Environmentalist and Padma Shri Awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka Dies at 114
Renowned environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka, affectionately known as 'Vruksha Mata' (Mother of Trees), passed away at the age of 114 in Bengaluru from age-related ailments. A recipient of the Padma Shri in 2019, Thimmakka was celebrated for her selfless work planting and nurturing over 385 banyan trees along a 4.5 km highway in Karnataka, in addition to nearly 8,000 other trees. She began this lifelong mission with her husband after being unable to have children, leaving an enduring legacy of environmental conservation.
Lakshya Sen Enters Japan Masters Semifinals with Upset Win
Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen advanced to the semifinals of the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 tournament after a commanding straight-games victory over former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore. The Commonwealth Games champion, seeded seventh, defeated his opponent 21-13, 21-17 in a 40-minute quarterfinal match. This victory marks Sen's seventh win against Loh in their career meetings. He will now face Japan's Kenta Nishimoto for a place in the final, continuing his strong run.
IIT Madras Launches Lab to Study India's Linguistic Diversity with Tech
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has launched the ‘Language and Cognition Laboratory’ (LC-Lab), the first of its kind in India to systematically study the nation's vast linguistic diversity using experimental methods. The lab will employ technologies like eye-tracking to understand how humans process and produce language in multilingual contexts. It aims to create human-centered, linguistically aware AI systems and contribute to educational interventions for conditions like dyslexia, blending linguistics with cognitive science, neuroscience, and AI.
NDA Secures Landslide Victory in Bihar Assembly Elections
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set for a landslide victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, leading in over 180 of the 243 seats. Trends indicate the BJP will emerge as the single-largest party, outperforming its ally, the Janata Dal (United), which has significantly improved its tally from 2020. A higher turnout among women voters is seen as a key factor in the NDA's win. The opposition Mahagathbandhan trailed significantly, while new entrants like the Jan Suraaj party failed to make an impact.
DNA Confirms Identity of Driver in Delhi Red Fort Terror Blast; Death Toll Rises to 13
Police sources confirmed that a DNA test identified Dr. Umar Nabi as the driver of the car that exploded near Delhi's Red Fort. The death toll from the blast has risen to 13. Nabi was a key member of a 'white-collar' terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, busted just hours before the attack. The ongoing investigation has uncovered a wider plot involving multiple vehicles, significant funding for explosives, and plans for serial blasts at four different locations.
Record 43-Day US Government Shutdown Ends as Trump Signs Funding Bill
US President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill, ending a record-breaking 43-day federal shutdown. The resolution came after the House of Representatives passed the Senate-approved measure, concluding a protracted partisan standoff. The historic disruption caused significant financial distress for hundreds of thousands of unpaid federal workers, delayed air travel nationwide, and was estimated to have caused $14 billion in lost economic growth. The new bill restores funding for government agencies through January 30.
Jaypee Infratech MD Manoj Gaur Arrested in Money Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Manoj Gaur, the Managing Director of real estate firm Jaypee Infratech, in connection with a money laundering investigation. The arrest was made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is linked to allegations of large-scale fraud against homebuyers. The action marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into financial irregularities at the debt-laden company, which has faced years of protests and legal battles from thousands of affected homebuyers.
Bihar Awaits Assembly Election Results as Vote Counting Set for Friday
Bihar is preparing for the counting of votes on Friday, which will determine the outcome of the recent two-phase Assembly elections. The state recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13%. The results will decide if incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar secures a record fifth term or if the opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by Tejashwi Yadav, will form the new government. While exit polls have largely predicted a victory for the ruling NDA coalition, the opposition remains confident of a win.
Bangladesh Tribunal to Deliver Verdict in Sheikh Hasina's Case on November 17
A special tribunal in Bangladesh has scheduled November 17 to deliver its verdict in a crimes against humanity case involving deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, who fled to India after massive anti-government protests earlier this year, was tried in absentia. Also facing trial were her former home minister and the then-chief of police. The verdict is a significant political event for the neighboring country, following a period of intense civil unrest that led to her government's ouster.
Cabinet Approves Export Promotion Mission and New Royalty Rates for Critical Minerals
The Union Cabinet has approved a new Export Promotion Mission to improve global competitiveness for Indian goods, particularly helping MSMEs and first-time exporters. Separately, the government rationalised royalty rates for critical minerals including graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium. This policy change aims to boost domestic production, encourage auctions of mineral blocks, and reduce India's import dependency on these strategic resources, thereby strengthening supply chains and fostering self-reliance in key high-technology and green energy sectors.
UIDAI Informs Election Commission of 34 Lakh 'Deceased' Aadhaar Holders in West Bengal
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has informed the Election Commission (EC) that approximately 34 lakh Aadhaar card holders in West Bengal have been identified as 'deceased' since the card's introduction. This information was shared during a meeting concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The data is expected to be a crucial tool for the EC to detect and remove ineligible names, such as 'ghost' and deceased voters, from the state's electoral rolls, enhancing their accuracy.
Mahindra and Manulife to Form 50:50 Life Insurance Joint Venture
Mahindra & Mahindra and Canadian financial services giant Manulife have agreed to establish a 50:50 life insurance joint venture in India, pending regulatory approval. This partnership builds on their existing asset management collaboration. The venture aims to expand insurance penetration into rural and semi-urban India by combining Mahindra's distribution network with Manulife's global insurance expertise. Each partner has committed up to ₹3,600 crore in capital, signaling a major new entry into India's fast-growing insurance market.
Nithari Killings Convict Surinder Koli Released From Jail After Supreme Court Acquittal
Surinder Koli, accused in the infamous 2006 Nithari serial killings, walked out of jail after the Supreme Court acquitted him in the last pending case. The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and sharply criticized investigative lapses. The gruesome case, which involved the discovery of skeletal remains of multiple children and women in Noida, had shocked the nation. Koli's co-accused, Moninder Singh Pandher, was released in 2023 following his acquittal.
Cricketer Rishabh Pant Grateful for Test Comeback After Long Injury Layoff
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is set to make his return to Test cricket against South Africa after a four-month absence due to a foot fracture. Pant, who also made a remarkable recovery from a life-threatening car accident last year, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his difficult rehabilitation. In a video released by the BCCI, he reflected on the mental challenges of recovery, emphasizing his focus on controllables and his happiness to be back on the field.
'Black Panther' Star Chadwick Boseman to Receive Posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
The late actor Chadwick Boseman, celebrated for his iconic role as T'Challa in Marvel's 'Black Panther', will be posthumously honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for November 20. 'Black Panther' director Ryan Coogler is set to speak at the event, and Boseman's wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, will accept the honour on his behalf. Boseman, who passed away in 2020 from colon cancer at age 43, is being recognized for his profound and enduring impact.