INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Lahore Declared the World’s Most Polluted City
• Lahore topped the global pollution chart with a hazardous AQI of 312, surpassing Delhi (220) and Kolkata (170) on 28 October.
• The city’s PM2.5 concentration reached 190.5 µg/m³, which is over 25 times higher than the WHO’s safety limit.
• WHO’s 2021 standards recommend annual PM2.5 levels below 5 µg/m³ and a daily average under 15 µg/m³.
• At some points in late October, Lahore’s AQI spiked to 412, indicating extremely toxic air conditions.
• IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring firm, reported the data and highlighted the rising health threat.
• The provincial government has begun using artificial rain, smog guns, and sprinklers to control dust and pollutants.
• Such intense pollution levels raise serious respiratory and heart-related health risks for Lahore’s residents.
STATE NEWS
69th National School Games 2025 Kicks Off in Itanagar
• Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the 69th National School Games 2025 at the Khelo India Indoor Stadium in Itanagar.
• The event features U-17 boys and girls boxing competitions, highlighting young sporting talent.
• Arunachal Pradesh is hosting the National School Games for the first time in its history.
• This edition marks a historic moment in the 71-year journey of the School Games Federation of India.
• CM Khandu appreciated the state’s growth in grassroots sports since joining the federation in 2008–09.
• The Chief Minister said the event reflects the state’s commitment to nurturing school-level athletes.
• Hosting the games supports Arunachal’s goal of becoming a major sports hub in the Northeast.
ECONOMY NEWS
India’s Industrial Output Rises 4% in September 2025
• India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a 4% rise in September 2025, driven mainly by manufacturing growth.
• The manufacturing sector expanded 4.8%, while electricity output rose 3.1% and mining slipped 0.4%.
• August’s IIP growth was revised upward to 4.1%, showing stronger momentum than initially reported.
• Infrastructure goods led the surge with a 10.5% rise, reflecting robust construction activity.
• Consumer durables output jumped 10.2%, indicating a sharp rebound in household demand.
• Capital and intermediate goods posted steady gains of 4.7% and 5.3%, signalling investment stability.
• Primary goods saw a mild 1.4% rise, while non-durable goods output dipped 2.9%, hinting at softer consumption.
SPORTS
Smriti Mandhana Tops ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings
• Smriti Mandhana has claimed the World No. 1 spot in ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings with 828 rating points.
• She leads the chart by nearly 100 points ahead of Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, who ranks second.
• Mandhana’s strong performances at the Women’s World Cup 2025, including a century against New Zealand and an unbeaten 34 versus Bangladesh, boosted her rise.
• She was recently honoured as the ICC Women’s Player of the Month (September 2025) for her consistent form.
• Her opening partner Pratika Rawal moved up to 27th place before being sidelined due to injury.
• In bowling, England’s Sophie Ecclestone continues to hold the top position with 747 points.
• Australia’s Alana King climbed to second place, while Ashleigh Gardner slipped to third in the bowling list.
Sujeet Kalkal Wins Gold at U-23 World Wrestling Championships 2025
• Sujeet Kalkal claimed his first-ever world title by winning gold in the men’s freestyle 65 kg category.
• He dominated the final bout, defeating Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov with a 10-0 victory.
• This achievement adds to his record of one U-20 Asian gold and two U-23 Asian titles.
• The 2025 U-23 World Wrestling Championships took place in Novi Sad, Serbia.
• Sujeet’s win marked India’s only medal in the men’s division at this year’s championship.
• The Indian women’s team performed strongly, earning 2 silver and 5 bronze medals.
• With these wins, the women’s squad also lifted the team championship title, showcasing India’s growing strength in wrestling.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
Nagaland to Host 22nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference
• Nagaland will host the 22nd Annual CPA India Region Zone-III Conference from 9 to 13 November 2025 at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
• The event’s theme, “Policy, Progress & People: Legislatures as Catalysts of Change,” highlights the role of lawmakers in driving transformation.
• The conference will unite eight northeastern states to discuss regional issues, policy priorities, and developmental strategies.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will serve as the Chief Patron, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be the Vice Patron.
• The event will feature plenary sessions, expert panels, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural showcases.
• Discussions will focus on legislative innovation, procedural reforms, transparency, and inclusive governance.
• Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, Chair of CPA Zone-III, has extended invitations to all northeastern presiding officers to strengthen regional cooperation.
