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Great American Smokeout 2026: When it falls, what it means and how it started
The Great American Smokeout will be observed on November 19, 2026, encouraging smokers to quit tobacco. This event marks an annual initiative of the American Cancer Society to promote smoking cessation. Participants are encouraged to create a quit plan and identify smoking triggers that may lead to relapse. Professional support, along with encouragement from friends and family, is recommended throughout the quitting process.
Bengalureans, for the next 18 months, no KSRTC buses or goods vehicles on this key airport road. Check new traffic rules and diversions from November 6
Traffic movement on Bengaluru’s Ballari Road will be affected for 18 months from November 6 as the BDA begins construction of a four-lane elevated corridor between UAS Staff Quarters and Mekhri Circle. The traffic police has banned goods vehicles, KSRTC and private buses on the affected stretch and issued alternative routes for commuters travelling to and from Kempegowda International Airport and central Bengaluru.
Watch: Ilhan Omar’s victory speech in Somali leaves white man puzzled; celebratory dance goes viral after securing fifth term
Ilhan Omar celebrated her re-election win at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis, surrounded by enthusiastic supporters. Delivering her victory speech in Somali left a white supporter behind her looking puzzled. Gratefully, Omar reflected on Minnesota's embrace of her family as refugees. This marks her fifth term in Congress amidst ongoing scrutiny over her immigration status, solidifying her role as a leading progressive voice since she took office in 2019.
Brahamastra, part of Lord’s Mark Industries Limited, takes indigenous defence innovation to the global stage
Lord's Mark Industries Limited is committed to enhancing local defence technology via its Brahamastra initiative. By focusing on innovative products like advanced laser rangefinders and smart surveillance cameras tailored for harsh conditions, the company seeks to play a pivotal role in the global defence landscape. This vision is perfectly aligned with India's Make in India initiative and ongoing defence modernisation efforts, capitalizing on the rising need for sophisticated electro-optical systems.
Brazil Presidential Election run off: Who is winning Donald Trump's ally Flavio Bolsonaro or Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva whom Barack Obama once called 'world's most popular politician'?
Brazil Presidential run off: Lula, who at 80 is one of the world's oldest heads of state, is Brazil's 35th and 39th president, having served from 2003-2010 and again since 2023. Bolsonaro, 45, aims to return his family name to power while his father serves time for attempting a coup to prevent the end of his 2019-2022 presidency.
Student protests erupt across Indonesia over rising living costs, forest fires
Protests erupted across Indonesia as students demanded action on rising living costs and environmental issues. Demonstrators criticized the government's handling of forest fires that generated toxic haze affecting public health. In Jakarta, students called for stronger protections for civil liberties and affordable healthcare. Meanwhile, the Presidential Chief of Staff announced measures to tackle forest fires and expedite corporate investigations.

PM Modi to visit Canada on December 11-12, focus on strengthening bilateral ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada from December 11-12, the High Commission of India in Ottawa said on Friday, following a telephone conversation between PM Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in which both leaders agreed to build on the positive momentum in bilateral ties.

Iran-US War: Tehran rejects Donald Trump administration's proposal to end war, threatens major escalation by striking regional data center, cables
Iran-US War latest: The head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says Tehran finds the latest response from the United States “insufficient” as efforts at negotiations to end the war and fully open the Strait of Hormuz limp along.

COVID-19 cases are rising again in US: These states may see high coronavirus activity
The rise in COVID-19 cases is notably observed in the Southern and Western regions of the United States. Wastewater analysis indicates a concerning spike in viral activity, which suggests increased community transmission. Reports show infections are on the rise in 27 states, while 13 states experience a decline. With overlapping symptoms between COVID-19 and influenza, accurate diagnosis poses a challenge for health officials.

Russian Sberbank works towards expansion in India
The expansion comes as India and Russia seek to widen economic ties. The two countries have set a target of $100 billion in annual trade by 2030 and smoother payment mechanisms is now a priority.

LiteRT Matters: Google’s Big Bet on On-Device AI
Google has announced LiteRT, the universal on-device AI framework, a significant milestone in a time when artificial intelligence is quickly shifting from cloud-based servers to consumers' own devices. First presented in 2024 as the evolution of TensorFlow Lite (TFLite), LiteRT currently represents a modern, high-performance runtime meant to bring cutting-edge AI to mobile phones, desktops, online platforms, and IoT devices with performance and convenience unsurpassed by its predecessor.

As COVID cases rise again, what do you need to know about the new FLiRT variants?
FLirt Covid 19 Virus: Scientists are studying the FLiRT variants, subvariants of the Omicron lineage, which may be more contagious and evade immunity better. The FLiRT variants, derived from the JN.1 variant, are demonstrating increased 'fitness' and may become the dominant subvariants in Australia. Booster shots targeting Omicron XBB.1.5 provide significant protection against severe illness.

Cipla inks pact with Genes2Me to launch COVID-19 RT PCR test kit
With the launch of the "RT-Direct multiplex COVID-19 RT PCR" test kit, the Mumbai-based drug firm is expanding its diagnostics offerings, it said in a regulatory filing.

Google blocks Russia's RT app downloads on Ukrainian territory
The move means that new users will not be able to download the RT News app in Ukraine while current users may still be able to access it but will not get new updates pushed by RT.

MPs with one jab can attend Parliament without RT-PCR report
The Union health ministry has done away with RT-PCR tests for MPs who have received even one dose of vaccine. This is a major departure from the guidelines that were in place for the budget session earlier this year. At that time, India had opened up its public immunisation drive for healthcare and frontline workers.

Some Indians, including well-off ones, are forging negative RT-PCR reports
Forgery of an RT-PCR test is punishable under IPC and under disaster management acts. Lawyers say IPC sections can include 419 (punishment for cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating and dishonesty), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for cheating) and 471 (using a fake document as genuine). Section 120 (b) can also apply if the use of a forged report has an accomplice.

Now, shortage of RT-PCR kits adds to Maharashtra’s Covid-19 woes
The lack of RT-PCR tests is mainly being blamed on the state government’s notification earlier this month making it mandatory for all home delivery people, drivers involved in public transport including cab drivers, construction workers, industrial workers and all employees of film shoots, to get vaccinated or get a negative RT-PCR test in order to work.

PM Modi asks CMs of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi to ramp up RT-PCR testing
Maharashtra does about 50,000 RT-PCR tests daily out of the nearly 90,000 tests done in the state, the rest being rapid antigen tests. It is the worst-affected state with the highest test positivity rate of 20.7%.

Karnataka sees a drop in RT-PCR tests as government pushes for cheaper antigen kits
The more expensive RT-PCR test is considered the gold standard in detecting Covid-19 infections. Of the 42,458 tests done on August 3, 29,488 (69%) were rapid antigen tests, while 12,970 (30%) tests were performed using RT-PCR kits.
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