NCERT

Kanye West's planned concerts in Russia have been formally cancelled following weeks of uncertainty about whether they would go ahead. The announcement ends speculation around the performances, which had drawn attention given the rapper's expressed interest in performing there and the broader controversy surrounding his public statements and business dealings.

Students preparing for Indian competitive exams are engaging with NCERT-based practice questions covering biology topics such as the cell, along with mixed geography and polity questions. The material is aimed at aspirants revising core NCERT textbooks, which form the basis of many government exam syllabi. Demand for this kind of revision content is high among learners preparing for teaching and civil services examinations.

A new commentary asks whether professional military education should train officers as a 'School of War' or a 'School of Battle', weighing how armed forces should prepare leaders for an uncertain strategic future. The piece argues that education must balance broad strategic thinking with practical battlefield skills as conflicts evolve and new technologies reshape warfare.

A historian at Clark University has presented work under the title 'Uncertain Empire', considering how the geopolitical upheavals following World War I shaped Jewish communities and their futures. The talk examines the collapse of empires, new borders and shifting political orders in Europe after 1918, and what those transformations meant for Jewish life, migration and identity in the decades that followed.

Theatre company Stakes & Embers is drawing attention with its piece 'Aye Caesar', which opens by probing themes of consent in deliberately unsettling ways before shifting into more intimate, personal territory. Early commentary highlights the show's uncomfortable framing of permission and its later emotional turn, marking it as one of the more talked-about small-scale theatre works in circulation right now.

A weekend roundup highlights a mix of local activities, including the Doggie Bash, the Other Art Fair, live concerts and community festivals. The listing gathers options for residents looking for things to do, spanning pet-friendly gatherings, contemporary art shopping and music events across the area.

The Port Townsend Chamber Music Series is presenting a concert on Saturday, according to the Peninsula Daily News. The announcement gives local classical music fans a weekend option, though details about the performers, venue and programme have not been widely shared beyond the local notice.

Völkerrechtsblog has published a piece examining whether the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg operates within a legal vacuum or merely faces legal uncertainty. The discussion weighs whether gaps in the Court's jurisprudence reflect a true absence of applicable law or simply contested interpretations of the European Convention on Human Rights among judges and scholars.

Maverick Viñales is back in MotoGP action at the Japanese Grand Prix, but his long-term position in the championship remains unclear. The Spanish rider's return at Motegi comes with questions hanging over his future seat, making his performances this weekend a talking point for fans and paddock watchers alike.

Texas oil and gas production rose slightly in the third quarter, according to Houston Public Media, even as the Iran conflict clouds the outlook for energy markets. Producers in the state continue to grow output modestly, but analysts point to war-related uncertainty over prices, supply routes and future investment decisions.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has returned to practice, but whether he will play against the Indianapolis Colts remains uncertain. The team has not confirmed his availability, leaving his status a game-time question as fans and reporters await an official update on his recovery.