Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated on Monday that she would return to Bangladesh in December, despite the risk of arrest, torture or death. Speaking virtually at an event hosted by the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations in Washington, DC, Hasina told India Today, “I will go back to Bangladesh in December.” She added that she was not afraid, acknowledging that authorities could kill, arrest or torture her. The Awami League chief has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka after her government fell following a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024. Her latest remarks renew a commitment she previously made in July and on the second anniversary of her removal. (PC: X)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the United States and Israel for regional insecurity and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, urging neighbouring countries to resolve disputes through diplomacy and establish a joint security arrangement without foreign forces. Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi described the war and economic blockade as the principal sources of insecurity. Lavrov’s visit comes as Moscow seeks to mediate the conflict, with talks between Tehran and Washington stalled. The West Asia war began in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite an April ceasefire and a June memorandum of understanding, tensions around the strategic waterway have continued. (PC: Reuters)

A Fox News Digital investigation published on October 9 identified 50 organisations allegedly associated with France’s student protest movement, claiming some are using demonstrations over education conditions to advance broader political agendas. Of these, 15 are student or youth groups, while 35 include labour unions, political parties, communist and socialist organisations, and advocacy groups. The report identified Indian Alliance Paris as allegedly promoting French demonstrations and drawing parallels with Indian protests. It also named US-based BreakThrough News as an outlet amplifying the unrest. US Vice President JD Vance criticised Western liberalism, while French President Emmanuel Macron condemned violence. Police reportedly arrested more than 2,300 people during weekend clashes and looting.

More than 400 Indian-origin students, researchers, academics and alumni affiliated with universities across 27 countries have signed a statement titled “Spare India From Anarchy”, warning against what they describe as attempts to undermine Indian democracy through disruptive protests. Signatories linked to institutions including MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Stanford urged political and social groups to pursue grievances through constitutional methods, dialogue and democratic protest. Though the statement names no specific protest or organisation, it comes amid demonstrations against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The signatories cited BR Ambedkar’s warning against abandoning constitutional methods, while opposition parties allege irregularities in the voter-revision exercise. (PC: ANI)

China has announced export controls on tunnel-boring machines (TBMs), citing national security and national interests, with the measures set to take effect on November 18, 2026. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on October 19 that it would introduce controls on TBMs and related items while adjusting export-control measures for certain dredgers and associated equipment. The move comes as India faces customs-clearance difficulties and delays in importing Chinese TBMs for several critical infrastructure projects. The announcement follows Beijing’s plan to impose sweeping export controls on 40 cutting-edge technologies, including technologies used in advanced solar manufacturing and certain artificial intelligence platforms, raising concerns over access to strategically important equipment. (PC: iStock)

A Delhi court has extended the judicial custody of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka until October 21, citing their alleged deliberate breach of peace bonds. The two leaders were sent to five-day judicial custody on October 14 after allegedly violating their undertakings and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a protest site. The court expressed concern over repeated protest calls at restricted locations and rejected assurances against repeating the alleged offences. It also rejected their fresh sureties over discrepancies in identity documents and insufficient details. Both leaders must submit written arguments and provide fresh sureties before the next hearing on October 21. (PC: News18)

India has rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in resolutions adopted at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Baghdad on October 17–18, accusing Pakistan of using the bloc to promote an anti-India agenda. The Ministry of External Affairs described the references as “malicious, biased, and false” and said the OIC had no authority to comment on India’s internal matters. New Delhi reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India, citing post-2019 economic and infrastructure improvements. India also accused Pakistan of human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, minority persecution and sectarian violence, questioning the OIC’s credibility and calling for reforms.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has warned that the government could declare a state of emergency if necessary to contain violent protests and looting affecting several parts of France. According to France 24, Lecornu made the remarks on Monday after a crisis meeting, pledging to restore public order while keeping emergency measures under consideration. He indicated that localised curfews would currently be a more appropriate response to the unrest. “I am absolutely determined to restore order. If needed, I will impose a state of emergency,” he said, adding that curfews appeared better suited to the situation France might face. The headline also reports that 2,500 people have been held amid the protests. (PC: X)

At least four people have been killed in two separate incidents of violence in Manipur since the previous night, triggering protests and disrupting normal activities in Imphal. A 24-year-old man died from bullet injuries after stone-pelting and gunfire reportedly erupted during a musical event in a Meitei- and Pangal-inhabited locality. Separately, suspected tribal militants allegedly shot dead three villagers collecting firewood near Khamenlok, Imphal East, and injured three others. Protesters carried victims’ bodies to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s high-security residence, prompting security forces to use tear gas and a lathi-charge. Local MLA Thokchom Lokeshor Singh demanded immediate intervention and removal of the nearby Sinai Suspension of Operations camp.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to strengthen Israel’s security partnerships with India and Latin American nations amid concerns that a future US administration could become more hostile towards Jerusalem. Although Donald Trump’s presidency runs until at least 2029, Netanyahu has warned that a successor could reduce military assistance to Israel or support international sanctions and an arms embargo. He argued that Israel should cultivate alternative alliances to counter potential shifts in Washington’s policy. The move reflects Israeli concerns about long-term reliance on American support and the possibility that future US leadership could adopt a tougher approach towards Israel, prompting Jerusalem to diversify its strategic partnerships. (PC: X)