The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has banned issuance of airport entry passes to visitors at Delhi and Punjab airports as a precautionary measure following a threat to Air India flights by pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice. The BCAS order comes after the group's founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video threatening to blow up an Air India flight on November 19, the day of the ICC World Cup final. BCAS has also made secondary ladder point checks mandatory for all Air India flights at these airports. India has asked Canada to scale up security for Air India and take action against Pannun over the threats. The moves follow Pannun's call for Sikhs worldwide to avoid Air India flights from November 19 due to a "global blockade."

The Supreme Court said states must take steps to stop stubble burning, a major cause of Delhi's severe winter air pollution. The court said Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan's practice of crop residue burning spikes pollution levels in Delhi every winter, terming it responsible for "murder of people's health". While calling out Delhi government over polluting vehicles, the court ordered an urgent meeting of states to find solutions. It said curbing pollution can't become a "political battle" and states must act immediately as "it's your job" to stop stubble burning. The court will also look at vehicular emissions contributing to the crisis.

A rift has emerged between two pro-Khalistan groups at the recent Sikh Nagar Kirtan parade in Yuba City, California, which drew over 200,000 people. One group flew a banner reading "Delhi Will Be Khalistan" via helicopter at the event. The reason for the rift is unknown, but both groups are said to be linked to the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organization. Just a day earlier, the SFJ announced the start of their "Khalistan referendum" in America beginning January 2024. They also honored the killers of Indian Army General Vaidya at the parade. The announcement follows the SFJ's call for Sikhs worldwide to boycott Air India starting November 19.

Israel accused a hospital in Gaza built with Indonesian charity funds of being located over Hamas tunnels near rocket launch sites. Indonesia denied the allegations, saying the hospital solely serves humanitarian medical needs. The Indonesian foreign ministry and the charity operating the overcapacity hospital, MER-C, refuted claims that Hamas uses the facility. MER-C said Israel's accusations could be a pretext to justify attacks. Hamas has repeatedly denied Israeli claims that it uses civilian sites like hospitals for military purposes. The exchange comes amid Israel's ongoing campaign in Gaza after Hamas' cross-border attack in October killed 1,400 people. Israel says its strikes have killed over 10,000 people, including 4,000 children, as per Hamas health officials.

The woman featured in the original video that was used to create a deepfake of Rashmika Mandanna has now reacted to the controversy. British influencer Zara Patel was the woman in the viral clip which later had Rashmika's face morphed onto it. Amid widespread criticism of the deepfake video, Zara took to Instagram to share that she is disturbed by the incident. She stated she had no involvement with the video's creation and is worried about its implications for women being scared of putting themselves online. Zara urged people to fact check content and realize not everything on the internet is real. She hopes for accountability over the unethical AI-manipulation of her video with Rashmika's face.

The World Cup 2023 match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh saw several heated moments including Kusal Mendis' confrontation with Tanzim Hasan Sakib. However, controversy erupted when Angelo Mathews became the first player to be given out 'timed out' in international cricket. Sri Lanka were angered as Mathews felt he had reached the crease in time. When Bangladesh batted, Mathews gave a 'timeout' sendoff to Sakib. Tensions continued post-match as Sri Lankan players refused handshakes with Bangladesh players after their loss. Mathews later stated that Bangladesh didn't respect them or the game so they wouldn't be cordial in return. The match will go down as one of the most controversial in World Cup history. 

WeWork filed for bankruptcy in the US today as the office rental company continues to struggle amidst Covid-19's economic fallout and its failed 2019 IPO. This comes just months after CEO David Tolley had remarked in a September letter that WeWork is "here to stay" and would renegotiate leases worldwide. His comments vowing the firm's continuance have now gone viral as WeWork pursues Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Since its botched IPO in 2019 and founder Adam Neumann's exit, WeWork has seen declining operations. Its principal owner SoftBank invested billions trying to save WeWork before taking it public via a SPAC in 2021. But the company has been unable to recover from its steep valuation drop from $47 billion during its heyday. (Image Courtesy: ANI)

IIT Madras inaugurated its first international campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania on Monday. The new campus, located in Bweleo district near Zanzibar Town, was opened by the President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi. It is part of the Indian government's efforts to expand the global footprint of the country's premier educational institutes like IITs. The Zanzibar campus will initially offer programs in Data Science and AI at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with 40% female students in the first batch. IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti and Tanzanian Minister of Education Adolf F Mkenda virtually attended the event. The campus has hostel, dining and medical facilities. IIT Madras aims to provide world-class technical education in Africa through this pioneering overseas expansion.

King Charles III will deliver the first King's Speech in over 70 years on Tuesday, outlining PM Rishi Sunak's legislative agenda ahead of elections expected next year. The speech marks one of Sunak's last chances to differentiate his Conservative government from the opposition Labour Party, as recent polls show Labour with a double-digit lead. Charles will outline policies like granting new North Sea gas and oil licenses annually, part of Sunak's strategy to position the Tories as champions of motorists and reduce reliance on foreign energy. This contrasts with Labour's pledge not to award new exploration licenses and boost green energy investment instead. The King's Speech continues parliamentary traditions but will be Charles' first since becoming monarch in September after Queen Elizabeth II's death.

In a historic and controversial moment at the Cricket World Cup, Angelo Mathews became the first international cricketer to be 'timed out' during Sri Lanka's match against Bangladesh in Delhi yesterday. Mathews, waiting for a new helmet strap, was left dismayed as Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed successfully, leading to an animated debate. Former cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Dale Steyn criticized the decision, igniting a spirit of cricket debate. The incident, a first in international cricket, stirred controversy, questioning the application of the rules and the essence of fair play.