Kashmiri apple supplies are struggling to meet rising festive demand ahead of Diwali after a widespread apple scab outbreak damaged this year's crop. According to growers and traders, around 50–60% of apples arriving in wholesale markets belong to lower-demand Grade B and Grade C categories. The outbreak has significantly affected fruit quality, reducing growers' potential earnings despite unchanged production costs. Grade A apples, particularly larger fruits and gift packs, continue to attract strong demand. Traders report that prices remain reasonable, with daily shipments of approximately 400–500 truckloads leaving markets for destinations across India. (PC: PT)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on November 1 strongly criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing West Bengal as a victim of the exercise. Addressing the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, she accused the Election Commission of electoral irregularities, alleging that voters' names had been removed and counting processes compromised. Banerjee vowed to continue the political fight against what she described as an attack on democracy and voting rights. She also demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and urged opposition parties to remain united in defending democratic institutions. (PC: ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 1 took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying his turn to become Prime Minister would never come. Addressing a gathering in Chandigarh, Shah criticised the INDIA bloc's 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, organised against alleged electoral irregularities and voter deletions. He also accused Congress of hurting Sikh sentiments by holding the protest on the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Shah further criticised the Opposition's mock Parliament session targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. 

Cyclone Murasu formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal on November 1, prompting authorities to issue high alerts across southern Odisha and neighbouring coastal regions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm before approaching the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur by November 3. Odisha may experience heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds, particularly on November 3 and 4. Authorities have initiated precautionary measures, including evacuations from vulnerable areas. NDRF and ODRAF teams remain on standby, while fishermen have been advised to avoid entering the sea. (PC: X)

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Election Commission of helping the BJP win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections through alleged EVM manipulation and voter list tampering. Addressing the INDIA bloc rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, he called the elections "illegal" and warned that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar would be removed and jailed. Gandhi claimed 15% of voters were removed from electoral lists after the 2024 polls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also accused the BJP of coming to power through alleged vote theft. Opposition leaders gathered to protest against the CEC and the Special Intensive Revision exercise. (PC: NDTV)

A search operation is underway in Uttarakhand's Kedartal region to locate 8 trekkers who have been missing. Rescue teams are working to trace the missing trekkers in the mountainous area. Kedartal, located in the Gangotri region of Uttarkashi district, is a high-altitude glacial lake surrounded by challenging terrain. The operation is being carried out amid difficult conditions, making the search challenging for rescue personnel. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the missing group. Further details about the trekkers' identities, the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and the progress of the rescue operation are awaited. (PC: X)

INDIA bloc leaders led by Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav reached Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday for a major protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The rally, titled ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’, followed the Opposition’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi and several other Opposition leaders also joined the gathering. The protest focuses on alleged electoral irregularities and concerns over voter list revisions. Thousands of supporters gathered at the venue, with some participants reportedly leaving due to overcrowding. Police said security arrangements were in place. (PC: HT)

A US federal judge has permanently dismissed President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media owner Rupert Murdoch over its report on an alleged birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Judge Darrin Gayles ruled that Trump failed to show the newspaper acted with actual malice, a legal requirement for public figures bringing defamation claims. The report, published in 2025, said a letter bearing Trump's name appeared in an album prepared for Epstein's 50th birthday in 2003. Trump denied writing it and called the report false. The judge said the revised lawsuit lacked sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. (PC: India Today)

Two men, including singer Yo Yo Honey Singh’s nephew Vidit Olak, died after their car crashed into a parked tractor-trolley in Punjab’s Jalandhar early Sunday. The other victim was identified as Aarav Talwar, son of the owner of Pappy Sweets. The accident took place around 3 am on a flyover near the Police Lines area. According to police, the Volkswagen car was returning from a birthday party when it hit the tractor-trolley parked by municipal sanitation workers during cleaning operations. Five people were travelling in the car. The other 3 occupants survived the crash. (PC: India Today)

US oil companies have earned more than $130 billion in profits during the Iran war, as global fuel prices and refining margins surge. According to a New York Times report published on October 30, more than 50 major American oil and gas companies generated the profits between April and September 2026. ExxonMobil reported $15.4 billion in quarterly profits, more than double its earnings a year earlier, while Chevron earned $9.9 billion, nearly three times its previous year's figure. The surge comes as American consumers face higher petrol and diesel prices, raising concerns over who benefits from the conflict. (PC: X)