Hurricane Melissa has become the strongest storm to hit the Caribbean in 90 years, killing 29 people across Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The Category 5 storm made landfall in Cuba after devastating Jamaica, where it was declared a disaster zone. Cuba evacuated over 700,000 people as the storm moved northeast, causing severe damage and flooding. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness promised quick recovery efforts, saying the nation “will rebuild stronger.” The Bahamas has issued evacuation orders as Melissa continues its path toward Bermuda, remaining a powerful hurricane despite weakening slightly over land. (PC: HT)

Subramanyam Vedam, an Indian-origin man who spent 43 years in a US prison for a murder he did not commit, now faces deportation. His conviction was overturned after new evidence proved his innocence. Vedam, 64, was preparing to reunite with his family when US authorities took him into federal custody over a 1999 deportation order. He legally came to the US as a baby. His lawyers are fighting to stop his deportation, arguing that decades of wrongful imprisonment should outweigh an old drug conviction. Vedam remains in an immigration detention centre as the legal process continues. (PC: X)

India is working with Thailand to bring back nearly 500 citizens who fled a cybercrime hub in Myanmar. The Indians were tricked into working at the Chinese-run KK Park compound before escaping during a military raid. Many crossed into Thailand, where they are now detained. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said India plans to send a plane to bring them home. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok is helping verify their identities and complete legal formalities. Myanmar’s KK Park is linked to global cyber scams run by Chinese gangs. Thousands from several countries have been trafficked there. (PC: India Today)

Pune racer Diana Pundole is set to make history as the first Indian woman to race a Ferrari in an international event. The 32-year-old will compete in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East from November to April, driving the Ferrari 296 Challenge car. She will race on top Formula One tracks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Pundole, who began racing in 2018, earlier won the 2024 MRF Saloon Cars title. She hopes her journey inspires more women in Indian motorsport. Her entry is backed by Aligned Automation and Ferrari New Delhi. (PC: X)

At least 25 people have died in Haiti after a river overflowed due to heavy rains from Hurricane Melissa. The La Digue river flooded homes and destroyed parts of the southern town of Petit-Goave. Mayor Jean Bertrand Subreme said many people are still trapped and rescue work is ongoing. The hurricane earlier hit Jamaica and Cuba, forcing more than 735,000 people to evacuate. Cuba and Jamaica suffered major damage, power cuts, and severe flooding. Experts say rising ocean temperatures linked to climate change are making storms like Melissa stronger and more destructive across the Caribbean region.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she is living freely in Delhi but would love to return home once fair elections are held. Speaking from exile, Hasina said she will not go back to Bangladesh under any government formed without her party, the Awami League. She called the ban on her party “unjust” and said millions of supporters would be left without a voice. The 78-year-old leader fled to India in August 2024 after student-led protests toppled her government. She denied charges of crimes against humanity, calling the trial politically motivated and unfair. (PC: NDTV)

Rohit Sharma has become the world’s No.1 ODI batter for the first time in his career. The 38-year-old Indian captain achieved this milestone after a brilliant performance in the ODI series against Australia. With 781 rating points, Rohit went past Ibrahim Zadran and Shubman Gill to claim the top spot. He is now the oldest player ever to reach No.1 in ICC ODI rankings, proving his class and consistency even in the later stage of his career. Fans and cricket experts hailed his achievement as a sign of determination and fitness that continues to inspire young players worldwide.  (PC: BCCI)

A video from Oakville, Ontario, shows a Canadian teenager shouting racist slurs at an Indian-origin female worker, telling her to “go back to your country.” The video sparked outrage in Canada and India, with social media users calling the behaviour “disgusting” and “shameful.” Experts say hate crimes against South Asians in Canada have risen sharply. A UK-based report found a 227% jump in such cases since 2019, with online slurs targeting Indians increasing by over 1,000%. Activists warn that racism against immigrants is growing, fuelled by extremist groups and political rhetoric ahead of Canada’s federal election.

The much-anticipated cloud-seeding trial planned for October 29 in Delhi was postponed after IIT Kanpur scientists reported insufficient atmospheric moisture for effective artificial rain. Humidity levels hovered around 15%, well below the minimum requirement for condensation and rainfall. The ₹3.2-crore pilot project aimed to tackle Delhi’s severe air pollution through induced precipitation. Officials confirmed that the experiment will be rescheduled once favorable meteorological conditions emerge. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, is part of broader efforts to combat the capital’s worsening air quality. (PC: PTI)

Two Indian nurses from Kerala, aged 26 and 29, became heroes mid-air when a 34-year-old co-passenger suffered a cardiac arrest aboard an Etihad Airways flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi. Acting quickly, they administered CPR and coordinated with a doctor on board, who provided IV fluids, successfully stabilizing the passenger before landing. Their presence of mind and professional training turned a potential tragedy into a life-saving act. Both nurses, employees of Response Plus Medical (RPM) in Abu Dhabi, were later honoured by their employer for their exemplary service and quick medical response. (PC: X)