Morning Digest: Holiday for schools, colleges in several districts of T.N., A.P. due to Cyclone Murasu; Rahul Gandhi says CEC Gyanesh Kumar will go to jail, and more

Cyclone Murasu: Orange alert in six Telangana districts, yellow alert in five; holiday announced for schools, colleges in T.N., A.P. districtsA deep depression over the Bay of Bengal on Sunday (November 1, 2026) intensified into a cyclone named “Murasu”, which means war drum. The latest storm is set to make landfall on the morning of November 3 between Nellore and Narsapur in Andhra Pradesh, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting to 120 kmph, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Chennai and Tiruvallur District Collectors have announced that schools and colleges in the districts will be closed on Monday (November 2, 2026) due a heavy rains. An orange alert was announced in six Telangana districts and a yellow alert in five districts in Telangana for Monday.Gyanesh Kumar will go to jail: Rahul Gandhi Accusing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of committing “treason” by stealing the voice of citizens, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said Mr. Kumar would be removed from office and would go to jail. Mr. Gandhi was speaking at the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan, which saw participation from across the country, with crowds spilling beyond the ground’s boundaries and marching with drums and waving flags.CJI to HCs: Why make litigants rush to Supreme Court for early hearingsChief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday (November 1, 2026) flagged a “growing tendency” among litigants to approach the Supreme Court with requests to speed up justice delivery in State High Courtsn. “We are witnessing a growing tendency of litigants approaching the Supreme Court requesting directions for urgent listing or early hearing of matters pending before the High Courts,” Chief Justice Kant said in an address at the Kerala High Court.BJP alleges rift between Rahul, Priyanka; accuses LoP of sidelining sister at INDIA bloc protestsThe BJP on Sunday (November 1, 2026) claimed the Congress has split into two camps led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and that she was not “allowed” to speak at the two INDIA bloc protests as the Leader of Opposition feared getting sidelined by his sister.India plans next-generation stealth destroyers to counter growing maritime threatsThe government has given a major push to the Indian Navy’s next-generation destroyer programme amid the growing maritime security challenges posed by China and Pakistan, both of which are strengthening their own underwater warfare capabilities. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has recently accorded in-principle approval to the futuristic warships under Project 18A.Canada PM Carney says he had good conversation with Trump on tradeCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said ​on Sunday (November 1, 2026) he had a ‌good conversation with U.S. President Donald ​Trump on the ⁠future of trade between the two countries, which have been embroiled in ‌a trade war. Mr. Carney said on the social ‌media site X that ‌their ⁠exchange “builds on recent constructive ⁠discussions on the outlines of a mutually beneficial trade deal” that would create ​jobs, improve affordability, ‌and fully respect Canada’s languages, culture, and sovereignty.Bulgarian President wins runoff election: exit pollsBulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova, who favours dialogue with Moscow and opposes military aid to Ukraine, won a presidential runoff vote on Sunday (November 1, 2026), exit polls showed. The vote took place amid security concerns in the EU and NATO member states following a series of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea.Israel elections chief says inquiry into irregularities will not undermine resultThe head of Israel’s Central Elections Committee said on Sunday (November 1, 2026) that an ongoing investigation into alleged foreign funding in the country’s recent vote would not call into question its result, noting that so far “suspicions remain suspicions”.Asian Champions Trophy: Harmanpreet’s hat-trick helps India down MalaysiaIt was expected to be India’s toughest test of the tournament and the match between the two highest-ranked sides in the competition lived up to its billing. Malaysia tested the host before India prevailed 4-2 to remain the only unbeaten side at the Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar on Sunday (November 1, 2026).Samajwadi Party’s Azam Khan sent to 14-day judicial custody Veteran Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan was arrested and remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ghaziabad on Sunday (November 1, 2026). The ED had initiated an investigation based on 26 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the U.P. Police at the Azeem Nagar police station, Rampur, in July 2019, against Mr. Khan and others, under Sections 323, 342, 384, 447, 504 and 506 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, 1860.Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express flagged off by Railway MinisterRailway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday (November 1) flagged off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, introducing a new overnight rail service connecting two of the country’s major economic centres. The new service will connect Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), Bengaluru, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, passing through important stations in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.Andhra Pradesh civic polls largely peaceful; Jagan demands repoll in Pulivendula after clashesElections to 13 municipal corporations and 79 municipalities and nagar panchayats in Andhra Pradesh ended at 5 p.m. on Sunday without major law and order problems, barring incidents of stone-pelting by cadres of the TDP and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the torching of several vehicles in Pulivendula. The overall polling percentage across the urban local bodies stood at 60.36 at 5 p.m., according to information furnished by the State Election Commission (SEC), compared with 63.30 in the 2021 elections.