A local commuter train in Chhattisgarh collided with a stationary cargo rake around 4 pm, resulting in 11 confirmed fatalities and at least 20 injuries. Preliminary investigations by the South East Central Railway (SECR) suggest the passenger train passed a signal at danger, leading to the collision. The impact forced the train’s engine and one coach onto the freight wagon’s roof, trapping multiple passengers. Rescue teams reached the site quickly and relief efforts are underway, with the railways announcing financial compensation for victims’ families and the injured. 

A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded into flames shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky. At least seven people were killed and 11 injured. The plane hit two nearby businesses before bursting into a fireball. Governor Andy Beshear said the toll may rise as rescue work continues. Officials said the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft carried around 280,000 gallons of fuel, which made the fire worse. The 34-year-old plane was headed to Honolulu. The FAA and NTSB have begun investigating the cause of the crash. Residents nearby were told to stay indoors due to smoke.

Zohran Mamdani has won the New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s youngest and first Muslim mayor. The 33-year-old Democrat defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a surprising victory. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, campaigned on free childcare, affordable housing, and better public transport. He faces big challenges ahead, including funding his plans and working with business leaders he once criticized. President Trump has already clashed with him, warning of funding cuts. Mamdani’s win marks a major shift in city politics and a test for America’s progressive movement. (PC: BBC)

Zohran Mamdani declared his campaign "toppled a political dynasty" after winning New York City's mayoral race in a stunning political upset. The 34-year-old democratic socialist becomes NYC's 111th mayor and first Muslim leader, defeating independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Addressing jubilant supporters, he proclaimed, "The future is in our hands," thanking diverse coalition members including Yemeni bodega owners, Senegalese taxi drivers, Uzbek nurses, Ethiopian aunties. His grassroots campaign spanning Brooklyn's gentrified neighborhoods to Queens' immigrant enclaves focused on taxing the wealthy, expanding social programs, and addressing affordability crises. Mamdani emotionally thanked parents and wife Rama, recalled a Bronx woman's lament inspiring his renewal message, promising "a new dawn built by the people."

Kerala's famed Sabarimala temple faces scandal after courts discovered gold-cladding theft from deity idols. The High Court established a Special Investigation Team after discovering door guard idols were stripped of gold plating. Temple records show 30.291kg gold, donated by Vijay Mallya in 1998-99, was used for cladding. Former assistant priest Unnikrishnan Potty controversially removed idols for repairs in July 2019; approximately 4.54kg gold disappeared afterward. Judges called it "heist and plundering," criticizing Travancore Devaswom Board for permitting irregularities, including allowing Potty to retain 474.9g "surplus gold" for a wedding. Three arrested, including Potty who claims entrapment. Opposition demands Temple Affairs Minister VN Vasavan's resignation; he refuses, promising full cooperation with court-monitored investigation. (PC: Tripoto)

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval secured re-election with overwhelming support, capturing over 79% when AP called the race at 8:13 p.m. with 22% votes counted (Pureval: 12,694; Bowman: 2,835). The Democratic-preference mayor, serving since 2022 after winning May's primary with 80%+ votes, defeated Republican Cory Bowman (VP J.D. Vance's half-brother). Pureval previously served as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts (2017-2021). His victory speech emphasized continued prioritization of public safety, job growth, and affordable housing. The high-stakes election centered on public safety amid ongoing police chief Terri Theetge internal investigation. Bowman criticized current policing plans but graciously conceded, thanking supporters while expressing hope for Cincinnati's success regardless of leadership. (PC: Cincinnati Enquirer)

Pakistan dismissed US President Donald Trump's explosive allegations of secret nuclear weapons testing, stating it "wasn't the first to conduct nuclear tests and won't be first to resume them." A senior Pakistani security official confirmed Islamabad maintains a "unilateral moratorium" despite not signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Trump told CBS's 60 Minutes that Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan conduct underground nuclear tests while America refrained for three decades. China rejected accusations, reaffirming its "self-defensive nuclear strategy" and testing suspension commitment. Pakistan last conducted nuclear detonation in 1998 and supports CTBT objectives. Trump's STRATCOM nominee contradicted claims, telling lawmakers neither Russia nor China conducted explosive tests. North Korea remains the only known recent nuclear tester.

Bangladesh's interim government withdrew plans to appoint music and physical education teachers in primary schools following Islamist pressure labeling the move "un-Islamic." The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education confirmed removing these posts from recruitment rules issued last August. Hardline groups including Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Hefazat-e-Islam denounced the appointments as an "anti-Islamic agenda" threatening children's faith. Islami Andolon chief Syed Rezaul Karim warned music education would make children "unruly and faithless." Critics say Muhammad Yunus's interim administration repeatedly bows to Islamist demands, including backing down on women's reform proposals after violence threats. Analysts warn Bangladesh slides toward religious rigidity, eroding secular Bengali cultural identity reminiscent of Taliban-style educational policies. (PC: Mint & AP News)

Three Indian-origin candidates achieved historic electoral victories across America on November 5. Zohran Mamdani, 34, won NYC's mayoral race with over 50% votes (1+ million ballots), becoming the city's first Muslim and South Asian mayor in record-breaking turnout exceeding 2 million voters. Virginia's Ghazala Hashmi secured lieutenant governor victory with 53% against Republican John Reid, becoming America's first Muslim woman in statewide office after making history as Virginia's first Muslim South Asian legislator in 2019. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, of Indian-Tibetan heritage, won re-election with 79% votes, defeating Republican Cory Bowman (VP J.D. Vance's half-brother). The victories underscore growing South Asian political influence from city halls to state capitals nationwide. (PC: VPM, Ideastream & ABC News)

Indian-American Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won Virginia's lieutenant governor race, defeating Republican John Reid. Born in Hyderabad in 1964, she emigrated to the US at age four, joining her father in Georgia. Hashmi becomes the first Muslim and South Asian American serving Virginia's Senate (15th District since 2019). Her victory triggers a special Senate seat election. She flipped a Republican-held seat in 2019 and chaired the Senate Education and Health Committee in 2024. Hashmi earned a PhD in American literature from Emory University, spent 30 years as professor at University of Richmond and Reynolds Community College, founding CETL. She lives in Richmond with husband Azhar Rafiq; daughters Yasmin and Noor graduated from UVA. (PC: X)