Thousands of ISRO employees have written to chairman V Narayanan, seeking clarity on the government’s plans to expand private participation in India’s space sector. Nine employee associations raised concerns about the possible transfer of launch vehicle and satellite production to private companies and PSUs.   The employees fear that reduced in-house work could affect jobs, promotions and future recruitment. They said ISRO’s role in designing, testing and launching major rockets must remain protected.   The associations said they support private participation but want a clear government policy. They have asked whether recent remarks by IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka represent official government policy.  

China is moving ahead with its massive hydropower project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which becomes the Brahmaputra after entering India. The decision comes despite renewed concerns following recent floods and geological warnings in the Himalayan region. The project, launched in 2025, involves five power stations and an estimated investment of about 1.2 trillion yuan. Its planned capacity could reach 60 GW, potentially generating around 300 billion kWh annually. India remains concerned about downstream water flows, ecological impacts and limited hydrological data-sharing. China maintains that the project will meet strict safety standards and benefit downstream disaster prevention. (PC: AFP)

Nine people have died in the Bunda area of Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district after allegedly consuming spurious liquor on Saturday night. The victims, residents of different villages, reportedly fell ill after drinking the suspected poisonous alcohol. As several people’s conditions deteriorated, the local administration was alerted, prompting officials and emergency teams to reach the affected area. Those who became ill were taken for medical treatment, while authorities began gathering details about the incident. The exact cause of the deaths is yet to be officially confirmed. Officials are expected to investigate the liquor’s source and distribution network as the case develops. 

The US military said it struck three Iran-linked oil tankers on Saturday after Iran launched ballistic missiles toward two American Navy warships in the region. US Central Command said one tanker near Kharg Island and another near Jask were “permanently disabled”, while a third in the Gulf of Oman was destroyed. Iran confirmed the attacks and warned it would expand strikes on US military vessels if American attacks on Iranian ships continued. Centcom said its forces evaded multiple IRGC attacks targeting a US aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer, with no American troops injured. The strikes come amid renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran. 

A Belgian chocolate replica of India Gate, intended as a gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broke during its journey to India, the Belgian Embassy said. Prime Minister Bart De Wever had planned to present the elaborate sculpture to Modi during his India visit. Speaking at a joint press conference in New Delhi, De Wever joked that chocolate was “excellent for diplomacy” but not for diplomatic travel. He said a backup replica remained in Belgium and promised to deliver it to Modi safely. India Gate was chosen to reflect the shared history of India and Belgium, including Indian soldiers who fought in Belgium during World War I. (PC: India Today)

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said India buys Russian oil for its own development and not to support Moscow. Speaking to DD News, Alipov said New Delhi’s energy needs were the priority and Russia remained ready to supply as much oil as India requires. He also criticised Western sanctions and tariffs on countries buying Russian crude, calling them pressure tactics. India’s purchases of Russian oil increased after 2022 following G7 and EU price caps on Russian energy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India’s oil purchases will not determine the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war, which he said must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. (PC: HT)

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara has joined former cricketers calling for proper medical care and humane treatment for former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan. In an Instagram post on Saturday, Lara said he was shocked that Khan was not being cared for and called for independent medical attention. Khan, 73, has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 after convictions in corruption cases. Concerns over his health have drawn criticism from his family and former cricketers. Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Greg Chappell and Pat Cummins have also spoken about Khan’s treatment and need for dignity. (PC: India Today)

Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 at the grand finale in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Saturday. Thailand’s reigning Miss World, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, crowned her successor. Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes was named first runner-up, while Malaysia’s Taanusiya Chetty finished as second runner-up. The Top 6 also included Eritrea’s Snit Habteab, Vietnam’s Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc and South Africa’s Romanda Hombir. India’s Nikita Porwal reached the Top 40 but failed to advance to the Top 20. A total of 111 contestants competed in this year’s pageant. The next Miss World edition is scheduled to be held in Tanzania. (PC: X)

The Census 2027 population enumeration will be conducted earlier in Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and non-snow-bound areas of Uttarakhand from December 1, 2026, to January 4, 2027, ahead of assembly elections. A gazette notification issued by the Registrar General of India said self-enumeration will be available from November 16 to 30. A revisional round will follow from January 5 to 9, with January 5, 2027, as the reference date for these states. The assemblies of Goa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are due to end by May 2027. Census enumeration elsewhere will use March 1, 2027, as the reference date.

The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly backed an African Union-led push for more accurate world maps, with India voting in favour of the resolution. The “Correct the Map” resolution received 164 votes, while the United States voted against it and six countries abstained. Sponsored by Togo on behalf of the African Group, the resolution challenges the widely used Mercator projection, which distorts the apparent size of regions away from the Equator. India said it supported broader consideration of equal-area map projections, but did not endorse any single projection. The African Union urged institutions, schools, publishers and digital platforms to adopt more accurate maps. (PC: Economic Times)