Big B talks about sleep struggles, getting back to gym routine: Dont let the old man in

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 3 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has spoken up about his occasional difficulty falling asleep, attempts to get back to a regular gym routine and how, while his mind remains willing to exercise, his body sometimes tells him to slow down. The icon took to his blog, where he shared a glimpse of his early morning routine and the struggles to adjust the font size while writing, along with waking up early with thoughts of completing his blog. He wrote: Still struggling with the Font size of the letters when writing the Blog .. if someone knows how, do explain went to Google but could not understand the instructions ..up a bit early, for it was playing on my mind that i should have written the Blog last night .. so up and about and hoping to catch the sleep again if it comes. At times on the net you get so many physical motions to activate sleep .. tried all and nothing happened .. so best to do it the natural .. get in to the coverings , cuddle like the fetus we were before evolving and facing the World .. and DONE .. snoring and all Aaaahhhh a yawn .. indicator of the shortage of the Oxygen needed .. so shall retire. The icon said his workout routine has come to a pause. Quoting the phrase, Dont let the old man in, Big B added that staying fit is easier said than done, but you have to keep trying. Gyming has been a bit non routined , so trying to bring it back in line .. for, the demanding work all over taxes the body and mind .. and a little more attention needs to be accommodated .. The mind says YES ..but the BODY says - hold on buddy, dont let the old man in easier said than done .. but DO IT ..so I shall IT, he wrote.

Mehbooba urges Centre to initiate dialogue with J&K

Srinagar, Nov 2: People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC), holding the party responsible for what she described as an atmosphere of mistrust between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir, and accusing it of repeatedly changing its political position on the Kashmir issue to suit its pursuit of power. Addressing a workers' convention in Srinagar, the former chief minister traced the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir to the events surrounding the 1947 accession, questioning the NC's subsequent political positions and its handling of the region's special constitutional status. She said Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India was signed by NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, despite the region being Muslim-majority. However, she alleged that the party subsequently changed its position and began demanding a plebiscite. Who is responsible for this atmosphere of suspicion? Mehbooba asked, alleging that the NC had created confusion among people through its shifting political positions. Referring to the period between the accession and the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, she said the NC had advocated a plebiscite for nearly 22 years before abandoning the demand and returning to power through an agreement with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She pointed out that Sheikh Abdullah accepted the position of chief minister under the accord despite his party having no elected MLAs at the time. When you became chief minister instead of prime minister, you told people to forget the plebiscite because you needed power, she said, accusing the NC founder of compromising his earlier political position for power. Mehbooba further argued that India's leadership, including Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar, had provided J&K with a special status and its own constitution, but subsequent political developments had created doubts in New Delhi about the region. She alleged that the consequences of these political reversals extended beyond individual leaders, with suspicion eventually affecting the wider population of J&K. The PDP president maintained that the NC had repeatedly harmed the interests of the region and asserted that peace would remain elusive as long as the party continued to govern J&K. Mehbooba also sought to defend the PDP's decision to enter into an alliance with the BJP in 2014 to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, asking party workers not to feel embarrassed when confronted by the NC over the political arrangement. She urged her workers to counter the NC's criticism by reminding people of Sheikh Abdullah's political compromises and what she described as the party's inconsistent stand on Kashmir. The PDP chief also took an apparent swipe at NC President Farooq Abdullah, without explicitly naming him, over his remarks suggesting that Pakistan was protecting Kashmir. She alleged that such statements amounted to sending a political signal to New Delhi that Kashmiris were aligned with Pakistan. Turning her criticism towards the Centre, Mehbooba said the Kashmir issue required political engagement and dialogue rather than an approach centred on security measures and coercive action. She argued that invoking stringent laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA), or terminating government employees from service, would not resolve the underlying political concerns. Kashmir cannot be resolved by using the UAPA, PSA or dismissing employees from service. It can be resolved through dialogue, Mehbooba said. She also called for reopening traditional trade routes connecting Jammu and Kashmir with Central Asian cities, including Kashgar, Khotan and Yarkand, arguing that renewed economic and commercial connectivity could contribute to addressing the region's longstanding issues. Drawing a comparison with the arrangements at Lipulekh in Uttarakhand, she questioned why similar possibilities for opening traditional routes could not be explored in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba warned that a policy relying on force and restrictions could not be sustained indefinitely, questioning how long the authorities expected to silence public concerns through such measures. The former CM alleged that people in J&K had endured prolonged restrictions and pressure over the past seven years. Referring to July 22 and October 12, she claimed that developments on these dates had given people in the rest of the country a glimpse of the conditions Kashmiris had been experiencing for years. She said people elsewhere had found it difficult to endure such circumstances even for a single day, whereas the population of J&K had faced them for an extended period.

Festive rush, bitter returns at Asia's second-largest fruit market

Srinagar, Nov 02: At Asia's second-largest fruit market in Sopore, the festive rush is bringing brisk business, with hundreds of trucks carrying Kashmir apples to markets across India and neighbouring countries. But for many growers, the busy trading season has a bitter side: while premium apples are commanding good prices ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, disease-hit fruit is fetching barely Rs 200 to Rs 250 a box. The contrast is stark. Buyers are looking for large, clean apples, but pest attacks and diseases have left growers with more lower-grade produce in a season when the overall crop is also down. According to representatives of Sopore Fruit Mandi, around 200 to 250 trucks are leaving the market daily, with apple dispatches estimated at 2.5 lakh to 3.5 lakh boxes. The consignments are headed to markets across India, besides Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Zahoor Ahmad Tantray, General Secretary of Fruit Mandi Sopore, said demand was particularly encouraging for premium-quality fruit, with buyers from different parts of the country seeking larger apples ahead of the festivals. Rates are good for good-quality apples and demand is also strong. Especially during Diwali, there is considerable demand for large apples, locally known as Char Tahi (4 layer) and Do Tahi (2 layer). Buyers from different parts of the country approach us for this quality, Tantray said. The problem, however, is that much of this year's produce has failed to meet the quality sought by buyers. Scab, Alternaria, leaf miner and aphids have damaged the crop, increasing the proportion of B-grade and C-grade apples reaching the mandi. Unfortunately, this year we have seen more B-grade and C-grade apples because of diseases and pest attacks. Scab, Alternaria, leaf miner and aphids have caused considerable damage. B- and C-grade apples are fetching only around Rs 200 to Rs 250 per box, and because of this many growers are heading towards losses, Tantray said. For orchardists, the quality of the harvest has become as important as the strength of market demand. Growers with premium fruit are benefiting from the festive buying, while those whose apples have been affected by diseases are struggling to secure remunerative prices. Tantray said the overall crop was lower this year, but the mandi continued to handle substantial quantities of fruit. Some trucks carry around 3,000 to 3,500 boxes, and when we calculate the total daily movement, it comes to around 2.5 to 3.5 lakh boxes. Despite the lower crop, the market is functioning well, he said. An outstation merchant said the demand for Kashmir apples remained strong, particularly for fruit with good colour, size and appearance. Demand is particularly good for clean and attractive fruit. With Diwali and Chhath Puja approaching, buyers are looking for quality. The problem is mainly with inferior-grade apples, which are difficult to sell at remunerative prices, the merchant said. The quality concerns have also prompted growers to seek stronger measures against pests and diseases that have affected their orchards. Manzoor Ahmad, a grower from Hadipora, said farmers were satisfied with the rates offered for good-quality apples, but infestations had taken a heavy toll on the crop. We are getting good rates for quality apples, but leaf miner and other pests have affected the crop badly. These problems must be controlled at the earliest to protect growers and improve fruit quality in the coming years, he said. Growers have urged the authorities and horticulture experts to strengthen pest surveillance and disease-control measures to prevent similar damage in the coming seasons. Even as traders prepare consignments for the festive markets, transportation has emerged as another concern. Tantray urged the administration to reopen Tulbul Bridge, saying its closure for repairs over the past ten days had added to difficulties during a crucial period for fruit movement. The bridge has been under repair for around ten days. We hope it will be opened soon. Chhath Puja loading has already started, and any further delay will create more problems for growers, traders and the general public, he said.

Robots enter Kashmir's saffron fields

Pampore, Nov 02: In Kashmir's saffron fields, where extracting a kilogram of the prized spice requires separating the red stigmas of nearly 1.6 lakh flowers by hand, scientists are testing robots to take over some of the most labour-intensive work involved in its cultivation. On Monday, the experimental machines were put to the test at the Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices in Konibal, Pampore, where scientists demonstrated robotic systems designed to remove weeds, pick saffron flowers and separate their delicate stigmas. The field trials, conducted under a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)-supported project in collaboration with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), offered growers a glimpse of how automation could change the way Kashmir's most valuable spice is cultivated and processed. For scientists, the immediate challenge is to reduce the dependence on manual labour, which remains one of the biggest constraints on saffron cultivation. Prof Syed Zameer Hussain, Director Research at SKUAST-K and Chief Principal Investigator of the project, said harvesting flowers and separating stigmas are among the most demanding operations in saffron production. To obtain just one kilogram of dry saffron, growers must separate stigmas from approximately 1,60,000 flowers, he said. Scientists are now developing robotic arms fitted with vision systems to identify and pick flowers in the field, along with mechanical units capable of separating the red stigmas after harvesting. Hussain said the trials had shown encouraging results and that researchers were aiming to make field-ready machines available to farmers by next year. Another prototype demonstrated on Monday was an autonomous weeding robot, developed to address the persistent problem of weeds in saffron fields. Unlike crops where weeding is confined to a particular season, saffron fields require repeated attention almost throughout the year. The robot is designed to identify and remove weeds, with its navigation and operation controlled through a mobile application. SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who attended the demonstration, said the machines were being developed in collaboration with leading national research institutions, including C-DAC Kolkata and CMERI Durgapur. He said trials would continue over the next month or two, while the technology could take one to two years to be fully refined for wider use. Ganai said the shortage of agricultural labour had become a serious concern for growers across Jammu and Kashmir, with younger people increasingly reluctant to take up physically demanding farm work. Although climate change, prolonged dry spells and erratic weather have affected saffron production, he said the heavy dependence on manual labour was another major obstacle to sustaining cultivation. Mechanisation, he said, could help address that difficulty and make saffron farming more attractive to younger generations. Dr Showkat Rasool, In-charge of SKUAST-K's Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, said the project was conceived about a year ago in response to declining saffron acreage and yields and the difficulties associated with manual cultivation. He said the automated weeding system had already been validated during important stages of the crop cycle, including November, March and the June-July period. The project, now in its second year, involves CMERI Durgapur, CMERI Ludhiana, CMTI Bengaluru, C-DAC Kolkata and C-DAC Mohali. Dr Sunita Verma, Scientist G and Group Coordinator, R&D in IT at MeitY, said the initiative was intended to use electronics and information technology to address practical problems faced by farmers. Besides saffron, the programme covers technological interventions in walnut and apple cultivation. Verma said farmers had been consulted while developing the project and were being involved in evaluating the prototypes. Their feedback, she said, would be important in identifying limitations and making the machines suitable for actual farm conditions. Monday's demonstration was held as part of the third meeting of the National Steering Committee under the National Programme on Application of Electronics and ICT in Himalayan Region Crop Management, known as Agri-Excellence. The committee will continue its review at SKUAST-K's Shalimar campus on Tuesday. The university has also developed machines for preparing saffron beds and planting corms, with the corm-planting equipment already operational at the research station. Ganai said researchers had additionally developed an intercropping system that allows saffron and black cumin, locally known as Kala Jeera, to be cultivated in the same field. The university is producing and distributing planting material to encourage farmers to adopt the practice.

Long hours, little security for Kashmir's delivery riders

Srinagar, Nov 02: Behind every food delivery that reaches a doorstep in Srinagar is a worker navigating traffic, covering long distances and racing against time, often at the cost of his health, financial security and personal well-being. For thousands of young people seeking livelihood opportunities in a region grappling with persistent unemployment, food delivery platforms have emerged as an accessible source of work. However, a new study examining the working conditions of food delivery workers in Srinagar has exposed the precarious reality behind this growing employment model, finding that flexibility and independence often come at the expense of decent earnings, job security and social protection. Titled 'Working Conditions, Financial Resilience and Job Motivation in the Gig Economy: A Study of Food Delivery Workers in Srinagar', the research draws on primary data collected from 71 male food delivery workers through structured questionnaires. The findings paint a picture of a young, entirely male workforce, with participation concentrated in the 18-34 age group. While gig work offers an opportunity to earn without entering conventional employment structures, the study finds that workers face long working hours, extensive travel and mounting operational expenses. Unlike conventional employment, where employers generally provide infrastructure and bear several operational costs, food delivery workers largely depend on their own vehicles and pay for fuel and maintenance themselves, the research reads. These expenses eat into their earnings, leaving workers dissatisfied with the financial returns despite the time and effort invested in the job. The study identifies a fundamental contradiction in the gig economyworkers value the freedom to manage their schedules and the autonomy associated with platform-based employment, but remain unhappy with wages and the limited prospects of career advancement. For many young workers, the flexibility offered by food delivery platforms provides an alternative to prolonged unemployment. However, the absence of predictable earnings and a clear career path makes this arrangement an uncertain source of livelihood. The researchers found that financial resilience among the respondents was moderate. Significantly, this resilience did not emerge from stable or sufficient earnings but was sustained largely through financial literacy, personal money-management practices and support from social networks. Workers rely more on their ability to manage volatile incomes and seek assistance through personal connections than on any dependable financial safety net, the study reads. This leaves them particularly vulnerable to unexpected expenses, medical emergencies and periods of reduced work. The research also highlights the physical risks associated with the occupation. Long working hours and extensive travel expose delivery workers to fatigue, road accidents and musculoskeletal problems, the study notes. The psychological burden is equally concerning. Income fluctuations, workload pressures and uncertainty over daily earnings contribute to stress, making the occupation considerably more demanding than its flexible structure might suggest. The findings further reveal inconsistencies in institutional support. While 50.70 per cent of respondents perceived their platforms as providing adequate assistance during disputes or emergencies, 15.49 per cent considered such support insufficient. The gap points towards the need for more transparent grievance-redressal systems and reliable mechanisms to protect workers when they encounter difficulties while performing their duties. The researchers conclude that the existing structure of gig employment in Srinagar is economically and socially unsustainable without policy intervention. They argue that the costs of maintaining vehicles, managing health risks and coping with income fluctuations are disproportionately borne by workers, while the absence of conventional employment benefits leaves them exposed to financial shocks. The study recommends extending social security coverage to gig workers, introducing health and accident insurance, ensuring minimum-earning guarantees and establishing effective platform-level grievance-redressal mechanisms. It also calls for stronger policy recognition of platform-based workers, whose contribution to the expanding digital economy has not necessarily translated into corresponding employment protections. The research assumes particular significance in Jammu and Kashmir, where limited conventional employment opportunities have made alternative livelihood arrangements increasingly important for young people. By documenting the experiences of food delivery workers in Srinagar, it brings attention to a segment of the workforce often missing from discussions on unemployment, labour welfare and economic security. The researchers acknowledge that the study is based on a relatively small sample of 71 male respondents, selected through convenience and snowball sampling. Its findings, therefore, should not be treated as representative of every food delivery worker in Srinagar or the wider region. Nevertheless, the research offers empirical insight into the challenges faced by workers in a rapidly expanding employment sector.

Omar Abdullah's Marriage: Time to Celebrate When the Political House is Burning?

Politics has its own sense of timing, and sometimes events unfolding simultaneously reveal more than lengthy political speeches. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has begun a new chapter in his personal life with his marriage to journalist Nidhi Razdan on October 30. The occasion deserves congratulations, and nobody has any business questioning his personal choices. But the political circumstances in which this new beginning has taken place raise an uncomfortable question: when the political house is burning, can its captain afford to remain detached from the fire? The National Conference is passing through a particularly turbulent phase. Its recent Cabinet reshuffle, instead of bringing stability, has exposed serious internal differences. Legislators are openly expressing resentment, senior leaders feel marginalised, regional representation has become controversial, and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has announced his decision to leave the party and resign from Parliament. Omar Abdullah may have every reason to celebrate his personal happiness, but the people of Jammu and Kashmir have equally compelling reasons to demand answers about the government they elected. The issue is not his marriage. The issue is the political leadership and its priorities. A Cabinet reshuffle that has opened a Pandora's box The Cabinet expansion on October 27 was expected to strengthen the government after nearly two years of functioning with vacancies. Instead, it has generated a wave of dissatisfaction within the ruling party. At least 18 National Conference legislators reportedly assembled in Srinagar to discuss their grievances. Their concerns reportedly extend beyond ministerial accommodation to the functioning of the government, the influence of political advisers, the exclusion of senior leaders and the failure to fulfil electoral commitments. Some legislators have questioned why people without an electoral mandate enjoy significant access to the Chief Minister while elected representatives struggle to secure an effective voice in decision-making. The public dissatisfaction expressed by senior leaders such as Mubarak Gul and Abdul Majid Larmi has further exposed the depth of the problem. This is no longer simply a question of who became a minister and who did not. It is a question of whether the elected representatives of the National Conference have confidence in the political management of their own government. A Chief Minister who cannot adequately address the grievances of his own legislators will inevitably face questions about his ability to maintain political cohesion. The Abdullah family's political inheritance under scrutiny The National Conference has a long history and a political legacy associated with Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and subsequently Farooq Abdullah. But political inheritance cannot become a permanent substitute for organisational democracy. The party's present predicament raises questions about the concentration of political authority around the Abdullah family and the limited space available to independent voices. Aga Ruhullah Mehdi's announced departure has added another dimension to this debate. His public criticism, including his allegation that the party treats Jammu and Kashmir like a family estate, is particularly damaging because it comes from within the National Conference's own political ranks. His objections concern unfulfilled electoral commitments and the leadership's approach to political accountability. The National Conference may disagree with his assessment, but it cannot ignore the political significance of a sitting MP publicly distancing himself from the party leadership. When legislators and elected representatives begin questioning the political culture of their own organisation, the leadership must recognise that the problem extends beyond individual ambitions. Jammu's political exclusion The Cabinet reshuffle has also revived an old and sensitive question: does Jammu receive adequate political representation in a government elected to administer the entire Union Territory? The dropping of Satish Sharma has left the Jammu plains without representation in the Council of Ministers. The erstwhile Doda District also continues to remain unrepresented. For a region that has repeatedly complained about political neglect, this development has naturally generated resentment. The National Conference cannot seek votes across Jammu and Kashmir and then treat regional representation as a secondary consideration while distributing political power. Jammu's concerns are not about demanding special privileges. They are about democratic representation, dignity and equal participation in governance. Omar Abdullah must explain why the Cabinet's composition has generated such widespread regional dissatisfaction. The government cannot expect people to accept political imbalance merely because the Chief Minister considers the reshuffle an internal administrative decision. Election promises: Where is the accountability? The National Conference secured its mandate in 2024 on a series of significant political and economic commitments. Restoration of statehood, protection of rights, employment opportunities and relief on economic concerns were central to the party's campaign. Two years later, people are entitled to ask what has actually been delivered. The most uncomfortable aspect for Omar Abdullah is that questions about these promises are now emerging from within his own party. Aga Ruhullah's criticism has brought the issue of political credibility into sharp focus. An election manifesto is not a document to be remembered only during campaigning. It represents a commitment to the electorate. The Chief Minister must provide a transparent account of the commitments fulfilled, those still pending and the reasons for delays. The people of Jammu and Kashmir did not elect a government merely to witness a change in political personalities. They expected meaningful governance and measurable results. Celebrations cannot replace political responsibility Omar Abdullah's marriage is a private milestone. But his public office carries responsibilities that cannot be put on hold. The Chief Minister must address the growing dissatisfaction among legislators, explain the rationale behind the Cabinet reshuffle, respond to regional concerns and restore confidence among people who supported his party. The National Conference cannot afford to treat every disagreement as a conspiracy or every dissatisfied legislator as an opponent of the leadership. Democratic organisations survive through consultation, accommodation and accountability, not through unquestioning loyalty to individuals. There is also a larger political irony. The party that frequently invokes its historical legacy and claims to represent the aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir must now answer questions about its own internal democratic functioning. The BJP, as the principal opposition, will naturally examine these developments and question the government's performance. But the ultimate accountability is not to the opposition; it is to the electorate. The morning after the celebrations The wedding celebrations will eventually end. The guests will return, the photographs will become memories and the couple will embark on their new journey. But the political crisis will not disappear with the celebrations. The disgruntled legislators will still expect answers. Jammu will continue to demand adequate representation. The announced departure of Aga Ruhullah will remain a serious political development. The electorate will continue asking about promises that have yet to translate into results. Omar Abdullah must now demonstrate that he can manage the responsibilities of the government through consultation and political accountability rather than relying exclusively on the authority of his office and his family's legacy. A Chief Minister's greatest political achievement is not the management of party positions or the preservation of family influence. It is the confidence he commands among the people he governs. There is nothing wrong with celebrating a new beginning in personal life. But when the political house is burning, the responsibility of its captain is to extinguish the fire before it consumes the entire establishment. Omar Abdullah has begun a new chapter in his personal life. Jammu and Kashmir is still waiting for a convincing new chapter in governance. (Sunil Sethi is Chief Spokesperson, JK BJP and Altaf Thakur is Spokesperson, JK BJP)

PDPs show of strength in Sgr : Mehbooba blames NC for J&Ks trust deficit with Centre

Srinagar, Nov 2: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC), holding it responsible for the widening trust deficit between J&K and the Centre while accusing the party of repeatedly changing its political position. Addressing a massive workers' convention in Srinagar, the former chief minister said the NC's political journey, from supporting accession to India to demanding a plebiscite and subsequently returning to power under the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, had created confusion among people and deepened suspicion about Jammu and Kashmir's political leadership. Questioning the party's historical position, Mehbooba said Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the NC founder, had signed the Instrument of Accession despite J&K being a Muslim-majority state. However, she alleged that the party changed its position within a few years and began demanding a plebiscite. You created this confusion and doubt in the minds of the people. For 22 years, you called for a plebiscite, and then overnight, in 1975, you accepted the chair again, she said in an obvious reference to NC. Mehboobas salvos against NC comes just a day ahead of NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullahs resignation from the Srinagar- Budgam parliamentary constituency and also from the party. The party tried to put on a show of strength at SK Park Srinagar where a large number of PDP workers turned up to listen to the PDP chief. Referring to the Indira-Sheikh Accord, Mehbooba alleged that Sheikh Abdullah had abandoned his earlier political position to return as chief minister, claiming that the pursuit of power had taken precedence over the aspirations he had earlier articulated. She said the country's founding leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr BR Ambedkar, had provided J&K with a special status and its own Constitution, but the subsequent political developments had contributed to suspicion not only towards the leadership but also towards the people of the region. The PDP president further accused the NC of compromising J&Ks interests and said lasting peace would remain elusive as long as the party continued to govern the region. Seeking to turn the political debate towards the PDP's own record, Mehbooba urged party workers not to feel defensive about the 2014 alliance with the BJP, formed to establish a coalition government in the erstwhile state. She asked workers to counter the NC's criticism of the alliance by highlighting what she described as the party's inconsistent position on Kashmir. Without directly naming NC president Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba also questioned his recent remarks suggesting that Pakistan was protecting Kashmir. She alleged that such statements amounted to sending a political signal to New Delhi that Kashmiris were aligned with Pakistan. Turning her criticism towards the Centre, the PDP chief maintained that the issues could not be resolved through coercive measures, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Public Safety Act (PSA) or the dismissal of government employees. She called for meaningful dialogue and the reopening of traditional trade routes connecting J&K with Kashgar, Khotan and Yarkand, arguing that greater regional connectivity could help create conditions for lasting peace. Drawing a comparison with arrangements made at Lipulekh in Uttarakhand, Mehbooba questioned why similar possibilities for traditional cross-border trade could not be explored in the Kashmir region. How long do you think you can maintain this approach? How long can you silence the people here? she asked, arguing that force could not substitute a political resolution. The PDP president said the people of J&K had endured years of restrictions and repression, adding that developments elsewhere in the country on July 22 and October 12 had offered only a glimpse of what the region had experienced over the past seven years. They could not endure it for even one day, while we have endured it for seven years, she said. Mehbooba's remarks come amid renewed political sparring between the PDP and NC, with the two regional parties increasingly trading accusations over their respective positions on Kashmir, their political alliances and their approach towards the Centre.

Supreme Court ends monitoring of Ram Mandir donation theft probe after UP files charge sheet

The Supreme Court concluded the court-monitored investigation on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft case. This decision came after the Uttar Pradesh government submitted a charge sheet regarding the allegations. The case involved claims of cash misappropriation by individuals during the donation counting process. The Supreme Court allowed petitioners to assist in the trial court proceedings. The trial court has been directed to proceed according to legal protocols.

Dhinidhi Desinghu wins historic bronze in women's 100m freestyle at Youth Olympics

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) There was a time when Dhinidhi Desinghu was so frightened of water that she ran back home in her swimsuit rather than enter a swimming pool. On Monday, the 16-year-old Bengaluru swimmer stood on the podium at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, having clinched a bronze medal in the women's 100m freestyle. Dhinidhi clocked a personal best of 56.27 seconds in the final to finish third behind Croatia's Ana Bobanovic (55.89) and New Zealand's Alyssa Lawson (56.13), becoming the first Indian female swimmer to reach a final at the Youth Olympics. For the teenager, who had once actively disliked swimming, the achievement marked a remarkable transformation from a reluctant beginner to one of India's most promising young swimmers. I know I was really scared. There's a story from when I was six or seven... We went to the pool during summer break... I went to the pool and then ran back home in my swimsuit because I just hated being there, Dhinidhi told Olympics.com after winning her medal. Her parents had to enter the pool themselves to persuade her to get into the water. Swimming was initially introduced as a recreational activity, largely because the pool was close to home and convenient for her parents to take her for lessons. Dhinidhi, who preferred spending time alone reading books rather than engaging in outdoor activities, gradually developed an interest in the sport as she grew older. I'm not really sure how I fell in love with swimming, but as the years went by, I grew to love it, she said. Her competitive instincts eventually became a driving force, with swimming providing an outlet for her desire to challenge herself and win. That determination took her to the Paris 2024 Olympics at just 14, where she was the youngest member of the Indian contingent. For someone who had grown up watching the world's leading swimmers on television, competing alongside them was an unforgettable experience. You see these swimmers on TV, and suddenly they're standing next to you, competing in the same events, swimming in the same pool and even in the same lanes, she recalled. Among those who left her starstruck was French swimming sensation Leon Marchand. However, the experience extended beyond the pool, with life in the Olympic Village, interactions with athletes from different countries and exchanging pins among her cherished memories. There were so many things I experienced at 14 that I don't think many athletes get to experience in their entire lives. People train for years, sometimes their whole lives, to become Olympians. To be able to say that I became one at 14 was, in a way, lucky. But at the same time, I worked really hard for it, she said. Two years after her Olympic debut, Dhinidhi arrived in Dakar with greater experience and confidence. She clocked 56.80 seconds in the 100m freestyle heats, the third-fastest time overall, to qualify for the final. It was also the first time she had gone below 57 seconds in a morning heat. She improved her performance further in the final, lowering her personal best by 0.53 seconds to secure the bronze medal. However, the teenager revealed that her primary focus had been on improving her timing rather than winning a medal. I wasn't really thinking about a medal. It was mostly about improving my time, she said. Despite celebrating her podium finish, Dhinidhi's competitive spirit meant she was already thinking about what could have been better. Every athlete comes here to win gold. A medal is a medal, but at the end of the day, everybody is competitive and everybody wants that gold medal, she added. Behind the achievement are years of demanding training schedules, early mornings and sacrifices. Asked whom she would dedicate the medal to, Dhinidhi came up with an answer that reflected both gratitude and self-belief. Probably my mom, my dad and myself. The swimmer explained that while athletes often acknowledge the people who support them, they sometimes forget to recognise their own efforts and perseverance. I feel like I thank a lot of people, but I sometimes forget to thank myself for going through all of this. It's hard to get up in the morning, put in all that effort, go to the gym, work so hard and get into the pool every day, she said. Recalling the difficult training sessions, including days when she had to train alone, she added, So I kind of want to thank myself as well for putting in all that work. For a girl who once ran away from a swimming pool, the bronze medal in Dakar represents much more than a podium finish. Dhinidhi now hopes to use the Youth Olympic achievement as a stepping stone towards a bigger ambition: winning an Olympic medal in swimming, something India has yet to achieve. The people competing here (at the Youth Olympics) are going to be my competitors one day at future Olympics. Winning a medal here shows that maybe, if I keep this steady pace going, I could win a medal at the Olympics, she said. She also hopes her journey will inspire more girls to take up swimming and help the sport gain greater recognition in India. We're not really a swimming nation, and it's not common to see women do well in our sport. To see that I've inspired a lot of people, especially girls and even non-swimmers, means a lot, she added.

Niloufer Survey Flags Bed Shortage, Poor Sanitation

The organisations staged a protest in front of the hospital and submitted a memorandum to superintendent Vijay Kumar, demanding immediate action: Reports

Fake govt cyber forensic specialist, forex trading promises: Gujarat businessman duped of Rs 1.24 crore

Digital Desk | Surat, Nov 2 (IANS) A man posing as a government cyber forensic specialist allegedly cheated a Surat-based petrochemical businessman of Rs 1.24 crore by promising lucrative returns through forex trading, cryptocurrency and overseas funds, before using the money to purchase property and luxury cars in Mumbai, police said on Monday. The Surat City Cyber Crime Cell has arrested the main accused, Priyank Vyas, 34, from Mira Road in Mumbai. A chartered accountant, Rohan Kelawala, who allegedly introduced Vyas to the complainant and facilitated the transactions, is absconding. According to the police, the accused and his associates collected Rs 1,29,25,100 from the complainant and his friend in 21 instalments over 11 months, between November 2025 and October 2026. Of this, Rs 4.70 lakh was returned to the complainant, leaving Rs 1,24,53,900 unpaid. The fraud came to light after the complainant, a petrochemical businessman, approached a chartered accountant in Surat in November 2025 for assistance with banking and loan-related work. The accountant allegedly told him that he invested clients' money in forex trading and introduced him to Vyas, describing him as a cyber forensic expert and cryptocurrency specialist. The two met at a hotel in Mumbai. To gain the businessman's confidence, Vyas allegedly displayed a fake identity card bearing the national emblem and identifying him as Dr Priyank Samirbhai Vyas Forensic Cyber Crime Specialist, Cyber Forensic Department, Mumbai. He also claimed that his car carried a government board and used a UPI ID named 'fslcyberforensic' and an email address named 'fslmumbai'. Vyas initially sought Rs 18 lakh, claiming that the amount was required to renew the IP address of a terminal developed by him. He promised to return Rs 30 lakh within 60 days and also offered the complainant a 20 per cent partnership in his business. On January 21 this year, the complainant sent Rs 18 lakh in cash to the chartered accountant's office. The accused subsequently communicated with the complainant through a 'Work' group on the BOTIM application, discussing IP purchases, software updates, cryptocurrency transactions and pre-authorised cards. Screenshots of USDT transactions and photographs of VISA cards issued by foreign banks were allegedly shared to reinforce the impression that the transactions were genuine. Between February and October 2026, Vyas allegedly demanded further payments on various pretexts, including a Rs 15 crore server fund, a Rs 153 crore fund from Argentina, the withdrawal of 5.3 million US dollars from a card and the recovery of Bitcoin from the wallet of a person in Nashik. The money was collected as gas fees, transaction charges, withdrawal charges, processing fees and personal loans through cash, bank transfers, Google Pay, angadia channels and USDT. Police said the accused repeatedly displayed large balances on a laptop, sent screenshots showing 'Transaction Success' and subsequently claimed that transactions had failed. He cited reasons such as IP-related banking errors, withdrawal limit issues, an Ethereum server outage and 83,768 ETH being blocked because of the size of a transaction. He also claimed that a wallet audit had identified 17 errors, comprising 15 yellow and two red alerts, and demanded additional fees to resolve them. The accused allegedly returned small amounts at intervals, including Rs one lakh, Rs 15,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 3.5 lakh, to maintain the victims' confidence and persuade them to make further payments. On some occasions, the complainant and his friends were called to hotel rooms in Mumbai, where Vyas allegedly demonstrated a purported live transfer of 1.96 BTC on a laptop described as a government terminal. He also added the complainant's bank account as a beneficiary and shared screenshots showing 'Payment Initiated', 'RTGS' and 'Withdrawal Processed Successfully'. The police said the money was not used for any server, fund or cryptocurrency transactions. Instead, Vyas allegedly purchased a property in Mumbai worth around Rs 1.5 crore, bought a BMW luxury car and booked another flat for which he paid approximately Rs 80 lakh as a token amount. Investigators are collecting documentary evidence to establish that these assets were acquired using the proceeds of the fraud and initiate legal action for their seizure or freezing. The investigation has also revealed two other alleged victims in Surat. One of the complainant's friends paid Rs 74.90 lakh in instalments through bank transfers and cash, while another Surat resident allegedly paid Rs 7.5 lakh. Police suspect that the accused may have collected nearly Rs two crore from victims in the city and are investigating whether more people were cheated. Police said Vyas and Kelawala had earlier been cheated while trading on a platform named GlobalSwiftPay. Although the platform displayed large US dollar balances, the money could not be withdrawn. Investigators suspect that the two subsequently used the same concept of displaying fictitious balances and demanding fees to cheat others. The police also alleged that Kelawala played a key role in introducing the complainant to Vyas. He had assured the businessman that the money would be returned with profits within 30 days and said the responsibility for repayment was his. He received the initial Rs 18 lakh at his office and sent a message stating '1800 received'. He was also the administrator of the BOTIM group and shared transaction screenshots and photographs of foreign bank cards. When the complainant sought updates, he allegedly replied, 'Waiting bro'. The case was registered at the Surat City Cyber Crime Police Station on October 30 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. The FIR includes Sections 318(4), 204, 205, 336(2), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the BNS. A team led by Police Inspector N R Patel conducted the investigation under the supervision of senior officials. Investigators analysed transaction records, wallet screenshots and trace reports, and verified wallet addresses and transaction IDs through blockchain explorers. Technical analysis and human intelligence led the team to Vyas's location at Mira Road in Mumbai. Police have seized two mobile phones, two laptops, two hard disks, two pen drives, three cryptocurrency wallet cards, a chip, the fake Cyber Forensic Department identity card, a card of the Crime Grievance and Intelligence Council, two cheque books, two bank passbooks and documents relating to a flat in Mira Road. A BMW and a Honda City were also seized. The police have valued the seized items at a total of Rs 9.65 lakh. Kelawala remains absconding, and efforts are underway to arrest him. The police have urged people to verify investment platforms and brokers before transferring money, avoid offers promising guaranteed or unusually high returns, and refrain from paying additional amounts in the name of withdrawal or tax-processing fees.

Best MacBook for 2026: Air vs Pro vs Neo compared

Macworld Apple sells several MacBook models across different sizes, prices, and performance levels, so choosing the right one depends on your budget, the type of work you do, and how much power you actually need. In this in-depth guide, we explain which MacBook is best for different users, compare the latest MacBook Air , MacBook Neo and the MacBook Pro models (with and without touchscreen), and help you decide how much RAM and how much storage you really need. Choosing a MacBook Pro now involves two decisions: how much processing power you need, and which display you want. The entry-level 14-inch model uses the M6 chip, while more demanding users can choose M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations with either a non-touch Liquid Retina XDR display or a PROLED XDR OLED touchscreen. For most people, the MacBook Air remains our recommended starting point. If you need a Pro, choose the chip, memory and storage around your workload, then consider whether the touchscreen models OLED display and lighter design justify the extra cost. In this article, well help you decide whether a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Neo is the best fit for your needs. Which MacBook is right for you? In 2026, Apples laptop lineup spans five main choices: the budget-friendly MacBook Neo, the mainstream MacBook Air, the M6 MacBook Pro, the high-performance M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro and the touchscreen versions of those MacBook Pro models. Best for basic use and tight budgets : MacBook Neo is ideal for students, casual browsing, streaming, and light productivity at the lowest entry price. Best for most people : MacBook Air (M5) offers the best mix of portability, battery life, silent operation, and everyday performance. Best for those who want a superior display and extra ports : The MacBook Pro (M6) offers professional-grade features without the extreme power of the M5 Pro or M5 Max chips. Best for professionals and power users : MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) is best for demanding workflows such as 4K video editing, 3D work, heavy multitasking, and software development. Best for high-end creative professionals : Suited to those who work extensively on their laptops built-in display and need direct touch interaction. Use the table below to quickly find the MacBook that best suit your needs, or read on for more detailed guide to help you choose the best MacBook for your specific needs. Model Best For Screen sizes Starting Price Buy MacBook Neo Students, casual users, and first-time buyers. 13-inch $699 Amazon / Apple MacBook Air (M5) Most people: everyday performance and portability. 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch $1,299 / $1,499 Amazon / Apple MacBook Pro (M6) A better display, more ports, and sustained performance. 14.2-inch $1,999 Amazon / Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) Demanding creative work, development, and heavier workloads. 14.2-inch or 16.2-inch $2,499 / $4,099 Amazon / Apple Touchscreen MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) High-end creative professionals who need OLED and touch interaction. 14.2-inch or 16.3-inch $2,899 / $4,499 Amazon / Apple The best Mac for various use cases. If youre also wondering whether its the right time to buy, read our guide: Should you buy the MacBook Air now or wait? Which MacBook is best in 2026 Below we recommend the best MacBooks for various users, from students and every day users, to professionals, creatives and content creators. We also compare MacBook Air or MacBook Pro for those wondering which model to buy. Below this section you can find general advice about choosing the best specs, including screen size , when purchasing a new Mac. Apple 13-inch/15-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) Best MacBook for most people Price When Reviewed: From $1,299 (was $1,099) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1,099.99 View Deal $1149 View Deal $1244.28 View Deal $1297 View Deal $1299 View Deal $1299 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices The MacBook Air (M5) is the best MacBook for most buyers because it offers the strongest balance of price, portability, battery life, and performance. The 13-inch MacBook Air is light, quiet, fast enough for everyday work, and easier to recommend than any other Mac laptop. The latest version, updated in March 2026, keeps the same winning formula while improving storage and connectivity. There is also a 15-inch version for anyone who wants a larger screen. Whats new The latest MacBook Air features the M5 chip, base storage is 512GB, and it supports newer wireless standards including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Why we recommend the MacBook Air Excellent balance of performance and portability Silent fanless design Long battery life Strong everyday performance for work, school, and travel Now ships with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as standard Sizes The MacBook Air comes in two sizes: 13-inch MacBook Air , 13.6-inch screen: Best for portability 15-inch MacBook Air , 15.3-inch screen: Better for multitasking and split-screen work Display As you can see from the above measurements, the display, when measured diagonally is a little larger than the standard naming would suggest. As a result the 13-inch MacBook Air display is actually larger than that on the 13-inch MacBook Neo, discussed below. The MacBook Air uses a bright Liquid Retina display, but it still lacks the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and HDR capabilities found on MacBook Pro models. Performance The M5 chip in the MacBook Air is fast enough for office work, school tasks, web apps, multitasking, and light creative work. Because the Air has no fan, though, performance can dip during long video exports or other sustained heavy workloads so that the temperature remains optimal. Battery life Battery life is excellent, making the Air a great choice for anyone who works away from a desk. It offers more battery life than the budget-friendly MacBook Neo, but falls short of the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Other specs You get MagSafe 3 for charging and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The MacBook Air also supports up to two external displays. (Older M1 and M2 models were limited to one external monitor). 16GB RAM to 32GB RAM From 512GB to 4TB SSD Price Apple put MacBook Air prices up by $200 in June 2026. 13-inch MacBook Air : Now starts at $1,299/1,299 15-inch MacBook Air : Now starts at $1,499/1,499 What to know before buying The Airs biggest limitation is sustained performance. It is quick for most tasks, but it is not the right machine for users who regularly push their system for long periods. The MacBook Air is likely to soon adopt the M6 chip as used in the entry-level MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac. Read our full Apple 13-inch MacBook Air (M5, 2026) review Apple MacBook Neo Best budget MacBook Price When Reviewed: $699 (was $599) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $681.11 View Deal $689 View Deal $697 View Deal $699 View Deal $799.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices The MacBook Neo is the cheapest way to buy a Mac laptop in 2026. Now starting at $699 (which is unfortunately $100 more than it was when Apple launched it in March), it is aimed at students, first-time Mac buyers, and casual users who mainly browse the web, stream video, join video calls, and work in basic apps. Despite its lower price, it still looks and feels like a MacBook, with an all-aluminum design and a lightweight chassis. Who is MacBook Neo for? The MacBook Neo is best for people whose computing needs are simple: web browsing, email, documents, streaming, and schoolwork. Why we recommend MacBook Neo Lowest price in the lineup Light and portable Quiet fanless design Good battery life Fast enough for basic everyday use Sizes The MacBook Neo comes in just one size: 13-inch MacBook Neo , 13-inch screen Display Like the MacBook Air the MacBook Neo offers a Liquid Retina display with max 500 nits brightness, but thats where the similarities end. The display is slightly smaller than the display on the 13-inch MacBook Air, offering 2,408 by 1,506 pixels compared to 2,560 by 1,664 pixels. It also lacks the wide color P3 and True Tone technology of the other MacBooks, offering only sRGB color. Performance The MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip the same processor first introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro. While it is a mobile-class chip, its performance is optimized for a laptop environment, offering a highly responsive experience for everyday productivity. In our tests it proved faster than the M3 in single-core, while equal to the M1 when it came to multi-core performance and graphics. Battery life The MacBook Neo should comfortably last a working day of general productivity. In our video-loop battery test, with screen brightness set to 150 nits, it lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes. Apple advertises up to 16 hours of video streaming or 11 hours of wireless web browsing. More demanding tasks will drain the battery faster. Other specs You get two USB-C ports, but these are not identical in capability, one being USB 3 and the other USB 2. See MacBook Neo ports explained . The MacBook Neo only supports one external display with a resolution of up to 4K at 60Hz. 8GB RAM 256GB or 512GB SSD Price Starts at $699/699 Education pricing is now $649/649 What to know before buying The Neo makes several trade-offs to achieve its low price, including the absence of a backlit keyboard, a limited selection of ports, and no Touch ID on the base model. It also features a lower-quality display compared to the Air and Pro, offers less memory with a maximum of 8GB RAM, and delivers lower sustained performance than M-series MacBooks. For many buyers, the 512GB, $799 model represents better value, as it includes Touch ID and additional storage. Alternatives The MacBook Neo is the best budget MacBook, but it is best suited to light workloads. If you can spend more, the MacBook Air remains the better long-term buy for most people. Another option, if a low price is your top priority, is a refurbished MacBook . Look out for clearance deals on older Apple silicon MacBooks, but avoid the older Intel-based models. See: MacBook Pro deals and MacBook Air deals . Read our full Apple MacBook Neo review Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M6, 2026) Best step up from the MacBook Air Price When Reviewed: $1,999 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $1999 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide The 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro is worth considering if you want more features than the MacBook Air offers without paying for an M5 Pro or M5 Max. Its active cooling suits longer workloads, while its HDR display and additional ports are useful for creative work. Why we recommend the M6 MacBook Pro Active cooling for sustained workloads ProMotion and HDR display HDMI and an SDXC card slot Lower starting price than the Pro and Max models Sizes The M6 model comes in one size: a14.2-inch screen. Display The non-touch Liquid Retina XDR display uses mini-LED technology, with up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness and adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. Performance The M6 has a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Choose it for everyday work and creative projects; consider M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations when you need greater graphics or memory capacity. Battery life Apple rates it for up to24 hours of video streamingor16 hours of wireless web browsing. Actual endurance depends on your workload. Other specs 16GB, 24GB or 32GB unified memory 1TB, 2TB or 4TB SSD Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe and headphone jack Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 Price Starts at$1,999/1,999. What to know before buying Compare an Air with matching memory and storage before buying. Choose the Pro if its display, connections and cooling justify the premium. For OLED and touch, youll need a PROLED XDR model. Apple 14-inch/16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/M5 Max, non-touchscreen, 2026) Best for professional performance Price When Reviewed: $2,499 (was 2,199) Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $2,289 View Deal $2289 View Deal $2299 View Deal $2331.16 View Deal $2499 View Deal $2499 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices If you regularly edit high-resolution video, compile large code projects or run demanding professional software, the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max offers more performance and memory capacity than the MacBook Air. These non-touchscreen models are particularly worth considering if processing power matters more than OLED or touchscreen input. They offer the same chip options as the PROLED XDR versions at a lower starting price. Why we recommend the non-touchscreen MacBook Pro Active cooling for demanding sustained workloads Powerful CPU and GPU configurations Bright mini-LED display with ProMotion and HDR Thunderbolt 5, HDMI and an SDXC card slot Lower price than equivalent touchscreen models Sizes There are two sizes to choose from: 14-inch MacBook Pro , 14.2-inch screen: Easier to carry between locations. 16-inch MacBook Pro , 16.2-inch screen: More room for timelines, tool palettes and side-by-side apps. Display Both sizes feature a non-touch Liquid Retina XDR display. The mini-LED panel offers up to 1,000 nits sustained full-screen XDR brightness, 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness, P3 wide color and ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. Performance There are two chip families to choose from: M5 Pro: The sensible starting point for demanding photo editing, software development, video editing and heavier multitasking. M5 Max: Worth considering for complex 3D work, high-end video production and workloads requiring more GPU power or memory. M5 Pro configurations offer up to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU. M5 Max has an 18-core CPU and a choice of 32-core or 40-core GPU. Battery life Apples video-streaming ratings vary by size and chip: 14-inch M5 Pro: Up to 22 hours. 14-inch M5 Max: Up to 20 hours. 16-inch M5 Pro: Up to 24 hours. 16-inch M5 Max: Up to 22 hours. These are Apples ratings; demanding professional workloads will reduce battery life. Other specs M5 Pro: From 24GB to 64GB unified memory, depending on configuration; 1TB to 4TB SSD. M5 Max: From 36GB to 128GB unified memory, depending on configuration; 2TB to 8TB SSD. Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe and a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Price Starting prices are: 14-inch M5 Pro: $2,499/2,499. 16-inch M5 Pro: $2,999/2,999. 14-inch M5 Max: $4,099/4,099. 16-inch M5 Max: $4,399/4,399. What to know before buying These models are a strong choice if you want Pro or Max performance while keeping costs down, especially if you mainly use an external monitor. Compare retailer discounts with the touchscreen versions: the difference may exceed their $400/400 starting-price premium. Choose memory carefully because it cannot be upgraded later. The maximum memory capacity also depends on the chip configuration. Apple 14-inch/16-inch MacBook Pro PROLED XDR (M5 Pro/M5 Max, touchscreen 2026) Best for OLED and touch Price When Reviewed: $2,899 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $2,899 View Deal $2899 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide The MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display combines M5 Pro or M5 Max performance with an OLED touchscreen and a thinner, lighter design. It is worth considering if you spend much of your working day using your laptops built-in screen. The premium buys display and design improvements rather than a newer processor generation. Equivalent non-touchscreen models retain the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chip options. Why we recommend considering the touchscreen MacBook Pro Tandem OLED display with P3 and Adobe RGB color support Direct touchscreen input alongside the keyboard and trackpad Lighter design than equivalent non-touchscreen models ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz Up to 16TB of storage with M5 Max Sizes There are two sizes to choose from: 14-inch MacBook Pro , 14.2-inch screen: The more portable option, starting at 1.38kg. 16-inch MacBook Pro , 16.3-inch screen: More workspace for creative apps, starting at 1.82kg. Display Both sizes feature a tandem OLED PROLED XDR touchscreen. Apple specifies up to 1,000 nits sustained full-screen brightness and 2,000 nits peak brightness for HDR content and outdoor SDR use. The display supports P3 and Adobe RGB color, True Tone and ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. Dynamic Island replaces the notch. Touch adds another way to scroll, zoom and interact with content while retaining the built-in keyboard and Force Touch trackpad. Performance Choose between the same chip families offered in the non-touchscreen professional models: M5 Pro: Suitable for demanding photo editing, software development, video editing and heavier multitasking. M5 Max: For more intensive graphics, high-end video production, 3D work and workloads requiring larger memory configurations. Choose the chip around your workload, then decide whether the display and lighter design justify the extra cost. Battery life Apple advertises the same video-streaming endurance as equivalent non-touchscreen models: 14-inch M5 Pro: Up to 22 hours. 14-inch M5 Max: Up to 20 hours. 16-inch M5 Pro: Up to 24 hours. 16-inch M5 Max: Up to 22 hours. These figures are Apples ratings, rather than our independent test results. Other specs M5 Pro: From 24GB to 64GB unified memory, depending on configuration; 1TB to 4TB SSD. M5 Max: From 36GB to 128GB unified memory, depending on configuration; 2TB to 16TB SSD. Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe and a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Price Starting prices are: 14-inch M5 Pro: $2,899/2,899. 16-inch M5 Pro: $3,399/3,399. 14-inch M5 Max: $4,499/4,499. 16-inch M5 Max: $4,799/4,799. Each starts at $400/400 more than its equivalent non-touchscreen model. What to know before buying The combination of OLED, touch and reduced weight may justify the premium if you regularly work on the built-in screen. If you mainly use an external monitor, a non-touchscreen model could offer better value. Our recommendation remains provisional pending independent testing of display quality, touch controls, app support and everyday usability. MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: Which should you buy? The M5 MacBook Air and M6 MacBook Pro are different in some significant ways. Foundry The MacBook Air is our recommendation for most people, offering enough performance for everyday work and light creative projects in a thin, light, silent design. Choose the MacBook Pro if you regularly run demanding workloads or will benefit from its better display and additional ports. The closest comparison is between theM5 MacBook Air and 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro. For more demanding professional work, the MacBook Pro also offers M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with a choice of non-touchscreen or PROLED XDR touchscreen displays. Performance: Do you need a MacBook Pro? The M5 MacBook Air is well suited to web browsing, office apps, studying, photo editing, and occasional video projects. Using creative software doesnt automatically mean you need a Pro: the size of your projects and how frequently you run demanding tasks matter more. The M6 MacBook Pro combines a newer chip generation with active cooling. Its fans help it sustain performance during lengthy video exports, code compilation, and other intensive tasks. The Airs fanless design keeps it completely silent, but performance can fall during prolonged heavy workloads. If these demanding tasks make up much of your working day, consider anM5 Pro or M5 Max MacBook Pro. These offer greater processing, graphics, and memory capacity than the standard M6 model. A newer chip generation doesnt automatically make the M6 the more powerful choice. Display and ports: What does the Pro add? The MacBook Airs Liquid Retina display is suitable for everyday work, with 500 nits brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. You can choose a 13-inch model for portability or a 15-inch model for more workspace. The M6 MacBook Pros 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display adds mini-LED technology, deeper contrast, brighter HDR highlights, and ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. These features are particularly useful for viewing and editing HDR content, although you dont need to be a creative professional to appreciate the screen. The M6 Pro also provides three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and an SDXC card slot. The Air has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, so connecting memory cards, HDMI displays, or several accessories may require adapters or a dock. For anOLED touchscreen, choose a PROLED XDR MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip. Touchscreen availability is a separate consideration from how much processing power you need. Portability, battery life, and price The Air is thinner and lighter, making it the stronger choice if you carry your laptop regularly. The 15-inch Air is also worth considering if you want a larger screen without the weight and expense of a 16-inch Pro. The M6 MacBook Pro has a higher advertised battery-life rating, although actual endurance depends on your workload. Both models are suitable for working away from a power socket. The Air costs less, but compare configurations with matching memory and storage before deciding. The M6 Pro starts with more storage, which narrows the price difference if you would otherwise upgrade the Air. Our buying advice: Air or Pro? Buy the MacBook Air for everyday work, studying, travel, and light creative projects. It offers the best balance of performance, portability, and price for most buyers. Buy the M6 MacBook Pro if you want its HDR display, additional ports, longer advertised battery life, or better sustained performance. Choose an M5 Pro or M5 Max MacBook Pro for demanding professional workloads that justify more processing power, graphics performance, or memory. Consider the PROLED XDR version if you also want OLED and touch. The table below compares the M5 MacBook Air with the entry-level M6 MacBook Pro: Feature MacBook Air, M5 MacBook Pro, M6 Starting Price $1,299 $1,999 Display 13.6 or 15.3 Liquid Retina (500 nits) 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR; 1,600 nits peak HDR, ProMotion up to 120Hz Processor M5 M6 Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 24 hours Ports 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 3 Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe Cooling Fanless Active cooling SSD 512GB4TB 1TB4TB RAM 16GB32GB 16GB32GB Comparing the MacBook Air and entry-level MacBook Pro. Best MacBook for specialist cases Not everyone will fit into one of the categories we have addressed above. If you work in the creative industries, development, machine learning, or software engineering, or other high performance use, well address the best MacBook for you next. Best MacBook for video editing: 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (non-touchscreen, M5 Pro/Max) We recommend: Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $2,499 (was 2,199) Best Prices Today: $2,289 at Amazon | $2289 at B&H | $2299 at Best Buy US The MacBook Pro is the best MacBook for video editing and creative work, especially if you regularly work with large files, high-resolution footage, or GPU-heavy apps. These models are built for demanding workflows and offer the sustained performance, display quality, memory headroom, and connectivity that creative professionals need. The following are reasons why creatives choose the MacBook Pro: Active cooling for long renders Stronger GPU performance Higher RAM ceiling Better display for color-critical work Better external monitor support Runs: Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and more Best MacBook for creative professionals: 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (touchscreen, M5 Pro/Max) We recommend: Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro PROLED XDR (M5 Pro, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $2,899 Best Prices Today: $2,899 at Amazon | $2899 at Apple Photographers, video editors, and designers who rely on color accuracy and contrast will see the most benefit from the PROLED XDR display. Best MacBook for developers: 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) We recommend: Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $2,499 (was 2,199) Best Prices Today: $2,289 at Amazon | $2289 at B&H | $2299 at Best Buy US For professional developers, the MacBook Pro remains the strongest option. It is better suited to large codebases, longer compile times, virtualization, multiple displays, and heavier sustained workloads. It offers a good balance of price and performance for most engineers. The following are reasons why developers choose the MacBook Pro: Better thermal management for long build sessions More RAM options Better support for external displays More overhead for containers, emulators, and heavier dev tools Best MacBook for heavy workloads: 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Max) The M5 Max chip is best for AI development, complex simulations, or users who need the highest memory ceiling. We recommend: Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro PROLED XDR (M5 Max, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $4,499 Best Prices Today: $4499 at Apple Best MacBook for gamers: 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) We recommend: Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $2,999 (Was $2,699) Best Prices Today: $2749 at B&H | $2,749.99 at Amazon | $2999 at Best Buy US While Windows PCs still hold a performance lead in raw frames per second, Apple Silicon has made high-end gaming a viable reality on macOS, particularly with the latest Pro and Max models. The M5 Pro MacBook Pro, updated in March 2026, strikes a balance for those who need oomph for gaming without the extreme price tag of the M5 Max version of the MacBook Pro. It includes Thunderbolt 5 ports for high-speed data transfer and supports more unified memory than the base M5. It is specifically recommended for serious gaming and moderate media production. The M5 Pro model lacks the massive GPU core count of the Max chip, meaning it may struggle with the highest settings on the most demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077. In our real-world gaming benchmarks, it provides good results for Mac users, even if it still faces a gap compared to dedicated PC gaming rigs. See our round up of the Best Games for Mac to see which A-list games are available to play. Is MacBook Air good enough? Eugen Wegmann The MacBook Air may suffice in some cases: Creatives : The Air works well for light creative work, especially photo editing, design, and shorter video projects. It is not as strong in sustained workloads, but it is much easier to carry and costs less. Development : The MacBook Air is still a good choice for lighter software development, especially for web development, scripting, and general programming. It is best for developers who prioritize portability over maximum sustained speed. Gaming : The M5 MacBook Air features a third-generation ray-tracing engine and enhanced shader cores, which Apple says improves 3D rendering and gaming tasks. However, in our tests the lack of active cooling caused performance to dip after playing for 10 minutes or so. You can play casual games just fine, but for a variety of reasons, if youre into AAA gaming, the Air isnt the best choice. What about MacBook Neo? If your budget is much tighter and your needs are basic, the MacBook Neo is the entry point. It gives you macOS at a much lower price, but with more compromises than the Air. If you choose the Neo we recommend the 512GB version. We recommend: Apple MacBook Neo (512GB) Price When Reviewed: $799 (was $699) Best Prices Today: $789.99 at Amazon | $799 at Apple | $799 at B&H Other MacBook buying decisions to consider When buying a MacBook, its important to consider how you will use it, as this will determine the right balance of performance, portability, and price. Key factors to consider include which chip you require, how much RAM you will need for multitasking, and the size of the SSD required for storage, all of which cannot be upgraded later. Screen size affects portability and productivity, screen quality is key for creative work, while battery life matters if you work on the go. You should also think about weight, port selection, and long-term value to ensure the device meets your needs both now and in the future. In the next section well examine these elements of the buying decision. Best MacBook display and screen size Foundry The best MacBook screen size depends on how much portability, screen space, and display quality you need. Best MacBook screen sizes Best size for most people: 13-inch MacBook Air or 14-inch MacBook Pro Best size for portability: 13-inch MacBook Air or MacBook Neo Best all-around Pro size: 14-inch MacBook Pro Best large-screen option without Pro pricing: 15-inch MacBook Air Best for maximum workspace: 16-inch MacBook Pro How many screens are supported The 13-inch and 14-inch MacBooks offer the best balance of portability and usability. The larger 15-inch and 16-inch options are ideal if you want more room for spreadsheets, side-by-side apps, or general multitasking. These displays can run alongside the built-in screen. The M5 Pro and M5 Max limits apply to both touchscreen and non-touchscreen models. MacBook Neo : Supports only one external display up to 4K at 60Hz. MacBook Air (M5): Supports up to two external displays at 6K/60Hz. MacBook Pro (M6): Supports up to two external displays at 6K/60Hz. MacBook Pro (M5 Pro): Supports up to three external displays, each at 6K/60Hz. MacBook Pro (M5 Max): Supports up to four external displays, each at 6K/60Hz. For more advice read: How to use two or more monitors to a Mac . MacBook displays: Liquid Retina, Liquid Retina XDR and PROLED XDR Apples MacBooks offer three main display types. The most useful differences are brightness, contrast, refresh rate and touchscreen support. Liquid Retina: MacBook Neo and MacBook Air These displays suit everyday work, web browsing and watching videos. They have a fixed 60Hz refresh rate and dont support touch. The Airs display also supports the wider P3 color gamut, making it a better choice than the Neo for color-sensitive work. Liquid Retina XDR: Non-touchscreen MacBook Pro The M6 MacBook Pro and non-touchscreen M5 Pro and M5 Max models use mini-LED displays. These offer higher contrast and brighter HDR highlights than the Air, plus ProMotion adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and motion. PROLED XDR: Touchscreen MacBook Pro The touchscreen M5 Pro and M5 Max models use OLED displays. OLED controls light at the individual pixel level, producing deep blacks without the backlight blooming that can occur with mini-LED. These models also support direct touchscreen input. You can compare the screen options in the table below: Model Screen Size Display Name Max Brightness Color Gamut Refresh Rate Display Technology Touchscreen True Tone MacBook Neo 13-inch Liquid Retina 500 nits sRGB 60Hz LCD No No MacBook Air 13.6-inch Liquid Retina 500 nits P3 Wide Color 60Hz LCD No Yes MacBook Air 15.3-inch Liquid Retina 500 nits P3 Wide Color 60Hz LCD No Yes MacBook Pro 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) P3 Wide Color ProMotion, up to 120Hz Mini-LED LCD No Yes MacBook Pro 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR 1,600 nits (Peak HDR) P3 Wide Color ProMotion, up to 120Hz Mini-LED LCD No Yes MacBook Pro 14.2-inch PROLED XDR 2,000 nits (Peak HDR) P3 + Adobe RGB ProMotion, up to 120Hz Tandem OLED Yes Yes MacBook Pro 16.3-inch PROLED XDR 2,000 nits (Peak HDR) P3 + Adobe RGB ProMotion, up to 120Hz Tandem OLED Yes Yes How the screens compare across Apples range of MacBooks. For most people, the Airs display is sufficient. Choose a Liquid Retina XDR model if HDR brightness and ProMotion matter to your work. Consider PROLED XDR if you particularly value OLEDs contrast or want touchscreen input. Is the touchscreen MacBook Pro worth paying extra for? The touchscreen MacBook Pro starts at $400/400 more than an equivalent non-touch M5 Pro or M5 Max model. That premium buys display and design improvements, with the same processor options. What the premium gets you A tandem OLED display: The PROLED XDR screen offers higher contrast and adds Adobe RGB alongside P3 color support. This may be particularly valuable for photographers, video editors and designers who regularly use the built-in display. Touchscreen input: Scroll, pinch to zoom and interact directly with content onscreen, alongside the keyboard and trackpad. Its usefulness will depend on your apps and how you prefer to work. A thinner, lighter design: The 14-inch model weighs approximately half a pound less than its non-touch equivalent. Both sizes also replace the notch with Dynamic Island. When its worth the extra money The premium is easiest to justify if you spend much of your working day using the laptops own screen. The combination of OLED, wider color support and touch could make it a more useful workspace, while the reduced weight benefits anyone who frequently carries their MacBook. You dont have to want touch to appreciate the other improvements. As Macworlds Roman Loyola argues, the display may be the more compelling upgrade . When to choose a non-touch model If you mainly work with an external monitor, the upgraded built-in display offers less benefit. A non-touch M5 Pro or M5 Max can provide the processing power and memory you need at a lower price. Touch also wont suit every workflow. Reaching across the keyboard may be less comfortable than using the trackpad for extended periods, so consider how often you would actually use it. Compare matching chip, memory and storage configurations before deciding: retailer discounts could make the price difference larger than $400/400. Which is the best MacBook for battery life? The 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro and 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro share Apples highest advertised video-streaming rating, at up to 24 hours. For wireless web browsing, the 16-inch M5 Pro leads at up to 17 hours. The MacBook Air offers a lighter, less expensive option, with both sizes rated for up to 18 hours of video streaming or 15 hours of web browsing. The budget-friendly MacBook Neo has lower advertised endurance, at 16 hours and 11 hours, respectively. See: MacBook Air, Pro and Neo batteries compared. You can compare Apples advertised battery-life ratings in the table below: Model/chip Apple video streaming (up to) Apple wireless web browsing (up to) 13-inch MacBook Neo, A18 Pro 16 hours 11 hours 13-inch MacBook Air, M5 18 hours 15 hours 15-inch MacBook Air, M5 18 hours 15 hours 14-inch MacBook Pro, M6 24 hours 16 hours 14-inch MacBook Pro, M5 Pro 22 hours 14 hours 14-inch MacBook Pro, M5 Max 20 hours 13 hours 16-inch MacBook Pro, M5 Pro 24 hours 17 hours 16-inch MacBook Pro, M5 Max 22 hours 16 hours M5 Pro and M5 Max ratings apply to both touchscreen and non-touchscreen models of the corresponding size. How much RAM do you need? For most buyers in 2026, 16GB of RAM should be the minimum. That is the sweet spot for a MacBook you plan to keep for several years. However, the MacBook Neo ships with only 8GB RAM, and there are no options to upgrade this capacity at the time of purchase or later. Whether this is enough RAM depends entirely on your specific use case, as the device is positioned as a budget-friendly entry point into the Mac ecosystem. For the target audience students, teachers, and casual users 8GB of RAM should be sufficient for general productivity. A significant concern regarding the 8GB capacity is its long-term viability. MacBook memory is not upgradeable after purchase. If you expect to keep your laptop for a long time, it is worth buying more RAM upfront if your budget allows. RAM recommendations by user type Casual users and students : 16GB recommended. 8GB is workable for very light use, but not ideal for longevity. Creative work and gaming : 24GB to 32GB is the safer target. Professionals and AI-heavy workflows : 48GB to 128GB, depending on workload. You can compare RAM options in the table below: MacBook Model Base RAM Maximum RAM MacBook Neo 8GB 8GB 13-inch & 15-inch MacBook Air (M5) 16GB 32GB 14-inch MacBook Pro (M6) 16GB 32GB 14-inch & 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Pro) 24GB 64GB 14-inch & 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Max) 36GB 128GB Compare RAM allocation across Apples range of MacBooks. How much storage do you need for a MacBook? 256GB : Fine for cloud-first users with light local storage needs, but it can fill up quickly. 512GB : The better starting point for most people. It gives you more breathing room for apps, files, photos, and offline media. 1TB or more : Best for media professionals, developers with larger local workloads, or anyone who works with large files regularly. Determining the best storage capacity for a MacBook depends heavily on your specific workflow, as internal storage cannot be upgraded after purchase. While Apple previously offered 256GB as a baseline, most current models now start at 512GB or 1TB to accommodate the increasing space requirements of modern operating systems and applications. For most buyers, 512GB is the practical minimum if the budget allows. Experts now generally advise against 256GB drives for primary machines. Furthermore, SSDs can slow down significantly as they fill up. A common rule of thumb is to buy at least twice the capacity of what you need to store to maintain performance. Storage (SSD) recommendations by user type Casual users and students : 512GB recommended. Sufficient for documents, web browsing, and light media use. General Productivity : 512GB to 1TB recommended. For users with moderate photo libraries and some video projects. Creative Professionals : 1TB to 2TB+ recommended. Necessary for 4K video editing, large high-resolution photo libraries, and professional audio suites. High-End Workflows : 4TB to 8TB recommended. For 3D animation, AI development, and massive video production projects. Is there a difference between SSDs in Apples MacBooks There are significant differences in SSD performance, capacity, and technology across the current MacBook lineup. In March 2026, Apple introduced faster storage technologies for the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models. The most notable differences lie in the read/write speeds, which vary based on the models processor and the physical capacity of the drive: MacBook Pro (M5 Pro/Max) : The M5 Pro and Max models, released in March 2026, feature the fastest internal storage in the lineup. Apple claims these SSDs are up to twice as fast as the previous generation. MacBook Pro (M6) : Apple describes the SSD in the M6 model as Superfast. With the arrival of the M5 in 2025 Apple claimed it delivered up to 2x faster read/write performance than its predecessors. MacBook Air (M5) : The M5 MacBook Air also received a similar storage speed boost with the March 2026 update. MacBook Neo: The MacBook Neo uses a slower SSD to maintain its lower price point. Compare storage options in the table below: MacBook Model Base Storage Maximum Storage MacBook Neo 256GB 512GB MacBook Air (M5) 512GB 4TB MacBook Pro (M6) 1TB 4TB MacBook Pro (M5 Pro) 1TB 4TB MacBook Pro (M5 Max) 2TB 8TB non-touch / 16TB touchscreen Compare SSD options for MacBooks. Which MacBook chip should you choose? Choosing the right MacBook chip in 2026 depends on your specific workflow, ranging from basic productivity to high-end professional creative work. Apples current lineup features the M5 family (M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max) and the budget-friendly A18 Pro. Apples MacBook chips currently fall into four clear tiers. A18 Pro : Best for basic users who want the cheapest MacBook possible. M5 : Best for general users, students, and office work. M5 Pro : Best for photographers, editors, programmers, and users with heavier workloads. M5 Max : Best for high-end creative work, large AI models, 3D production, and anyone who needs the most performance possible in a MacBook. See our Mac processor comparison to find out how different generations of Mac chips compared. Compare processor and GPU options in the table below: Feature A18 Pro M5 M6 M5 Pro M5 Max MacBook models MacBook Neo MacBook Air MacBook Pro MacBook Pro (touch and non-touch) MacBook Pro (touch and non-touch) CPU Cores 6-core 10-core 12-core Up to 18-core 18-core GPU Cores 5-core Up to 10-core 12-core Up to 20-core Up to 40-core Max Memory 8GB 32GB 32GB 48GB 128GB Ports Support USB-C: one USB 3 port, one USB 2 port Thunderbolt 4 Thunderbolt 4 Thunderbolt 5 Thunderbolt 5 Best For Budget choice for students & basic tasks Mainstream choice for general consumers Creative work, better display and more ports Software development, 4K video editing, photo editing Extreme processing power, massive memory capacity Compare chip options for MacBook Air, Neo and Pro. FAQ 1. Which MacBook lasts the longest? For battery life, the MacBook Pro models lead the lineup, with 24 hours of playback. 2. Should I buy a refurbished MacBook? A refurbished MacBook can be a good value, especially if you buy Apple silicon rather than Intel. Just make sure the price gap is meaningful and the machine still has enough life left to justify the purchase. Since Apple put up prices across the range buying in the Refurbished Store is even more attractive. The MacBook Air, MacBook Neo and MacBook Pro were all available at the original price shortly after Apple raised prices. For example, the MacBook Neo is $599 , you can get a 13-inch, M5 MacBook Air for $1,099 and a 14-inch MacBook Pro, M5 Pro for $2,119 . 3. Is a MacBook Air powerful enough? Yes. For most people, the MacBook Air is more than powerful enough for everyday work, school, multitasking, web use, and light creative tasks. 4. Is a MacBook worth it compared to a Windows laptop? That depends on your priorities, but MacBooks are often worth the extra cost if you value exceptional battery life, premium build quality, class-leading trackpads, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Apples recent price increases have made Macs more expensive, but the company isnt alone in raising prices. Lenovo also announced price rises in June 2026, while other PC manufacturers have warned that soaring memory and storage costs are putting pressure on margins, making higher prices increasingly likely across the industry. As a result, the price gap between Macs and comparable Windows laptops may not be as large as it first appears. 5. How long will a MacBook last? The typical lifespan of a MacBook is generally between five and eight years, though this depends heavily on a combination of hardware durability and ongoing software support . While the physical components are built to last, Apple eventually classifies older models as vintage or obsolete, which limits your ability to get official repairs and parts. Find out more here: How long do MacBooks last: Lifespan, support and when to upgrade . Why you can trust Macworld Macworld has been covering everything Apple related since our first issue which arrived alongside the original Mac in 1984. Nobody knows Apple better, except probably Apple, but the difference is that we are completely impartial. We are made up of a team of experts with decades of experiences with Macs and other Apple products, and between us we have reviewed every Apple product meaning we are uniquely positioned to provide buying advice. At a glance: MacBook Specs Model Screen Chip Ports Battery life Starting price MacBook Neo 13-inch A18 Pro 2 USB-C (one USB 3, one USB 2) 16 hours $699 MacBook Air 13-inch 13.6-inch, Liquid Retina display M5 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 18 hours $1,299 MacBook Air 15-inch 15.3-inch, Liquid Retina display M5 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe 18 hours $1,499 MacBook Pro 14-inch 14.2-inch, Liquid Retina XDR display M6 3x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 24 hours $1,999 MacBook Pro 14-inch 14.2-inch, Liquid Retina XDR display M5 Pro/M5 Max 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 24 hours (Pro), 22 hours (Max) $2,499 MacBook Pro 16-inch 16.2-inch, Liquid Retina XDR display M5 Pro/M5 Max 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 22 hours (Pro), 20 hours (Max) $2,999 Touchscreen MacBook Pro 14-inch 14.2-inch, PROLEDXDR touchscreen M5 Pro/M5 Max 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 24 hours (Pro), 22 hours (Max) $2,899 Touchscreen MacBook Pro 16-inch 16.3-inch, PROLEDXDR touchscreen M5 Pro/M5 Max 3x Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 22 hours (Pro), 20 hours (Max) $3,399 November 2026 MacBook lineup. Headphone jacks omitted from port listings.

IDBI Bank privatisation: Congress demands halt, FM Nirmala Sitharaman clarifies govts stand

IDBI Bank employees began a two-day nationwide strike on Monday to protest against the proposed privatisation of the lender, demanding that the Union government scrap the sale to Canadas Fairfax Financial Holdings.

Raptadu Attack: Accused Stable, Girl Questions Medical Care

The accused in the Raptadu school girls attack case, Hemant, is conscious and stable, though doctors are working to save his severely injured right leg. Meanwhile, the other injured girl is recovering well, but has expressed anger and questioned why the accused is receiving medical treatment, demanding severe punishment for him.

Two Critically Injured as Tractor Plunges into Gorge in Poonch

SRINAGAR: Two persons sustained critical injuries after a tractor fell into a gorge in the Loran area of Mandi in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Monday evening. Officials said the accident occurred in Loran, leaving both occupants critically injured. The injured were identified as Irshad Ahmed and Khalil Hussain. They were immediately taken to []

Siddaramaiah meets Rahul Gandhi amid ongoing sting operation controversy

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met senior party leader Rahul Gandhi here on Monday amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged sting operation linked to him. Karnataka Urban Development Minister and his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah and the Chief Ministers Legal Adviser Ponnanna were present during the meeting. Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah met Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. Siddaramaiah has briefed the party leadership on the latest developments in the case and discussed the possibility of certain insiders being involved in the sting operation. He had already held discussions on the matter with members of his close circle. Siddaramaiah earlier indicated that he had filed a complaint in connection with the sting operation and that the investigation into the matter was not appropriate. Several state Congress leaders accompanied Siddaramaiah during his meeting with Venugopal in Delhi. Along with his son and Ponnanna, former ministers Venkatesh, Legislative Council members Nagaraj Yadav, Dr Thimmaiah, and Shivakumar, former member Ramesh Babu, and Vice-Chairman of the State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority Mehroze Khan accompanied him to Delhi. The sting operation case has triggered a political controversy in Karnataka, with the CCB investigating the alleged operation, the circulation of the video, and the circumstances surrounding its recording. Siddaramaiah had described the alleged sting operation against him as a systematic blackmail conspiracy, naming a journalist and Krupa Alva of Mangaluru as people he believes were behind it. His remarks have added fresh momentum to the controversy, which has now reached the national political arena amid competing allegations about the possible involvement of Congress members. He said his eight years as Chief Minister and his long political career had not been marked by allegations of this kind. He accused unnamed individuals of using blackmail as a political tactic and insisted that he had committed no wrongdoing. Siddaramaiah maintained that the video, which purportedly featured claims of sexual abuse from an incident in 2011 and surfaced on social media, is completely baseless and part of a malicious political campaign to tarnish his character. He personally lodged a formal complaint with the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, demanding an impartial and fair investigation to unmask the real culprits behind the concocted case. He also moved the Bengaluru City Civil and Sessions Court to obtain an interim injunction restraining newspapers, television channels, and social media platforms from publishing or broadcasting the unverified video.

Valkyrae Deletes Her CS2 VODs After Fans Criticise Her For Choosing CS2 Over GTA RP During Her Grind

Valkyrae has called out viewers demanding GTA RP instead of Counter-Strike 2 as she tries to complete her 16K Premier rating bet. The streamer later deleted her VOD and admitted that the constant complaints are making her CS2 grind difficult.

GOC Northern Command reviews operational readiness of troops in Reasi

Jammu, Nov 2: General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma today visited general area of Reasi to review operational readiness and assess the prevailing security situation in the hinterland. He was accompanied by officers from intelligence and other security agencies. The GOC was briefed on ongoing Counter Terrorism (CT) operations, measures to further strengthen the security grid incorporating joint intelligence frameworks and synergy between all stakeholders. The Army Commander commended the troops for their unwavering commitment, high state of operational preparedness and exemplary professionalism while operating under challenging conditions.

Northern Army Commander, IGP Jammu Assess Security Scenario in Reasi

SRINAGAR: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma along with Inspector General of Police Jammu Tejinder Singh visited general area Reasi to review operational readiness and assess prevailing security situation in the hinterland. During the visit, the Army Commander along with stakeholders from Intelligence and other Security agencies was briefed on ongoing Counter []

From UAE honours to Israeli award, brave Indian pilot Smit Machchhar earns global recognition

Digital Desk | Abu Dhabi, Nov 2 (IANS) Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, has received widespread appreciation for his courage, with tributes pouring in from the UAE, India, Israel and the United States, a report has stated. It noted that while the UAE has formally honoured the Indian pilot and flight crew, Israel has recently announced plans to confer a civilian bravery award on Machchhar following his recovery. Beyond the official recognition and messages of support from world leaders, the captain has also received prayers and goodwill from members of the UAE community, who have come together to wish him a speedy recovery after he sustained serious injuries in a cockpit incident, a recent report in the 'Gulf News' mentioned. At the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, swamis and devotees gathered to offer special prayers for his recovery. A video shared by the temple showed men, women and children singing devotional hymns as priests conducted the prayers, the report noted. The temple said the gathering was organised to recognise Machchhar's courage and pray for his complete recovery. With heartfelt prayers for strength and healing, we pray for his swift and complete recovery and for strength to his family and loved ones during this time, the temple said. On September 30, Machchhar was at the controls of flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot brutally attacked him inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining serious injuries and losing consciousness several times, he succeeded in unlocking the cockpit door, giving crew members and passengers access to intervene. The aircraft was then rerouted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed without further incident. The actions of the captain, crew and passengers have since drawn international recognition, with tributes highlighting their efforts to protect those aboard, the report noted. Last week, the UAE honoured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and the flydubai crew for their courage and professionalism during the cockpit attack, enabling crew members and passengers to intervene and help avert a potential tragedy. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the crew members involved in the incident. The honour recognises their bravery and efforts to protect passengers and ensure the safety of the aircraft during the emergency. The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, also received the crew members and recognised their contribution during the emergency. The UAE leadership commended the crew's courage, professionalism and commitment to protecting passengers and securing the aircraft under difficult circumstances. It reiterated that ensuring the safety and security of people remains a key priority for the country. Earlier in October, Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote to Captain Machchhar, likening his heroics to those of the Indian troops who risked their lives over a century ago to liberate cities in the Holy Land, calling the Indian pilot a hero of Israel, India and all of humanity. In the letter, Herzog thanked the pilot for steering the aircraft to safety and said his actions showed the strength of his character. Your ability to find the strength to rise above the pain, to combat the immediate threat to your life, and to operate sound judgment demonstrates the strength of your character and the great valour you possess, he wrote. Herzog also announced that Captain Machchhar, who fought against the attacking co-pilot in a Flydubai aircraft and helped save 174 people onboard, will receive Israels Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, the countrys highest bravery award for civilians, once he recovers.

Gujarat: Over 6,000 women among 8,169 newly appointed primary teachers

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Nov 2 (IANS) More than 6,000 women are among the 8,169 candidates selected as Vidya Sahayaks in Gujarat, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday handing over appointment recommendation letters to the newly recruited primary school teachers at a ceremony in Adalaj, near Gandhinagar. Addressing the gathering at Trimandir, Patel said the newly appointed teachers would play an important role in shaping the future of the country and realising the vision of Viksit Bharat. He urged them to nurture students in a manner that would enable them to make meaningful contributions to nation-building. Highlighting the number of women selected, the Chief Minister said that more than 6,000 of the over 8,000 recruits were women, reflecting the growing participation of women in the education sector. Initiatives such as Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav, launched in Gujarat during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as Chief Minister, had developed into a major movement, with their positive results now becoming visible, he noted. Patel said the recruitment had been conducted transparently, with candidates selected on merit. He noted that the happiness and pride of parents and family members are evident as young people secured government jobs through their hard work. He also said the Education Department is planning to recruit around 10,000 additional teachers in the coming period. Emphasising the responsibility associated with the teaching profession, Patel said: Teachers continued to command respect in society, regardless of how successful their students became in fields such as medicine, engineering or science. Referring to the example of Saint Dnyaneshwar, he urged the newly appointed teachers to exercise responsibility while using digital platforms and social media. Teachers' behaviour and conduct had a lasting influence on children's minds and personalities, he added. Cabinet Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja said the state government had completed a recruitment process for approximately 12,000 Vidya Sahayaks through a merit-based system using technology and transparent procedures. The recruitment includes around 11,000 vacancies for Gujarati-medium Classes 1 to 5 and approximately 987 vacancies for other mediums. Referring to the National Education Policy, Vaja said: The focus should be on foundational literacy and numeracy, skill development and experiential learning rather than rote learning. He called upon the newly appointed teachers to make classrooms engaging through activities, stories, experiments and technology. He also stressed the need for regular communication with parents and ensuring students' attendance, urging teachers to contribute to society and nation-building as Gujarat works towards the vision of Viksit Bharat. Minister of State for Education, Rivaba Jadeja, said: Teachers played a significant role not only in imparting knowledge but also in shaping children's thinking, personality and character. She emphasised that education should give equal importance to values, skills and technology alongside basic literacy. Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, Jadeja added that hose who wished to serve the nation should work in the field of education.

Bihar: ASI arrested in Begusarai bribery case

Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 2 (IANS) In a major crackdown on corruption, the Vigilance Investigation Bureau on Monday arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) posted at Sahebpur Kamal police station in Begusarai district while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 29,000. The accused, identified as Chandan Jha, was caught red-handed by a vigilance team from Patna during a trap operation near the block headquarters. The arrest has triggered a stir within the district police department. Gautam Sharan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Vigilance Investigation Bureau, Patna, said the action followed a complaint lodged by Amit Kumar, a resident of the Sahebpur Kamal police station area. In his complaint, Amit Kumar alleged that ASI Chandan Jha had demanded money in exchange for removing his name from a criminal case. After receiving the complaint, the Vigilance Department conducted a preliminary verification of the allegations. Once the bribe demand was confirmed, a case (No. 127/26) was registered at the Vigilance police station. Subsequently, a trap was laid on Monday. The vigilance team apprehended the ASI immediately after he allegedly accepted Rs 29,000 from the complainant. According to DSP Gautam Sharan, the accused had initially demanded Rs 30,000, but the amount was later settled at Rs 29,000 following negotiations. The entire amount was recovered from his possession during the operation. The DSP said the case was related to a four-wheeler allegedly owned by the complainant. ASI Chandan Jha had claimed that he had already sold the vehicle. However, the same vehicle was subsequently seized in connection with a case involving liquor smuggling. The accused allegedly demanded the bribe in exchange for removing the complainant's name from the liquor smuggling case. Following his arrest, the vigilance team took the accused to the Begusarai Circuit House (Parisadan) to complete the necessary legal formalities. Arrangements were subsequently made to take him to Patna for further legal proceedings. The operation has once again brought the issue of corruption within the police department into focus. The Vigilance Department has reiterated its action against public servants allegedly demanding or accepting bribes, while further investigation into the case is underway.

After Mamata-free Bengal, time now for Rahul-free Delhi: Nitin Nabin

Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 2 (IANS) BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Monday led the party's 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' march in Kolkata and simultaneously targeted former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The procession, which started from College Street with Nitin Nabin, state Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, concluded in the Esplanade area in central Kolkata. While addressing the public at the end of the march, Nitin Nabin said, West Bengal is already completely free from Mamata. Unable to cope with the shock of defeat in his own state, the former Chief Minister is now crying in Delhi. Now Delhi too needs to be freed from Rahul quickly. The BJP launched a counter-offensive against the Opposition's protests over the Election Commissions Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On Sunday, the INDIA Bloc held a 'Save the Vote, Save the Country' programme at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Slamming the Opposition for organising the protest, Nitin Nabin said, People of the INDIA Bloc, who were defeated in their respective states, had gathered in Delhi to cry. The manner in which TMC was wiped out in Bengal, Congress and AAP were wiped out in Delhi. In Bihar too, RJD was completely wiped out. Now, it is Uttar Pradesh's turn; we had defeated Akhilesh Yadav earlier too, and we will defeat him in 2027 too. Such people with anarchist mindsets are led by Rahul Gandhi. Attacking the Congress further, the BJP national president said the grand old party never learns from its mistakes. Instead of learning from his mistakes, Rahul Gandhi is acting as the tool kit of foreign forces. When I say this word, I say this because when there was unrest in Bangladesh, he was sympathetic towards the elements who were causing the unrest. When elements try to cause unrest in Nepal, he expresses sympathy to them. Rahul Gandhi and Congress are sympathetic towards all such elements. The BJP Rajya Sabha leader further said, ''Even today, I tell Rahul Gandhi Ji: learn from your shortcomings, or else in the coming days, there will be no one left in the country even to take Congress's name; this is the situation that will arise for you. You talk about democracy? I ask the workers of Congress: is there any democracy left in your own party? You invoke the Constitution, which Constitution? The Constitution that runs according to the Nehru-Gandhi family? Nabin also hailed the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the country forward on several fronts. When it comes to national security, he stands as a Chowkidar (watchman); during a crisis like COVID-19, he stands as the Pradhan Sevak (Chief Servant) of the nation; this is Narendra Modi's leadership. Today, you are trying to spread anarchy across the country and harm constitutional institutions. When the public rejected you, had you fought for the people's causes, they wouldn't have turned their backs on you. The BJP leader added, And we can say that today, if more than 25 crore poor families have risen above the poverty line, it is a victory of trust in Narendra Modi's development. It is a victory of Narendra Modi's welfare schemes. Now they ask how this transformed into results. Instead of removing poverty, you removed the poor. But Narendra Modi Ji removed poverty and brought people out of the poverty line. That is why we won the election in 2019, and that is why we won in 2024, and we will win again in 2029. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari compared the Trinamool Congress and the Opposition by presenting his own political interpretation of the SIR process. He said, Whatever SIR means to the opposition, for us the real meaning of SIR is - remove the infiltrators, save India. Strongly attacking the opposition camp, the Chief Minister further said, Let me remind those who have come together today to save themselves from corruption and jail terms, to maintain the dynasty and to bring back the politics of appeasement - in the 2026 elections, the people of West Bengal elected the Bharatiya Janata Party by giving 2 crore 92 lakh votes. That is why they want to create anarchy in Bengal today.''

ACF Soumya Ranjan Death Case: Wife Bidyabharati Sent to 13-day Judicial Custody

Main accused Bidyabharati Panda surrendered before the SDJM court in Paralakhemundi in the ACF Soumya Ranjan death case. Her bail was rejected, remanding her to 13-day custody. The post ACF Soumya Ranjan Death Case: Wife Bidyabharati Sent to 13-day Judicial Custody appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Officer Held For Bribe In Odisha

An Odisha land acquisition officer, Ajay Kumar Garanaik, was arrested by the Vigilance Directorate on Monday for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 5 lakh bribe from a landowner. The bribe was sought to release compensation for land acquired for the Sambalpur-Talcher doubling rail line project.

Villagers stage protest at Collectorate demanding mobile ration shop

Kharge, Rahul meet senior party leaders from Uttarakhand leaders in Delhi but Harish Rawat absent

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with senior Uttarakhand party leaders here on Monday to discuss preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections in the hill state. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, Uttarakhand Congress In-charge Kumari Selja, state unit President Ganesh Godiyal, Uttarakhand Assembly LoP Yashpal Arya, and the party's Election Management Committee head Harak Singh Rawat were among the prominent party leaders present during the meeting. However, senior party leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat was absent. The meeting was part of the Congress' strategy to strengthen the party's position in the Himalayan state ahead of the Assembly elections next year. Kharge took aim at the double-engine BJP government in Uttarakhand and said that, over the past ten years, it has etrayed the hopes and aspirations of the state's people. A collapsed law-and-order system, serious questions over women's safety, the arrogance of power, and a persistent tendency to evade accountability have left the people of the state disillusioned, he posted on X. The people of Uttarakhand are now demanding an accounting and seeking change. The Congress Party is fighting with full vigour for the rights and entitlements of the people, from the streets to the halls of the legislature. Our resolve is to win the trust of the people and give Devbhoomi Uttarakhand a secure, sensitive, and accountable government that places public welfare above all, he added. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Kumari Selja said that extensive discussions were held, strategising on forming an agenda for the party's election campaign. Since it is an election-going state, a review of the situation there was taken, discussing what is happening and how all of us will move forward together. Regarding the strategy, we will inform you in due time. Everything is fully prepared; our programs are currently underway, she said. Meanwhile, on November 4, Congress is planning to hold demonstrations at district and state headquarters in Uttarakhand against alleged land scams and the illegal sale or auction of land in the state. A very major issue there revolves around corruption and the land scams. Land is being sold off at dirt-cheap prices, representing a massive scandal, which is a key part of the corruption issue. Since corruption is so widespread, land grabbing is a significant part of it. We have extensive details regarding what is happening on such a large scale. Going to the ground level, all our people and leaders will stage protests at various places to bring this to the public's attention, Selja said, mentioning that the Congress party will hold a campaign regarding this on November 4. She also stated that she will hold a press conference at the party headquarters here to expose the alleged scam. Asked about Harish Rawat's absence from the meeting, Selja said: There is a set criterion for the meeting. For instance, I am the In-charge; our two Secretaries are present with us, along with the PCC President, the CLP leader, and our two Chairmen. As I mentioned to you, the Campaign Committee Chairman and our Election Management Committee Chairman are present. Since this is about elections, that was the focus. Otherwise, discussions with all leaders have been happening earlier and will continue in the future as well. This is an ongoing process that will keep moving forward with other leaders too. Harak Singh Rawat, speaking to IANS, said that the Congress will hold a demonstration regarding the corruption taking place in Uttarakhand. The land scams, whether in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Vikas Nagar, or land belonging to the Jal Vidyut Nigam worth billions of rupees, or in Mussoorie where George Everest land was given to Ramdev Ji -- we are holding a demonstration on November 4 against all of this. In Uttarakhand, over the next three months, regarding corruption and all these issues, we have formulated a complete action plan today, he said.

Gujarat govt to spend an additional Rs 11.10 lakh annually on mountaineers' meals

Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Nov 2 (IANS) The Gujarat government has increased the daily meal allowance for mountaineering trainees and instructors at its training centres in Junagadh and Mount Abu from Rs 150 to Rs 350 per person, with the revised rates coming into effect from April 1, 2027. The decision, taken by the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, will involve an additional annual expenditure of Rs 11.10 lakh and benefit around 510 trainees participating in mountaineering camps at the two centres. At the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Mountaineering Training Centre in Junagadh, approximately 230 trainees attend training camps every year. The increase in the allowance will entail an additional expenditure of Rs 3.40 lakh annually at the centre. At the State Mountaineering Institute in Mount Abu, around 280 trainees participate in training programmes annually. The revised allowance will result in an additional annual expenditure of Rs 7.70 lakh at the institute. The two centres, which function under the Commissionerate of Youth Services and Cultural Activities, organise more than 20 government and non-government mountaineering training camps throughout the year. The revised allowance will apply to both trainees and instructors attending these camps. The government said the increase is aimed at improving food facilities and ensuring adequate nutrition for those undergoing physically demanding mountaineering training. Mountaineering involves sustained physical exertion, endurance and fitness, with trainees spending long hours practising on mountains and challenging rock formations. The increase is intended to help them maintain their stamina and physical fitness during training. The additional allocation of Rs 11.10 lakh annually will support the nutritional requirements of around 510 young people attending the two institutes, according to the government announcement.

Ktaka BJP Mahila Morcha protests milk price hike; Shobha Karandlaje demands rollback

Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 2 (IANS) The BJP State Mahila Morcha on Monday staged a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru against the hike in milk prices, with Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje demanding that the Congress government roll back the increased prices and provide justice to farmers, warning that the government should quit power before a revolution erupts. Before a revolution takes place in the state, the Congress government should leave power. Otherwise, roll back all the prices you have increased and give justice to our farmers, Karandlaje said while addressing the protesters. The Union Minister alleged that the state governments administration had collapsed over the past three to four months and had reached its lowest level. The state governments administration has come down to zero in the last three to four months. Today, it has reached its lowest level. Such a situation has been created in Karnataka, she charged. Questioning Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over what she described as the government's Kannada Rajyotsava gift to the people, Karandlaje said those in power should not judge the financial condition of ordinary citizens based on their own lifestyles. Chief Minister, what is your Kannada Rajyotsava gift to the people? You may be wealthy enough to drink Bisleri water in your homes, but we are not people who drink Bisleri. We drink the water of our mother Cauvery, she said. Do not determine the standard of living of the people of Karnataka based on your own status. You may be able to pay more for milk, but people who work in hotels for small salaries, drive taxis and autorickshaws, or survive through roadside businesses are facing severe hardship, she added. Karandlaje said ordinary citizens had to pay house rent, electricity bills, water bills and garbage collection charges from their limited incomes while also bearing the burden of repeated increases in milk and curd prices. The Union Minister also attacked the Congress government over drought relief, alleging that farmers had been given Rs 2,500 per acre as if it were charity while being subjected to several conditions. There has been inadequate rainfall, and the state is facing a severe drought. The government has given farmers Rs 2,500 per acre as if it were alms, she alleged. She said the previous BJP government led by B.S. Yediyurappa had provided Rs 4,000 to farmers in addition to assistance under the Centre's PM-Kisan Samman scheme. After coming to power, they stopped the money that the Yediyurappa government was providing to farmers. For even this Rs 2,500, they have imposed 17 or 18 rules and conditions, she charged. Karandlaje further alleged that the government had repeatedly increased milk prices while its guarantee schemes were not reaching beneficiaries properly. Rs 5,000 crore under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme has gone missing, and the government has not accounted for it till date, she alleged. She also criticised the government over the condition of the state-run transport corporations, claiming there was no money to repair buses or purchase diesel despite the government's free bus travel scheme for women. Former Legislative Council member Bharati Shetty, who also addressed the protest, demanded an immediate rollback of the milk price hike. She said the previous BJP government under Yediyurappa had provided subsidies for milk from the state exchequer and demanded that the Congress government fulfil its manifesto promise of providing milk subsidies. The Congress government should provide subsidies for milk as promised in its manifesto. But it is not right to give consumers a shock treatment, she said. Bharati Shetty said the BJP Mahila Morcha was holding protests against the price hike across Karnataka, including at the district, mandal and ward levels. She alleged that the government had increased milk prices several times and criticised the latest hike. BJP Kisan Morcha State Vice-President Bharati Mallikarjun, leaders Poornima Prakash, Bengaluru North Mahila Morcha district president Manjula Devi, Bengaluru Central Mahila Morcha district president Neethu N.M. Reddy, Bengaluru South Mahila Morcha district president Shwetha Raghavendra and other office-bearers and workers were present at the protest.

Two Five-Wicket Hauls, Two Fifties Put Karnataka in Command

Rohan Patil and Mayank Agarwal scored contrasting half-centuries, building a crucial 129-run partnership, after Karnataka's bowlers dismantled Assam's batting line-up, giving their team a commanding lead on day one of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match.

Delhi Police Personnel Protest Transfers Of Two Officers

Around 100 policemen, including women officers, gathered outside the police headquarters demanding the reinstatement of the ACP and SHO.

Arunachal Pradesh: Shutdown Called In 3 Districts On November 2 Over Proposed Siang Mega Dam

Indigenous communities across three Arunachal Pradesh districts enforced a total shutdown demanding the immediate release of over 40 anti-dam demonstrators and resisting the 11,200 MW Siang project that threatens to submerge 27 ancestral villages.

Bangladesh garment factories reopen, fresh clashes keep industry on edge

Bangladesh's garment factories reopened on Monday, but fresh clashes between police and workers demanding higher wages broke out in Dhaka and nearby industrial hubs, keeping manufacturers on edge after Sunday's widespread closures. Police said they used tear gas

Joint Press Conference in Chandigarh Against Arrests of Lakha Sidhana and Mohanjeet Singh Sheron

Various social, farmers, human rights and public-interest organisations held a joint press conference at Chandigarh Press Club against the arrests of Lakha Sidhana and Mohanjeet Singh Sheron, demanding their release and an impartial investigation. The post Joint Press Conference in Chandigarh Against Arrests of Lakha Sidhana and Mohanjeet Singh Sheron appeared first on Sikh Siyasat News .

CPI(M)-led group holds march to Sanskrit universitys Kalady campus demanding permission for suspended SFI activists to write exams as per HC order

Varsity had suspended 16 students in connection with protest led by SFI to press various demands while a meeting of Syndicate was under way on August 13

AIMSA Sets Nov 12 Deadline for J&K Govt to Revise PG Residents' Stipend Demands, Warns of Protests

Jammu, Nov 02 : The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) held a press conference today at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, highlighting the ongoing disparity in the stipend structure of Postgraduate (PG) Resident Doctors across Jammu & Kashmir. The press conference was led by AIMSA Chief Advisors Dr. Sanah, Dr. Abhishek Mittal, Dr. Fazan Lone and Dr. Sidhant Sharma. Dr. Danish Hamid, Joint Secretary, AIMSA, representing PG Dental Residents across J&K, also participated and highlighted the concerns and demands of the dental resident fraternity. Dr. Shahnawaz Malik, Additional Secretary, AIMSA, was also present. During the press conference, AIMSA representatives raised concerns over the existing stipend structure, questioning why PG Resident Doctors in J&K are receiving only 64,000 in the first year and 67,000 in subsequent years, while several other states offer significantly higher stipends to their resident doctors. They emphasized that PG residents across J&K deserve fair and competitive remuneration in recognition of their demanding clinical responsibilities, extended working hours and dedicated service to patients. AIMSA called for an urgent revision of the existing stipend structure in line with prevailing standards in other states. The association also wrote to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, seeking an early resolution of the long-pending stipend-related demands. The representation was signed by Dr. Mohammad Momin Khan, AIMSA President, J&K. We are hopeful that Government will revise their Stipend within this time period, Dr Khan said. AIMSA has set 12 November 2026 as the deadline for the government to provide a concrete response and resolve the issue. The association further stated that if the demands remain unaddressed by the stipulated deadline AIMSA across J&K, will initiate peaceful and democratic protests throughout the Union Territory. AIMSA reiterated its commitment to securing fair and uniform stipend policies for PG Medical and Dental Residents and urged the government to address their genuine concerns within the stipulated timeline

Bansuri Swaraj targets Congress as BJP leaders, 1984 anti-Sikh massacre victims' families stage protest in Delhi

BJP leaders, including MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, along with families of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre victims and members of the Sikh community, staged a protest march from Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in the national capital on Monday, demanding accountability and justice. The protesters raised slogans against the Congress party and carried banners demanding justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre. Speaking to ANI during the protest, Bansuri Swaraj launched an attack on the Congress, accusing the party of being responsible for the killings and alleging that victims had been denied justice for decades. The killing of our brethren, the massacre of 1984, reveals the Congress party to be nothing but a collection of criminals and monsters. In 1984, these monsters from the Congress party had innocent members of our community burned alive. They were denied justice and forced to endure an agonisingly long wait, Swaraj said. She further criticised the Congress for hold...

Pakistan fined for slow over-rate in tri-series final against Sri Lanka

Digital Desk | Dubai, Nov 2 (IANS) Pakistan have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate in ODI Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka in Lahore. The sanction was imposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees after Pakistan were found to have bowled one over short of the required quota within the stipulated time, even after accounting for time allowances. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed penalty, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Rashid Riaz. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, teams are penalised five per cent of their players match fees for every over they fall short of the minimum over-rate requirement. The penalty applies after the available time allowances have been taken into consideration. The fine comes after Pakistan registered a thrilling three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka to lift the tri-series trophy in front of their home crowd. Chasing a challenging target of 326, the hosts reached 329 for seven with nine balls remaining, completing the tournament-winning run chase. Fakhar Zaman was the chief architect of Pakistans successful pursuit, producing a commanding 127 off 99 deliveries, his 12th ODI century. He received valuable support from Saad Baig, who scored 74 off 75 balls, as the pair rescued the hosts after early dismissals of Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam. With Pakistan needing late impetus after Zamans dismissal, Arafat Minhas delivered a decisive contribution, smashing 61 off just 31 deliveries, including four sixes and as many boundaries. His aggressive knock brought the equation within reach before Shaheen sealed the victory with a six. Earlier, Kamindu Mendis had struck 131, while Pavan Rathnayake contributed 77, taking Sri Lanka to 325 for eight. However, their efforts proved insufficient as Pakistan completed the chase to claim the tri-series title.

Darshan Halted at Puri Srimandir for 3 Hours Today

Public entry and darshan of the Holy Trinity at the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain temporarily suspended for three hours this afternoon. According to officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), general devotees will not be allowed inside the temple premises from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The three-hour restriction on darshan [] The post Darshan Halted at Puri Srimandir for 3 Hours Today appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .

Supreme Court disposes plea seeking probe into alleged Ram Mandir donation theft after UP files chargesheet

The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a batch of petitions seeking an independent investigation into the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya after the Uttar Pradesh government informed it that a chargesheet had been filed in the case. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice [] The post Supreme Court disposes plea seeking probe into alleged Ram Mandir donation theft after UP files chargesheet appeared first on India Legal .

Ashok Pandit Criticizes BMC Commissioner Over Diwali Statement, Calls for Deletion of Posts

Filmmaker Ashok Pandit expressed outrage at BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhides Diwali message, demanding the removal of related social media posts. Ashok Pandit Criticizes BMC Commissioner Over Diwali Statement, Calls for Deletion of Posts

Protest Erupts Over Reservation Discrepancies in Uttar Pradesh Teacher Recruitment

Hundreds protest in Lucknow demanding revised results for teacher recruitment amid claims of reservation discrepancies. Protest Erupts Over Reservation Discrepancies in Uttar Pradesh Teacher Recruitment

'We have to have some serious talks': Hamilton blames Ferrari team battle after Mexico GP loss

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Lewis Hamilton has called for serious internal discussions at Ferrari after a first-lap battle with teammate Charles Leclerc potentially cost the team victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday. The seven-time world champion, who finished second behind Red Bulls Max Verstappen at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, believes Ferrari had the pace to secure a one-two finish but lost its opportunity following the opening-lap incident. Hamilton, who started from his maiden Grand Prix pole position for Ferrari, held his advantage initially before Leclerc challenged him around the outside. The pair went off track while battling through the opening corners, with Leclerc taking the lead after cutting across the grass. The Monegasque driver received a five-second penalty, while Hamilton lost momentum and dropped behind Verstappen. Reflecting on the incident, Hamilton questioned the handling of the situation and insisted that the battle had cost Ferrari a chance to win. I dont really have anything to say about the scenario with Charles. I think you can see what happened and the reason we lost the win. In the drivers briefing, we discussed that as soon as you go off at Turn 1, you have to give the position back, or else Last year I got a 10-second penalty for that same move that he did. Ultimately, it was that that lost us the win today. And I, yeah, I think we have to have some serious talks behind the scenes for sure, Hamilton said, as quoted by F1. Leclerc eventually lost the lead after serving his penalty during a pit stop, while Hamilton moved ahead of his teammate following a mid-race restart triggered by a red flag. The Briton challenged Verstappen until the finish but had to settle for second place. Hamilton stressed that Ferraris collective interests must take precedence over individual battles, warning that similar incidents could continue to hurt the team unless the matter is addressed. I think the core thing to remember, which maybe comes with age, is that every decision you make in the car impacts all the people that work in the background for the whole team, he said. So, working as a team is a part of our job and a part of our contract. We have to work as a team, which we could have easily done. So, its a shame to see us lose this, as we did. That will just continue unless action is taken... So, it shouldnt happen moving forward. Of course, Ive had close battles with team mates in the past, and you cant always get it right, but nine times out of ten we should be able to. So, I think well take it offline, and well have some good conversations, hopefully. For sure, it wont be easy, but it must be done, he added. Hamilton and Leclerc have had several close encounters this season, including a fierce battle in China and an incident at the Italian Grand Prix, after which Leclerc apologised for pushing his teammate off track. The latest flashpoint has left Hamilton demanding a resolution as Ferrari looks to prevent internal rivalry from undermining its results in the remaining races of the season.

'We Walk Away In A Stronger Position': McDonald Backs Australia Batting Unit Despite SA Thrashing

With Cameron Green: Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has backed his teams batting unit despite consecutive collapses against South Africa, insisting the visitors have reasons to remain optimistic following their series defeat in Cape Town. McDonald also expressed confidence that Steve Smith would return for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand, with Australia keen to resolve the batters neck problem ahead of a demanding international schedule. With Cameron Green returning from injury and Josh Inglis strengthening his case with another away Test, Australia could explore different batting combinations before the New Zealand series. McDonald believes the experience gained in difficult overseas conditions could ultimately benefit his side. Its still a very good cricket team with a lot of very good players in there, and some (who) will be acknowledged as legends of the game. Weve got to balance that out with who comes in, what the next decisions are. If you looked at the batting unit, I think we walk away in a stronger position (than at the start of the South Africa tour). With Green, it was an injury that curtailed him early in the series. Inglis hes (now) got two away Test hundreds. We know how difficult it is to play away. The challenge is always greater when you play away in foreign conditions and you get challenged in different ways. Theres a reason why a lot of teams dont win on the road it is difficult. Its not an excuse we felt as though were good enough to come here and win this series, he said. Smith missed the series-deciding Test at Newlands after failing a final fitness assessment, despite attempting to overcome the issue with a pain-killing injection. McDonald said the decision rested with the senior batter and stressed that his recovery would take priority. You would have seen what we saw early in that net session the day before. It looked really positive but you never know how youre going to pull up from that. All Ill say is the medical team and Steve gave it every chance, and thats all you can do. The next morning he wasnt ready to play. He acknowledged that and we do put a lot of trust into our players, in particular our senior players who know their bodies quite well. So that decision of Steve's, I think, was the right decision. He wasnt ready to go in that scenario, McDonald was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. Despite uncertainty surrounding Smiths long-term plans, McDonald expects him to feature in the first Test against New Zealand in Perth next month. Ive got no knowledge to the counter of that, McDonald said. So yes, we are planning for him to play against New Zealand, Test in Perth. I think first and foremost, its understanding whats going on with the neck issue What do we need to do to make sure it doesnt happen again and give him the best preparation that we possibly can? There will be Shield cricket, theres opportunities for him. Hell be well prepared for the Test match. Australia captain Pat Cummins also backed Smiths efforts to prove his fitness before withdrawing. Steve himself was quite confident that he was going to get up and he wanted to give it right to the last minute. Unfortunately, he just didnt feel quite right. He knows his body better than anyone else. I was definitely disappointed hes the best player in the world, vice-captain, and all those things. McDonald acknowledged that Marnus Labuschagne had failed to capitalise on his opportunity in South Africa, although he remains convinced the batter has the ability to recover his form. We believed in Marn for this tour, McDonald said. Well have to reassess that as we move forward. Therell be a lot of speculation. Theres still a very good cricketer there. Every time he drops back to state level, he outperforms the others But he hasnt taken his opportunity on this tour. We believed in Marn for this tour, McDonald said. Well have to reassess that as we move forward. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

French Protest Violence Eases; Riots Hit Germany Ahead Of School Return

Hundreds of thousands join demonstrations demanding affordable housing, higher wages and better public services, while clashes with police lead to arrests and injuries.

Bangladesh garment unrest shuts 529 factories, puts export orders at risk

Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 (about $245), against the existing Tk 12,500

Rohit Eliminated From Bigg Boss Telugu 10

Fans are disappointed with his elimination and are demanding his re-entry into the house.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Gets Huge Discount On Flipkart

Buying a good smartphone under Rs 50,000 has become a bit of a balancing act. You want a sharp display, reliable cameras, enough power to handle demanding apps and a battery that can last through the day. And finding all of

PV Sindhu bags Hylo Open with commanding win over Line

Saarbrucken, Nov 1: Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu clinched her second title of the season, bagging the Hylo Open Super 500 tournament with a straight game win over world No. 25 Line Hojmark Kjrsfeldt of Denmark here on Sunday. A former world champion, Sindhu, who won the Japan Open in July and finished runner-up at []

Delhi wakes up to winter chill; AQI worsens to 'very poor

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) Delhi-NCR residents experienced a wintry chill on Monday morning, with winter gradually setting in across the region. Meanwhile, the air quality fell to the 'very poor category, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 310 after a few days' respite because of the rain last week. Several monitoring stations across the national Capital and its surrounding areas reported 'poor' to 'very poor' air quality. The AQI stood at 313 in Burari, 258 in Badarpur, 213 in Chhawla, 237 in Jharoda Kalan, 273 in Vasundhara Enclave, 256 in Karala and 310 in Uttam Nagar. Other areas also recorded high pollution levels, including Ghoga at 274, Nangloi at 319, NIH Narela at 353, Mandir Marg at 340, Aya Nagar at 288, CRRI Mathura Road at 334 and Pusa at 340. Sirifort recorded an AQI of 354, while Chandni Chowk stood at 361 and Burari Crossing at 354. The AQI was also recorded at 319 in JNU, 382 in Alipur, 359 at North Campus, Delhi University, 322 at Talkatora Garden and 357 at Dwarka Sector-8. As northern India begins to experience the onset of winter, the country is witnessing a sharp contrast in weather conditions. While northern states are enjoying pleasant weather and cooler temperatures, southern and eastern regions are preparing for heavy rainfall amid the approach of Cyclone Murasu towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is expected to witness a bright day, with temperatures ranging between 17 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius. No rainfall warning has been issued for the national Capital. Punjab and Haryana are also expected to remain largely dry, providing residents with some respite from unpredictable weather conditions. Meanwhile, the Bay of Bengal is witnessing increased weather activity, with Cyclone Murasu expected to intensify before approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast. Winter conditions are also tightening their grip on Himalayan destinations, including Spiti, Ladakh and Kedarnath. To tackle rising pollution during the winter months, the Delhi government has begun enforcing fixed-term restrictions under its Winter Action Plan from November 1. The measures will remain in force for varying periods until February 28. A complete ban on construction and demolition activities, except for specified exemptions, will be imposed from December 10 to January 20. The plan aims to curb vehicular emissions, control dust and reduce road traffic during the peak winter season. The government has also staggered office timings to ease traffic congestion. Delhi government offices will function from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., while Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until February 28. Parking charges at authorised municipal sites will also be doubled to discourage the use of private vehicles. On the first day of the Winter Action Plan, authorities imposed penalties and environmental compensation totalling Rs 68.4 lakh. Enforcement teams checked nearly 15,000 vehicles, turned back 1,539 at border points and issued 566 challans for violations of Pollution Under Control Certificate norms. According to official data available till 5 p.m. on Sunday, penalties included Rs 56.6 lakh for PUCC violations, Rs 2 lakh for breaches of vehicle entry restrictions and Rs 9.8 lakh as environmental compensation for violations of dust-control norms at construction and demolition sites.

Newlyweds among 31 hospitalised after suspected food poisoning at Mumbai wedding

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 2 (IANS) At least 31 people, including the bride and groom, have been hospitalised after reportedly suffering from suspected food poisoning during a wedding ceremony in Mumbai's Nahur West area, officials said on Monday. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abhay Singh Deshmukh, the wedding ceremony was held on November 1 at Nalanda Buddha Vihar Hall in Nahur West, with approximately 400 to 500 guests attending the event. He said that around 70 to 100 guests, who had their meals in the final round, reportedly fell ill after consuming the food. Following complaints of illness and discomfort, several guests were taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Officials said 22 affected individuals have been admitted to MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund, four young children to Kamgar Hospital in Mulund, and five others are receiving treatment at a hospital in Vikhroli. Currently, all patients are in stable condition and are undergoing medical treatment. Relevant agencies are monitoring the situation and taking necessary action, officials said. One of the people admitted to the hospital told IANS, The wedding took place at the Nalanda Buddha Vihar Hall. Towards the end, when we sat down to eat, along with the bride and groom, everyone fell ill. About 30 to 40 people from our neighbourhood were there, and all of them became unwell. Everyone had to be admitted to the hospital. Action must be taken regarding this. The groom's maternal uncle, who also spoke to IANS, said the guests had consumed food at around 4 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. but began experiencing symptoms after returning home later in the evening. Once we reached home, by 11:0011:30 p.m., everyone started vomiting. The bride was the first to fall ill, he said. I believe at least 3040 people from our own group have been affected by food poisoning. This number could rise further; patients are still arriving. Some have been taken to Kamgar Hospital, some to a facility near the Metro, and others have been sent to Vikhroli, he added. Demanding strict action against those responsible, the groom's maternal uncle said the caterers and food suppliers should be held accountable for the suspected food poisoning. He also called for an enquiry into the role of the committee managing the wedding venue. A friend of the groom said that although all the patients were currently reported to be stable, several people were still reaching hospitals for medical assistance. This incident occurred due to the negligence of the caterers and a failure to check the quality of the food. The family is demanding strict action in this matter, he said. The administration, along with officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps.

Australia Unveil New-Look White-Ball Squads for England Series, Fresh Faces Earn Call-Ups

Australia named a host of fresh faces in new-look white-ball squads Monday to face England with exciting young quick Mahli Beardman and allrounders Jack Edwards and Liam Scott among those getting call-ups. Batting prospects Ollie Peake and Jake Fraser-McGurk were also included, as were wicketkeepers Lachlan Shaw and Sam Harper with Mitchell Marsh captaining both the one-day and Twenty20 sides. These ODI and T20 matches provide several players, many of whom have had opportunities on recent tours, with a great chance to further demonstrate their ability against very strong opposition, said chairman of selectors George Bailey. Beardman, Peake, Edwards, Scott, Nikhil Chaudhary, and Joel Davies made their white-ball debuts in recent times. Harper and Shaw are the two uncapped players. They are good examples of players who have had an opportunity at the international level and have continued working on their game from what they learnt from those experiences, added Bailey. Australia play three home ODIs against England between November 13-18 followed by five T20s. They will provide an opportunity for Australia's next generation to stake their claims ahead of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. With a home Test series against New Zealand to follow, star fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are being rested after playing their part in Australia's 2-1 Test series defeat in South Africa. Fellow Test players Travis Head, Alex Carey, Matt Renshaw, Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly and Cameron Green were named in the ODI squad, but will not play the T20s. Following the New Zealand series, Australia travel to India for five Tests before a 150th anniversary clash in Melbourne against England then an Ashes campaign. We are in the middle of a highly demanding phase of our schedule, said Bailey, referring to Australia's Test players. To manage this workload, each player's build-up to the New Zealand series will be carefully planned and focussed on individual's physical and mental preparation. One-day squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Ollie Peake, Matt Renshaw, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa Also Read: Special Cricket Stories T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Spencer Johnson, Mitch Owen, Lachlan Shaw, Adam Zampa

JKP, Rotary Club organise medical camp for Police personnel, families

Jammu, Nov 1: District Police Jammu, in collaboration with Rotary Club Jammu, organised a one-day free medical camp for police personnel and their families at Police Public School, Miran Sahib on Sunday. The medical camp was inaugurated by DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, Shridhar Patil, in the presence of SSP Jammu, Joginder Singh. Rajeev Sharma, Principal, Police Public School, Miran Sahib, was also present on the occasion. The camp was organised with the objective of promoting healthcare and ensuring access to specialised medical consultation for police personnel and their family members, recognising the demanding nature of police duties and the importance of their physical well-being. Specialist doctors from various disciplines, including Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Dentistry and Gastroenterology, provided medical consultations, conducted health check-ups and offered necessary medical advice to the beneficiaries. The initiative reflects the commitment of District Police Jammu towards the health and welfare of its personnel and their families, it was stated. District Police Jammu expressed gratitude to Rotary Club Jammu, the participating medical professionals and the management of Police Public School, Miran Sahib, for their valuable support and cooperation in making the initiative possible.

Air Marshal Deswal takes charge as AOC in-C of Eastern Air Command

New Delhi, Nov 01: Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal, a fighter pilot with a flying experience of over 3,200 hours on a number of aircraft, assumed charge on Sunday as the new air officer commanding-in-chief of the Eastern Air Command, officials said. The air officer is a specialist in strike aircraft and air defence roles, []

TASMAC shops shut across several TN districts as workers protest bottle return workload

Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 1 (IANS) TASMAC liquor outlets in Chennai and several other Tamil Nadu districts remained closed on Sunday as employees protested against the empty-bottle buy-back scheme, demanding additional manpower, adequate storage space and better working conditions before its implementation. More than 50 employees representing Chennai district TASMAC workers unions gathered outside the corporations depot in Ambattur. Shop closures were also reported in Tiruvallur, Madurai, Erode, Karur, Vellore, Kanyakumari and Krishnagiri, as workers opposed the additional responsibilities associated with collecting and processing returned bottles. The protest coincided with the introduction of revised liquor prices on November 1. Under the revised arrangement, outlets will no longer collect Rs 10 separately towards the bottle-return scheme when liquor is purchased. Consumers will, however, continue to receive Rs 10 for each eligible empty bottle returned, subject to verification. Customers can hand over empty bottles at any TASMAC outlet, irrespective of where they purchased the liquor. Employees said the scheme had been introduced without adequately addressing practical difficulties at retail outlets. They cited limited space for storing bottles and the workload involved in scanning and handling them. One protesting employee said TASMAC should either engage workers through an external agency or install automated bottle-collection machines at every outlet. Existing staff could not be expected to shoulder the additional burden without sufficient support, the employee added. According to the latest directive, staff deployed at individual outlets will collect empty bottles and hand them over to approved vendors. This arrangement will continue until a reverse vendor is selected through a tender process. To support the additional work during the interim period, outlets within Greater Chennai Corporation limits will receive up to Rs 2,000 a day. Shops in other municipal corporations will receive Rs 1,800 daily, while those in municipalities and town panchayats will get Rs 1,600. Village panchayat outlets will receive Rs 1,500. Workers, however, said financial reimbursements would not resolve their concerns. They demanded practical arrangements for bottle collection and storage, alongside measures to address longstanding deficiencies in workplace facilities. Employees particularly highlighted the absence of toilets at several shops, saying basic needs had remained neglected despite years of service. The protesters maintained that the administration must address staffing shortages, infrastructure constraints and working conditions instead of relying on existing employees to manage the bottle-return system alongside their regular sales duties.

Badminton: Lakshya Sen clinches Hylo Open title, completes memorable Indian double

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Lakshya Sen clinched the men's singles title at the Hylo Open Super 500 badminton tournament after registering a commanding straight-game victory over Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the final in Saarbrcken, Germany, on Sunday, completing a memorable double for India. The Indian shuttler, who was the runner-up at the All England Championships earlier this year, beat Christie 21-17, 21-10 in the final to claim the gold and complete the set with compatriot PV Sindhu, who had earlier bagged the women's singles title. Champion at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, Lakshya had lost three of his four previous meetings against Christie but was confident to beat the Indonesian whom he had beaten at the Paris Olympics in the main draw. The Indian came out all guns blazing in the first game, building up an 8-4 lead early on. Christie narrowed the gap to 9-8, but Lakshya took the lead again in the rally by a generous net cord. The Indian soon found his rhythm, with his big smashes and deft strokes winning him the rallies as he led 16-10 and then moved to 18-12. Christie's service error then gave Lakshya three game points, and he took the first as the Indonesian netted. Lakshya maintained the streak in the second game, taking a healthy 6-3 lead and leading all along with a flat exchange to reach the interval, four points clear. Christie increased the ante once the players had changed sides, moving to 16-9 while Christie still looked to make an impression on the tie. In an incorrect line call by the Indonesian, overturned by a video review, Lakshya was awarded 10 championship points. The Indian had to convert only a single match point as Christie's another net fault proved costly. Lakshya, who had won the Australian Open and was a runner-up at the Hong Kong Open in 2025, added another major crown to his tally with an impressive display in Germany.

New Zealand Beat India by 7 Wickets in Fifth T20I, Hosts Seal Series Finale

Tim Seiferts explosive 93 and Glenn Phillips unbeaten 65 powered New Zealand to a commanding seven-wicket victory over India in the fifth T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Chasing 192, the hosts comfortably reached 194 for 3 in just 18 overs, completing their highest successful T20I run-chase against India. Despite an early breakthrough by Arshdeep Singh, []

IYC claims over 20,000 workers attended Ramlila Maidan rally, terms it 'Freedom Struggle 2.0'

Indian Youth Congress organized a rally at Ramlila Maidan with over 20,000 participants demanding accountability from the Election Commission. Youth Congress leaders expressed concerns over the credibility of India's electoral mechanisms and insisted on the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The event, termed 'Freedom Struggle 2.0', highlighted the involvement of young people across the country. Organizers plan to continue efforts for electoral transparency and institutional accountability.

IFL 2026/27: Uzziel Budus late header hands Dempo SC dramatic win over FC Bengaluru United

Digital Desk | Margao (Goa), Nov 1 (IANS) Uzziel Budus stoppage-time header helped Dempo Sports Club start their Indian Football League (IFL) 202627 campaign on a winning note, securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over FC Bengaluru United at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Sunday. Ghanaian defender Uzziel Yaw Asomaning Budu struck in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time to break the deadlock and hand the hosts all three points. Billed as a classic David-versus-Goliath clash between a youthful FC Bengaluru United outfit and the seasoned campaigners of Dempo, the contest looked destined to end in a goalless stalemate as the visitors defended resolutely for large periods of the match. However, Bengaluru switched off in the final 10 minutes and were punished in the dying moments when stopper-back Budu rose highest from a corner kick in the final minute of added time to glance home the winner in front of the home fans. The game began on a scrappy note as both teams took time to settle on a slow pitch. Dempo slowly found their stride as the contest moved into the second quarter, stringing passes together and establishing a firm hold on ball possession. Operating down the left flank, Saiesh Bagkar produced a couple of probing runs for the Goan side as he looked to link up with forwards Cledson Carvalho Dasilva and captain Richmond Kwasi Owusu. However, his efforts did not produce any real openings to trouble a well-organised Bengaluru defence marshalled by Daniel, Abdul Hannan, and goalkeeper Manjunath Hirekurbar. Despite Dempos territorial dominance, FC Bengaluru United carved out their first chance of the evening from a corner kick in the 27th minute, though the resulting header was not on target. The visitors slowly found their rhythm as the match moved into the third quarter past the half-hour mark, with captain Ribhav Sardesai and Lalramdinsanga Ralte working tirelessly in midfield to keep their shape. Dempo continued to dominate the ball for the remainder of the opening period, commanding 70 per cent possession and producing close to 250 passes. While the hosts controlled possession well, they lacked intensity and penetration in the final third against a tight Bengaluru rearguard that kept compact numbers at the back, sending the two sides into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0. The match resumed at a much faster pace in the second half, with FC Bengaluru United showing greater attacking intent on the transition. The visitors came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Russian forward Marat Tareck made a fine run in behind the Dempo backline of Budu, Athul Unnikrishnan, and Pruthvesh Pednekar with only the goalkeeper in sight. However, a heavy touch from the Russian forward at the crucial moment allowed Dempo goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee to pounce swiftly on the ball and smother the danger without any harm. Dempo responded at the other end and won a corner kick of their own, from which defender Athul Unnikrishnan rose to meet the delivery, only to send his header off target. The intensity subsequently dropped from both sides as the game moved into the second quarter of the half, with the scoreline remaining unchanged right through to the final hydration break. Although FC Bengaluru United were the better side for large spells of the second half, they lost concentration in the closing 10 minutes as Dempo pushed forward in search of a late breakthrough. In the 80th minute, Dempo carved out their best opportunity from open play when skipper Richmond Owusu delivered a spot-on pass to find Saiesh Bagkar inside the penalty box, only for his goal-bound shot to be bravely blocked by the Bengaluru defence. With eight minutes of added time indicated, that missed chance initially appeared anticlimactic for the hosts, and for long moments it looked as though Bengaluru would return home with a well-earned point. However, a moment of brilliance in the 90+8th minute changed everything. Winning a corner in the final minute of the match, Dempo whipped a delivery into the box where stopper-back Budu timed his jump to perfection to glance a precise header into the second post past Hirekurbar. In the end, Uzziel Budus last-gasp header proved decisive as Dempo Sports Club capitalised on FC Bengaluru Uniteds late lapse to seal a hard-fought 1-0 victory and open their home campaign with all three points.

Bangladesh: Garment workers block highway, set police box on fire to demand higher wages

Digital Desk | Dhaka, Nov 1 (IANS) Garment workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Bangladesh's Gazipur and set a police box in Konabari on fire in protest on Sunday to demand a minimum monthly salary of Tk 30,000, local media reported. Five platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed to control the situation during the protest. Workers blocked the Dhaka-Tangail highway at 9.30 am, bringing traffic to a standstill. Workers shouting slogans demanding higher wages blocked the highway by taking posts at different points, including Mouchak, Chandra Polli Bidyut, Safipur Bazar, and Telichala in Kaliakair upazila. Workers from various factories participated in the protest, which resulted in the suspension of operations at factories, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Iftekhar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Konabari police station, said protesters set fire to a police box at the Dhaka-Tangail highway in the Konabari area. Shahidul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kaliakair police station, said that movement of traffic remained disrupted as workers continued to block the highway, Dhaka Tribune reported. Meanwhile, over 50 garment factories in Ashulia announced a holiday on Sunday after protests by workers to demand a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, an end to blacklisting and other demands, The Daily Star reported, citing industrial police. Garment workers from several factories stopped work and gathered on the Abdullahpur-Baipail road in the Narsinghpur area to demand higher wages. On Saturday, workers from various garment factories held protests in Ashulia, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000, an end to blacklisting and other benefits. At least 11 factories announced closure in Kathgara and other areas, Dhaka Tribune reported. Ashulia Industrial Police-1 Superintendent Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan said that a police personnel was injured after he was hit by bricks and stones thrown by protesters. Clashes erupted between the workers and police as protesters threw bricks and stones at nearby factories, injuring a police officer. An official of a garment factory in Kathgara Amtala area, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the majority of the factories in the area had announced holidays.

PV Sindhu Bags Hylo Open With Commanding Win Over Kjrsfeldt

Sindhu registered a dominating 21-12 21-14 win over eighth seed Line in the 39-minute summit clash of the USD 500,000 event

Balochistan: Three Killed, Protests Erupt

Three people were killed and two injured in a shooting in Balochistan, Pakistan. Angry tribesmen have blocked a major highway, demanding the capture of the gunmen and improved security in the region.

Delhi: At least 100 students stopped, detained on Minto Road during protest against SIR

On Sunday, Delhi Police detained approximately 100 students who were protesting against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The students were marching from Minto Road toward Connaught Place when police intervened. The protest, organised by student organisation DISHA, demanding the cancellation of the SIR exercise. Police personnel stopped the students and prevented them from moving further.

We are citizens demanding what is ours. We are not criminals.

Shaheena says her name was deleted from the electoral roll despite having voted in the previous election. She recounts being detained during a protest and explains why she is demanding her right to vote.

IDBI Bank Employees to Strike Against Privatization on November 2-3

Over 10,000 IDBI Bank employees plan a two-day strike against privatization, demanding government withdrawal of the proposal. IDBI Bank Employees to Strike Against Privatization on November 2-3

Democracy murdered during municipal polls in Andhra, says Jagan

Digital Desk | Pulivendula (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 1 (IANS) YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday alleged that democracy was murdered in broad daylight during the Municipal elections in Andhra Pradesh as TDP workers occupied polling booths, drove out YSRCP agents and resorted to widespread rigging with police support. He told IANS that YSRCP agents were not allowed in 70 out of the 80 polling booths in Pulivendula. In a democracy, if opposition party agents are not allowed to sit inside polling booths, who will identify the voters? No one will be there to identify them because YSRCP polling agents have either been forcibly removed from the booths or denied entry into the polling stations, he said. YS Jagan, who arrived in his home town of Pulivendula in YSR Kadapa district to cast his vote in municipal elections, sat on protest in front of the Returning Officers office, demanding a repoll. Is this democracy? Are we even functioning in a democratic system? asked Jagan, who was accompanied by the displaced agents of the party. He alleged that TDP workers occupied booths from as early as 4 a.m., intimidated voters and prevented YSRCP agents from entering polling stations. Chairperson candidate Prameelamma was attacked, polling agent Sunanda suffered a fractured hand, and voters arriving at polling centres were stopped, threatened and sent back after their voter slips were forcibly taken away. Bogus votes were cast even before genuine voters arrived, while police assisted TDP workers and carried out lathi-charges at several places. A YSRCP councillor candidate was forcibly taken away in a police jeep. The YSRCP chief said some journalists and cameramen, who were recording electoral irregularities, were attacked, while cameras and mobile phones were damaged. Even voters staging protests after being denied their right to vote were ignored. Similar conditions were prevailing in Kadapa, Jammalamadugu, Chittoor, Macherla, Chilakaluripet, Tadipatri, Madanapalle, Chimakurthy and Kuppam, he said. YS Jagan questioned Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the State Election Commission, Collectors and SPs over the dangerous precedent being created. If the ruling party itself destroys the election process today, another party could use the same methods tomorrow, eventually making genuine elections impossible, he warned. He said Chandrababu had no moral right to continue as Chief Minister even for a day if democracy was reduced to such a mockery. Though nearly 1,000 police personnel were deployed in Pulivendula, hundreds of TDP workers were allowed to remain around polling booths without action. Despite repeated calls to the SP and Collector, no corrective steps were taken. YS Jagan also questioned compliance with Supreme Court directions on CCTV surveillance and asked how polling could be called transparent without live CCTV footage from polling stations. He said even his journey to Pulivendula was obstructed. Permission granted the previous day for his helicopter to land was withdrawn after the helicopter had already taken off from Bengaluru, with authorities insisting that he arrive only after 3 p.m. After Civil Aviation authorities objected to the cancellation of landing permission while the helicopter was already in the air, the landing was finally permitted. YS Jagan said democracy was in a dangerous condition when institutions meant to protect citizens themselves acted against them. He warned that when people lose faith in democratic institutions, extremist tendencies emerge. The YSRCP chief said the government should question why such measures were necessary if its administration enjoyed public confidence. Super Six and Super Seven promises had not been implemented, while the bonds distributed to people before the elections had become meaningless. Students were suffering without fee reimbursement; Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena, employees, were dissatisfied over unfulfilled manifesto promises; women had lost the zero-interest scheme and farmers were struggling without remunerative prices. No section of society is happy with Chandrababu. That is why they are afraid of free elections and are trying to bulldoze the electoral process instead of facing the people, YS Jagan said. He called upon the NDA leadership and the Central Government to respond to the situation in Andhra Pradesh, saying they could not remain silent when an alliance partner was undermining the democratic electoral process.

If you want to become PM, stay in mock parliament: Amit Shah on Rahul Gandhi

Chandigarh, Nov 1: In a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the country will never forget that the Congress leader held a 'jalsa' on the anniversary of the Sikh genocide of 1984, and that if he wanted to become the prime minister, he should stay in a mock parliament his entire life. Speaking at an event in Chandigarh, he also slammed opposition parties, saying that telling lies, spreading anarchy and negativity, and not letting Parliament function was their true nature. He was addressing a gathering here after the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony of various development projects worth Rs 258 crore. The opposition INDIA bloc on Sunday held the 'Chalo Dilli' protest at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital as part of its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. On Saturday, the opposition alliance carried out a symbolic public impeachment of CEC Kumar, accusing him of deleting votes to steal elections and demanding that he be tried in court for treason and jailed. The meeting was held in a setting resembling Parliament proceedings at the lawns of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The BJP has described it as a mockery of Parliament. Referring to the INDIA bloc rally, Union minister Shah on Sunday said, If you desire to hold a 'jalsa' for the Congress party on such a dark day of genocide, then Rahul ji, no one will be able to take away anything except hatred from your 'mohabbat ki dukaan'. Shah said the Congress has been losing elections for 15 years, and its leader Sonia Gandhi's dream of her son becoming the prime minister remains unfulfilled. So, they have found a new way: conducting a mock parliament. I want to tell Rahul ji, if you want to become the prime minister, stay in the mock parliament your entire life. Your turn (as PM of India) is never going to come, he said. He lashed out at the INDIA bloc leaders for not listening to Delhi traders' request to defer their rally until after Diwali. The traders of Delhi pleaded with them, saying, 'We have just one day, one week in the entire year when our business thrives. If we stock up on sweets and they don't sell, what will happen? It will lead to losses. If we buy firecrackers and they don't sell, what will happen? It will lead to losses', said Shah. A trade worth Rs 25,000 crore takes place in these 3-4 days. The whole of north India comes to Delhi's wholesale market to buy Diwali goods, he said. But no, on the very day the Sikh riots happened, the Sikh genocide happened, on that very day, on that same dark day, they had to hold a rally, he said. Now remember my words: for the next three elections, your account is not going to open there, he added. On the anti-Sikh riots, he said, On November 1, 1984, thousands of Sikhs were brutally murdered in Delhi during riots incited by the Congress party. Thousands of Sikhs were burnt alive. Many Sikhs had to leave their homes, many children were orphaned, many sisters were widowed, and homes of many were burnt, Shah said. He recalled remarks by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi that when a big tree falls, the earth shakes. I saw that statement on television, and I can never forget it in my lifetime, Shah said of Rajiv Gandhi's remarks in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984. To describe the brutal killing of thousands of Sikhs in such a way is something that only Congress leaders could do, he said. Today, his son Rahul Gandhi organised a 'bada jalsa' in Delhi to rub salt into the wounds of the victims of the 1984 riots and their families. The BJP held a press conference and had asked the INDIA bloc not to hold its rally on November 1, 2 and 3, as on these days, the anti-Sikh riots took place, Shah said. This deeply hurt our Sikh brothers, mothers, sisters, and children. Yet they insisted. From abroad, an order was issued to their party for holding the 'jalsa' on the very same day when thousands of Sikhs were set ablaze, he said. Shah said he strongly condemns and criticises their malicious attempt. India and Punjab will never forget this. Shah said when the Modi government came to power, it reopened all the cases related to the anti-Sikh riots. We provided financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the riot victims and ensured that prominent Congress leaders involved in the riots were sent behind bars, he said. India had never witnessed politically instigated riots of this nature before, and I hope it never has to witness such riots again, he asserted. Shah said the Narendra Modi government is taking the country forward by leaps and bounds. Article 370 was abolished, Naxalism was ended, Triple Talaq was abolished, he said. Now remember my words: on December 31, 2029, we will make the entire country, including Punjab, drug-free, he asserted. The largest cricket stadium, the highest overbridge, the longest bridge, all of these are being built in India, worth Rs 11 lakh crore. Electricity has reached every poor person's home, the minister added. Shah alleged that Rahul Gandhi does not let Parliament run because he does not want women to get 33 per cent reservation. Rahul Baba, I want to tell you that this very Narendra Modi ji will give 33 per cent reservation to 'nari shakti' of India. This is our resolve, said Shah. The people of the country are watching all these things very closely, he said. Who is making the country safe? Who is making the country developed? Who brought innovation to the country? Who brought the new education policy? Who is making the country economically prosperous? The public of the country is seeing all these things, and all of this will be accounted for in the 2029 elections. Rahul ji, remember my words, said the Union minister. Shah said that in the coming days, the central government will make Chandigarh the number one administrative unit of the country. He also exuded confidence that an NDA government will be formed in the border state after the next assembly elections.

Karan Singh/Atharva Sharma duo captures ITF M15 doubles title in Egypt

Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Nov 1 (IANS) Indian youngsters Karan Singh and Atharva Sharma added a prestigious international trophy to their cabinet, capturing the men's doubles title at the ITF Mens World Tennis Tour M15 tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday. Karnan Singh and Atharva Sharma, the top-seeded duo, delivered a masterclass in tactical discipline, sharp net play, and mental fortitude throughout the tournament, which ran from October 26 to November 1. This victory fetched Karan, a Roundglass Tennis Academy (RGTA) athlete, his 5th title of the year, and underscored his incredible recent momentum, standing as his third title win and fifth final appearance in the last two months. At Sharm El Sheikh, Karan and Atharva navigated a demanding international draw with remarkable composure. In the quarterfinals, the top seeds demonstrated their clinical edge by defeating the international pairing of Switzerland's Lars Aregger and Austria's Niklas Waldner in straight sets, winning 6-3, 7-6. Carrying their momentum deep into the tournament, the Indian pair faced a tough test in the semifinals against the third-seeded Turkish duo of Melih Anavatan and S. Mert Ozdemir, holding their nerve in a tightly contested battle to prevail 7-6, 6-3 and book their spot in the title clash. In the championship match, Karan and Atharva delivered their finest performance of the week against the second-seeded pair of Nikita Ianin and Egypt's Karim Ibrahim. Displaying stellar synergy and relentless pressure during crucial moments, the top seeds sealed a hard-fought 7-6, 6-4 victory to officially claim the championship crown, his academy informed in a release on Sunday. This latest success in Egypt serves as a strong continuation of Karan's stellar 2026 calendar, which has already seen him claim multiple singles and doubles titles on the international professional circuit. His consistent ability to excel under pressure stands as a powerful testament to the elite training and holistic development ecosystem cultivated at the Roundglass Tennis Academy. Based in Chandigarh, the academy continues to firmly establish itself as a premier developmental hub for elite Indian tennis talent, equipping players with the technical prowess and resilience needed to succeed on the global stage.

Paris On The Boil! CHILLING New Videos Reveal Riot Horror, Molotov Cocktails Target Police

Chilling new videos have emerged showing the violent clashes that erupted in Paris as protests over rising living costs and education entered their third consecutive weekend. Footage captures protesters hurling Molotov cocktails and fireworks mortars at riot police, who responded with stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The French government estimated that around 320,000 people took part in nationwide demonstrations on October 31, down from 410,000 the previous weekend and 550,000 on October 17. But France was not alone. Germany also witnessed large-scale demonstrations, with tens of thousands taking to the streets demanding better education and lower living costs. Some gatherings turned violent, with fireworks, smoke bombs and clashes reported.

Rahul Gandhi Alleges 2024 Lok Sabha Election Was

Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of electoral irregularities at the INDIA bloc's Delhi rally, alleging voter deletions and manipulation while demanding accountability from the poll body.

Thousands join Indian opposition protest demanding poll chief's resignation

Thousands protested in Delhi on Sunday to demand the resignation of India's election chief over a revision of voter lists, the latest in more than a month of opposition demonstrations challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Led by Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the opposition Congress Party, Sunday's protesters

Biten Singh breaks course record to win title in Ironman 70.3 Goa 2026

Digital Desk | Margao (Goa), Nov 1 (IANS) Indian Army athlete Biten Singh produced a record-breaking performance to win the sixth edition of Ironman 70.3 Goa on Sunday, clocking 4:24:29 to better the previous course record of 4:25:47 set by Uzbekistans Konstantin Belousov in 2025. Singhs performance saw him finish 1 minute and 18 seconds faster than last years winner, marking a significant milestone at one of Indias premier endurance sporting events. Over 2,000 triathletes from 30 countries took on the demanding course, comprising a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km cycling leg and a 21.1 km run, starting along the iconic Miramar beachfront. The sixth edition continued to showcase Goas appeal as an international endurance sports destination, bringing together elite competitors, age-group athletes and relay teams. Biten Singhs victory was particularly meaningful given the circumstances of his preparation. Posted in Tawang, the Indian Army athlete said he had completed three months of focused training ahead of race day, balancing his preparation with the demands of his posting. Having pulled out from the 2024 edition due to dehydration, Singh had set his sights on breaking the record this year. I am very happy. I had targeted before that today I will break the record, Biten Singh said after his victory. With the course record now behind him, Singh has his sights set on the next milestone in his triathlon journey: competing at the Ironman World Championship. He revealed that he would need to undertake further training for the full-distance Ironman, with participation at the World Championship remaining a personal dream. In the womens category, Marina Shliakhtina claimed the top spot with a time of 5:30:29. Sabina Iskakova finished second in 5:42:58, while Mellanie Vendt completed the podium in 6:04:54. The relay category also delivered a competitive contest, with Team Fit Swaggers Goa leading the standings in 4:33:24, followed by Team Serious About Training in 4:35:22 and Team Airforce 2 in 4:47:04, according to the event leaderboard. The Indian Air Force contingent was among the notable participants in the relay competition, with its team members highlighting the preparation and coordination required to compete together despite being posted at different locations. The team spoke about the hard work and sacrifices involved in bringing together athletes from different units and creating a competitive relay combination. We are all posted at different places, and different people work in different environments. Even with those challenges, we worked very hard, made sacrifices, came here and formed a team that performed very well, a member of the contingent said. The event, organised by Yoska in collaboration with the Government of Goa and Ironman and presented by Herbalife, once again brought the international triathlon community to Goa, combining a challenging endurance course with the states distinctive coastal setting. Results: Mens Overall 1. Biten Singh (India) 4:24:29 2. Anirudh Ravichandran (India) 4:46:32 3. Nihal Baig (India) 4:52:59 Womens Overall 1. Marina Shliakhtina 5:30:29 2. Sabina Iskakova 5:42:58 3. Mellanie Vendt 6:04:54 Relay Overall 1. Team Fit Swaggers Goa 4:33:24 2. Team Serious About Training 4:35:22 3. Team Airforce 2 4:47:04

VCK Functionary Hacked to Death In Thoothukudi

Relatives of the victim and local residents staged a road blockade on Rameswaram Road, demanding the immediate arrest of the assailants

Rahul Gandhi Targets BJP Over Connaught Place Shutdown During INDIA Blocs Chalo Dilli March Today

The INDIA blocs Chalo Dilli march has reached Delhis Ramlila Maidan, with the Opposition protesting alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Rahul Gandhi has now accused the BJP of forcibly shutting shops in Connaught Place during the march, claiming the move caused losses to local traders. The Opposition says genuine voters are being removed through the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations. Delhi Police has deployed around 4,000 personnel and 200 cameras around Ramlila Maidan as security is tightened for the rally.

Keralam LPST Rank Holder Valarmathi Resumes Protest, Vows To Persist

She had tonsured her head on October 26 before beginning the hunger strike, demanding that appointments to government schools be made from the Kerala PSC rank list for LPST posts before its expiry

Pulivendula civic body elections: Jagan sits on protest at RO's office, demands repoll

Digital Desk | Pulivendula (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 1 (IANS) YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy staged a protest outside the Returning Officers office in Pulivendula in Andhra Pradesh's YSR Kadapa district, demanding a re-poll in all polling booths of Pulivendula Municipality. He strongly objected to YSRCP polling agents being prevented from entering polling booths. He went to the Returning Officers office to bring the issue directly to the attention of the Returning Officer and seek intervention. However, officials did not permit the former Chief Minister to enter. In protest against the denial of entry and the obstruction of YSRCP polling agents at polling stations, Jagan Mohan Reddy sat down outside the RO office and launched a protest, demanding that the polling process be conducted fairly and that YSRCP agents be allowed inside the booths. In a representation to the Returning Officer, he requested the cancellation of the entire polling process and the conduct of re-elections in all 80 polling booths of Pulivendula Municipality. The former Chief Minister sought to bring serious allegations of electoral intimidation to his attention. He stated that out of the total 80 polling booths, YSR Congress Party polling agents have reportedly been permitted to function in only 10 booths. In the remaining 70 polling booths, persons allegedly associated with the Telugu Desam Party have forcibly prevented our authorised polling agents from entering the polling stations and reportedly torn their authorisation forms. These incidents represent serious violations of the safeguards necessary for free, fair and transparent elections, Jagan Mohan Reddy said. The YSRCP chief stated that obstruction concerns not just 70 booths, but the scale raises serious questions about the integrity of the municipality-wide electoral process. He alleged that many TDP goons from all over were brought to Pulivendula and the police and other officials supported such actions. He demanded an immediate inquiry into the reported incidents across the municipality, preservation of all CCTV footage, polling records and relevant evidence, recording of statements from affected polling agents and Presiding Officers and immediate referral to the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission with a recommendation for re-polling in all 80 booths. He sought appropriate legal action against all persons found responsible and adequate security and protection for polling agents during re-polling. Earlier, soon after his arrival in his home town, Jagan Mohan Reddy met YSRCP cadres who were allegedly attacked by TDP workers. Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy and other YSRCP leaders participated in the protest at the Returning Officers office.

Watch: Pappu Yadav demands Gyanesh Kumars resignation, calls for action over alleged vote theft

Independent MP Pappu Yadav joined the protest at Delhis Ramlila Maidan, accusing the government of vote and donation theft and demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Albania Protests Escalate | Thousands Demand Prime Minister Edi Rama's Resignation

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Tirana, Albania, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama as anti-government demonstrations intensify. Students have joined the wider movement, calling for lower tuition fees, increased education funding and action against corruption in the education system. Clashes have erupted between demonstrators and police, with rocks, flares and firebombs hurled at officers. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons as protests continued into the evening amid growing public anger over rising costs and declining services.

JP Nadda Calls INDIA Bloc Rally A Conspiracy To Create Anarchy, Targets Rahul Gandhi

This is Indianot a banana republic. Union Minister JP Nadda launched a blistering attack on Rahul Gandhi ahead of the INDIA bloc rally at Delhis Ramlila Maidan. Nadda accused the Opposition of spreading lies and rumours, creating anarchy and chaos, damaging the economy and trying to destabilise an elected government. The INDIA bloc says its rally is aimed at protesting alleged voter irregularities and demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

BJP takes out protest march in Delhi ahead of Oppn rally

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a protest march in West Delhi's Hari Nagar, demanding an apology from the Congress and Rahul Gandhi for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri led the protest, asserting that the violence was a well-planned massacre and a genocide. The protest, attended by several BJP and Sikh leaders, questioned the timing of the INDIA bloc's upcoming rally, noting its proximity to the anniversary of the riots.

INDIA bloc leaders marches to Ramlila Maidan with crowds marching alongside

Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders lead the 'Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao' march, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation

Portugal Housing Protests | Thousands Protest Rising Rents, Demand Affordable Homes

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Portugal, protesting against soaring rents and demanding access to affordable housing. Lisbon and Porto witnessed fresh demonstrations, with protesters targeting Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's government. In Lisbon, demonstrators used Halloween-themed costumes and placards to highlight the housing crisis, while police used batons and shields to clear Rossio Square. The protests come amid growing social unrest, with Portugal's President convening the Council of State as housing concerns intensify.

Germany On Edge Revolt Spirals Out Of Control As Looting Violent Clashes Grip Streets On Cam

The flames of Gen Z anger are spreading across Europe, and Germany is the latest flashpoint. Tens of thousands of young people have taken to the streets across Germany, demanding better education, lower living costs, stronger public services and an end to compulsory military service. But what began as a movement for a fairer future has also witnessed scenes of violence and unrest.In Frankfurt, hooded rioters looted stores, smashed shop windows and attacked emergency services with Molotov cocktails, according to police. At least two stores were looted, while several others were damaged.

Kashmiri apple supplies fall short of Diwali demand amid fungal outbreak

Srinagar, Nov 01: Amid steady festive demand for Kashmiri apples in terminal markets across the country ahead of Diwali, supplies remain inadequate after a substantial portion of this year's crop was hit by a scab outbreak, according to growers and dealers. The demand is very good. On this occasion (Diwali), our large apples (Grade A), especially the gift pack, have a good demand, Zahoor Ahad Tantray, general secretary of Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, said. Tantray, however, said apple supplies in fruit mandis were inadequate as scab affected the crop. This year more Grade B and Grade C apples are arriving in the mandis. This is because apple scab, whether primary or secondary scab, spread extensively this year, causing the quality to deteriorate significantly. Most of the apples...around 50 to 55 per cent or even up to 60 per cent arriving here are Grade B and C apples, which have very low demand in today's market, he said. Tantray said growers are facing trouble because production cost remains the same. Whether it is Grade A, B or C, the cost of production is identical. Yet, in terms of market return, only Grade A fetches good money. As the quality deteriorated this year, growers are worried, traders are worried, and buyers are worried, he added. Mohammad Sohail Tanveer, a dealer from Bihar, said he is satisfied with apple prices. Right now, the prices are reasonable. A wooden crate is selling for around Rs 1,300, and a cardboard carton is going for up to Rs 600. Due to Diwali, prices are good, and quality goods are arriving. Around 400 to 500 truckloads leave this market (mandi) every day, Tanveer added.

David Warner Slams Australia

David Warner criticizes Australias performance in the Test series against South Africa, calling it a disgrace and demanding team changes. David Warner Slams Australias Disgraceful Test Series Defeat to South Africa

Rahul Gandhi Leads INDIA Bloc March; Akhilesh, Mamata Join

New Delhi: A large number of protesters began gathering at Delhis Ramlila Maidan on Sunday morning for the INDIA blocs Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rally against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. The Opposition is also demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to DCP Central []

Arunachal youth body calls three-district shutdown over arrests of Siang dam protesters

Guwahati: The SUMP Affected Area Youth Association (SAAYA) has announced a shutdown for Monday, November 2, in Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, demanding the release of people arrested during protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). SAAYA has approached the Bogum Bokang Welfare Society (BBWS), the organisation [] The post Arunachal youth body calls three-district shutdown over arrests of Siang dam protesters appeared first on NorthEast Now .

INDIA Bloc Mobilizes Thousands in Delhi Rally, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar

New Delhi, Nov 1: Supporters and workers of various INDIA bloc parties gathered at Delhis Ramlila Maidan on Sunday for the Opposition alliances Chalo Dilli protest against alleged electoral irregularities, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Senior Opposition leaders, including former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, [] The post INDIA Bloc Mobilizes Thousands in Delhi Rally, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumars Resignation appeared first on Northlines .

Hundreds anti-Sian project protestors detained in the capital

Delhi: Students and environmental activists protesting were forcefully detained by the Delhi Police on Saturday, October 31, as they tried to gherao Arunachal Bhawan. The proposed Siang project These demonstrators are protesting against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh, demanding its immediate withdrawal and removal of Central Armed Police Forces Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Cong's 'stern warning' to Modi govt ahead of mega rally

The Congress-led INDIA bloc held a major protest rally in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and past corruption allegations. Leaders stated the protest was a stern warning to the government, vowing to continue until Kumar steps down, citing threats to parliamentary democracy.