure, U.S. Olympic chief Sarah Hirshland said Thursday. LA28 will spread events across Oklahoma City and six soccer cities, while the 2030 French Alps Games are expected to follow Milano Cortina’s model.

Multiple victims, including children, in shooting at Oregon school

Police reported an active shooter situation at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, but the available report provides no further details about the incident, including whether anyone was injured, students and staff were evacuated, or a suspect was identified or taken into custody. No additional background information was provided in the report.

Zelensky rallies European allies as Trump ties slump

Zelensky rallied European leaders in Brussels after saying Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries, defying Trump’s demand to hold back as Moscow attacked Ukrainian energy sites. Macron and Tusk voiced support, urging stronger pressure on Russia and more defense aid. Tensions have also grown over US restrictions on Starshield communications and intelligence support for Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia says it thwarted a missile strike on Medina, and other Middle East developments

Saudi-led forces reported intercepting a missile over Medina, while Houthi rebels denied responsibility and claimed a strike near Yemen’s palace in Aden, killing two and injuring six. The U.N. condemned Houthi attacks. Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar sued Benjamin Netanyahu over Oct. 7 accusations; Yemen’s conflict followed rebel advances near the Bab el-Mandeb shipping channel.

Trump calls James Talarico a 'total con man' over campaign absence

Trump attacked Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico for missing the campaign trail, calling him a “con man,” questioning his flu claim and urging voters to back Ken Paxton. Talarico returned October 9 after nearly 10 days away, saying he had been sick for seven days. Paxton demanded “proof of life”; Talarico had announced his flu diagnosis September 30.

Another court declares Ohio school choice voucher program unconstitutional

An Ohio appeals court upheld a ruling declaring EdChoice unconstitutional, finding it lets private schools—not families—choose students and harms public schools; the program remains in operation during appeal. Judges cited selective admissions, urban concentration and weaker support for school levies, intensifying enrollment and funding pressures. The lawsuit challenges Ohio’s decades-old voucher system, expanded universally in 2023.

Dan Orlovsky's brother-in-law dies unexpectedly; GoFundMe launched for family

ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky is seeking support for his sister, Christine Lascano, and her three sons after her husband, Federico, died suddenly over the weekend; the cause has not been disclosed. A GoFundMe seeks $100,000 for expenses and the boys’ education, and had raised over $65,000 by Thursday. Orlovsky, a former NFL quarterback, shared the appeal.

US winter is likely to be wetter and warmer, forecasters say. If you want more snow, look south

El Niño is expected to make the United States warmer and wetter this winter, while leaving northern regions with below-normal snowfall, NOAA forecasts, though storms remain possible. The pattern may ease Western drought but bring California flood and landslide threats and heightened Southeast tornado risk; human-caused climate change has contributed to warmer U.S. winters.

Greenland takes a step towards banning deep-sea mining

Greenland’s parliament unanimously approved a proposal Thursday to draft legislation banning deep-sea mining and exploration until at least 2029, with two-year extensions. The move reflects environmental concerns and limited knowledge of impacts, while protecting fisheries and livelihoods. Mineral wealth could support independence from Denmark, but territory remains reliant on Danish subsidies and needs major investment.

Matt Gaetz among 3 defendants named in sex trafficking civil lawsuit

Two women have sued former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and associates Joel Greenberg and Christopher Dorworth, alleging a sex-trafficking scheme involving drugs, paid sexual encounters and interstate travel from 2017 to 2019. They say Greenberg recruited them and introduced them to Gaetz; Gaetz denies the allegations. The lawsuit draws on findings from an Ethics Committee investigation.

Amar'e Stoudemire goes from M

Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire, 43, graduated Thursday from Miami Dade College’s law enforcement academy and will join the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, fulfilling a childhood dream and serving as a positive influence for students. A Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, he was a six-time All-Star and 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year, playing 846 regular-season games.

Lyon down Palace in Europa League, Sunderland leave it late

Lyon beat Crystal Palace 3-2 in the Europa League, while Sunderland snatched a 2-1 win over Torreense through Noah Sadiki’s 93rd-minute strike; Bayer Leverkusen moved top with a 4-0 victory, and AC Milan also won 4-0. Lyon’s victory gave them two wins from two in the league phase, while Leverkusen followed their opening 2-0 success.

Rare power barrage leaves Brewers eyeing NLCS sweep of Dodgers

Milwaukee moved within one win of a World Series berth in 44 years, beating Los Angeles 6-2 Wednesday for a 3-0 NLCS lead. Jake Bauers’ 11-pitch at-bat produced a go-ahead homer, while Garrett Mitchell homered. Shane Drohan starts Thursday against Tyler Glasnow as the Dodgers face elimination and seek to reverse last year’s NLCS sweep.

HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on October 16, 2026 in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram

Delhi-NCR’s October 16–18 calendar features two dandiya festivals—Shubharambh 2026 at Bharat Mandapam and Dandiya Raas Utsav 2.0 in Gurugram—alongside an October 16 programme spanning music, dance, theatre, art and activities. Highlights include Harshdeep Kaur, Dastangoi’s *Dastan-e-Siya Ram*, the KNMA Dance Festival, a diya-painting workshop, exhibitions and a free Ramlila performance; entry ranges from free to ₹1,499.

Prayagraj lawyer shot dead over land dispute; govt advocate booked

A 52-year-old lawyer and college lab attendant was fatally shot during a property dispute in Prayagraj’s Salori area Thursday; his family accused advocate Devendra Nath Mishra of firing. Police said an argument erupted after Mishra allegedly broke a lock, and investigators are questioning suspects and reviewing CCTV. The dispute concerned Nazul land; an FIR names Mishra and relatives.

Packers running back Josh Jacobs sues to have evidence in his battery case permanently sealed

Packers running back Josh Jacobs sued Hobart-Lawrence Police to permanently seal evidence in his battery case, arguing disclosure could expose his former girlfriend to public scrutiny and threaten her privacy and safety. He pleaded no contest to battery and property-damage misdemeanors last month; the surveillance video remains unreleased, and the NFL review has no timeline.

Columbia suspends coach Megan Griffith for 3 games after review of coaching behavior

Columbia suspended women’s basketball coach Megan Griffith for the first three games after an external review found her practice interactions with players fell short of expectations. The review followed a past-season complaint and found no reportable NCAA violations or Title IX or discrimination-policy allegations. Griffith accepted responsibility, while players voiced support; she is Columbia’s winningest coach.

Martinez apologises for outburst at Man Utd hierarchy

Martinez apologised Thursday for criticising Manchester United’s leadership over transfer spending, saying frustration after Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat by Atletico Madrid led to remarks made at the wrong time. After meeting club officials and manager Michael Carrick, he backed the team and said standards begin with him. United’s poor start has increased pressure on Carrick.

SRFTI VC allegedly manhandled amid ongoing campus protest, office vandalised

SRFTI Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera was allegedly manhandled by a student and abused by others Thursday, hours after his office was vandalised, as a shutdown over security entered its 17th day. The institute said stones shattered windows and utility lines were cut. Ajmera demanded action, while protesters seek his resignation, disciplinary-notice revocation and an independent inquiry.

Social Security warning: Retirees face 22% benefit cuts in 2032 despite 3.6% COLA boost in 2027

Social Security retirees could face a 22% benefit cut in 2032 if Congress fails to address the trust fund shortfall, though payroll-tax revenue would still cover about 78% of payments. Meanwhile, a 3.6% 2027 cost-of-living adjustment will add $75 monthly for average retirees, but Medicare premiums may offset gains. The increase leaves the program’s funding problems unresolved.

Prahaar review: Rajkummar Rao shines in an interesting courtroom drama that occasionally loses focus

Prahaar, Avinash Arun’s film about Ujjwal Nikam’s prosecution of Ajmal Kasab after 26/11, comes close to honoring the tragedy’s magnitude but loses momentum as family subplots dilute its legal focus. Rajkummar Rao is compelling alongside Wamiqa Gabbi, Sikandar Kher and Jaideep Ahlawat; its crisp first half cannot offset digressions as Bollywood once again revisits 26/11.

'Active threat situation' reported at Miami University

Miami University issued RedHawk Alerts Thursday afternoon warning of an active threat on its Oxford, Ohio, campus and urging people to run, hide or fight. The first alert, sent around 2 p.m. EDT, gave no location; a second, 10 minutes later, identified the area around McGuffey Hall and told people to avoid it. Updates promised.