THE HEADLINES :-
- President Droupadi Murmu says Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Campaign marks milestone in women’s empowerment; Attends Haryana Day celebrations in Kurukshetra.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train ; Says, it will seamlessly connect IT and startup hub with the financial capital.
- Centre withdraws additional excise duty on petrol exports, raises levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel.
- Quad nations reaffirm commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific; External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar calls for resilient supply chains and security in technology, critical minerals and energy.
- Massive protests sweep Europe over cost of living and strained public services as rioters loot stores.
- And, In Mens Cricket, match between India and New Zealand in fifth and final T20 International is underway in Hamilton.
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President Droupadi Murmu has said that the nationwide Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign has proved to be an important milestone in promoting women’s empowerment. The Campaign was launched from Panipat in Haryana in January 2015. She highlighted that the Child Sex Ratio at birth, which stood at 871 girls per one thousand boys in 2014, has increased to around 915 in November 2025. President Murmu said this while addressing the state-level Haryana Day celebrations in Kurukshetra, marking the 60th anniversary of the formation of Haryana. She said that Haryana has made remarkable progress over the past decade in various dimensions of women’s empowerment.
President Murmu said that Haryana’s daughters have brought laurels to the country at international sporting events. She highlighted that countless daughters, including Manu Bhaker, Saweety Boora and Jaismine Lamboria, are making Haryana and the nation proud through their remarkable achievements. The President said that the athletes from Haryana have made exceptional contributions to India’s sporting history, achieving outstanding success at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today flagged off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train at Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Shobha Karandlaje, and V Somanna were also present on the occasion. Speaking at the event, Mr. Vaishnaw said that the train will seamlessly connect India’s IT and startup hub with its financial capital.
The 16-coach Bengaluru-Mumbai Sleeper Vande Bharat train will cover the journey between the two cities in around 16 hours. The train will run six days a week, except Mondays from Bengaluru and Tuesdays from Mumbai. It will stop at Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Yadgir, Kala buragi, Solapur, Pune, and Kalyan. Mr. Vaishnaw said this route covers parts of Northern Karnataka that were previously unserved by a world-class train.
Mr. Vaishnaw also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the bullet train’s south corridor for Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Amravati, and Chennai. He added that once completed, travel time from Bengaluru to Chennai will be 73 minutes.
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The Centre has released additional instalment of tax devolution to State Governments amounting to one lakh nine thousand 19 crore rupees yesterday, which is in addition to the regular monthly devolution. This is the second additional instalment in this financial year. Finance Ministry said, this release is in view of the upcoming festive season and to enable States to accelerate capital spending and also to finance their development and welfare related expenditure.
Uttar Pradesh has been given 19 thousand 208 crore rupees while 10 thousand 845 crore rupees has been released for Bihar. Madhya Pradesh has been given eight thousand 10 crore rupees and West Bengal seven thousand 866 crore rupees.
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The Centre has withdrawn the special additional excise duty on petrol exports while increasing export levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel ATF. According to notifications issued by the Ministry of Finance, under the revised rates, petrol exports will attract no export duty, compared to the earlier levy of two rupees 50 paise per litre. The export duty on diesel has been increased from eight rupees 50 paise to 11 rupees 50 paise per litre while the levy on ATF has been raised from 10 rupees 50 paise to 11 rupees per litre. The revised rates came as the government continues its fortnightly review of fuel export duties in response to fluctuations in international crude oil and refined petroleum product prices.
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Aviation turbine fuel ATF prices has been increased by one rupee 37 paise per litre and commercial LPG rate has been increased by 10 rupees per 19-kg cylinder. ATF prices were increased to 138 rupees 50 paise per litre from 137 rupees 12 rupees per litre. With the increase, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has touched two thousand 820 rupees.
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Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda today criticised congress party for conducting a rally at Ramlila Maidan during the festive season. Talking to Media in New Delhi, Mr Nadda said that the Congress party is attempting to disrupt normal life, affecting the livelihoods of small shopkeepers and traders in the national capital during the festive season. He accused the party of creating an atmosphere of unrest in the country.
Congress and its partners in the INDIA Bloc are holding a rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi to protest alleged electoral irregularities, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner.
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Quad member nations have reaffirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. US Secretary of State and Foreign Ministers of India, Australia, and Japan met in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday to discuss progress on ongoing Quad initiatives. A report-
“The Quad Joint Press Release on Economic Prosperity and Security said that the Quad ministers underscored the importance of economic security in maintaining global stability and prosperity. They reiterated their commitment to building reliable and open global supply chains and trusted and resilient infrastructure. They expressed grave concerns regarding economic coercion, including through arbitrary export restrictions, as well as non-market policies and practices that result in overcapacity to disrupt global supply chains in critical industries. They reiterated the absolute necessity to protect and preserve navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in accordance with international law as reflected in UNCLOS. The Quad ministers highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence and initiatives like Pax Silica to the future of economic growth and expressed their intent to provide over 85 million dollars of technical and financial assistance to support access to trusted SI across the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad AI Accelerator. The Quad ministers expressed their deep concern about the proliferation of online and cyber scams that pose a threat to national and international peace and security. They condemned the criminal groups running the scam operations and trafficking people and forcing them to defraud our citizens, stealing tens of billions of dollars annually of hard-earned wealth from our respective countries. The Quad ministers expressed their condolences for those who lost their lives during the flash floods of 26th August in Nepal. They underscored their shared commitment to supporting partners in times of need. They recognized India’s leading role as the first responder to Nepal’s rescue, along with the significant support to Nepal from all Quad countries. With Superna Report Vishal Kumar for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate meetings with his Russian, Polish and South Korean counterparts in the US, discussing the Ukraine conflict, the situation in West Asia, bilateral ties and multilateral issues. The meetings took place yesterday on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Jaishankar said that the politicisation of the energy market is harmful and that the Global South is bearing the brunt of it.
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and approach the Andhra Pradesh coast. A report –
“According to the India Meteorological Department, the system is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. It is expected to cross the coast between Nellore and Narsapur on Tuesday morning. Wind speeds may reach 100 to 110 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 120 kilometres per hour. The IMD has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several coastal districts and Rayalaseema over the next three days. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. Authorities have urged people in low lying areas to remain alert and follow official warnings and safety instructions. Allu Murali, Akashvani News, Vijayawada.”
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Six Indian tourists stranded in Nepal’s Dolpa district following heavy snowfall are being evacuated by helicopter, as severe weather has blocked trekking routes in the region. The group, comprising 4 men and 2 women, was stranded in Danigad area of Shey-Phoksundo Rural Municipality. According to the Dolpa District Administration Office, information about the stranded tourists was received on October 31. The helicopter rescue operation began on November 1 and is currently underway. The tourists had travelled to Dolpa to visit the famous Shey-Phoksundo Lake.
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Massive protests took place in Europe yesterday as part of demonstrations driven by the cost of living and deficient public services with police bracing for potential violence after recent looting and riots. Germany, France, Portugal and Serbia are among the nations where demonstrations held on Halloween following a recent wave of Gen Z-led marches across the continent. We have a report:
“In France, Police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Paris and Lyon, as hundreds of thousands of young people took to the streets across the country to demand better education and lower living costs. The demonstrations in Paris began peacefully but later turned violent near the designated endpoint of the main march. Around 70,000 police personnel and gendarmes were deployed across France to maintain law and order. The Interior Ministry said at least 290 people had been arrested nationwide. Meanwhile, in Germany, hooded protesters looted shops in Frankfurt yesterday following demonstrations by tens of thousands of people demanding improved education facilities and a reduction in the cost of living. The protests, organised by a campaign group were held in 34 cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. Around 60 people were arrested on charges including property damage and assault. In Serbia, student-led activism helped unseating the country’s long-time leader through the ballot box. Similar youth-led demonstrations were also reported in other European countries, including Portugal. Rupesh Rathore for Akashvani News.”
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In Men’s Cricket, India were 185 for 6 in 19.1 overs against hosts New Zealand in the fifth and final T20 International in Hamilton, when reports last came in. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. India have made two changes to their playing 11, bringing in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakaravarthy. New Zealand have also made one change, with Blair Tickner coming into the playing 11.
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In Badminton, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen will be in action in the women’s and men’s singles finals, respectively, at the Hylo Open in Germany today. In the women’s singles final, second-seeded PV Sindhu will face Denmark’s Line Kjærsfeldt this evening. Sindhu secured her place in the title clash after defeating fellow Indian Anmol Kharb 21-13, 21-16 in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles final, Lakshya Sen will take on Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie.
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In Hockey, India will face Malaysia in a league stage encounter of the Men’s Asian Champions trophy in Jalandhar, Punjab, this evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 PM Indian time. Both teams remain unbeaten in the tournament and will be looking to continue their winning run. In other matches scheduled for today, Korea will take on Bangladesh this afternoon, while China will face Japan in an evening encounter.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- President Droupadi Murmu says Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Campaign marks milestone in women’s empowerment; Attends Haryana Day celebrations in Kurukshetra.
- Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flags off Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Train; Says, it will seamlessly connect IT and startup hub with the financial capital.
- Centre withdraws additional excise duty on petrol exports, raises levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel.
- Quad nations reaffirm commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific; External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar calls for resilient supply chains and security in technology, critical minerals and energy.
- Massive protests sweep Europe over cost of living and strained public services as rioters loot stores.
- And, In Mens Cricket, match between India and New Zealand in fifth and final T20 International is underway in Hamilton.
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