Russia welcomed India’s readiness to contribute to efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressing gratitude for New Delhi’s willingness and proposed ideas. His remarks followed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha’s description of India’s proposal as the “broadest” among four offers received by Kyiv from India, Turkiye, Egypt and the US. Sybiha said Ukraine was ready for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire in combination. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideas on finding mutually acceptable solutions, saying Modi regularly raises the Ukraine conflict during meetings. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India had intensified engagement with Kyiv and Moscow, focusing on Black Sea shipping safety, grain exports and energy supplies. (PC: Reuters)

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an “avatar of Vishnu” in a public tribute marking Modi’s 25 years as head of government. In an online reflection titled “An Avatar for Our Times,” Tobgay said the description was rooted in a private meeting with Modi in July 2019. He recalled telling Modi that enlightened rulers in the region had historically been regarded as divine manifestations. Although Tobgay initially wondered whether he had been carried away, he said years of observing Modi’s governance and transformative policies convinced him that his assessment was correct. Tobgay’s comments came as global figures congratulated Modi on completing 25 years in public service as head of government.

Indian wrestlers’ participation in the 2026 U23 World Championships in Las Vegas is uncertain after the United States reportedly refused visas to several athletes. The tournament is scheduled for October 12 to 18. According to PTI, the wrestlers were told verbally that their visa applications would be refused because they were below 20 and unemployed. Their passports were reportedly returned after embassy interviews on Wednesday, October 7. Among those affected are 2024 U17 World Champion Neha Sangwan, Samarth Gajanan Mhakave, Dheeraj Kumar Malik, Sachin Kumar, Nikhil, Hardeep, Parveen, Ahilya Shatrughn Shinde and Neha Sharma. The visa refusals have placed India’s participation in the U23 wrestling championships in Las Vegas under uncertainty. (PC: X)

Former Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with elevating India’s global standing while alleging efforts to undermine him. Speaking in a podcast clip on Wednesday, Vucic said Modi had “raised India to the heavens,” made it a power and “accomplished huge things.” His remarks came as Modi marked 25 years as head of government. Vucic, who stepped down as Serbian president last month to contest parliamentary elections, said there was a global trend of attempts to undermine leaders. Singling out Modi, he highlighted India’s growing international influence under his leadership and flagged what he described as efforts to “tear him down,” despite Modi’s achievements on the global stage.

Elon Musk has criticised the obstacles facing Starlink’s launch in India, blaming what he described as “monopolistic chokeholds” for delays in the company’s operations. Starlink has been seeking regulatory approvals to begin commercial satellite internet services in India. The company says it has already established infrastructure to meet Indian security and regulatory requirements, including 20 gateway sites with hundreds of antennas. A SpaceX executive said Starlink is ready to begin operations once India grants the necessary clearances. The delays come as authorities continue to examine security requirements for satellite internet providers and their operations in the country. (PC: X)

Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has warned of a possible new wave of Islamist terror attacks, saying terrorist groups are developing capabilities faster than governments and security agencies. Speaking to India Today, Azar linked his concerns to the recent flydubai cockpit attack involving Indian pilot Smit Machchhar. He said Hamas had inspired terrorist groups in India’s neighbourhood and cited the 2025 Pahalgam attack as an example. Azar stressed that investigators have not yet established whether the flydubai incident was a lone-wolf attack. He also praised Machchhar and passengers for preventing a major disaster. (PC: India Today)

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the Delhi Police over an FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others following an INDIA bloc protest. Yadav questioned the police action, saying, “Delhi Police has no work except registering FIRs.” The FIR was filed over the alleged unauthorised entry of protesters into Akashvani Bhawan after their march towards the Election Commission was stopped. Opposition MPs were protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning electoral roll revisions. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those detained during the protest, which involved several Opposition leaders. (PC: Deccan Herald)

A five-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s New Seemapuri area on Wednesday afternoon, killing 3 people and injuring 8 others. Among the deceased was Gulafsa, 21, who was around four months pregnant, along with a 12-year-old girl and another child whose identity was not immediately confirmed. Rescue teams pulled 11 people from the debris, with the injured taken to Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in Tahirpur. The collapse also damaged parts of 2 to 3 adjoining buildings. Delhi Police, Fire Service, NDRF and other emergency teams continued rescue operations as several people were initially feared trapped under the rubble. 

Veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty has been appointed as an advisor to the West Bengal government, with the rank of a Cabinet Minister. He will advise the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, which is headed by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The announcement was made during an event marking the centenary celebrations of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar. Chakraborty, a prominent BJP campaigner during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, has now taken on a formal role in the state administration. His appointment comes as the government plans to expand film and cultural infrastructure and strengthen Bengal’s position as a major cultural centre. (PC: India Today)

Kenya has quarantined 10 people who came into contact with the country’s first confirmed Ebola patient, who died in Nairobi on Monday after travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Authorities are tracing 57 additional contacts as concerns grow over screening measures. Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya questioned how the patient, who had been sick for about a month, travelled through several cities in DR Congo, Uganda and finally Kenya without being detected. Kenyan officials said medication may have masked his symptoms. More than 650,000 travellers have been screened, while authorities have intensified surveillance at airports and border crossings. (PC: BBC)