Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to deploy military forces in Saudi Arabia as part of the Makkah Alliance for Defence. This decision follows recent attacks by Houthi rebels and aims to strengthen collective deterrence against threats to Saudi Arabia. The alliance, formed in August, considers an attack on one member as an attack on all.
South African jurist Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, of Indian origin, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong dedication to advancing human rights, peace, and international law, including her significant contributions to shaping international law on genocide and sexual violence.
Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh has suspended secretary general Pramod Kumar with immediate effect. The suspension is pending an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, non-cooperation with investigations, and misuse of authority. Allegations include unauthorised work orders for broadcasting and failure to cooperate with inquiries into championship cancellations.
India has officially announced its bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, centered around the theme "Rising Together."
Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national, has been issued a notice by Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws by participating in a political protest.
Tamil Nadu's ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, strengthening its minority government. Concurrently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured emphatic victories in West Bengal's Nandigram and Muslim-majority Rejinagar, consolidating its post-TMC rule position. The BJP also established a significant lead in Assam's Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, and its ally AINRC retained Thattanchavady in Puducherry.
The Gauhati High Court has granted bail to singer Amrit Prabha Mahanta, an accused in the Zubeen Garg death case, against a bond of Rs 50,000. Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar stated that the grounds for bail are not yet known, but the court deemed it a fit case. The prosecution, which presented arguments for several days, cannot challenge the order but will inform the government. Mahanta is currently lodged in Haflong jail, while other accused are in Tamulpur jail. The case involves the mysterious death of singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore last year, with conflicting findings from Singapore Police and Assam authorities, who maintain it was a murder.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and actor-activist Prakash Raj joined a protest in Bengaluru, demanding the scrapping of the electoral roll revision exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging widespread voter deletion aimed at disenfranchising specific groups.
The Election Commission replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station, Ajay Kumar Mishra, with Debashis Sarkar a day before the bypoll, following complaints from opposition parties alleging Mishra's closeness to the ruling party. This move comes amidst heightened political scrutiny and concerns raised by opposition leaders regarding the fairness of the election process in Nandigram, a constituency with significant political history in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the democratisation of technology to ensure no section of society is left behind, advocating for affordable and accessible digital services, especially for the Global South. He highlighted the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and called for solutions to cyber fraud, global standards for emerging tech, and mechanisms to identify AI-generated content during his interaction with GSMA board members.
The flydubai near-tragedy showed how the gratuitous conflicts their governments started in West Asia have made the world unsafe for them (and unfortunate co-passengers of other nationalities), points out Kanika Datta.
Hockey India has issued a show-cause notice to the Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO), threatening to reclassify it from a permanent to an associate member due to alleged non-compliance with federation bye-laws. The notice follows an adverse report that stalled HAO's elections, citing serious deficiencies in its district units, including unelected administrative officials holding key posts and a lack of proper election documentation. HAO has two weeks to respond.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been formally charged by a special PMLA court in an alleged 8.86-acre land fraud and money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the illegal acquisition and transfer of land in Ranchi's Bargain area. Soren appeared via video conferencing and denied the allegations, stating they are baseless.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched a mobile application for the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) to enhance garbage collection. The app allows residents to track garbage trucks in real-time, report overflowing bins with photos, and ensures accountability through before-and-after tracking, making civic services smarter and more citizen-friendly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation to review progress in bilateral ties, covering trade, defence, and energy, against the backdrop of heightened trade friction due to the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026'.
India-US ties may be strained, but abandoning the relationship is not the answer; India must deal with Washington firmly without becoming either servile or hostile, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated her potential participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She strongly criticised the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged electoral malpractices and "SIR anomalies" in Bengal. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding their treatment during recent protests and plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that negotiations for the India-US trade agreement have reached a 'plateau', indicating limited scope for further concessions from either side, while also highlighting the US's aim to reduce its trade deficit with India.
A country that makes the isotope sets the timetable for everyone who needs it.
Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of Delhi's new protest sites, is proving to be a costly and difficult option for demonstrators. With no free dates for the next two and a half months and booking fees exceeding Rs 1 lakh, it contrasts sharply with the previously free Jantar Mantar. The ground, rich in political history, also poses logistical challenges due to its busy commercial location and impact on traffic.
A retired 70-year-old IAS officer, Rakesh Agarwal, was found dead with his throat slit at his Bhopal residence. Police suspect his househelp, Varun, who joined two days prior and is now missing. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has assured strict action, while the Congress party has criticised the state's law and order situation following the incident.
A retired 70-year-old IAS officer, Rakesh Agarwal, was found dead with his throat slit at his Bhopal residence. Police suspect his househelp, Varun, who joined two days prior and is now missing. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has assured strict action, while the Congress party has criticised the state's law and order situation following the incident.
A retired 70-year-old IAS officer, Rakesh Agarwal, was found dead with his throat slit at his Bhopal residence. Police suspect his househelp, Varun, who joined two days prior and is now missing. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has assured strict action, while the Congress party has criticised the state's law and order situation following the incident.
A senior Pakistan Army general has confirmed the presence of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia, operating in "multiple capabilities" and "domains" amidst escalating Houthi attacks. This deployment is linked to the Makkah defence pact, a trilateral agreement with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for collective deterrence, though specific details remain classified. Both Pakistan and Turkiye emphasise the defensive nature of their involvement.
Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, previously a TMC MP, has joined the BJP and is set to file her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, expressing her desire to contribute to West Bengal's development initiatives.
Delhi Police launched a massive crackdown to prevent a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner at Jantar Mantar, detaining CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and nearly 500 others. The city was turned into a fortress with extensive security, metro closures, and barricades. Opposition parties, including AAP and Congress, condemned the actions, calling the situation "worse than the Emergency."
'Many devout religious people have told me categorically that they like celebrating festivals, but they are vehemently against the noise pollution and traffic obstruction that are being imposed under the pretext of celebrations.'
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has accused DMK president M.K. Stalin of 'body-shaming' their Dharapuram bypoll candidate P. Satyabama during a campaign rally, petitioning the Election Commission to revoke his star campaigner status and impose a temporary ban.
The Kerala Crime Branch has arrested Raveendran Nair, former caretaker of Jayamadhavan Nair, for his murder nine years ago. The investigation, initially treated as an unnatural death, gained momentum through forensic evidence, contradictory statements, and a forged will, leading to the unravelling of a property dispute motive.
The Sports Ministry has established a seven-member committee, including representatives from Hockey India, HIL franchises, and the ministry, to address the crisis and work towards the revival of the Hockey India League. This follows a September meeting where Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya discussed concerns with stakeholders, aiming to resolve issues related to governance, finance, and structure.
While India and the US have narrowed their differences, the remaining issues will be the hardest to resolve
'If Gyanesh Kumar had some shame he would have resigned and would have taken agni pariksha.'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the deportation of hardened narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Turkiye, hailing it as a significant achievement for the Modi government's commitment to eradicating drug cartels by 2029. Singh, who used a fake identity to smuggle drugs, was arrested by Delhi Police and remanded to 10-day custody. The government highlighted its intensified efforts to bring back fugitives, with 288 extraditions since 2019.
An Indian national was killed and ten others injured in an attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy confirmed the death and ongoing medical care for the injured. India has strongly condemned the repeated attacks, which Saudi Arabia blames on Yemen's Houthis, and called for an immediate cessation of violence.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has strongly condemned alleged communal remarks made by CPI(M) leader P Nandakumar regarding Malappuram district, linking them to past statements by former CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Satheesan demanded an apology from the CPI(M) and clarification from its leadership, warning of strict action against communal hatred. CPI(M) leaders, including Nandakumar, have denied the allegations, stating their criticism was aimed at communal influences on political parties, not the district itself.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the world is entering an age of flux marked by conflicts and tariff volatility, requiring India to respond effectively to these challenges. He reiterated India's consistent stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy, and highlighted India's efforts to engage with both sides. Jaishankar also emphasised India's role in championing the voice of the Global South and navigating complex strategic partnerships in a multi-aligned world.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has called for the state to become a hub for Indian futsal, producing players capable of leading the national team to the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Speaking at a felicitation for Tlangnuam Futsal Club, he emphasised nurturing talent for international success and highlighted government investment in sports infrastructure.
Asian Games double silver medallist Vidarsa K Vinod has condemned the cyberattacks faced by fellow medallist Ancy Sojan, advocating for support for athletes and respect for their individuality. Returning to her hometown, Vidarsa also shared her journey into shooting and highlighted the improved support for athletes from the state government.
The CPI(M) has initiated an internal inquiry into allegations that one of its councillors in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Ajin S, demanded a Rs 10 lakh bribe to resolve a land dispute. The complainant, Sanju, provided audio and video clips, while Ajin S denies the claims, calling them fabricated. The party's state secretary confirmed the probe, and the Thiruvananthapuram Mayor also acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations.
US President Donald Trump has stated his personal belief that Iran was responsible for the attempted mid-air hijacking and crash of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, where an Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain.
