Indian-American educator and policy professional Pia Dandiya is running for the US House from Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District in the November 3 midterm elections. Born and raised in Palm Beach County to Indian immigrant parents, Dandiya shifted her campaign from the 21st District following redistricting and will face Republican Casey Askar, a former US Marine and businessman. She began her career teaching children in Delhi slum communities before becoming a high school principal at 28. As a founding principal, she led a school where 86 per cent of students came from low-income families. A former White House Fellow and Apple employee, Dandiya campaigns on education, affordability, healthcare, childcare, veterans, reproductive rights and AI-related workforce changes. (PC: X)

Investigators probing the Visakhapatnam spying case allege that Pakistan-based intelligence operatives used social media and WhatsApp to honey-trap and blackmail civilians and naval personnel into sharing information. Annam Sai Varaprasad, a civilian driver at the naval base, was allegedly approached by a woman posing as a shipping firm employee, who gradually extracted details about his work before threatening him over sexually explicit exchanges. He allegedly shared information on naval assets and officials. A trainee sailor, Pradeep Mukharjee, was similarly allegedly trapped by an operative posing as a medical professional and forced to share facility details and WhatsApp OTPs. Authorities raided 18 locations, arrested both men, and are investigating 16 others for involvement. (PC: X)

Veteran actor Nana Patekar messaged a friend around 2:30 am saying he was “not feeling well,” shortly before suffering a cardiac arrest at his Goa residence. The friend saw the message around 4 am and rushed to Patekar’s Dona Paula apartment, where 75-year-old actor was found unconscious. A medical team arrived after the caretaker contacted the hospital and began CPR at home, continuing treatment in the ambulance. Patekar was taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors continued resuscitation for around 45 minutes but could not revive him. He was declared dead at 5:20 am, according to ANI. Doctors said the exact underlying cause remained unknown and his body was sent for post-mortem. (PC: Times Now)

India launched a sharp attack on Pakistan at the UN, accusing Islamabad of losing control of the terror ecosystem it allegedly created and calling for stronger international action against states that sponsor terrorism. Speaking during proceedings of the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee, India’s First Secretary Raghoo Puri responded to remarks by Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon. Puri said Pakistan presents itself as a frontline state fighting terrorism and as a victim while masking that the “Frankenstein’s monster” allegedly created by the Pakistani state has moved from causing havoc in neighbouring countries to doing the same in Pakistan. The article’s subheading directly invokes 26/11, Pahalgam, Masood Azhar and Operation Sindoor.

The Indian government rejected Elon Musk’s allegation that “certain oligarchs” were blocking Starlink’s operations in India, calling the claim “baseless and misconceived.” The Ministry of Communications said India’s regulatory framework for satellite communication services is “fair and non-discriminatory.” Three companies offering Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite services using non-geosynchronous satellite technology have received telecom licences, while security assessments are underway before spectrum assignment. Musk had claimed unnamed business interests were maintaining a “monopolistic chokehold” on the Indian market. The government said all three licensed operators are at broadly the same regulatory stage, rejecting suggestions of discriminatory treatment. Starlink is among the three licensed companies currently undergoing security assessment in India.

Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at the age of 75 in Goa on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was found unresponsive at his residence in Dona Paula after complaining of severe chest pain. A medical team was called to his home and attempted to revive him before taking him to Manipal Hospital. Doctors continued CPR and cardiac massage for around 45 minutes, but he could not be revived. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am. A medico-legal case has been registered and his body has been taken to Goa Medical College for a post-mortem. Patekar had a career spanning Hindi and Marathi cinema and theatre. (PC: India Today)

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.