Delhi Air Quality Worsens to 'Very Poor' as Pollutants Get Trapped
Air quality in Delhi has deteriorated significantly, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching the 'very poor' category at 366. Several monitoring stations recorded 'severe' pollution levels above 400. Authorities attribute the decline to weak northwesterly winds trapping pollutants, preventing their dispersal. The high concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particles poses a serious health risk, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions. The air quality is expected to remain in the 'very poor' category for several more days.
Maldives Becomes First Country to Implement Generational Tobacco Ban
Maldives has become the first country in the world to enact a generational tobacco ban, making it illegal to sell tobacco or vaping products to anyone born after January 1, 2007. The landmark public health legislation, which took effect on November 1, applies to both citizens and visitors. President Mohamed Muizzu stated the policy is part of a broader effort to promote healthier lifestyles. The move follows a similar law proposed in New Zealand that was later repealed.
15 Devotees Killed in Rajasthan as Vehicle Hits Parked Truck
At least 15 people, including ten women and four children, were killed after their tempo traveller rammed into a stationary trailer truck in Rajasthan's Phalodi district. The victims were devotees returning to Jodhpur from the Kolayat temple. The collision occurred on the Bharat Mala Highway, with eyewitnesses stating the tempo was travelling at high speed while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The impact of the crash was severe, crushing the front of the passenger vehicle. The Prime Minister's Office has announced compensation for the victims' families.
India Wins Maiden Women's Cricket World Cup, Defeating South Africa in Final
The Indian women's cricket team made history by winning its first-ever ICC World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at Navi Mumbai. Batting first, India posted a strong total of 298/7, propelled by Shafali Verma's 87 and Deepti Sharma's 58. In response, South Africa was bowled out for 246 despite a century from captain Laura Wolvaardt. Deepti Sharma was named Player of the Tournament for her all-round performance, capping a historic moment for Indian cricket.
Earthquake of 6.3 Magnitude Strikes Northern Afghanistan, Killing At Least 5
A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan's Samangan province, killing at least five people and injuring 143 others. The quake hit before dawn at a depth of 23 kilometres, with its epicentre near the city of Khulm. According to Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority, most of the injured sustained minor wounds and have since been discharged. Tremors were also felt in the neighbouring countries of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Afghanistan is located in a seismically active region and frequently experiences destructive earthquakes.
Fugitive Diamantaire Mehul Choksi Appeals Extradition in Belgium's Supreme Court
Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case, has appealed to the Supreme Court of Belgium against his extradition to India. This move challenges an October ruling by the Antwerp Court of Appeals which had deemed India's extradition request "enforceable." The appeal to the Court of Cassation, Belgium's highest court, will focus on legal merits and has temporarily suspended the extradition process, prolonging the international legal battle to bring him to justice.
Chhattisgarh Court Upholds Village Hoardings Barring Entry to Pastors
The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that hoardings installed in eight tribal villages prohibiting the entry of pastors and 'converted Christians' are not unconstitutional. Disposing of petitions seeking their removal, the court observed the hoardings were a precautionary measure by gram sabhas to prevent forced religious conversions through allurement or fraud. The court held that such measures are permissible under the PESA Act to protect indigenous tribal culture and heritage, and do not violate the constitutional freedom of religion.
Trial of 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Handler Abu Jundal to Resume After 7-Year Hiatus
The trial of Zabiuddin Ansari, alias Abu Jundal, a key handler in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is set to resume after being stalled since 2018. The Bombay High Court quashed a lower court's order that had required authorities to provide confidential documents to the accused, clearing a major procedural hurdle. Ansari is accused of training the 10 Pakistani terrorists, teaching them Hindi and local mannerisms, and being in the Karachi-based control room during the attacks that killed 166 people.
Nearly 300 Killed in Political Violence in Bangladesh Since Hasina's Fall
A human rights group in Bangladesh reports that at least 281 people have been killed in political violence in the year since student-led protests toppled former leader Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The Dhaka-based organization Odhikar also documented 40 extrajudicial killings and 153 lynchings during this period. The report notes that while some rights abuses have decreased since the Hasina era, law enforcement agencies still lack accountability, and extortion by political parties has become widespread amid the country's ongoing instability.
ISRO Successfully Launches Heaviest Communication Satellite from India
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The satellite was carried aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket, India's heavylift launch vehicle. This marks a significant milestone as it is the heaviest satellite ISRO has launched into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit from Indian soil. The multi-band CMS-03 satellite is designed to enhance communication services over the Indian mainland and a wide oceanic region, bolstering the country's space infrastructure.
Bangladesh Police Declare Former PM Sheikh Hasina a Fugitive
Bangladesh's Criminal Investigation Department has declared former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 260 others as fugitives in a sedition case. A notice published in national newspapers accuses them of conspiring to overthrow the government. This development follows Hasina's ouster in August 2024 after widespread protests. Currently in exile in India, she faces multiple cases, including for murder and crimes against humanity, related to the violent suppression of the protests that led to her government's fall.
Stampede at Andhra Pradesh Temple Kills 9, Including a Child
A stampede at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga, Srikakulam district, resulted in the deaths of nine people, including eight women and a boy. The tragedy occurred when a broken iron railing caused devotees on a staircase to fall onto the crowd below. Police have since barred entry to the privately-run temple, stating that the organisers had not sought permission or arranged for police protection for the large religious gathering. A case of culpable homicide has been registered against the temple owner.
Multiple People Stabbed on London-Bound Train; 2 Suspects Arrested
A mass stabbing on a train service travelling from Doncaster to London has left nine people with life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred near Cambridge, and the train was stopped at Huntingdon where armed police responded. Two male suspects have been arrested, with one reportedly being tasered on the platform. British Transport Police, supported by counter-terrorism units, are investigating the motive behind what Prime Minister Keir Starmer called an "appalling incident." A large-scale emergency response was mobilised, including air ambulances.
Maoist-Affected Districts in India Drop from 125 to 3 in 11 Years, Says PM
Speaking at Chhattisgarh's 25th anniversary celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant reduction in Maoist-affected districts across India, from 125 eleven years ago to just three today. He stated that the country is close to being completely free from Maoist terror, attributing the progress to focused government efforts since 2014. Citing recent mass surrenders in Bastar and Kanker, he highlighted that development projects are now reaching remote tribal areas previously dominated by insurgency, such as Abujhmad and Puvarti.
JD(U) Candidate Anant Singh Arrested in Connection with Political Worker's Death
Bihar Police have arrested Janata Dal (United) candidate Anant Singh in connection with the death of a Jan Suraaj party worker, Dularchand Yadav. The death followed a violent clash between supporters of the two parties in the Mokama constituency, which is set for elections on November 6. A post-mortem revealed Yadav died from internal injuries caused by a blunt object. Singh, a controversial former MLA, was named in an FIR. The Election Commission has also ordered the transfer of several local police and administrative officials.