1 Nauradehi Sanctuary to become the third home of cheetahs in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh ‘s Nauradehi Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the state after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary . Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia, Africa and released in it . Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that Nauradehi Sanctuary will become the third home for cheetahs in the state after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. He said that cheetahs will be brought from Namibia, Africa and released in Nauradehi Sanctuary. Asiatic cheetahs became extinct in India in 1952 due to hunting and habitat loss. The Government of India launched Project Cheetah on September 17, 2022, under which African cheetahs were reintroduced from Namibia to Kuno National Park (2022) and later to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (2024).
2 Integrated Sohra Circuit under PM-DIVINE Scheme
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, laid the foundation stone of the Integrated Sohra Circuit Development Project under the Prime Minister ‘s Initiative for Development of North Eastern Region (PM-DIVINE) scheme and launched donor projects worth ₹233 crore in Meghalaya . The Integrated Sohra Circuit, developed by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and the Government of Meghalaya , aims to transform Sohra into a sustainable, multi-day tourism destination that boosts local livelihoods. With a total investment of over ₹650 crore, including ₹221 crore from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the project aims to transform Sohra into a multi-day experiential tourism destination based on sustainability and local livelihoods. The Sohra Experience Centre, being developed at Kutmadn with an investment of ₹115 crore, will be the cultural hub of the circuit, showcasing Meghalaya’s diverse tribal heritage through an amphitheater, rain experience park, art galleries, and craft pavilions. The ancillary projects include the Nohkalikai Falls complex (Rs 26 crore), Mavsai Eco Park (Rs 29 crore), Seven Sisters Falls Viewpoint, Shella Riverside Development and Vahkaliar Valley with adventure tourism facilities like hot-air balloon rides.
3 Indian Navy to commission ‘Ikshak’, marking a new chapter in indigenous hydrographic excellence
A new chapter of excellence is about to begin in the Indian Navy . This chapter will begin with the commissioning of the Navy’s newest and most modern ship, ” Ikshak .” The indigenous survey vessel, “Ikshak,” will be commissioned into the Navy on November 6th . This naval vessel was built by Kolkata- based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited. The name “Ikshak” means “guide” in Sanskrit. This title reflects the ship’s role as a symbol of precision, purpose, and guidance. This ship is specially designed to conduct comprehensive coastal and deep-sea surveys in ports, coasts, and navigation channels. The data obtained from these surveys will not only ensure safe navigation at sea but also strengthen India’s maritime security and strategic infrastructure. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic and oceanographic equipment, including a high-resolution multi-beam echo sounder, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and four survey motor boats (SMBs). Naval Ship ‘Ikshak’ adds unprecedented versatility and technological capability to the Indian Navy’s hydrographic fleet.
4 Maharashtra government signs an agreement with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd
Maharashtra has become the first state in India to sign an agreement with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd. to provide satellite-based internet services to government institutions and rural areas . Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present on the occasion. Mr. Fadnavis said this will help bridge the last digital divide by connecting villages, schools, and healthcare in remote areas.
5 Maldives introduces world’s first generational smoking ban law
The Maldives has implemented a generational smoking ban , prohibiting anyone born after January 1, 2007, from buying, using, or selling any form of tobacco . Effective November 1, 2025, this policy makes the Indian Ocean island nation the first and only country to implement such a law , representing a revolutionary step toward public health protection and the well-being of youth. The law covers all types of tobacco products and applies to both citizens and tourists in the Maldives, renowned for its luxurious island resorts . Retailers must verify age before sale; failure to do so could result in a fine of 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (about $3,200). It also applies to tourists visiting the nation of 1,191 small coral islands stretching approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the equator, known for its luxury tourism.
6 India ranked 86th in the WJP Rule of Law Index 2025
According to the WJP Rule of Law Index 2025 , the rule of law has declined globally, and improvements in recent years are rapidly reversing. India has dropped six places to 86th , with an overall score of 0.49, representing a decline of -1.7 percent in 2025. Denmark ranks first , followed by Norway in second , and Finland and Sweden round out the top four . In contrast, Venezuela remains at 143rd and Afghanistan at 142nd, while Russia is at 119th and Sudan at 137th. The report further states that the rule of law will decline in 68 percent of countries in 2025, up from 57 percent last year. This decline is due to increased authoritarian tendencies and a significant reduction in restrictions on government power. Published annually since 2009, the index is used by governments, multilateral organizations, businesses, academia, the media, and civil society organizations. The index is based on original, independent data from surveys of more than 149,000 people and 3,400 legal experts in 143 countries and jurisdictions.
7 Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani becomes New York’s first Muslim mayor
Indian – origin Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday won a historic victory in the New York City mayoral election. Defeating independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani became the city’s first Muslim mayor. Mamdani will assume office on January 1, 2026, to lead America’s largest metropolis. Zohran Mamdani is the son of Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and renowned Indian filmmaker Mira Nair. He was born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda. Zohran’s childhood was spent in Uganda, South Africa, and finally New York City.
8 USA: Abigail Spanberger of the Democratic Party became the first female governor of Virginia.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger has officially won the Virginia gubernatorial election, becoming the state’s first female governor after a close race against Republican Winsome Earle – Sears .
9 Indian-American Ghazala Hashmi creates history by becoming Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Indian-American Ghazala Hashmi has created history by becoming the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia . She has become the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the post. Ghazala, a 61-year-old Democrat, defeated Republican John Reed. Born in 1964, Ms. Hashmi spent her early years in Malakpet, Hyderabad. She moved to the United States at the age of four, where her father was a teacher at a university in Georgia.
10 Two-day Green Hydrogen International Conference 2025 to be held in Delhi on November 10-11
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will organize the International Conference on Green Hydrogen-2025 in New Delhi on November 11 and 12. The conference aims to disseminate knowledge on practical ways to scale up green hydrogen production, enable infrastructure, create demand, and encourage global collaboration.
11 Ten-day cultural festival ‘Kartik Naach’ concludes in Nepal on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.
Kartik Naach, a ten-day cultural festival, concluded at Patan Durbar Square in Pal on the occasion of Kartik Purnima . A large crowd of devotees, locals, and tourists gathered to witness this annual performance for more than three centuries. Kartik Naach is performed by local artists who have inherited the art for generations.
12 Eight cheetahs will arrive from Botswana next month.
India is preparing to bring eight more cheetahs from Botswana by the third week of December 2025. This move advances India’s ambitious initiative under ” Project Cheetah,” which aims to restore cheetahs to habitats where the species was declared extinct in 1952. The selected cheetahs are currently quarantined in Botswana and will be brought to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh , where they will be monitored for a period before being released into the wild. Project Cheetah aims to ensure the return of cheetahs to India’s grassland ecosystems. It is the world’s first intercontinental large carnivore reintroduction effort, involving partnerships with African countries such as Namibia and South Africa. So far, cheetahs have been brought to India from Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023). Currently, 27 cheetahs are in India, of which 16 are locally born. Leopards have been reintroduced in Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
13 DST-supported startups under NQM demonstrate 500 km quantum-safe network
One of the eight startups supported under the Department of Science and Technology ‘s (DST) National Quantum Mission (NQM) has successfully demonstrated India’s first widespread quantum key distribution (QKD) network, spanning over 500 kilometers . This is a major achievement for QNU Labs Pvt. Ltd. , a Bengaluru -based quantum technology company. It represents a significant milestone in quantum-secure communications, involving a network deployed over existing optical fiber infrastructure. The demonstration of the QKD network, spanning over 500 kilometers, was formally announced yesterday during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conference (ESTIC 2025). The Indian Army and its Southern Command made significant contributions to the capability demonstration. The test-bed optical fiber network to enable this QKD test was specifically planned and engineered by Southern Command Signals. This achievement is a significant milestone in the advancement of quantum-secure communications in India and directly contributes to the realization of the objectives of the National Quantum Mission. This initiative exemplifies the synergy of the Technology, Research, Industry and Defence Ecosystem (STRIDE) in fostering collaboration in key areas to strengthen the country’s technological capabilities. The QSIP (Quantum Random Number Generator System in Package) by the same startup, QNU Labs, was presented to the Hon’ble Prime Minister by the Hon’ble Union Minister during his inaugural address at ESTIC 2025. This technology provides India with quantum-proof randomness, which is used in cryptographic algorithms, providing the strongest protection against current cyber threats and future quantum attacks.
14 Charles Coste, the world’s oldest Olympic gold medalist, dies at the age of 101
Charles Coste, France ‘s legendary Olympic cyclist and the world’s oldest living Olympic gold medalist, has died at the age of 101. He died on Thursday, according to French media, on November 3, 2025. With him, an era ends—a life deeply intertwined with the spirit of Olympic and cycling history. From winning gold in 1948 to carrying the torch at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Coste embodied French sporting spirit and Olympic ideals for more than seven decades. At the 1948 London Olympics, Charles Coste won the gold medal in the Team Pursuit event of track cycling . He, along with Pierre Adam, Serge Blüsson, and Fernand Decanéli, led post-war France to a historic victory.