Navigating this geopolitical minefield requires a cold-blooded blend of immediate tactical pleading, structural domestic diversification, and aggressive collective resistance, suggests Ambassador Rajasekhar.
A state-wide bandh was observed across Punjab on Thursday following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Markets and educational institutions remained shut, and roads were blocked by protesters, disrupting traffic. Jhota was shot on Tuesday for questioning the illegal sale of addictive drugs. His family, supported by various political parties and farmer unions, has refused to perform his last rites until justice is delivered, demanding resignations of top officials and a CBI probe. The incident has intensified the political debate on drug menace and law and order in Punjab.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain to offer prayers ahead of the team's third T20 International against the West Indies in Indore, with the five-match series currently level at 1-1.
India's vice-captain Tilak Varma emphasised the need for an aggressive, wicket-taking approach against the West Indies' powerful batting lineup in the upcoming fourth T20I. With India leading 2-1, Varma highlighted the visitors' deep hitting prowess and the team's adjusted strategy after a defensive lapse in the second match. He also discussed his adaptable batting role and the team's approach to the re-laid pitch in Hyderabad.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Meerut for allegedly pushing his wife to her death from a second-floor balcony in Gurugram following a domestic dispute. The victim, Pallavi Yadav, succumbed to her injuries after being shifted to a Meerut hospital. The accused, Dharmendra alias Akash, was remanded in police custody.
Steve Smith surpassed Steve Waugh's Test run tally in 42 fewer matches, moving behind only Ricky Ponting and Allan Border among Australia's leading run-scorers.
Australia A defeated India A by 69 runs in the second one-day match in Puducherry, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Aggressive half-centuries from Josh Philippe and Sam Konstas, along with crucial wickets from pacer Spencer Johnson, led Australia A to victory, while India A's top order struggled.
Coal India Ltd (CIL) has refuted claims by NTPC Ltd regarding critically low coal stocks, stating it has met and exceeded its contractual supply commitments to the power producer. CIL reported supplying 97 million tonnes to NTPC and its joint ventures during April-September of FY27, a 5% increase year-on-year.
Following South Africa's defeat in the 1st Test in Durban on Tuesday, October 13, Herschelle Gibbs wants Kagiso Rabada back, Marques Ackerman included and Ryan Rickelton moved down the order to keep wickets in the 2nd Test.
India U-19 cricket team defeated Australia by 10 wickets on day three of the second Youth Test in Ahmedabad, securing a 2-0 series victory. Left-arm spinner Tanmay Baloda was the star performer, taking an impressive 14 wickets in the match, including 8/41 in the second innings. Australia were bowled out for 151, setting India a target of just 11 runs, which they chased down quickly.
A Special POCSO Court in Amroha has sentenced a man named Bunty to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl. The verdict was delivered within eight months of the trial, and a fine of Rs 50,000 was also imposed, with 90% directed to the victim.
Former England all-rounder Samit Patel has lauded Joe Root's exceptional hunger for runs and remarkable longevity, stating it would be an "unbelievable" achievement if Root surpasses Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs in Test cricket. Patel highlighted Root's determination as he closes in on Tendulkar's all-time Test record of 15,921 runs, with Root currently at 14,278 runs as of 2026. Patel also praised young England captain Harry Brook as an exciting talent.
Delhi Police has officially denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, instead naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new venues for demonstrations. This decision, issued via a standing order by Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, aims to address the significant logistical and security challenges posed by protests in the sensitive New Delhi district.
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has scheduled a joint stakeholder meeting in Mumbai on October 15 to review past seasons and plan for the Indian Premier League's landmark 20th season in 2027, inviting franchise owners, CEOs, state associations, and broadcasters.
A Delhi court has permitted the prosecution to record the testimonies of four foreign-based nodal officers from WhatsApp, Google, and Bumble via video conferencing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. This decision aims to prevent undue delays and exorbitant expenses associated with securing their physical presence, facilitating an expeditious trial. The testimonies are scheduled to begin in December 2026, with specific protocols for identity verification and secure proceedings.
The Mighty Marathas secured their first victory in the second season of the Archery Premier League, defeating Chola Chiefs 6-0 on Saturday. Led by Mike Schloesser and Dhiraj Bommadevara, the Marathas showcased strong performances, bouncing back after two initial losses. The Chiefs, despite tactical efforts, couldn't match the Marathas' precision, suffering their second defeat in three matches.
The Supreme Court has referred actor Rajpal Yadav's long-running cheque-dishonour dispute to mediation after he deposited Rs 2 crore with the court's registry. The court also directed the trial court to release his passport for professional commitments abroad. The dispute stems from a 2010 financial agreement for his directorial debut, leading to multiple cheque-bounce cases and a three-month imprisonment sentence upheld by the Delhi High Court.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has launched her new political party, Jan Neeti Bharat, with the aim of contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and redefining governance by making people central to policymaking and ensuring government accountability.
Ankita shattered a decade-old meet record in the women's 3000m steeplechase, securing gold at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships. Jishnu Prasad also set a new meet record in the men's 200m, highlighting a day of impressive athletic achievements.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
The Cockroach Janta Party has pledged to continue its protests, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Delhi Police has denied permission for a planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10, citing late application and previous rule violations, with Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) now in force in the New Delhi district.
India face West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, needing one more win to seal the series as Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan lead the batting charge.
Samarth Dwivedi and Gaganjeet Bhullar are tied for the lead after the second round of the AM Green IGPL Krishna Invitational in Hyderabad. Young talents Veer Ganapathy and Manav Shah are just one shot behind, setting up an exciting final day.
The Kerala High Court dismissed pleas by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an order to register an FIR against them in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Current Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the government's actions, stating they followed legal advice, while political parties reacted sharply, with BJP welcoming the verdict and CPI(M) alleging political motivation.
Indian benchmark stock indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant drop on Monday, with the Sensex falling by nearly 548 points, primarily due to a fresh spike in crude oil prices, persistent foreign fund outflows, and rising bond yields.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Chairman of Sadhna Group, in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in IBC processes. He is accused of engineering insolvency to settle significant Income Tax dues for a fraction of the amount, receiving cash via crypto/hawala, and share manipulation. The alleged proceeds of crime total Rs 168 crore, and Gupta has been remanded to five days of ED custody.
Actor Imran Khan, an American citizen, has been served a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws. This comes after his participation in recent political protests. His lawyer plans to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court.
Seasoned golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar secured his fifth AM Green IGPL title by winning the Krishna Invitational 2026 Hyderabad on Friday. He finished with an aggregate score of 14-under-par 196, beating Karandeep Kochhar by three strokes. Bhullar's performance also led Chennai Lions GC to the team title.
The Delhi Police informed CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who was detained for a protest, about his grandmother's death in Maharashtra and offered assistance for his journey home on humanitarian grounds. Dipke was detained along with other CJP leaders for an unpermitted protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A 'Punjab Bandh' was observed on Thursday, leading to widespread closures of shops and private schools and road blockades across several districts, following the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Tuesday. Jhota was shot by a chemist owner for questioning the sale of addictive drugs. The incident has triggered significant political backlash against the Aam Aadmi Party government, with various organisations and opposition parties demanding accountability and a CBI probe.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad, emphasising the role of traditional sports in reflecting cultural identity and fostering international cooperation. The one-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, brought together delegations from BRICS and partner countries to showcase indigenous sporting practices like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India, alongside Wushu from China and Sambo from Russia. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also highlighted India's rich sporting heritage and proposed initiatives for global promotion and preservation of traditional sports.
American singer Mary Millben has become a prominent figure in Indian political discourse due to her outspoken support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, using social media to defend him against critics and appeal to young Indians, despite her musical career being less known in the country.
India A faces Australia A in the second unofficial One-Day International, aiming to bounce back after a significant loss in the opener. Key players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan are under pressure to perform, while Suryansh Shedge emerged as a promising all-rounder for India A.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran views the group's investment in semiconductors not as a short-term financial play, but as a critical long-term commitment to India's growth and self-reliance in a sector vital for domestic consumption and global supply chains.
The Election Commission of India has commenced preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in five states, with senior officers visiting Uttarakhand and scheduled to visit Manipur and Punjab soon.
American coach Dave Cousins, who led India's compound archers to a historic Olympic quota at the Asian Games, faced a significant delay in receiving his salary for over three months. The Archery Association of India and Sports Authority of India have acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a technical problem, and assured that the payment will be cleared within days, resolving the coach's threat to quit.
Marco Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar to discuss energy cooperation as S Jaishankar says India-US trade talks are nearing a landing point, with a few issues unresolved.
A 23-year-old woman was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, after she refused to marry him. The accused, Sripad Vadar, pushed her into a deep gorge near a waterfall. Police arrested Vadar after his inconsistent statements led to his confession and the recovery of the victim's body.
On the opening day of the 65th National Open Athletics Championships in New Delhi, Kuldeep Kumar set a new pole vault meet record of 5.30m, and Asha Ilango broke a decade-old triple jump record with 13.89m. Other notable performances included Nirbhay Choudhary's hammer throw gold, Seema's discus gold, and impressive sprints from Giridharani Ravikumar and Manikanta Hoblidhar.
