Daily brief of Bharat-centric happenings and beyond!
Published at 8PM IST on 2025-11-01.
Good evening, and welcome to the news. Let’s get straight to tonight's headlines.
We begin with a tragic incident in Andhra Pradesh. A case has been registered against Hari Mukunda Panda, the owner of the Venkateswara Temple, following a stampede that claimed the lives of at least nine people on Saturday. Mr. Panda stated the incident occurred due to an unexpectedly large crowd and that the area where the stampede took place was undergoing construction. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.
Moving across the globe, there’s a developing story out of the United Kingdom. Former UK royal, Andrew Windsor, is receiving financial assistance from King Charles. This includes a six-figure payment to cover relocation expenses and an ongoing annual stipend from the King’s personal funds. This support comes following the stripping of his royal titles and is reportedly significantly higher than his previous military pension.
In domestic politics, a recent social media post has sparked a political debate. RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was seen celebrating Halloween with his grandchildren, a moment shared online by his daughter. The BJP Kisan Morcha has used this as an opportunity to remind voters of Mr. Yadav’s past comments, specifically his description of the Kumbh Mela as “faltu” – meaning useless or frivolous.
Turning to health news, there's encouraging progress in the fight against heart disease. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved oral semaglutide, marketed as Rybelsus, as the first oral drug proven to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes. Crucially, this benefit extends even to patients who haven't previously experienced heart problems. It represents a significant advancement in preventative care for diabetics at high risk.
Here in India, concerns about air quality continue. A Delhi resident, Kapil Dhama, shared a video demonstrating the dramatic impact of even a brief exposure to the outdoors. His indoor air quality reading spiked from 97 to 500 within just a minute of opening his door, despite the operation of four air purifiers. Delhi's air quality remains in the 'poor' category.
Shifting gears, let’s look at occupational safety. Recent statistics highlight the inherent dangers in certain professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, logging remains exceptionally perilous, with a mortality rate of approximately 98 per 100,000 workers annually