An elderly couple died after a fire broke out at their residence in the Sadabad area of Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district in the early hours of Thursday. The blaze reportedly erupted around 1:30 am on November 5 while the couple was sleeping, leaving them trapped inside the house. The deceased were identified as Shahzad Beg, 70, and his wife, Salma Beg, 65. According to preliminary information, an electrical short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fire.

The incident took place in the Kaharan locality of Sadabad. Reports suggest that the couple was sleeping on the upper floor of the house when the fire broke out. A large quantity of clothes stored inside the premises reportedly helped the flames spread rapidly. After noticing the fire, neighbours alerted the authorities and attempted to help the couple. Fire brigade personnel and police teams soon reached the location and launched rescue and firefighting operations.

Despite the efforts, the elderly couple could not be saved. They were taken to a community health centre, where doctors declared them dead. Officials said suffocation may have been the cause of death. Chief Fire Officer R.K. Bajpai said the preliminary assessment indicated that an electrical short circuit could have caused the fire. The presence of clothes and other combustible materials inside the house may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.

A 10-member team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was also dispatched from Vrindavan to assist in the rescue operation. However, the fire had reportedly been brought under control by the fire department before the team arrived. According to reports, the couple's younger son had gone to attend a wedding at his in-laws' residence along with his family. Their other children were also living separately, leaving the elderly couple alone at home when the incident occurred.

Police have initiated the necessary legal proceedings, and the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. Further investigation is underway to establish the exact cause of the fire. The tragic incident has once again highlighted the risks posed by electrical faults in residential buildings, particularly during nighttime hours when occupants may have little time to respond. Authorities suspect a short circuit in this case, although the final cause will be determined after the investigation.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan times.

A 24-year-old woman conductor working with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) died on Tuesday night after allegedly being pushed out of a moving bus during an argument with a passenger over ₹90 in change. The deceased, identified as Gundla Pravalika, had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad after sustaining severe injuries in the incident, which occurred on October 25 near Mittagudem village in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

According to police, the incident took place when a woman passenger, identified as Mounika, boarded a Palle Velugu bus travelling from Manuguru to Bhadrachalam with her son. She reportedly handed Pravalika a ₹100 note for a ticket costing ₹10. As the conductor did not have sufficient change, she allegedly asked the passenger to collect the remaining ₹90 while getting off the bus. This led to an argument between the two.

Police said the dispute escalated as the bus approached Mittagudem, where the passenger allegedly pushed Pravalika out of the moving vehicle. She fell onto the road, and the bus's rear wheels ran over her legs, leaving her critically injured. Pravalika was initially shifted to a hospital in Bhadrachalam before being moved to Hyderabad for advanced medical treatment. Despite doctors' efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on November 3. Following the incident, police registered a case and took the accused passenger into custody. Further investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the conductor's death and conveyed his condolences to her family. The state government announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh and assured the family of a house under the Indiramma Indlu housing scheme. It also promised a government job to Pravalika's mother. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also expressed condolences and assured support to the bereaved family.

The incident triggered protests among TGSRTC employees, who demanded strict action against the accused and stronger safety measures for transport workers. Employees staged demonstrations across several depots in the undivided Khammam region, raising concerns over the safety of conductors and drivers while performing their duties. The incident has renewed concerns over violence against public transport employees, who regularly deal with passengers over ticketing, fares and other travel-related issues.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from TOI.

Cyclone Murasu crossed the south Andhra Pradesh coast early Tuesday, November 3, triggering weather alerts across parts of southern India and disrupting air travel. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district, while 11 flights operating to and from Chennai were cancelled amid adverse weather conditions. The cyclone made landfall between Nellore and Narsapur, near Ongole, during the early hours of Tuesday. It brought sustained winds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph, according to the weather department.

Following its landfall, the weather system is expected to move north-northwestwards and gradually weaken. The IMD has forecast that it could weaken into a cyclonic storm before further deteriorating into a deep depression. The weather department has warned of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in the Nilgiris over the next 24 hours. Authorities have advised residents and tourists to remain cautious, particularly in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and landslides.

The rainfall warning is significant for popular hill destinations such as Ooty and Coonoor, where continuous downpours can affect road conditions, visibility and travel plans. Residents have been advised to follow local administration instructions and avoid unnecessary journeys during periods of intense rainfall. Air travel has also been affected by the developing weather situation. At least 11 flights connected to Chennai International Airport were cancelled on Monday, November 2. The affected services included flights operating on the Chennai–Vijayawada, Chennai–Rajahmundry, Chennai–Kadapa and Chennai–Tiruchirappalli routes, along with their return services.

Of the cancelled flights, five were departures from Chennai and six were incoming services. Passengers have been advised to check with their respective airlines for updated schedules and alternative arrangements before heading to the airport. Chennai also experienced significant rainfall ahead of the cyclone's landfall. The city recorded around 7.6 cm of rainfall by Monday, according to reported weather data. However, all 21 major subways in the city remained open to traffic.

The Greater Chennai Corporation continued monitoring waterlogging complaints and other rain-related issues, including fallen trees and damaged streetlights. Disaster response teams were also deployed at vulnerable locations as a precautionary measure. Although Cyclone Murasu has crossed the coastline, its associated weather conditions may continue to affect neighbouring areas. The IMD's rainfall warning for the Nilgiris and disruptions to flight operations underline the need for continued caution. Residents across affected districts have been urged to monitor official weather bulletins, while air passengers should confirm their flight status directly with airlines. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation as the cyclone gradually weakens.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PT.

Authorities in Tamil Nadu have announced the closure of schools and colleges in Chennai and Tiruvallur as Cyclone Murasu intensifies over the Bay of Bengal, raising concerns about heavy rainfall, strong winds and possible flooding across parts of the eastern coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for several coastal districts, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, as the weather system moves towards the Indian coastline. Disaster management authorities have stepped up preparations to deal with the possible impact of the cyclone.

According to the weather department's forecast, the system is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast near Ongole, between Nellore and Narsapur, around midnight on November 2 or during the early hours of November 3. The cyclone is likely to bring wind speeds of 100–110 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 120 kmph, potentially affecting coastal settlements, transport services and electricity infrastructure.

In Tamil Nadu, the decision to suspend educational activities in Chennai and Tiruvallur was taken as a precautionary measure amid forecasts of heavy rainfall. Other districts, including Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet and Vellore, are also expected to experience adverse weather conditions. Andhra Pradesh is likely to face significant rainfall as the cyclone approaches land. Coastal districts, including Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, NTR and West Godavari, are among the areas requiring close monitoring. Officials have been directed to strengthen emergency arrangements and remain prepared for possible flooding, power disruptions and damage caused by strong winds.

Odisha has also stepped up its preparedness, with rainfall activity expected to increase in parts of the state. Southern districts, particularly Ganjam and Gajapati, could experience heavy rainfall as the cyclone influences regional weather conditions. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea due to rough conditions along the affected coastline. Residents in vulnerable and low-lying areas have been urged to follow instructions issued by local authorities and move to safer locations if evacuation orders are announced.

Emergency response teams are being kept on standby to deal with potential incidents, including waterlogging, fallen trees and disruptions to essential services. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, secure loose objects around their homes, keep emergency supplies ready and monitor official weather bulletins.

Authorities have also cautioned people against believing unverified information circulating on social media, urging them to rely on updates from the IMD and respective district administrations. The situation remains under close watch as Cyclone Murasu approaches the coast. Further developments will depend on the system's movement, intensity and rainfall distribution over the coming hours.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

A new round of demonstrations led by India’s youth-driven Cockroach movement has faced a government crackdown under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside the closure of a long-standing protest venue in Delhi. Two prominent leaders of the movement have reportedly been jailed for five days over alleged violations of restrictions on protests. Initially sparked by concerns over education and unemployment, the demonstrations have expanded to focus on voting rights. The government rejects allegations that it intends to exclude millions of people from the electoral process. However, its handling of the protests has drawn criticism from the United Nations and Amnesty International, prompting broader concerns about democratic freedoms in India. In this report, Lucy Hough speaks with South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen about the protests and their wider political implications.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has announced a broad set of initiatives covering family support, housing, technology and Singapore’s national resilience. Hairianto Diman and Justine Moss speak to SMU School of Law Associate Professor Eugene Tan about the major measures, their significance for Singaporeans and what they reveal about the Government’s priorities for the country’s next stage of growth.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Myanmar's military government has released rare images of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi meeting a Red Cross official, marking her first known contact with the outside world since the 2021 coup. The photos were released just ahead of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first official visit to Thailand, prompting speculation about their political significance.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.