The International Salinity Conference 3.0, WE-CARE 2025, began today at ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa. The event was inaugurated by Dr. A.K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi.

Dr. Nayak said soil and water salinity pose a growing threat to farm productivity, ecosystems, and food security, especially in arid and coastal regions. He noted that over a billion hectares worldwide, including 6.7 million in India, are affected and called for science-based innovations to make agriculture more sustainable.

He commended ICAR institutes at Karnal and Goa for bringing together experts from SAARC, AARDO, JIRCAS, ICBA, and other countries to discuss restoring saline ecosystems and shaping future policy recommendations. About 150 delegates from India as well as SAARC and AARDO member countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Dubai, Oman, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Gambia, Eswatini, and Lebanon are participating in the conference.

The Punjab cabinet has given its nod to the Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025, under which it will allow the construction of stilt-plus-four floors in all new residential areas coming up in urban areas.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, yesterday.

A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office disclosed that this act aims to introduce a comprehensive and uniform regulatory framework governing building and development activities across Punjab.

The Cabinet also gave its concurrence to the Punjab Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Counselling and Rehabilitation Centres Rules, 2025, replacing the existing 2011 Rules and First Amendment Rules, 2020, to strengthen the regulation of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across Punjab.

These rules overcome the shortcomings in the 2011 rules and subsequent amendments in 2020 to regulate 36 Government and 177 licensed private de-addiction centres.

To safeguard children from growing online threats and to ensure their digital well-being, Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division has launched a flagship statewide programme ‘Cyber Jago’, to spread awareness on Internet Safety and safe online use for government school students across Punjab.

State’s Special Director General of Police, Cyber Crime, Ms V. Neeraja, said that the widespread availability of digital content and the increased exposure to inappropriate material and cyber threats also need to be tackled collectively and urgently.

She said that as guardians of the next generation, we must understand these dangers and take proactive steps to protect children from online dangers. Teachers and parents must engage in open conversations with children about online safety and initiate conversations on online threats.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today inaugurated the 69th National School Games 2025 (Under-17 Boys & Girls – Boxing) at the Khelo India Indoor Stadium, Itanagar. Arunachal Pradesh is hosting the event for the first time in the 71-year history of the School Games Federation of India.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister termed it as a moment of pride for Arunachal Pradesh. He said that, in the last decade, Arunachalee athletes have excelled in several disciplines such as Taekwondo, Karate, Wushu, Boxing, and Weightlifting, proving that the state’s youth are among the best in the country. Arunachal Pradesh, which became affiliated with SGFI in 2008-09, has since made impressive progress in developing school-level sports.

He further highlighted that Arunachal Pradesh has made significant investments in sports infrastructure – including the establishment of Khelo India Centres, multipurpose indoor halls, national-level stadiums, and specialized academies for various sports. He added that the government is also extending financial incentives, job reservations, and technical support to promising sportspersons to nurture their growth.

India's right-hander Rohit Sharma has etched his name into the record books by becoming the world's No. 1 ranked ODI batter for the first time in his illustrious career. The former India captain reached the summit of the latest ICC Men's ODI Batter Rankings on Wednesday (29 October), becoming the oldest cricketer to achieve the feat at 38 years and 182 days.

Rohit climbed two places to displace current India skipper Shubman Gill, rising to the top on the back of his unbeaten century in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he led India to a dominant nine-wicket victory. The Mumbai-born opener was in sublime touch alongside Virat Kohli (74*), striking 13 fours and three towering sixes on his way to his 33rd ODI hundred.

Rohit's return to the top comes on the back of a superb run of form in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, where he amassed 202 runs in three matches at an astonishing average of 101. His unbeaten century in the series decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground not only sealed India's series victory but also reaffirmed his status as one of the most reliable and destructive openers in world cricket. The veteran was deservedly named Player of the Series.

The legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel lives on in the names of streets, public buildings and institutions across India. Today marks the 150th birth anniversary of Patel, a freedom fighter who also served as the country's first deputy prime minister and the home minister.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, is observed annually on October 31 to commemorate his birth in 1875 at Karamsad in today's Gujarat.

The nationalist leader, fondly known as the 'Iron Man of India', died on December 15, 1950, and soon after his demise, a number of public places, parks and streets in various cities were named or rechristened in his honour.

Dictionary.com announced that its 2025 Word of the Year was “67” — pronounced “six-seven” — a slang term widely used by Gen Alpha. The decision quickly drew mixed reactions across social media, leaving many older users confused about how a number had come to represent a word.

The website said that “67” had grown into a popular phrase across TikTok, memes and school conversations in the past year. The expression, now common among younger users, was said to have originated from the track "Doot Doot (6 7)" by the artist Skrilla. Its use expanded after a series of viral posts linked to basketball culture and a child now nicknamed “the 67 Kid,” helping it spread widely.

Dictionary.com noted that within weeks of the trend taking off, teachers were already discussing online how to stop students from using the phrase throughout the day.

The Ministry of Coal is set to launch the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions on October 29 in New Delhi, marking another step towards enhancing transparency and self-reliance in India’s coal sector. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy will preside over the event as the chief guest.

The commercial coal mine auction initiative, introduced in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has attracted wide industry participation over the years. It has played a key role in boosting domestic coal production, ensuring reliable supply for industries, and reducing import dependence.

According to the Ministry, the 14th round will offer a new set of fully explored and partially explored blocks, inviting bids from both established players and new entrants. The mines will be auctioned under liberal terms designed to promote ease of doing business, attract investment, and strengthen competition.

The world’s first universal legislative framework to combat cybercrime has moved a step closer to become legally binding after at least 72 of the 193 member states signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Saturday, October 25.

The 41-page UN cybercrime treaty proposes a legislative framework to boost international cooperation among law enforcement agencies and offer technical assistance to countries that lack adequate infrastructure for combating cybercrime. It also contains provisions addressing illegal interception, money laundering, hacking, and online child sexual abuse material.

James Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, has received his knighthood from Princess Anne during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Anderson, 43, was named in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list in April for services to cricket, having brought the curtain down on his 21-year, 188-Test career at Lord's in July 2024.

He finished with 704 Test wickets, the most ever taken by a pace bowler, and behind only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708). He claimed a further 269 in ODIs - still an England record, despite playing his last white-ball match in 2015.

After his international retirement, Anderson continued to play for his county Lancashire during the 2025 season, and excelled on his return to T20 cricket after a decade-long absence, as he helped take his club to Finals Day at Edgbaston.