A lawyer representing protesting nurses in Tamil Nadu alleged on Monday that five leaders were arrested after being invited to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat for talks. Police detained nurses who were on hunger strike in Chennai after they refused to disperse beyond the allotted time. Nurses from across Tamil Nadu had gathered near Rajaratnam Stadium for a protest organised by the Tamil Nadu Intermediate Health Workers’ Association. The nurses are demanding a monthly salary of Rs 45,000, equal pay for equal work, permanent employment, job security and payment of pending incentives. The allegations of arrests and detention came amid the nurses’ protest and their demands for pay, conditions and job security.

Yemen’s Houthis on Monday warned international airlines against operating in Saudi airspace, saying the kingdom’s skies could become a “theater of operations” amid escalating military confrontation. The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center claimed Saudi military aircraft were attacking Houthi-held areas and said Saudi airspace should be considered unsafe for civilian aviation. The statement did not specify when or where potential operations could occur or identify affected airports or air corridors. Saudi authorities did not immediately respond. The warning came as fighting intensified, with a Saudi-led coalition launching large-scale air operations and Yemeni government forces announcing a “strategic offensive” on Houthi-held Sanaa. The coalition said 100 fighter jets participated in Operation Dawn of Yemen. (PC: X)

Russia is facing fears of a possible plague outbreak after a laboratory worker died following an illness described by officials as “pneumonia of unknown aetiology.” Darya Shipilova, 28, worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute and became unwell during a field expedition in Buryatia, near Mongolia. She was hospitalised on September 29, placed on a ventilator and died two days later in Shelekhov. Several hospitals in Irkutsk reportedly restricted movement of staff and patients, while more than 60 of Shipilova’s colleagues remained inside the research institute. Russian authorities said there was no confirmed plague case and the situation was stable. Neighbouring countries were enhancing health checks, while the United States monitored developments. (PC: AP)

An Indian-born cheetah has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Monday. The birth takes the total number of cheetahs in India to 60, marking an increase in the country’s cheetah population. The announcement highlights the continued presence and reproduction of cheetahs at Kuno National Park, where the latest litter contributes five new cubs to the national population. The development was shared by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who confirmed the birth and the updated total number of big cats in the country. No further details about the mother, father, or cubs were provided in the supplied excerpt.

A Russian drone strike caused a fire on a Turkish-owned civilian cargo vessel carrying Indian and Azerbaijani nationals in the Black Sea, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Zelensky said two Russian drones struck the vessel, which was carrying corn and operating in neutral waters. The ship’s captain was killed, while 11 crew members were rescued, one of them injured. Zelensky said the fate of another person was still being established. He called for pressure to restore global food security and said Ukraine had repeatedly proposed measures to de-escalate tensions and improve Black Sea security. The attack comes amid escalating strikes on commercial shipping and port infrastructure during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. India has recently increased efforts to engage both Kyiv and Moscow.

The US is closely monitoring the situation in Russia after a laboratory worker died from pneumonia of unknown origin. The 28-year-old researcher worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. There are concerns she may have been exposed to pneumonic plague. Russian authorities said they found no evidence that her illness was caused by pathogens she worked with. Nearly 200 people who had contact with her are being monitored. A medical facility where she was treated has been placed under quarantine. Her exact cause of death has not been confirmed. Health experts said pneumonic plague can spread through respiratory particles but is treatable.  

The US has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in the UK after new security threats were reported. The Pentagon said the aircraft were moved back to the US. British officials said the base remains safe. US Vice President JD Vance said the move was made as a precaution. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said moving military aircraft is normal during exercises and redeployments. The decision came after an earlier security incident near the base. Several people were arrested and later released on bail. Iran has denied involvement. The UK and US are investigating the incident and reported threats.  

British Airways flight BA295 from London Heathrow to Chicago declared an emergency over Ireland after squawking 7700 and rapidly descending from about 37,000 feet to 9,000 feet. The Boeing 777 then reversed course towards Heathrow and was seen flying in circles while reducing its fuel load before landing back in London. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft had dropped nearly 28,000 feet within minutes, although the reason for the emergency and rapid descent was not immediately clear. Flightradar24 said the circling was likely intended to burn fuel and reduce the aircraft’s weight before landing. Long-haul aircraft carry substantial fuel, and holding patterns can also be used for congestion, weather delays or operational issues. BA295 has now landed at Heathrow.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the world is entering an “age of flux” marked by conflicts, tariff volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, describing the situation as “choppy waters” while expressing confidence that India will meet the challenges. Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, Jaishankar highlighted pressures involving energy, food and fertilisers, along with conflicts and other frictions. He said India’s experience, including during the Covid pandemic and conflicts, showed its ability to overcome challenges. Jaishankar discussed a global order moving towards multipolarity, UN gridlock, non-market practices, dialogue and diplomacy for resolving conflicts, and India’s role in articulating Global South concerns about maritime safety, food, fuel, fertiliser and finance.

Pakistan’s federal government is considering imposing governor’s rule or a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) begins a long march to Islamabad. PTI Chief Minister Sohail Afridi launched the march from Lakki Marwat on October 4, demanding the release of jailed party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The march began after negotiations between PTI and the federal government ended in deadlock. Led by Afridi, the protesters reached Karak district late Sunday, around 256 kilometres from Islamabad. Federal authorities have accused the PTI of “facilitating terrorists” and criticised the provincial government over terrorism and security cooperation. Government sources told Dawn that the imposition of emergency was “imminent”.