A new poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that most Americans believe President Donald Trump has prioritised his personal financial interests over the country since returning to office in 2025. The survey found that 56% believe he has prioritised his own business interests “a lot,” while 54% say the same about his friends’ and family’s businesses. Only 23% believe he has strongly prioritised the country as a whole. Additionally, 41% believe Trump has acted illegally to profit from his presidency, while 18% consider his actions unethical but not illegal. (PC: Reuters)

Indian women’s hockey captain Salima Tete has urged authorities to improve mobile connectivity and drinking water facilities in her native village, Barki Chhapar, in Jharkhand’s Simdega district. Despite leading India to a historic Asian Games gold medal on October 2, 2026, her village continues to lack basic infrastructure. Poor network coverage prevents residents from making calls, accessing the internet and receiving important messages. Tete submitted a letter to the district administration requesting urgent action. Her father has even offered land for a mobile tower, but the issue remains unresolved, highlighting rural India’s persistent digital divide. 

A Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on an oil facility in Al-Sabaha, near Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, on October 13, 2026. The attack followed an evacuation warning urging civilians to leave the area. Videos circulating online showed thick black smoke rising from the facility after explosions. The coalition accused the Houthis of using oil installations and underground fuel depots to support military operations. Houthi officials warned of retaliation against strategic Saudi targets, including Riyadh’s airport and Aramco facilities. The strikes mark a further escalation in regional tensions, raising concerns about civilian safety and energy supplies. 

At least 11 people, all reportedly minors, died after an overcrowded boat carrying around 15–20 passengers capsized in the Ganga River near Raghopur in Bihar’s Vaishali district on October 13, 2026. The passengers were travelling to attend a post-funeral feast when the accident occurred amid strong river currents and rising water levels. Seven people were rescued, while search operations continued for missing passengers. Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced compensation of ₹4 lakh for each deceased person’s family, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh in assistance from the PMNRF.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from October 17 to 22, 2026, marking his second official visit this year. After visiting Uzbekistan, he will travel to Mumbai and Jamnagar to meet senior Indian officials and business leaders. Discussions will focus on strengthening strategic ties, expanding energy cooperation, and promoting commercial investment. The visit comes amid ongoing trade negotiations and disagreements over tariffs and Russian energy imports. Both countries aim to deepen economic cooperation and address regional and global challenges. The meetings are expected to play an important role in advancing bilateral relations. (PC: Reuters)

Delhi Police placed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde under preventive arrest on October 14, 2026, following their alleged unauthorised entry into Jantar Mantar. The leaders reportedly breached barricades and raised slogans demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Police registered cases involving trespassing, violation of prohibitory orders and obstruction of public servants. CJP’s legal team alleged that the leaders were denied timely access to lawyers. They were expected to appear before a magistrate. (PC: X)

German police are investigating an alleged sexual harassment incident involving a remote-controlled humanoid robot and a 16-year-old girl outside a fast-food restaurant in Cologne on Sunday. According to police, the approximately 1.2-metre-tall, red-and-gold robot, resembling Marvel’s Iron Man, allegedly grabbed the girl’s buttocks and made thrusting motions against her. The incident was reportedly livestreamed on social media. Police said the robot’s 16-year-old owner and his 19-year-old companion allegedly filmed the encounter. Officers later found the machine inside a Volkswagen sedan’s boot and seized it, along with two mobile phones belonging to the suspects. Cologne’s criminal investigation department is investigating the case on suspicion of sexual harassment. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described India as a reliable global growth partner, saying reforms were driven by “conviction”, not “compulsion”, amid worldwide conflicts and uncertainty. Addressing the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026 in New Delhi, he said India’s economy grew 7.8% in April-June and offered stability when global trust was under pressure. The IMF raised India’s 2026-27 growth forecast to 7%, while the RBI projected 7.1%. Modi cited GST, insolvency reforms, four labour codes replacing 29 laws, and decriminalisation of minor business offences. He warned that supply chains, energy, minerals, payment systems and technology were increasingly becoming instruments of geopolitical pressure and dominance.

UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to international students, including applicants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria, amid stricter student visa rules, according to a Financial Times report cited by Firstpost. Under the Basic Compliance Assessment framework introduced in June 2026, institutions must keep student visa refusal rates below 5 per cent, down from 10 per cent, or risk disciplinary action and losing their student sponsor licences. Financial Times analysis of Home Office data found 10.5 per cent of UK study visa applications were withdrawn in the first half of 2026, against 2.3 per cent in 2025. Pakistan’s rate reached 40.9 per cent, Bangladesh’s 23.5 per cent, Nigeria’s 22.7 per cent and India’s 5.2 per cent. (PC: Pixabay)

All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha Bora, a prominent face of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, said on Tuesday that the BJP had united its critics by repeatedly labelling them “anti-national”, “Dimagi Naxals” and members of the “tukde-tukde gang”. Speaking to India Today TV, Bora argued that these labels had brought together people across political and social groups. She said protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had united students, opposition parties and ordinary citizens concerned about democracy and voting rights. Bora said the agitation would continue until Kumar was removed and the SIR exercise was halted completely.