As Diwali comes knocking on the door, Apple is offering up to Rs 6,000 cashback on iPhone 15 models and Rs 67,800 off with trade-in. Samsung has discounts like 25% off Galaxy S23 FE at Rs 49,999 and Rs 61,999 for S23. OnePlus is giving Rs 3,000 off Nord 3, Rs 2,000 off Nord CE 3 and more. Vivo has cashback up to Rs 10,000 on X90 and Rs 4,000 on V29. Realme is discounting 11 Pro 5G and 11 5G by Rs 4,000. C53 is Rs 9,999, C55 & C51 are Rs 8,999 & Rs 7,999. Xiaomi has 50% off Redmi phones, Rs 17,999 for Note 12 Pro 5G and Rs 69,999 for Xiaomi 13 Pro. Major brands are offering big savings on phones this Diwali shopping season, with instant discounts, cashback, and trade-in deals on the latest iPhone, Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi devices.

New Zealand and Sri Lanka face off in Bengaluru but rain could wash out the match. The city has seen heavy downpour and more is forecast. A washout would dent NZ's bid to cement a semi-final spot and give Pakistan hope. Pakistan is on 8 points, the same as NZ, chasing the top four. A washout would mean NZ remains on 8 while Pakistan could go to 10 by beating England. For NZ, a win boosts their bid while a washout leaves the door open for Pakistan or Afghanistan. Sri Lanka's chances to make the top eight would also suffer if rain forces a no result. But the bigger implications are for NZ and Pakistan's semi-final hopes.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee came out in support of MP Mahua Moitra, accused in the cash-for-query scam. Calling her a "victim of politics", Banerjee said the "competent" Moitra can "fight her own battles." He accused the BJP of targeting TMC leaders, questioning why expulsion was recommended against Moitra when no evidence was found. Banerjee, considered Mamata's Number 2, gave the first remarks from TMC leadership amid the party's silence on the case. His defense of Moitra is significant as she faces allegations with disclosures from her personal life. TMC chief Mamata has not spoken at all about the case. Abhishek Banerjee, who is himself being probed by the ED in the Bengal school jobs scam, said Moitra was being "victimized", by the BJP's "standard practice."

Indian-British banker turned entrepreneur, Roshni Mukherjee was awarded for Women in Business- Empowering Other Women in India at the Indo-UK Business Meet hosted by MP Bob Blackman. Mukherjee, owner of the label Myosutra that "brings forth culture to couture" on sarees, received the award from MP Dean Russel. Starting online operations in 2017, Myosutra now ships globally. "I have always encouraged women to believe in themselves," Mukherjee said. She added that she has "inspired many other women in the UK" and supports women in India through her business. Mukherjee said the award is a "testament to [her] hard work" and a "symbol of hope" for Bengali women entrepreneurs. The event, coordinated by Creative Elements London took place at the Palaces of Westminster on Wednesday, November 8.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed high courts across India to "register suo motu proceedings" to monitor trials against MPs and MLAs. A bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud said chief justices should prioritize cases involving "death sentence or life imprisonment." Though no timeline was set, the bench said "special benches" led by HC CJIs will list matters "at regular intervals" for "expeditious and effective disposal." Trials with over 5-year jail term will also be prioritized after the death penalty and life term cases. The court said high courts will list stalled trials and "all attempts will be made to expedite such trials." CJIs can issue "orders and directions as necessary" for swift disposal.

A 24-year-old Indian student, Varun Raj Pucha, died Wednesday after being stabbed in the head on October 29 at a fitness center in Indiana. The attacker, 24-year-old Jordan Andrade, claimed Pucha was "going to assassinate" him, but police found no evidence to support this. Andrade told police he "just reacted" and that he had never spoken to Pucha before. Staff described Pucha as quiet and reserved and was in no way 'creepy'. Andrade portrayed himself as a "defensive fighter" who eliminated a threat, but gave only a vague explanation, saying "I just put it through." Pucha, a computer science student at Valparaiso University, was stabbed in the massage room. Andrade has been charged with attempted murder.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by the War Cabinet, met with council heads from Judea and Samaria, the administrative division of Israel that encompasses the entire West Bank, on Wednesday. He praised the IDF's progress in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing there will be 'no ceasefire without the release of hostages.' Netanyahu outlined three goals: intensifying counter-terrorism efforts, preventing escalation and Judea and Samaria from becoming a second front, and addressing a small group of extremists damaging Israel's image internationally. More than 10,000 people, including thousands of children, have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory operation, now in its second month, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking hundreds of hostages, according to Israeli officials. [Image: GPO, Israel]

On Wednesday, the IDF reported substantial advancements in its ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since the mission's initiation last month, approximately 130 tunnel shafts have been destroyed, focusing on key areas, notably under Shifa Hospital and northern Gaza, where Hamas maintains its primary bases of operations. The 460th Brigade, aided by engineering forces, located tunnel entrances near a structure with suspected components of the tunnel's air filtration system. Another tunnel near a UNRWA school in Beit Hanoun was successfully demolished. The 252nd Reserve Division's engagements led to the demise of hundreds of Hamas operatives. Unfortunately, Israeli casualties rose to 33, highlighting the intensity of the conflict.

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is set to meet Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the United States next week, marking a significant step in Tesla's entry into the South Asian market. Discussions will revolve around Tesla's Indian factory establishment, manufacturing a $24,000 car locally, sourcing components, and developing a nationwide charging infrastructure. Talks will also address India's new policy, allowing reduced tax rates of 15% for fully built EV imports, provided automakers commit to local manufacturing. The meeting aims to ensure the ongoing discussions between India and Tesla are progressing positively. Both Tesla and Indian officials have not yet commented on the matter.

Brazilian security forces, in collaboration with Israeli spy agency Mossad and global counterparts, have successfully dismantled a Hezbollah terrorist plot orchestrated and funded by the Iranian regime. Mossad in their statement said the thwarted attack aimed at Israeli and Jewish targets in Brazil involved an intricate terror network spanning multiple countries. Mossad expressed gratitude to Brazilian authorities for apprehending the Hezbollah-operated cell. Israel claims that Hezbollah and Iran persist in their global operations, targeting Israeli, Jewish, and Western interests against the backdrop of the Gaza conflict with Hamas. Mossad remains vigilant, employing diverse methods to counteract these threats wherever they emerge. [Photo: Representative Image]