DARK PATTERNS
EU to make addictive app features easier to switch off
The European Union will on Wednesday unveil new rules to crack down on influencer marketing, ban online features that trick Europeans and force platforms to give users the right to turn off "addictive" features.
Kali Puja (November 08, 2026) in West Bengal Today: Nishita Puja Muhurat, Bhoot Chaturdashi, Bhai Phonta Rituals, Significance and How Bengal Celebrates
Kali Puja 2026 is being celebrated today, November 8, across West Bengal and other parts of India, coinciding with Diwali. Check the Nishita Kaal Puja muhurat, Amavasya Tithi timings, Goddess Kali worship rituals, Kolkata pandal celebrations and the significance of Bhoot Chaturdashi's 14 diyas and 14 leafy greens. Also check the Bhai Phonta date and traditions.
Diwali 2026 Vastu Tips: Which Main Entrance Direction Is Auspicious for Lakshmi Puja? 5 Tips to Welcome Prosperity
Diwali 2026 is being celebrated today, November 8. According to traditional Vastu beliefs, the main entrance plays an important role in welcoming Goddess Lakshmi and positive energy. Find out which entrance directions are considered auspicious for Lakshmi Puja, why north and east-facing entrances are preferred, and five Vastu tips to decorate and prepare your doorway for Diwali.
Quick commerce emerges beyond Diwali shopping panic to breathe on the necks of e-commerce giants
Quick-commerce platforms in India are increasingly including fashion, beauty, and gifting items for Diwali shopping. Myntra and Amazon are experiencing significant growth in orders and customer engagement during the festive season. Quick-commerce is projected to account for a larger share of online retail, boosting convenience for consumers. The demand for immediate shopping solutions is prompting a shift in purchasing behaviours.
Winning at Diwali gifting: Ditch the mithai, bring on the bling
Diwali is celebrated with vibrant decorations, festive gatherings, and traditional rituals in India this year. Businesses are experiencing a significant increase in online sales leading up to the holidays. Families gather to enjoy rich cultural customs and unique gifting practices during this festive season. Various products, ranging from gold coins to luxury home items, are popular during this time.
Paraguayan president Santiago Pena impeached minutes after resigning following bank collapse
The 78-0 vote marked a stunning repudiation of Pena by lawmakers from his long-ruling Colorado Party, who joined the opposition in backing his impeachment after three days of demonstrations rocked the capital, Asuncion.
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A two-feet “leopard eel” was hiding in US swamps; Scientists took years to identify it
An eel-like animal with spotted markings and frilly gills had been turning up in Florida and Alabama waters for years. In 2018, scientists described it as the reticulated siren, a salamander and a species new to science. Its identification relied on a 1970 museum specimen, years of fieldwork and DNA analysis.

Sam Altman is a vegetarian who hates protein shakes. Here's what he eats to stay productive
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a vegetarian since childhood, says he dislikes protein shakes but drinks them to meet his nutritional needs. He takes supplements, skips breakfast and fasts for around 15 hours daily. He also limits sugar, follows a two-espresso routine, prioritises sleep and lifts weights three times a week to support productivity.

Daylight Savings Time 2026: Could this year be the last year Americans change their clocks twice a year?
Millions of Americans will change their clocks on November 1, 2026, marking the end of daylight saving time. Lawmakers are considering abandoning this twice-yearly clock adjustment, with a proposal approved by the House. However, the Senate expresses concerns about implications for winter mornings and public safety. Disagreements surfaced between Republican Senator Tom Cotton and the president over permanent daylight saving time.

From Selena Gomez-Benny Blanco to Joe Jonas-Sophie Turner: 5 Hollywood couples who took Halloween costumes to the next level
Halloween is a dazzling occasion where celebrity couples capture attention with imaginative costumes, blending creativity with playful spirit. In 2024, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco channeled the whimsy of Alice in Wonderland. A year prior, Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum honored Rosemary’s Baby, while Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker took a spooky twist as Bride of Chucky characters in 2022.

Using your phone in the dark? Study reveals what a too-bright screen could do to your eyes
A study published in Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, looked at the various effects of room light and smartphone screen brightness on tear film stability, blinking, and visual fatigue. In 30 young adults, reading in a dark room with a bright screen caused the biggest changes in eye-surface measurements. The study assessed short-term responses; long-term effects remain unknown.

Karwa Chauth 2026 Wishes: Best ChatGPT prompts, WhatsApp status, images, messages, quotes, greetings to share
Happy Karwa Chauth 2026 Wishes: Karwa Chauth is a significant festival celebrated in India, emphasizing love and relationships. The festival includes various rituals, such as sargi before sunrise and evening puja. It falls on Thursday, October 29, 2026, and local calendar variations should be checked. Thoughtful greetings and wishes can enhance the celebration among family and loved ones. Festive imagery and personalized messages also play a vital role in the occasion.

"Sink the idea": Mumbai sweats over a sea plan that intitially made waves but is now causing ripples of worry
Light pollution is already recognised as a global environmental and public health concern. Research has linked artificial light to sleep disturbances, mood disorders and higher risks of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in humans. It can also alter plant growth and interfere with animals' natural behaviour and ecological relationships.

Sonu Sood lives in a palatial Rs 20 crore home in Mumbai. House has a sneaker room, a lavish temple with a Ganesha made of Italian marble, a private theatre
Sonu Sood’s Mumbai house, Gangotri, is the perfect mixture of understated elegance and regal beauty. While many rooms are coloured with pastel shades, certain features like chandeliers and the use of elegant wood and marble give a touch of royalty to his interior decor.

Apple iPhone Duo review: Five days with Apple's first foldable is it worth Rs 3 lakh?
Apple iPhone Duo review after five days of use examines whether Apple's first foldable smartphone justifies its starting price of Rs 2,99,900. The device impresses with its premium build, vibrant displays, smooth performance and excellent battery life, which can last up to two days with light usage. However, third-party app optimisation needs improvement, multitasking remains limited, and the absence of a dedicated telephoto camera is a drawback. While the iPhone Duo offers an enjoyable foldable experience, it is best suited to buyers who can comfortably afford its price and genuinely need a larger display.

Sanju Samson’s Rs 6 crore Kerala home has no over-the-top decor. It features white interiors, a pink garden, wooden floors, private gym
Sanju Samson’s Kerala home is the epitome of elegant and serene. Although the home costs crores, the decor is minimalistic and warm, avoiding excess yet looking cosy. The talented cricketer’s abode is a testament that sometimes, prioritising a subdued, cosy look with warm, muted shades can also make your house appear elegant.

Dussehra 2026 image AI prompts: 10 best ChatGPT & Gemini prompts to create stunning festive images, greeting cards and more
Dussehra 2026 (Google Trends): Dussehra 2026 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, marking the victory of good over evil. If you want to share festive greetings with friends and family, AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini and other image generators can help you create personalised Dussehra wishes, colourful greeting cards and creative festive visuals. Here are 10+ AI prompts you can copy and use to generate unique Dussehra images for WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms.

Giant 'heat storms' are scorching the Earth. This is the story of the biggest one on record
Heat storms have increased dramatically, causing severe global consequences including excess deaths and environmental catastrophes. Recent heat storms have been identified as a new classification, representing larger and more persistent heat events. The intensity of these heat storms has worsened due to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Associated weather patterns have significantly disrupted ecosystems and agriculture worldwide.

Our common aspiration
Vijayadashami represents the victory of goodness over evil, as seen in various cultural narratives. Ram's defeat of Ravan and Jesus Christ's resurrection reflect similar themes of righteousness triumphing over darkness. Additionally, Michael's defeat of Satan in Christian scripture parallels these tales. Different cultures emphasize the idea that arrogance and injustice ultimately lead to destruction. The stories resonate with a profound human belief in the enduring nature of hope and courage.

Could treating AI like a human make you more vulnerable to manipulation? Experts warn how believing chatbots have feelings could be a threat
Artificial intelligence systems like chatbots are becoming more emotionally engaging, prompting concerns over manipulation by users. The recent policy change by Anthropic restricts cruelty towards AI models, which has reignited debates on AI welfare and consciousness. Researchers are divided on whether AI systems deserve moral consideration, reflecting uncertainty within the industry. There are fears that recognizing AI rights may weaken human accountability for harmful actions.

Nomura becomes latest brokerage to cut PB Fintech share price target by 31%, lists 2 scenarios for fair price
Nomura has cut PB Fintech’s target price by 31% to Rs 1,100 after proposed IRDAI curbs on insurance website practices and commissions. The brokerage lowered earnings estimates, while alternative scenarios suggest fair values of Rs 1,335-1,366.

Microsoft stock (MSFT) falls as US targets green card filings for H-1B workers and Italy probes gaming business
Microsoft stock fell nearly 2% as the US targeted Microsoft’s green card filings for H-1B workers, while Italy opened an investigation into Microsoft-owned gaming companies over virtual currencies, consumer protection and gaming practices.

Could this faint object be Planet Nine? Scientists find a 23-year-old infrared clue that may finally point toward the elusive world beyond Neptune
Terry Long Phan and a team at Taiwan’s National Tsing Hua University found a potential ninth planet by looking through archived space data. They compared sky maps from two separate satellite missions. The first was the Infrared Astronomical Satellite from 1983. The second was Japan’s AKARI spacecraft, which scanned the sky in 2006 and 2007.

Harsh Goenka shares Xiaomi ‘dark factory’ video where robots make a smartphone every second without lights; says ‘so much to learn from China!’
Industrialist Harsh Goenka has shared a post highlighting China's “dark factory”, where AI and robots handle smartphone production without workers on the shop floor. He said that there is “so much to learn from China.”

PB Fintech shares crash 50% from peak, fall below 2021 IPO price. More downside coming?
PB Fintech shares plunged 50% from their all-time high to drop below the 2021 IPO price of Rs 980. The sharp six-day selloff follows proposed IRDAI regulatory curbs on insurance distribution, prompting brokerages like Bernstein and Jefferies to cut target prices amid earnings pressure concerns.

Bernstein cuts PB Fintech share price target by 53%. More pressure after Rs 37,000 m-cap rout?
PB Fintech shares have plunged 42% in four sessions, wiping out Rs 37,000 crore in market value, following IRDAI’s proposed reforms to curb dark patterns and rationalise insurance commissions. Bernstein, Jefferies and Morgan Stanley have flagged potential pressure on earnings, distribution economics and valuations, with brokerages highlighting risks to health insurance and the POSP business amid regulatory uncertainty.

PB Fintech shares suffer Rs 37,000 crore shock in 4 days but Jefferies, Bernstein see up to 100% upside
PB Fintech shares have plunged 42% in four sessions, wiping out Rs 37,000 crore in market value after IRDAI proposed reforms targeting insurance distribution and dark patterns. While Jefferies cut its target to Rs 1,540, Bernstein retained an Outperform rating with a Rs 2,310 target, implying 100% upside.

PB Fintech shares can rally 91% after 2-day bloodbath, says Bernstein. Here’s why it remains bullish
PB Fintech shares rose 4% after Bernstein retained its Outperform rating and Rs 2,310 target price, despite the stock’s sharp fall following IRDAI’s proposed ban on dark patterns. The brokerage expects lower insurance take rates, revenue and profit estimates, while cost rationalisation could provide some cushion. IRDAI’s draft framework also proposes sweeping changes to insurance distribution and commission structures.

Explained: Why PB Fintech, Turtlemint, SBI Life, HDFC Life and other insurance stocks tanked up to 26% on Thursday
IRDAI has proposed insurance distribution reforms, including a ban on dark patterns, lower Expense of Management limits and greater commission transparency. The changes could affect customer acquisition costs and distribution economics for insurers and insurance platforms.
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