• China has successfully launched the Shenzhou-21 mission to its Tiangong Space Station, marking another major milestone in the country’s expanding space programme. The mission, which lifted off on October 31, 2025, carries a three-member crew and, for the first time, laboratory mice to conduct biological experiments in space.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced simplified rules for updating Aadhaar details, effective November 1, 2025, to make the process faster, paperless, and more user-friendly. The new system allows most demographic updates — such as name, date of birth, gender, address, and mobile number — to be done online through the myAadhaar portal, reducing the need for in-person visits to Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs).

• The Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL), a unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has achieved a major technological breakthrough with the development of 28MnB5 grade manganese-boron steel — the first of its kind within SAIL. The new grade is tailored for agricultural machinery and wear-resistant applications, representing an important step toward India’s industrial and agricultural self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

• The 2025 FIDE World Chess Cup opened in Goa on Friday, marking a proud moment for Indian chess as the prestigious Viswanathan Anand Trophy was unveiled in honour of India’s first Grandmaster and five-time world champion. The event brings together 206 players from 80 countries, with the top three finishers earning spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the final qualifier for the World Chess Championship.

• The Madras High Court has ordered an interim suspension of construction work on the Rs 2,000-crore Brigade Morgan Heights housing project near the Pallikaranai Marsh, one of Tamil Nadu’s most critical wetlands and a Ramsar-designated site. The decision came after a public interest litigation (PIL) raised concerns about ecological damage, flooding risks, and possible violations of environmental protection laws.