The US government shutdown has entered its sixth week, leaving millions of workers unpaid and key services disrupted. Despite growing pressure, President Donald Trump has refused to compromise with Democrats, rejecting their offer to reopen the government in exchange for extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. Trump urged Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster and pass bills without Democratic support. Airports, food aid, and public programs are facing severe strain, with over 1,200 flights cancelled. Senators from both parties are working on a deal, but there is little sign of progress or support from the White House.

The Philippines is bracing for Typhoon Fung-wong, expected to strike Luzon on Sunday. The storm, locally known as Uwan, may intensify into a super typhoon with winds over 185 km/h. It comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi killed more than 200 people and caused severe flooding and landslides. Authorities have declared a state of calamity, ordered mass evacuations, and cancelled flights and classes. Rescue work from Kalmaegi has been paused as heavy rain and winds hit eastern regions. Officials warn of life-threatening floods and storm surges, urging residents in coastal and low-lying areas to move to safer ground. (PC: BBC)

A video showing school students singing an RSS ‘Gana Geetham’ during the launch of the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express sparked a political row in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Sangh Parivar of using the Railways for communal politics, while Congress leader V D Satheesan also objected. The BJP defended the students, calling it their right to free speech. The school principal said the Railways had no role, and students sang the song after a TV crew’s request. The event involved students from Saraswathi Vidyanikethan Public School, affiliated with the RSS-linked Vidya Bharathi network. (PC: The Indian Express)

A new Bloomberg documentary claims British intelligence helped Canada link India to the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. The report says the UK’s GCHQ intercepted calls discussing three targets — Nijjar, Avtar Singh Khanda, and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The information was shared with Canada under the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance and kept highly confidential. The Sikh Federation UK has asked why this intelligence was not shared earlier. India has rejected all allegations as false and politically motivated. Relations between India and Canada have slowly improved after diplomatic tensions last year. (PC: The Hindu)

A video from Bihar’s Samastipur showed hundreds of VVPAT slips lying on a roadside, sparking controversy. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) claimed they were from actual voting. However, officials said the slips were from a mock poll held before voting. District Magistrate Roshan Kushwaha said some unused slips were not shredded properly. The Election Commission suspended the Assistant Returning Officer for negligence and ordered an FIR. Officials confirmed that the incident did not affect the voting process. Mock polls are done before voting to test EVMs and VVPATs, and all data is cleared before real voting begins. (PC: India Today)

Air traffic controllers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport said they had warned about the system issues months before Friday’s major glitch. The ATC Guild of India claimed it informed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in July about the need to upgrade systems but no action was taken. The malfunction in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) disrupted over 800 flights. The guild urged upgrades to match global standards like the FAA and Eurocontrol. Delhi airport operator DIAL said flight operations have now returned to normal, though passengers were advised to check with airlines. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claim that 501 voters were registered at one address in Haryana’s Hodal town has turned out to be a clerical mistake. Local officials said a data entry error by the Booth Level Officer caused several homes to be listed under the same number, House No. 265. The property belongs to local BJP leader Sundar Singh, who confirmed the numbering mix-up. The Palwal administration has launched a door-to-door verification drive to fix voter list errors. Rahul Gandhi had earlier accused the BJP of voter fraud, but officials dismissed the claims as unverified. (PC: India Today)

The 31st Kolkata International Film Festival is celebrating the birth centenary of filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak with a special exhibition and screenings of his films. The exhibition, titled “Centenary Tribute Ritwik Ghatak: The Subaltern Voice”, opened at Nandan Foyer on November 7. It was inaugurated by actress Madhabi Mukherjee, Ghatak’s son Ritoban, and artist Subhaprasanna Bhattacharya. The display includes rare photographs, letters, books, and film memorabilia. Three of Ghatak’s classic films—Meghe Dhaka Tara, Komal Gandhar, and Subarnarekha—are being screened. A discussion featuring Adoor Gopalakrishnan will also be held on November 12 as part of the tribute. (PC: HT)

At least six people were killed as Russia launched hundreds of missiles and drones on Ukraine overnight, hitting homes and energy sites. Two died and 12 were injured in Dnipro, while three were killed in Zaporizhzhia. More than 25 cities, including Kyiv, were struck, causing major power cuts. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down over 400 drones and several missiles. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said repair work was underway to restore power. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged stronger Western sanctions on Russian energy, saying Moscow’s attacks aim to break Ukraine’s spirit and economy before winter. (PC: BBC)

The Taliban has warned Pakistan of war after peace talks in Istanbul failed again. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan accused Pakistan of blocking progress and acting irresponsibly despite mediation by Turkey and Qatar. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan was shifting blame for its own security problems. Afghan minister Noorullah Noori warned Islamabad “not to test the patience of Afghans.” The Taliban said it would defend Afghanistan’s sovereignty and people against any attack. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the talks ended without results and no fourth round is planned. Tensions remain high along the Afghan-Pakistan border. (PC: NDTV)