The South Indian film industry is in mourning following the passing of veteran actor Harish Rai, celebrated for his iconic roles in the ‘KGF’ series and the film ‘Om’. Rai, who had been battling cancer, breathed his last on November 6, 2025. Known for his portrayal of Khasim chacha in the blockbuster ‘KGF’ franchise, Rai was a stalwart of Kannada cinema, with a career spanning decades and contributions to Tamil and Telugu films as well. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed the news on his X account, expressing deep sorrow and paying tribute to the actor’s legacy. Shivakumar described Rai’s death as a significant loss to the industry, highlighting his memorable performances in films like ‘Hello Yama’, ‘KGF’, and ‘KGF 2’. Rai’s versatility and talent earned him widespread acclaim, making him a beloved figure in South Indian cinema. Beyond his iconic roles, he appeared in numerous popular Kannada films, including ‘Samara’, ‘Bangalore Underworld’, ‘Jodihakki’, and ‘Sanju Weds Geetha’. The film fraternity and fans alike have expressed their condolences, remembering Rai for his remarkable contributions to the art of storytelling. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
作者: admin
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Weekly quiz: Which supermodel turned her husband to stone for Halloween?
This week witnessed a series of notable events across the globe. In Georgia, Bella Culley, a pregnant British teenager, was released from prison, marking a significant moment in her life. Meanwhile, in Thailand, the Miss Universe competition experienced an unexpected walkout, adding drama to the prestigious event. On a more celebratory note, David Beckham was knighted by King Charles, a recognition of his contributions to sports and philanthropy. These events, though diverse, highlight the dynamic nature of global news. As we reflect on the past seven days, it’s essential to stay informed about the broader happenings that shape our world. For those keen on testing their knowledge, quizzes curated by Ben Fell offer an engaging way to recall and learn about recent events.
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Bolivia’s former interim president Jeanine Áñez freed from prison after Supreme Court ruling
LA PAZ, Bolivia — In a landmark decision, Bolivia’s Supreme Court of Justice annulled the 10-year prison sentence of former interim president Jeanine Áñez, leading to her release from Miraflores women’s prison on Thursday. Áñez, who had been incarcerated for over four years, expressed profound relief as she emerged, waving a Bolivian flag and greeted by jubilant supporters chanting, “Yes, we could.”
Áñez’s imprisonment stemmed from her controversial assumption of the presidency in 2019, following the resignation of then-president Evo Morales amid widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud. The 2019 crisis, which resulted in 37 deaths, was marked by accusations that Morales had secured an unconstitutional fourth term, as denounced by the Organization of American States.
The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasized that Áñez’s actions were driven by a “state of constitutional necessity” aimed at preserving Bolivia’s institutional stability. This decision effectively closed the debate over whether her ascension constituted a coup, as claimed by Morales’ supporters.
The timing of the ruling is significant, coming just three days before the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Paz, whose historic victory on October 19 ended nearly two decades of political dominance by Morales’ leftist Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. Paz extended an invitation to Áñez to attend his inauguration, with her daughter indicating she might accept.
Áñez, who has faced multiple accusations but no pending cases in ordinary courts, has seen two other convictions annulled in August related to the deaths of 20 protesters during the 2019 crisis. Following the latest presidential elections, the court also reviewed the pretrial detention of Áñez and two other opposition leaders, releasing them from prison and placing them under house arrest.
“The monster had to go for it to be acknowledged that there was not a coup in this country, but rather an electoral fraud,” Áñez declared, reaffirming her commitment to serving Bolivia during its time of need.
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Uproar in France over Shein platform, calls for EU to sanction the e-commerce giant
France has escalated its concerns regarding the Chinese-founded e-commerce giant Shein, calling on the European Union to impose sanctions following a scandal involving the sale of childlike sex dolls on its French platform. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘The European Commission must take action. It can no longer wait.’ He highlighted that the Commission has already conducted investigations and must now enforce appropriate measures.
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UAE shifts from traditional to smart manufacturing with AI, semiconductors focus
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is undergoing a transformative industrial shift, transitioning from traditional manufacturing to cutting-edge, technology-driven sectors. This strategic pivot, unveiled at the seventh UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, underscores the nation’s commitment to renewable energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) components, and electric vehicles. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, articulated this vision, emphasizing the integration of the UAE’s existing strengths in petrochemicals, aluminum, and steel with emerging high-tech industries. Since the establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in 2020, the industrial sector has seen a 62% surge in GDP contribution, reaching $120 billion, and a 68% increase in industrial exports, totaling $197 billion. A cornerstone of this success is the National In-Country Value (ICV) program, which redirected Dh210 billion into the national economy in 2024, fostering Emiratisation and supporting key sectors like energy, healthcare, and aviation. The ‘Made in the UAE’ initiative has further galvanized local manufacturing, identifying 4,800 products worth Dh168 billion for domestic production. The UAE’s global competitiveness has also been bolstered, with significant advancements in the Competitive Industrial Performance Index and the Quality Infrastructure Index. Dr. Al Jaber highlighted the shift towards smart manufacturing, leveraging AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to enhance production efficiency and global competitiveness.
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Philippines declares state of emergency, prepares for potential super typhoon
The Philippines has declared a state of emergency as the nation braces for the potential impact of a super typhoon, following the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the emergency measures on Thursday, November 6, 2025, after Kalmaegi claimed at least 114 lives and left hundreds missing in central provinces. The majority of fatalities resulted from flash floods, with Cebu province being the hardest hit. The typhoon, which exited the archipelago into the South China Sea on Wednesday, displaced over 560,000 people, with nearly 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. Meanwhile, another storm, Fung-wong, currently classified as a tropical storm, is forecasted to intensify into a super typhoon by Saturday, November 9. This comes less than two months after Super Typhoon Ragasa wreaked havoc across the region. Authorities are on high alert, urging residents to prepare for the impending disaster.
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Greek coastguard chief to be prosecuted over deadly migrant shipwreck
Four high-ranking officials from the Greek Coast Guard, including its current commander, Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas, are set to face criminal prosecution for negligent manslaughter in connection with the tragic sinking of the migrant vessel Adriana in 2023. The fishing boat, carrying approximately 650 people, capsized off the coast of Pylos, Greece, after a failed attempt by the coastguard to tow it. Survivors reported that the vessel sank due to the coastguard’s mishandling of the operation. The disaster, which occurred in June 2023, has been a subject of intense scrutiny and legal battles. Earlier this year, prosecutors at the maritime court in Piraeus recommended charges against 17 members of the coastguard, including the captain of the coastguard ship and the then-head of the coastguard, Vice Admiral Giorgos Alexandrakis. However, Vice Admiral Kontizas and three other senior officers were initially cleared of blame. This decision was later challenged by lawyers representing survivors and victims’ families. The charges now include manslaughter by negligence, exposure to danger, and failure to fulfill legal obligations to rescue. Although only 82 bodies were recovered, it is believed that hundreds more perished in the incident. Greece has consistently denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing its commitment to human rights and its record of rescuing over 250,000 people at sea in the past decade.
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UAE identifies top reasons for traffic jams, plans new systems to curb congestion
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking decisive steps to address its growing traffic congestion challenges, driven by a surge in private vehicle ownership and peak-hour bottlenecks. Speaking at the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that vehicle numbers on UAE roads are increasing at an annual rate of over eight percent—far exceeding the global average of two percent. This trend, coupled with overlapping school and work hours, has placed significant strain on the nation’s road networks, particularly between Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Commuters in these areas reportedly lose up to 460 hours annually to traffic delays, equivalent to 60 working days. To combat this, the UAE is implementing a multi-faceted strategy that includes road expansions, enhanced public transport integration, updated policies, and advanced smart-mobility technologies. A 24-hour integrated traffic-monitoring center is already analyzing congestion patterns and proposing targeted solutions. Additionally, the Dh50-billion UAE Railway Programme, set to launch passenger services by 2026, aims to strengthen connectivity between cities and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Officials believe these measures will ensure the UAE remains ahead of rising transport infrastructure demands as its population and economic activity continue to grow.
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Boeing criminal case linked to deadly 737 crashes dropped
Boeing has successfully avoided a criminal charge in the United States related to two fatal 737 Max crashes, following a court decision to dismiss the case. The ruling, issued by Judge Reed O’Connor, came in response to a request from the U.S. government to drop the charge. While Judge O’Connor expressed personal disagreement with the decision, stating that it did not align with the public interest, he acknowledged that his concerns were insufficient to override the government’s proposal. This outcome represents a significant victory for Boeing, which had faced renewed legal scrutiny after the government accused it of violating a prior settlement tied to the crashes. The dismissal, however, was met with opposition from families of the victims, who sought to hold Boeing accountable through a trial. Attorney Paul Cassell, representing some of the families, announced plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing the need to address perceived injustices. In his decision, Judge O’Connor criticized the government’s rationale for avoiding a trial as ‘unserious’ and expressed doubts about the new agreement’s ability to ensure public safety. Nonetheless, he deferred to the government’s presumed ‘good faith’ in the matter. The Department of Justice (DOJ) defended the agreement, highlighting extensive consultations with victims’ families and asserting that the resolution provides closure and immediate action from Boeing. Boeing, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement and ongoing efforts to enhance safety and compliance. The case stems from two catastrophic 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives. Boeing had previously admitted to criminal fraud conspiracy charges in 2021, paying $2.5 billion in fines and compensation while pledging to improve safety standards. The case was reopened in 2023 following another incident involving a 737 Max, leading to accusations of breaching the original settlement. Under a new proposal in 2024, Boeing agreed to plead guilty, pay an additional $243 million fine, and accept court oversight. However, Judge O’Connor rejected this deal in December 2023, citing concerns over the selection of the monitor. The latest settlement, which dropped the criminal charge, requires Boeing to hire an independent compliance consultant and commit $1.1 billion, including penalties and compensation to victims’ families. Prosecutors justified the dismissal by citing Boeing’s ‘meaningful progress’ in anti-fraud and conspiracy programs.
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Newly launched intl alliance to safeguard plant biosafety, food security
In a significant step toward global agricultural sustainability, the BRI International Alliance of Science and Technology Innovation in Plant Protection was officially launched during the 2nd International Symposium on Plant Biosafety in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The event, held from November 2 to 6, brought together over 250 experts and scholars from 18 countries and more than 40 domestic institutions. The alliance, a collaborative effort between the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences’ Institute of Plant Protection and the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), aims to strengthen international cooperation in plant health and food security. Sun Tan, vice-president of the academy, emphasized the critical role of plant biosafety in addressing global food security and sustainable agricultural development. He highlighted that plant pests and diseases cause annual yield losses of 20 to 40 percent, resulting in over $220 billion in economic damage worldwide. The academy pledged to enhance international collaboration in biosafety research, improve cooperation mechanisms, and promote joint innovation platforms. Daniel Elger, CEO of CABI, underscored the fruitful partnership between China and CABI over the past three decades, expressing commitment to deepening collaboration for the global sharing and application of plant biosafety management technologies. The symposium also facilitated discussions on pest and disease outbreak patterns, integrated pest management, and innovative biosafety governance approaches.
