National News
- Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Semicon India 2.0 Portal
- Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the Semicon India 2.0 portal on 9 November 2026 to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
- The platform opens formal applications for Pillars 2, 3, and 4 of India's semiconductor ecosystem programme.
- The initiative aims to attract global chipmakers, strengthen supply chains, and position India as a global electronics design and fabrication hub.
- Karnataka Declares Malabar Tree Toad as Official State Amphibian
- The Government of Karnataka officially designated the Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus) as its State Amphibian to raise awareness for amphibian conservation.
- Endemic to the Western Ghats, this arboreal species was first recorded in 1876 and rediscovered in Karnataka in 2005.
- The declaration supports habitat protection efforts across biodiversity-rich forest corridors in the state.
- Sensex and Nifty Snap Eight-Year Diwali Muhurat Trading Winning Streak
- Indian benchmark equity indices, the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty, ended lower during the special Diwali Muhurat trading session.
- The decline snapped an eight-year consecutive winning streak for domestic markets on the auspicious trading day.
- Profit-booking across heavyweight banking and IT stocks weighed on investor sentiment despite strong festive retail demand.
- DAHD Conducts 'VAJRA-SAT' Tabletop Exercise Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease
- The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), in collaboration with ICAR-NIVEDI, organized a National Tabletop Exercise named 'VAJRA-SAT'.
- The drill focused on strengthening emergency preparedness and rapid response protocols against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1.
- Veterinary officials from multiple states participated to coordinate surveillance, biosecurity, and containment strategies.
International News
- Bangladesh Formally Requests Extradition of Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina from India
- Bangladesh's Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman announced that Dhaka has sent a formal request to India seeking the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Referring to her as a "convicted criminal," Bangladeshi authorities stated that legal channels have been initiated under bilateral agreements.
- The move adds a major diplomatic test to bilateral relations between New Delhi and Dhaka.
- Indian NGO REACH Wins 2026 Kochon Prize in Bali
- Chennai-based non-governmental organization REACH (Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health) was awarded the prestigious 2026 Kochon Prize in Bali, Indonesia.
- The global award recognizes REACH's community-led initiatives and patient-centric models in accelerating tuberculosis (TB) elimination.
- Established by the Stop TB Partnership, the honor highlights grassroots innovation in combating infectious diseases.
- Caribbean Nation Becomes 116th Full Member of International Solar Alliance
- The Bahamas officially deposited its Instrument of Accession to become the 116th full member country of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
- The accession strengthens cooperation on clean energy deployment, solar microgrids, and climate resilience among Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Headquartered in Gurugram, India, the ISA continues to expand its global clean-energy coalition.
- Scientists Identify 4.1-Billion-Year-Old Martian Meteorite 'Teghaza 001'
- Planetary scientists confirmed that 'Teghaza 001,' a rose-colored meteorite discovered on a salt plain in Mali's Sahara Desert, originated from Mars.
- Radiometric dating revealed the rock formed at least 4.1 billion years ago during Mars's ancient Noachian period.
- The specimen offers rare geological clues about early Martian crust formation and ancient water activity.
Sports News
- Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India's 100th Chess Grandmaster
- 22-year-old Anuj Shrivatri from Madhya Pradesh scripted history by becoming India's 100th Chess Grandmaster.
- He achieved the milestone by scoring 7/9 to win the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in Ozamiz City, Philippines.
- Shrivatri also became the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh, reaching the landmark 38 years after Viswanathan Anand became India's first GM in 1988.
- Mercedes Clinches Ninth Formula One Constructors' Championship
- Mercedes secured its ninth Formula One Constructors' Championship—and its first since 2021—after George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth respectively.
- In the same race, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton completed his 400th Grand Prix start, becoming only the second driver in F1 history after Fernando Alonso to reach the milestone.
- Veteran Indian Women's Hockey Coach Gurdial Singh Bhangu Passes Away at 86
- Gurdial Singh Bhangu, the renowned coach who guided the Indian women's hockey team to its historic gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, passed away at the age of 86.
- His 2002 Manchester triumph famously inspired the Bollywood sports film Chak De! India.
- Hockey India and former players paid tribute to his lifelong contributions to Indian grassroots and international hockey.
