How mangroves in Odisha, India likely reduced Cyclone Dana’s impact 

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Cyclone Dana, which made landfall close to Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha at 3.30 am on Friday, did not cause significant damage as many had feared. Although efforts by state authorities helped limit the devastation — for instance, Odisha evacuated one million people to cyclone shelters — there was one non-human factor that also played a crucial role. It was the rich mangrove forest cover of Bhitarkanika.

What are mangroves?

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs typical of estuarine and intertidal regions, meaning they grow in areas where freshwater and saltwater meet. Mangroves typically have aerial, breathing roots and waxy, succulent leaves, and are flowering plants. The Sundarbans (spread across India and Bangladesh) is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world. Mangrove seedlings called propagules germinate on the parent tree before falling into the waters and growing into a mangrove tree again.

Red mangrove, Avicennia marina, grey mangrove, rhizophora etc. are some common mangrove trees. Abundant in swampy and marshy areas, mangroves represent a littoral forest ecosystem, which means they thrive in saline or brackish waters in coastal regions.

In India, many locations boast of mangroves. The Godavari Krishna delta in Andhra Pradesh, Bhitarkanika in Odisha, mangrove forests in Andamans, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, etc., are some examples.

How do mangroves protect against cyclones?

When cyclones strike, mangrove forests act as a barrier against storm surges — a change in sea level caused by a storm, usually leading to large waves — by obstructing the water flow with their roots, husks, and leaves, according to a report published by the World Bank Group.

A different report by the group revealed that some of the mangrove species such as Sonneratia apetala “reduced the surge height from 4 cm to 16.5 cm with 50 m to 2 km wide mangrove strips, and reduced the water flow velocity from 29% to 92% with 50 m or 100 m wide mangrove forests”.

When mangroves are combined with built infrastructure, the impact of a cyclone can further be reduced. For instance, planting mangroves in front of an embankment can decrease water flow velocity, the report said.

What vast is Bhitarkanika’s mangrove forest cover?

Currently, Odisha has a reserve of a mangrove forest area of 231 square kilometres with a major chunk lying in Bhitarkanika. It stands second only to Sundarbans in West Bengal. Besides Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara, the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Puri are also home to mangroves, otherwise known as coastal woodland.

While 82 sq km area in Bhitarkanika is densely mangrove-infested, 95 sq km area has moderate mangrove forest. The coastal patches spread across 672 sq km were declared the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in 1975. The core area of the sanctuary, with an area of 145 km, got the National Park tag in September 1998.

The park has withstood the onslaught of several cyclones in the past including the Super Cyclone, which took place in October 1999.

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Michelle Obama endorses Kamala Harris in fiery speech at Michigan rally, ‘We need a grown-up in the White House’

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Michelle Obama endorsed Kamala Harris while speaking at a rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Saturday evening, October 26, saying “we need a grown-up in the White House.” Michelle’s appearance at the rally was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances at the vice president’s rallies, including Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland.

‘Kamala Harris will honor your commitment to the ideals we all share’

At the recent rally, Michelle said Harris is held to a higher standard than former president Donald Trump. "We are holding Kamala to a higher standard than her opponent. We expect her to be intelligent and articulate and to prove time and time again,” she said. "But with Trump, we expect nothing at all. No understanding of policy. No ability to put together a coherant argument. Instead, too many people are willing to write off his mean-spirited antics.”

Michelle added, "I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little frustrated if we ignore Trump's incompetence while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every stage."

Michelle also blasted Trump for how he has behaved on the campaign trail so far. "His erratic behavior, his obvious mental decline, his history as a convicted felon, a predator found liable for sexual abuse. So I am praying that we consider the decades of sacrifice and struggle by all of our ancestors,” she said.

"We have to ask ourselves 'is a vote for Trump or no vote at all how we honor their lives?' That surely doesn't sound like freedom to me,” she continued. 

She added, "I hope you will forgive me if I am worried we will blow this opportunity to turn the page on this ugliness for once and for all. He will not think about you once he gets into the Oval Office and that will have consequences for all of us. Kamala Harris will honor your commitment to the ideals we all share."

Israel says it eliminated 3 top Hezbollah commanders in southern Lebanon

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Israel on Sunday said it eliminated three commanders of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.“The Commander of Hezbollah’s Bint Jbeil Area, Ahmed Jafar Maatouk, was eliminated in an IAF strike. A day later, the IAF also eliminated his successor and Hezbollah's head of artillery in the Bint Jbeil area,” the Israel Defence Forces said in an X post.

“These three terrorists directed and carried out numerous terrorist attacks from the Bint Jbeil area including launching anti-tank missiles toward Israeli civilians and IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon,” the IDF added.

Israel continues to pound Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

Israel on Sunday bombarded Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, a day after its airstrikes on Iran. According to an AFP report, the Israeli military said it killed 70 Hezbollah fighters and struck 120 targets in southern Lebanon and carried out "precision strikes" on weapons factories and storage facilities in the Iran-backed group's southern Beirut stronghold over the past day.

Smoke hung over the suburbs of Beirut after overnight strikes, which came after the Israeli military issued new evacuation warnings.

The Lebanese news agency reported bombing in the southern cities of Tyre and Nabatiyeh.

The war has left at least 1,615 people dead in Lebanon since September 23, according to an AFP tally based on official figures, though the real number is likely to be higher due to gaps in the data.

Th Israeli military said four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, bringing to 36 the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the start of ground operations on September 30.

In another development, Hezbollah said it fired rockets at a military base in northern Israel, a day after it declared several areas in the region a "legitimate target" due to the presence of Israeli troops.

The Iran-backed group said it targeted a "military industries base north of Haifa... with a large rocket salvo", after it issued an evacuation warning on Saturday for large swathes of northern Israel.

Ideas To Make Money Online Using AI In 2024

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Ever wondered how some freelancers are able to make money online and make it appear effortless, while you're struggling to acquire clients or consistently grow your side hustle?

It can be extremely frustrating, spending hours and sleepless nights working on your passion project, only to receive little response or engagement, resulting in you not having a steady stream of income to supplement your job. After all, you started your side hustle or freelancing endeavor because you're passionate about what you do and desire financial freedom—but what's the point if you're sacrificing your wellbeing and gaining little positive results in the process?

In 2024 there has been a steady rise in the number of full-time and part-time freelancers, with one study by MBO Partners noting that one in five are making $100,000 or more, and that part-time freelancers (or those running a side hustle) comprise the greatest number of independent workers.

What's equally fascinating is that AI (artificial intelligence) undoubtedly is a strong factor that is influencing the influx of professionals entering the freelance workforce.

The MBO report found that in summer 2024, more than two-thirds of freelancers (65%) employ AI in their work, up from 37% in summer 2023. And what have been the results?

"For the large majority of independents, the experience has been positive: 62% say it complements their work," the report continues. "And 69% say they find it extremely or very helpful, up from 51% in 2023. The main benefits have to do with increasing throughput and productivity," adding, "95% of independents say GenAI makes them more competitive, while 66% said it increased their productivity/efficiency."

Therefore, if you're looking for a solution to your burnout as a freelancer and want to find clever ways to stay competitive in your industry so that you become the go-to solution for potential clients, knowing how to use and integrate AI effectively into your workflow would be a smart move.

When it comes to multiple use cases for freelancers to use AI in their work, the findings of the study uncover that the most popular ones are:

Writing (43%)

Research (42%)

Creative tasks (36%)

Let's break down each one further, with some examples so you can put these into practice within your workflow and make more money—even in your sleep:

1. Writing

Whether you're a freelance writer, content creator, or aspiring industry thought leader, here are several ways you can incorporate ChatGPT into your work, to save hours of mundane work, free up your mental space, and complete more projects in less time.

Drafting long-form content including personal blogs, guest blogs, and newsletters or client content. (This can save you time in the initial stages of writing—but when writing for clients, you will need to ensure that the complete product is your own, not AI-generated.)

Using AI tools such as Grammarly for editing, to enhance your grammar, style, and clarity, for a polished final draft.

Creating SEO-optimized content

Writing catchy titles or subject lines for email campaigns and social media posts

Drafting client proposals and agreements, and outreach emails for email marketing

Writing captions and memes for social media

Writing ad copy and product descriptions

Building out your LinkedIn profile using LinkedIn Premium's AI tools

2. Research

As a freelancer you will need to constantly keep tabs on what's happening in the world around you, and you will need to regularly analyze your market. AI tools can save you time in this process and ensure your insights are accurate and relevant.

Performing competitor analysis, using SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats).

Collecting data and statistics on industry trends

Condensing lengthy blurbs of information into key points that are easy for you to understand

Analyzing audience demographics and identifying market gaps

3. Creative Tasks

A freelancer is always creating something—be it their own product or service, content marketing so they can win more clients, or simply ideas to get off the ground in the first place. Here are some ways you might find AI tools helpful in your work:

Brainstorming solutions and product or service ideas

Brainstorming ways to make your personal brand as a freelancer unique

Generating presentation templates

Creating video scripts for content creation and marketing purposes

Ideation for blog and content topics, and campaign ideas

Help with coding and programming to build apps and your own website

Streamlining photo touch-ups and video editing.

Try these 19 clever AI shortcuts, so you can get back to doing what you do best—working in your passion.

New Zealand clinch historic Test series win in India

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Second Test, Pune (day three of five)

New Zealand 259 (Conway 76; Sundar 7-59) & 255 (Latham 86; Sundar 4-56)

India 156 (Santner 7-53) & 245 (Jaiswal 77; Santner 6-104)

New Zealand won by 113 runs; lead series 2-0

New Zealand completed a historic first Test series victory in India with a 113-run win in the second Test that ended the hosts' 12-year unbeaten streak.

The triumph in Pune gives the Black Caps an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and ends India's remarkable run of 18 consecutive home series wins since Alastair Cook's England clinched a famous 2-1 triumph in December 2012.

After New Zealand were bowled out for 255 on the third morning, India were set 359 to win and maintain their proud unbeaten home record.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's half-century gave them hope but that was soon extinguished by Mitchell Santner, who took 6-104 to finish with 13 wickets in the match.

India were eventually bowled out for 245 in the evening session.

"Every time you take wickets, you get a little more confident," said Santner, who had never taken a Test five-for before this match.

"I felt that. Every time I got a wicket, it got a little better."

The hosts had made a rapid start thanks to Jaiswal's quickfire 77, but, having taken seven wickets in the first innings, Santner began to work his magic again.

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Jaiswal all fell to the left-arm spinner before Santner ran out Rishabh Pant and he proceeded to claim the key wicket of Virat Kohli as India collapsed to 147-5.

"It is a collective failure," said India captain Rohit. "The team has failed to accept the challenge thrown at us."

There was some resistance from Ravindra Jadeja but the all-rounder was the last man out for 42, leaving New Zealand to celebrate a comprehensive, famous victory.

Australian cricket team loses 8 wickets for 1 run with 6 ducks in one of the craziest batting collapses of all time

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In one of the most calamitous collapses of all time in high-level cricket, an Australia One-Day Cup match between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA in Perth saw the hosts lose their final eight wickets for a solitary run as they were bowled out for 53.

Despite boasting plenty of Australian internationals such as Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis, the Perth-based team saw none of their final seven batters register a single run, as six ducks meant that their innings went from 52/2 to 53/10 in a matter of minutes.

In a 28-ball period, the dismissal of Cameron Bancroft triggered an incredible procession of batters returning to the dressing room.

Beau Webster of Tasmania was the wrecker-in-chief for his team, as he took 6 wickets, and 5 of those final 8 within the collapse. From the other end, Billy Stanlake also contributed with 3 wickets, with Tom Rogers having dismissed Aaron Hardie for the first wicket of the innings.

Western Australia lost 5 wickets at the score of 52, going from 52-2 to 52-7 in 14 deliveries. Any hopes of recovery were quickly dashed soon after.

WA had originally gotten off to a decent start despite losing Aaron Hardie early in the innings. Bancroft and D’Arcy Short stitched together a partnership to help the team to 45/1, but Short was dismissed at that point.

Breaking the partnership provided visiting Tasmania the opportunity to add on some more wickets, but the collapse was unlike anything they would have expected from their opposition.

Mini-collapse during chase as well

In response, needing only 54 from 50 overs, Tasmania unsurprisingly chased down the target comfortably. Mitchell Owen opened and got them off to a blazing start, but there would have been slight concerns as Tasmania themselves suffered a mini-collapse, going from 33-0 to 34-3.

The experience of Matthew Wade meant that there were no more hiccups, however, as he helped wrap up the chase within 8.3 overs.

This massive loss now sees Western Australia at the bottom of the table in the domestic one-day competition, with one win and three losses in four matches.Tasmania rise to third, behind powerhouses New South Wales and Victoria.

The WACA will be the focus of the cricket world in a month's time, as it prepares to host the opening Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, beginning on November 22.

Real Madrid face Barcelona with big stars out for the season’s first El Clásico

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Spanish soccer will be enhanced this Saturday, October 26th, when Real Madrid and Barcelona cross swords. The first El Clásico of the campaign arrives with overwhelming expectations, as every minor detail promises to set the pace in this massive duel. At Santiago Bernabéu, La Liga's round #11 promises much more than points at stake-it's about identity, talent, and finely honed tactics. With both teams riding high but facing big challenges and crucial absences, this Saturday's matchup already holds a prime place in the headlines.

Real Madrid: The Resilient Merengues, But With Key Absences

Despite still being undefeated in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid goes into this clásico with the reputation for resilience. They proved their mettle with a 5-2 crushing of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, where Vinícius Júnior took the main stage. Madrid is doing all right and feels themselves. Clásicos are always tight, dramatic-they are soccer's own celebration, and we would love to entertain our fans well, as Ancelotti asserts while bestowing a summary of the atmosphere and confidence in the air of the Madrid team.

But everything is not hunky dory for Madrid. What that means is the lineup does have a number of important absences: Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, Carvajal, and Alaba for Saturday's clash, while Brahim Díaz-who has recovered from an adductor muscle injury-could make the squad, though this is not to say it is certain. Ancelotti understands these absences change the dynamics, but he said, "We've prepared to do things well with and without the ball. These are matches where you have to be complete to win, and that's our goal."

Barcelona: The Best Offense With an Audacious Approach

Barcelona travels to Bernabéu in an enviable position. In addition to leading La Liga, the team also has the best offense of the tournament, having scored 33 goals at an average of almost 3.5 per game. Things also went well in the midweek Champions League match, beating Bayern Munich 4-1 to end a drought against the Germans and therefore re-igniting the confidence of the squad. Forward Brazilian Raphinha stole the show with a hat trick-a performance that only fires up Barcelona's offense.

It's very serious for coach Hansi Flick. He will not be able to count on some key players against Real Madrid: Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are already out, while Christensen, Araújo, and Ferrán Torres will hardly recover in time. Notwithstanding these obstacles, Flick dreams of an optimistic, resilient Barça. "We've got our approach and ideas… and I trust my players because they're well-prepared," said Flick in an expression of trust in the depth and quality of his squad.

Strategies in Play: Ancelotti and Flick Fine-tune the Minute Details

Carlos Ancelotti and Hansi Flick have spoken their minds on the clásico, giving away some of the tactics they come with into this clash. It speaks volumes on Real Madrid's confidence in their team play, as Ancelotti underscored simplicity and clarity: "This is the kind of game where we don't need to say much… in these games, Van Basten used to tell me the strategy was simple: You pass me the ball, and I'll handle the celebration." In a nostalgic touch, Ancelotti sums up the elite game: control, precision, and seizing offensive chances, especially against a Barcelona that's likely to press high.

Meanwhile, Flick focused on pressure and compact teamwork. The German coach in his philosophy mentions intensity and tight lines as a goal aimed at bringing Barça into a cohesive unit and blocking Real Madrid's counterattacks: "We've got to become a more compact unit… What we did was great, especially in the second half against Bayern," Flick emphasizes, underlining the necessity of maintaining possession and exerting pressure.

Who will win El Clásico?

The question everybody does is, however: Who's the favorite in this clásico? Even Ancelotti thinks, "In a game like a Clásico or a derby, it's tough to pick a favorite… it'll depend on the game's dynamics. If you choose a favorite, anything can happen." That's an honest opinion of such an unpredictable game. Both coaches perfectly understand that winning will depend on how well they adapt during the course of the match, seize their chances, and retain emotional balance during those moments of pressure.