Storm Debi unleashes chaos in Ireland, leaving almost 60,000 homes powerless as gusts reach 130km/h. A Status Red wind warning continues for eight counties, including Dublin and Wicklow, extending the alert to 9 am. Structural damage, falling trees, and power outages are expected, prompting school closures until 10 am. Met Éireann urges caution, emphasizing potential danger to life. Storm's impact felt nationwide, disrupting transportation, causing flight cancellations, and posing hazardous road conditions. Authorities advise staying indoors during the "short sharp storm." The UK Met Office issues warnings for Northern Ireland, anticipating flooding and travel disruptions. [ photo courtesy: zoom_earth/X ]          

New York City glowed with Diwali fervor as the iconic Empire State Building lit up in vibrant orange, celebrating the festival of lights. Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan joined the Hindu community at the Bhakti Center, emphasizing the cultural significance of Diwali. The Federation of Indian Associations partnered with the Empire State Building, creating a breathtaking display. Mayor Adams, who declared Diwali a school holiday in June, encouraged the global spread of light. Over 1500 people gathered for a joyous Diwali celebration at the Bhakti Center, marking a historic moment in New York's recognition of the festival.

In a festive celebration, former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni and wicketkeeping sensation Rishabh Pant were captured in a joyous Diwali moment, shared by Sakshi Singh on Instagram. The image, showcasing the duo in traditional kurtas, radiates warmth and camaraderie. Dhoni, recently leading Chennai Super Kings to their fifth IPL victory, surprised fans by expressing intent for another season, contingent on his fitness. The heartening Diwali celebration not only captures the spirit of the festival but also fuels anticipation for Dhoni's potential return in the upcoming IPL season. [ photo courtesy: shakshisingh_r/Instagram]          

An under-construction tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district partially collapsed at around 5 am yesterday, leaving 40 workers trapped inside. A multi-agency operation, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), and the police, is underway to rescue the workers. Communication has been established, and all 40 workers are reportedly safe, receiving oxygen through a pipe. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the site, expressing hope for a swift and safe rescue. The tunnel is part of the Char Dham Road Project, aiming to shorten the journey from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri Dham.

Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were seen celebrating Diwali together on Sunday night. The actors attended a Diwali party hosted by Salman's sister Arpita Khan, which also saw the presence of several other Bollywood celebrities. Interestingly, their reunion coincided with the release of Salman's much-awaited film Tiger 3, which opened to bumper response at the box office. Videos of Salman and Shah Rukh exiting the party venue together have gone viral, much to the delight of their fans. Their camaraderie was heartwarming to see, especially considering SRK has an extended cameo in Tiger 3. The film registering an impressive opening has added to the celebratory mood. Overall, it turned out to be a Diwali bonanza for the fans of the two superstar Khans. [ photo courtesy: screengrab from @viralvayani, @Manav.mangalani /instagram]

As Storm Debi approaches the UK, the Met Office issues amber warnings for gale force winds up to 80mph and heavy rain. The storm, originating in the Republic of Ireland, is expected to hit northern England and parts of north Wales in the morning. There is a potential danger to life, bringing flying debris, large waves, and potential flooding. The amber warning is in place from 06:00 GMT to midday in south-west Northern Ireland. Northern England and Wales face yellow warnings for wind from 04:00 to 18:00. Parts of north-east Scotland, previously affected by Storm Babet, are warned of rain between 10:00 and 21:00. Red weather warnings are in place in Ireland. The world watches as the fourth storm of the season hits, following the recent disruptions caused by Storms Ciarán and Babet.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has announced a $100,000 reward for the citizen's arrest of Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma in Canada. Accusing Verma of diverting focus from the Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination probe by falsely raising an Air India terror threat, Pannun intensifies tensions between the nations. Pannun, known for threatening Air India passengers, claims Verma's actions hinder the investigation. This development further strains diplomatic relations, already fraught since Trudeau's Khalistani allegations. Pannun's provocative move adds a concerning dimension to the ongoing diplomatic standoff between Canada and India.

Despite a firecracker ban, Delhi faced a hazardous post-Diwali smog, with AQI levels skyrocketing, hitting an alarming 999 at India Gate. The city's initial relief on Diwali, marked by an AQI of 218, vanished as widespread firecracker use intensified pollution. Previous rain had temporarily improved air quality, but the illegal celebrations wiped out those gains. The situation underscores the city's ongoing struggle with deteriorating air quality, raising concerns about public health. Delhi's battle against pollution persists, with the aftermath of Diwali serving as a stark reminder of the challenges in curbing environmental degradation. [ photo courtesy: NDTV/X ]

The UK is bracing for the impact of Storm Debi, forecast to hit within hours bringing severe 80mph winds and heavy rain. The Met Office issued multiple "danger to life" warnings across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland as the fourth major storm this season is set to sweep across Ireland before reaching northern England and parts of Wales and Scotland on Monday. Yellow wind alerts are in place from 4am to 6pm in areas including Manchester, Liverpool, and Bangor. The Met Office warned of “danger to life” from flying debris, “fast flowing or deep floodwater”, and large waves in some areas. Northern Ireland is under both wind and rain warnings from as early as 3am till 2pm as the storm hits. Aberdeenshire in Scotland faces a heavy rain warning from 10am until 9pm on Monday. Parts of north-east Scotland that were also battered by Storm Babet last month are likely to see heavy rain. The Met Office said Storm Debi poses a deadly threat, just weeks after Storms Babet and Ciarán caused severe damage. With heavy rain and 80mph winds forecast, the UK is battening down for life-threatening conditions as Storm Debi slams into the country.

India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, and his wife, Kyoko Jaishankar, marked Diwali with a diplomatic touch during their official visit to the United Kingdom. Meeting UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty at 10 Downing Street, Jaishankar presented a Lord Ganesha statue and a cricket bat signed by Virat Kohli, symbolizing the cultural and sporting ties between the two nations. Expressing delight on Twitter, Dr. Jaishankar conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's best wishes and highlighted the active efforts to reframe India-UK relations for contemporary times. The visit, scheduled from November 11-15, aims to bolster the growing bilateral partnership, reinforcing the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership launched in 2021.