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A massive explosion reportedly rocked an HPCL oil refinery in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, triggering a major fire. Visuals showed huge flames and plumes of smoke coming out of the refinery. While the cause of the fire is unknown, the damage and casualties in the incident are yet to be ascertained.

Yemen's Houthis on Monday claimed to have targeted Saudi Arabia's Dammam airport with two drones. The Iran-aligned group also said that it launched drones towards an early-warning radar in Jizan and a military transport aircraft at Jizan airport, Reuters reported. However, there was no confirmation from Saudi Arabia about the attack.

Poland’s Ambassador to India, Piotr Antoni Świtalski, praised Diwali, stating, "India too knows the sacred power of light against darkness, celebrated so beautifully during Diwali." "India too holds a deep spiritual reverence for the ancestors who laid the foundations of the present," he stated. "Both our people share a historical DNA that refuses to bow to oppression," he added.

With Diwali approaching, eco-friendly gifts are emerging as an option for festive exchanges. Reusable diyas, boxes of traditional sweets, organic gift hampers and plantable greeting cards are among the choices for those seeking sustainable alternatives. These gifts combine traditional festive elements with environmentally conscious choices, offering ways to celebrate festival while reducing waste.

A women's self-help group in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj is preparing a bulk order of one lakh cow-dung diyas for Ayodhya's annual Deepotsav celebrations. The order has created a new opportunity for the women artisans, whose diyas were previously made mainly for Prayagraj. Group members said the order has brought them happiness and provided a valuable source of livelihood.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday hinted that the government may reduce or remove taxation on share market transactions, like LTCG, STCG taxes and STT. "I understand circumstances [regarding equity taxes] have changed, so voices of concern are louder. I quite appreciate it. I'll consider all this," she said. "I realise the anxieties prevailing among retail investors," she added.

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a WhatsApp-based service allowing salaried employees to check their Employees’ Provident Fund balance, view their last five transactions and download their PF passbook. Members can access the service by sending a simple 'Hi' message to EPFO's verified WhatsApp number, +91 8796441800, or scanning the QR code shared by the organisation.

The price of gold saw a steep fall in India on Monday, the first day of the Dhanteras week. The price fell by ₹2,530 to close at ₹1,37,524 per 10 grams, as per IBJA data. Meanwhile, silver also got cheaper as it dropped by ₹1,372 to hit ₹1,79,972 per kilogram after seeing a ₹14,507 price swing over the past week.

Traditionally, Hindu households light at least five diyas on Diwali, while 11, 21, 51 or 108 diyas are considered auspicious for worship and decoration. Five diyas represent the five elements, including earth, water, fire, air and space, while 11 are associated with the eleven Rudras. However, there is no fixed number, as the choice depends on family traditions and devotion.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has warned citizens against a fraudulent WhatsApp message claiming that the Government of India is offering an ₹8,000 Diwali bonus under the name of the Prime Minister. "The message leads to a fake website seeking personal information," the agency wrote on X. PIB added, "Beware of phishing scams that could lead to financial losses."