Zeeshan Siddique, son of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was shot dead earlier this month, joined the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday morning. This decision comes ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Siddique had been expelled from the Congress party in August due to allegations of cross-voting during legislative council polls. He is set to contest the Vandre (East) seat, which he won in 2019, against Varun Sardesai, the nephew of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Sardesai represents a Shiv Sena faction that is allied with Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP in the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.

Cyclone Dana made landfall on the Odisha coast after midnight Thursday, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds of up to 110 km/h. Coastal districts experienced severe weather conditions, resulting in uprooted trees and damage. In response to the storm's impact, schools and educational institutions in Odisha and parts of West Bengal were closed on Friday. Jharkhand authorities also ordered educational institutions to remain shut as a precaution. The government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts to ensure the safety of residents affected by the cyclone's severe conditions.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hinted at potential tax increases for individuals with shares and assets, stating they do not fall under his definition of "working people." This comes after Labour's manifesto promised not to raise taxes on working people, though the term's exact meaning remains unclear. The discussion grew after ministers did not rule out a national insurance hike on employers, which tax experts say could ultimately affect employees through lower wages. Starmer described a working person as someone who earns a living through regular wages, rather than relying on financial assets or wealth.

Two soldiers and two civilians were killed in a terrorist attack on an Army vehicle near Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. The vehicle, part of the 18 Rashtriya Rifles, was traveling from Botpathri, located 5 kilometers from the Line of Control (LOC), when terrorists ambushed it. Four additional soldiers were injured and are receiving medical treatment. The two civilians killed in the attack were Army porters. Security forces have launched an operation to track down the attackers. The incident underscores the ongoing security concerns in the region, with increased vigilance in the aftermath of the attack.

Severe cyclonic storm Dana has made landfall on the Odisha coast, with wind speeds reaching 120 km/h, prompting high alert in West Bengal. The storm is expected to impact areas between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra. Prime Minister Modi has spoken with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to assess preparedness. Heavy rains and strong winds are already affecting Odisha and parts of West Bengal, where over 350,000 residents are being evacuated from low-lying areas. The Indian Navy is ready to conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has activated emergency response measures.

Severe cyclonic storm Dana has initiated its landfall process near the Odisha coast, with wind speeds reaching up to 120 km/h, as reported by the India Meteorological Department. The storm, located about 50 km east-northeast of Paradip, is expected to move north-northwest and cross the Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island. The landfall process is anticipated to continue until the morning of October 25. Prime Minister Modi has spoken with Odisha's Chief Minister, assuring support from the central government as the situation develops. The storm is under close surveillance by the Doppler Weather Radar.

Turkey has launched airstrikes on Kurdish militant sites in Iraq and Syria, blaming the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for an attack near Ankara that killed five people. The strikes, which began Wednesday, have reportedly killed 59 people, including 12 civilians. The attack occurred at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), located 40km from Ankara, during a shift change. The perpetrators, identified as PKK members, were neutralized by security forces. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack as "heinous." The PKK, banned in Turkey, the US, and the UK, has been fighting for Kurdish rights since the 1980s.

Aesculapian snakes, one of Europe's largest snake species, are breeding inside UK homes, particularly in attics and wall cavities, according to scientists. These non-native snakes, which can grow up to 7 feet long, were introduced to Colwyn Bay, North Wales, in the 1970s after escaping from a zoo. Researchers tracked 21 snakes and found that male snakes prefer to use human structures for warmth, while females favor woodland areas. These behaviors are unusual for UK-native snakes, which tend to avoid urban areas. Scientists are studying the snakes' adaptation to the UK’s cooler climate to understand their spread.

Cyclone Dana, a severe storm with wind speeds up to 120 kmph, is set to make landfall in Odisha past midnight between Bhitarkanika and Dhamra. Over 3.5 lakh people were evacuated in Odisha and 2.4 lakh in West Bengal. Both states face heavy rain and gusty winds. Airports in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar suspended operations, and over 400 trains were canceled. Prime Minister Modi is monitoring the situation, with rescue teams deployed and relief camps operational. Coastal districts, including Kendrapara and Bhadrak, have been marked as high-risk zones.

Two civilians and two soldiers were killed when terrorists ambushed an Army vehicle near Botpathri, Jammu and Kashmir, close to the Line of Control (LoC). The vehicle, belonging to the 18 Rashtriya Rifles, was attacked while en route from Botpathri. Four soldiers were also injured and are receiving treatment. The civilians killed were Army porters. Security forces suspect Pakistan's Border Action Team may be involved. Jammu and Kashmir officials, including CM Omar Abdullah and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, condemned the attack and called for swift action to neutralize the terrorists.