A shocking incident unfolded on an Alaska Airlines flight as an off-duty US pilot, Joseph Emerson, attempted to shut down the plane's engines mid-flight while under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms. The 44-year-old, who hadn't slept for 40 hours, tried to activate emergency systems, prompting a struggle with pilots before being restrained by cabin crew during an emergency landing. Emerson now faces federal charges, including interfering with flight crew members and attendants, as well as counts of attempted murder and endangerment. Airlines swiftly removed him from duty, emphasizing the serious nature of the incident.

A recent New York Times investigation has raised doubts about the widely circulated evidence surrounding the Gaza hospital attack. Contrary to Israeli and American officials' claims of a malfunctioning Palestinian rocket causing the explosion, The NYT's analysis dissects video footage, suggesting the projectile detonated miles away, unrelated to the hospital incident. While not pinpointing the cause, the analysis questions the narrative presented by Israeli authorities. Conflicting interpretations persist, emphasizing the complexities of assessing evidence in the emotionally charged Israel-Hamas conflict, highlighting the challenges of discerning truth amidst ongoing hostilities.          

The Election Commission of India has announced it will appoint actor Rajkummar Rao as its national icon ahead of assembly elections in five states next month. Formal ceremonies will be held on Thursday. Over 161 million voters across Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan will participate in the upcoming polls. Mizoram votes on November 7th, Chhattisgarh in two phases on the 7th and 17th, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana on the 17th and 30th respectively, and Rajasthan on November 25th after a date change. Votes will be counted on December 3rd. The chief election commissioner said these polls hold significance as the last before 2024 general elections.

Renowned Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut met Israel's Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, at the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, expressing her heartfelt support for Israel in the midst of the ongoing conflict. Ranaut took to Twitter to share her sentiments, stating, "My heart goes out to Israel. Our hearts are bleeding too." She discussed the current situation with Ambassador Gilon, praising Israel's efforts against terrorism and expressing hope for their victory, addressing hamas as mordan Ravana. Additionally, she shared details about her upcoming film "Tejas" and India's self-reliant fighter aircraft, Tejas, in the conversation.

British Airways is set to mark Diwali with a heartfelt brand advertisement, showcasing their staff members who are working during the festival to help passengers reunite with their loved ones. The ad features a diverse cast, including Indian-based cabin crew and customer service agents, highlighting their dedication to connecting families. The airline's director of marketing, Hamish McVey, expressed gratitude to the staff, emphasizing the importance of reuniting families during Diwali. The ad will run across various platforms, accompanied by special fares encouraging travel for the festive season.

India's Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN, Ambassador R. Ravindra, expressed deep concern over the Israel-Gaza conflict at a UN Security Council open debate. He condemned the October 7 terror attacks in Israel and advocated for immediate, credible negotiations between Israel and Palestine, emphasizing de-escalation. Ravindra reaffirmed India's commitment to a peaceful solution and underlined India's humanitarian aid efforts, sending 38 tons of essential supplies to Gaza. The UN meeting, presided over by Brazil, featured addresses from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Eli Cohen, Palestine's Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad Al-Maliki, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In a tradition cherished by the Bengali community worldwide, the anticipation for Goddess Durga's return begins soon after her departure to Mount Kailasha on the day of Dashami (Dussehra). Shorts91 presents the upcoming schedule for Maa Durga's visit next year. Mahalaya, the day of "Tarpan", is slated for October 2, 2024. Navratri festivities commence on October 3, following Mahalaya. The full Pujo schedule includes Shashti on October 9, Saptami on October 10, Ashtami on October 11, and Navami on October 12 in 2024. The divine goddess will bid farewell on Dashami, falling on October 13, 2024. Shorts91 wishes Shubho Bijoya to all our readers and wait for the return of the Mother next year.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya sustained a left ankle injury during the match against Bangladesh, causing him to miss games against New Zealand. Reports now suggest he will be sidelined for India's upcoming matches against England and Sri Lanka. Hardik is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, and his return may occur in Mumbai or Kolkata, where India faces South Africa on November 5. The team management is cautious not to rush his comeback due to their five-match winning streak. Pandya's absence has necessitated changes in the squad, impacting India's recent encounter against New Zealand.

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, stated that the resumption of visa issuances to Canadians is not imminent due to ongoing security concerns for Indian diplomats. Verma emphasized the need for improvement in the security environment, especially against pro-Khalistan elements targeting Indian diplomats. He mentioned that despite personal security details provided by Canada, the situation remains inadequate for normal diplomatic functions. Visa services were suspended on September 21, following tensions between India and Canada over allegations of links between Indian agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India firmly dismissed Pakistan's mention of Kashmir during a UN Security Council meeting on the Israel-Gaza situation. Deputy Permanent Representative R Ravindra declared India's intention to treat the reference with contempt and not dignify it with a response. This response came after Pakistan's UN envoy Munir Akram referred to Kashmir in the meeting. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the condemnation of all terrorism, mentioning groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas, urging the Security Council to denounce states supporting such terrorist organizations, alluding to Pakistan's involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.