Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and Indonesia signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding in Doha on October 21, 2026, to deepen military cooperation and strengthen defence capabilities. The agreement covers defence manufacturing, technical training, research and development, and joint production of defence technologies. Signatories included Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Turkey’s Yasar Guler, Qatar’s Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman and Indonesia’s Yusuf Jauhari. Turkey contributes an established defence industry, Qatar financial resources, Indonesia experience in joint development and domestic production, and Pakistan manufacturing capacity and a skilled workforce. The pact follows an earlier defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Its potential to diversify Pakistan’s weapons sources makes the development strategically relevant for India.

India has objected to a United Nations special rapporteur describing fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company as an “India-based” criminal group, calling the description factually inaccurate. Raghoo Puri, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, raised the objection during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism in the General Assembly’s Third Committee. Puri said the report cited the UN Security Council’s 2003 listing of the leader of “India-based D-Company” over links with Al-Qaeda but failed to mention that Ibrahim had been wanted in India in connection with terror attacks since 1993. The objection challenges the report’s characterisation of the criminal organisation.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), led by Mohsin Naqvi, has declined permission for Pakistan’s over-50s team to participate in the International Masters Cricket World Cup scheduled in India in January 2027. Pakistan won the previous edition, held in Sri Lanka last year. Fawad Ijaz, head of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), said organisers had been informed of the withdrawal so an alternative team could be arranged. According to Ijaz, organisers and Indian authorities had assured the team of visas and high-level security. However, Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, reportedly told the association it could not travel to India. Pakistan’s hockey federation recently made a similar decision. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump claimed he considered renaming the Atlantic Ocean “Trump Ocean” but abandoned the proposal after Google CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly refused, citing the ocean’s coverage of multiple countries. Trump recounted asking Pichai whether Google Maps could accommodate the change and said the executive declined. He praised Pichai and Google co-founder Sergey Brin as “totally brilliant guys.” The remarks follow other geographical renaming initiatives, including the US government’s adoption of “Gulf of America” for the Gulf of Mexico and Google Maps displaying “Lake America” for US users. Google said the latter change reflected the official US Geographic Names Information System, while Canadian users continue seeing “Lake Ontario.”

Mumbai Police investigating the October 18 firing outside actor Tiger Shroff’s Juhu residence have found that the two alleged shooters also conducted reconnaissance at the homes of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, according to Hindustan Times. The 18-year-old suspects, Phool Singh and Rehan Ansari, reportedly spent a month in Mumbai before the attack and were allegedly recruited by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Investigators believe Shroff was selected because he lacked security cover. Three additional arrests in Sonipat brought the total to ten. Police are probing alleged weapons supplies, logistics and accomplice networks, while firearms and the accused’s mobile phones remain unrecovered. The suspects remain in police custody until October 31. (PC: HT)

The Indian Embassy in Paris has issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals living in or travelling to France amid ongoing unrest and localised curfews. Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid protest sites, large gatherings and crowded areas, and follow instructions issued by French authorities. The embassy also advised Indians to monitor local news, consult official French government updates and check for possible public transport disruptions. The advisory comes as France prepares for fresh demonstrations on October 24 following violent unrest linked to protests over rising living costs and concerns about public services and school conditions. The Indian Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Marseille have shared emergency helpline contacts. 

A Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on October 21, 2026, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said. All 21 Indian sailors and the remaining crew members were reported safe following the incident. In a post on X, Sonowal identified the vessel as M/T AL DASMA and confirmed that authorities were monitoring developments. He said the government remained in close contact with the ship management company to safeguard the crew’s security and well-being. The incident comes amid heightened maritime security concerns around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route.

Suvarna Raj won gold in the women’s discus F54 event on Day 4 of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, delivering a strong start for India with a best throw of 15.66 metres. She defeated Iran’s Shahid Habibi by just 21 centimetres, taking India’s gold medal tally to 15. A wheelchair user, Suvarna has represented India at three Asian Para Games and competed internationally since 2017. Her recent achievements include discus gold and shot put silver at the Canberra Track Meet in January 2026, followed by bronze at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix. Beyond sport, she advocates accessibility and disability rights, having conducted over 1,000 accessibility audits nationwide. (PC: X)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday, October 21, welcomed the release of leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka following a Special Executive Magistrate’s order in New Delhi. The two were released from Tihar Jail after their judicial custody expired in connection with a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 14. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke praised the leaders, describing them as “much, much bigger leaders” than himself. The party’s legal head, Ratna Singh, said the release decision should have come earlier. The development marked a key moment for the party after the detention of its leaders over the Jantar Mantar protest, according to PTI’s report. (PC: X)

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail on Wednesday after spending a week in custody. A Special Executive Magistrate ordered their release after they submitted written assurances to maintain peace and furnished bonds and sureties of Rs 50,000 each. The decision came hours after they withdrew their Delhi High Court petition challenging their custody. The two were detained on October 14 for allegedly violating peace bonds during a Tiranga protest at Jantar Mantar. They had been demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter list irregularities. (PC: India Today)