India’s retail inflation is expected to have accelerated in October, moving closer to the Reserve Bank of India’s upper tolerance limit of 6%, according to a Reuters poll of economists. The projected increase is largely attributed to rising food prices, with food inflation estimated at 8.20%. Higher global food prices and input costs are adding to pressure on household budgets. The RBI’s inflation target range is 2% to 6%, while its forecast for average inflation during the current financial year stands at 5.2%. The anticipated rise could influence the central bank’s monetary policy decisions, as policymakers assess price pressures and the outlook for inflation in the coming months. (PC: X)

India-born Democrat Saba Haider has won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, becoming the first South Asian woman elected to the state’s General Assembly. Her victory brought celebrations at her family home in Ghaziabad, where her mother, Shahnaz Haider, stayed awake through the night awaiting the result. Speaking to PTI, Shahnaz recalled receiving Saba’s phone call around 6:30–7 am, when her daughter announced, “Mummy, I am winner.” Overwhelmed with happiness, she informed Saba’s father and brothers, and the family celebrated together. Shahnaz said the achievement made years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice worthwhile, describing her daughter’s success as a defining moment in her life. (PC: X)

Israel is facing questions over its longstanding alliance with the US after American midterm results exposed growing criticism of its policies across both major parties. Democratic candidates criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, while Vice-President JD Vance cited the relationship as one reason voters abandoned Republicans. President Donald Trump also announced plans to end $3.8 billion in annual US military aid two years earlier than scheduled, raising concerns about future arms supplies and joint defence projects. Israeli opposition leaders blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for weakening bipartisan ties. Analysts warn that congressional scrutiny could complicate military cooperation and increase pressure on Israel, although officials expect the alliance to endure. (PC: Getty Images)

Indian mountaineer and endurance athlete Kavita Chand has become the first Indian to complete the Mount Kilimanjaro round trip in under 24 hours, finishing in 22 hours and 36 minutes. She reached Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point at 5,895 metres, in 12 hours and 46 minutes before descending to Mweka Gate. Her achievement followed months of preparation, including marathon training and high-altitude acclimatisation in Nepal. Chand had also completed the Chicago Marathon as the third-fastest Indian woman. Kilimanjaro is the fifth peak she has climbed in her Seven Summits journey, which involves scaling the highest mountain on each continent. Her expedition was coordinated by Boots & Crampons. (PC: © Instagram/@kaviiiiiic)

Iran is planning to exempt commercial vessels from India, China, Qatar and Iraq from restrictions on transit through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the proposed arrangement carries four major risks for shipping operators and participating countries. First, vessels could still face attacks, misidentification or collateral damage in the conflict zone. Second, payments reportedly collected by Iran for passage could expose companies to US secondary sanctions and restrictions on dollar-based financial systems. Third, high war-risk insurance premiums could make the route financially unviable. Finally, Tehran could use access as diplomatic leverage, with exemptions reportedly tied to political support or specific arrangements, including India's medicine imports. (PC: Reuters)

At least seven civilians were killed and 23 injured in reported drone strikes by Pakistani security forces in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on Thursday. The attacks allegedly targeted residential areas and protest sites near Matialmera Bus Terminal and Umar Farooq Chowk. Videos circulating on social media reportedly show burning homes and residents mourning the dead, triggering widespread outrage. The violence followed a November 5 operation by Pakistani Rangers, Frontier Corps personnel and police to clear protest sites occupied by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The group, outlawed by Pakistan, has been protesting since June, demanding basic political and economic rights and implementation of its 38-point charter.

India-born politician Nithya Raman has won the Los Angeles mayoral race, defeating incumbent Karen Bass and becoming the first Indian-American elected to lead the US city. Raman described the victory as a deep honour in a post on X, promising to work towards building the city's future. Born in Kerala, she moved to the United States with her family at six. A Harvard graduate, she later earned a master's degree in urban planning from MIT and launched a civic-data organisation in Chennai. Raman has represented Los Angeles's 4th District on the City Council since 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. Bass conceded defeat and congratulated the city's incoming leadership. (PC: AP)

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk completed a six-hour, 59-minute spacewalk to install the final solar array on the International Space Station (ISS). The operation marks the completion of a solar power upgrade programme launched in 2021 to increase the Station’s electricity generation capacity. The additional power will support more scientific research and help extend the ISS’s operational capabilities. The technology could also provide valuable insights for developing solar power systems for future space missions. NASA astronauts Luke Delaney and Jessica Watkins operated the Canadarm2 robotic arm during the operation, while Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons served as capsule communicator from NASA’s Johnson Space Centre.

Delhi-NCR authorities imposed Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday as air pollution worsened ahead of Diwali. Delhi recorded an average AQI of 382 over the previous 24 hours, nearing the severe category. Noida registered 303, Greater Noida 316, Gurugram 368 and Ghaziabad 257. The new measures add to existing Stage-II curbs and target construction dust, vehicle emissions and industrial pollution. Restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition, curbs on older petrol and diesel vehicles, and limits on certain diesel goods vehicles entering Delhi. Stone crushers, mining activities and non-compliant brick kilns and hot-mix plants also face restrictions.

Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah met Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Kathmandu on Thursday, marking a diplomatic shift months after reportedly refusing to meet him over protocol concerns. The earlier snub had led to Misri’s visit being postponed, with Nepalese media reporting that Shah was reluctant to meet foreign officials who were not his equivalent in rank. Their latest meeting came as Misri concluded a two-day visit to Nepal and ahead of Shah’s expected November 22 visit to India. It will be Shah’s first bilateral trip since taking office in March. The turnaround signals a pragmatic approach as Nepal prepares to engage its largest trading partner. (PC: India Today)