A suspected pneumonic plague case in Siberia has triggered quarantine measures in Russia, with the United States tracking developments closely. Darya Shipilova, 28, who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute, died on October 1 after developing severe pneumonia. Nearly 200 people were placed under medical observation, and three hospitals faced quarantine. Russian authorities have not confirmed plague, calling it pneumonia of unknown cause. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is monitoring the situation. Experts say India, which last saw a major outbreak in 1994, should stay cautious but not alarmed, as antibiotics work if started early. (PC: India Today)

The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution honouring Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his “extraordinary courage” in thwarting an attempted terrorist attack aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30, 2026. The Dubai-Tel Aviv flight carried approximately 174 passengers, including 27 children and four US citizens. During the flight, the first officer attacked Machchhar with an emergency crash axe and attempted to seize the controls, causing the aircraft to lose more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Despite grave injuries, Machchhar fought back and unlocked the cockpit for off-duty pilots to enter. The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The resolution commended the crew and passengers and called for a full investigation.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released from detention after two hours following the INDIA bloc’s protest in Delhi. The two leaders had been brought to Kingsway Camp from Akashvani Bhawan after police stopped their march towards the Election Commission earlier in the day. Their detention followed the Opposition-led demonstration linked to the protest over the Election Commission. Gandhi and Priyanka were among the leaders detained after police intervened to stop the march. The release came after they spent around two hours in detention at the camp. The development was part of a day of heightened political activity in Delhi, with Opposition leaders protesting and police preventing the INDIA bloc march from reaching the Election Commission.

Bangladesh Prime Minister’s information adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said reconciliation with the disbanded Awami League is “not a bad idea,” but the party must acknowledge responsibility for its actions and engage with its top leadership before talks can begin. He said mediators should reach out to the Awami League and establish basic grounds for reconciliation through discussions with its leadership. However, Zahed said conditions remain absent because the party has shown no “remorse” for the violent crackdown during the 2024 mass protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government. Hasina fled to India, while an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge. The current BNP government had previously dismissed the Awami League as politically irrelevant, with leaders ruling out its return to politics. (PC: AFP)

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, is facing a possible death penalty in Saudi Arabia after an appellate court reportedly found him guilty of blasphemy over a Facebook comment allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. The case followed a June video linked to a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. After a user insulted a Hindu deity, Anojan reportedly responded in Tamil with an insult against the Prophet, then deleted the comment and apologised. A screenshot was allegedly shared with his Saudi employer, leading to his arrest. An Al-Ahsa court initially sentenced him to five years and fined him three million Saudi riyals, but prosecutors later sought a Sharia trial, paving the way for a death sentence. Sri Lanka is seeking clemency. (PC: Pexel)

London-based Advertising and media agency Here&Now365 has teamed up with The Earthshot Prize, the global environmental award founded by Prince William, for a media campaign across the UK, the US and India this autumn. For the first time, Earthshot Finalists are appearing on television and outdoor media in all three countries. Their work can be seen on the London Underground, at Piccadilly Circus and in Times Square, and on NDTV, Aaj Tak, SET UK and B4U Music. Launched in 2020, the Prize is built on a simple idea: optimism, not despair, is what moves people to act. Each year it shortlists fifteen solutions across five challenges, and backs five winners with £1 million each to scale solutions that already work. The 2026 Summit and Awards will be held in Mumbai this November. India is home to more Earthshot Finalists than any other country.  Here&Now365 says diversity and community sit at the heart of its storytelling. The campaign is aimed in particular at Indian diaspora audiences, with stories of climate progress and innovation. Founder and Chairman Manish Tiwari has also written a blog for the Prize website, "The Power of Communications: Telling a Positive Climate Story." He recalls childhood summers in the Hasdeo forests, often called the "lungs of central India," and cites the Chipko Movement and Gandhi's principle of Earth Trusteeship as reasons for the partnership. Tiwari writes that India is not only experiencing climate change but actively solving it, in its villages, laboratories and city streets. 

TMC leader Derek O'Brien said he and Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were being taken to an unknown destination by bus after being detained at Akashvani Bhawan during the INDIA bloc's protest. Visuals showed Rahul Gandhi being dragged by police personnel as authorities began clearing the premises. Gandhi was later seen looking out of a bus window while police surrounded the vehicle. The protest was linked to the INDIA bloc's demonstration over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Election Commission. Earlier, Gandhi was seen offering sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra a Rs 20 Sting energy drink after hours of protesting under the Delhi sun. Priyanka reportedly sniffed the drink before declining it, prompting social media reactions.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed the 29th Chief of the Air Staff and will take charge after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh retires on October 31, 2026. The Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Dixit will become an Air Chief Marshal. Fighter pilot commissioned in 1986, he has logged over 3,500 flying hours and is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor. He has flown aircraft including Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Kiran, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas. Dixit has participated in Operations Safed Sagar, Rakshak and Sindoor, and commanded a Mirage 2000 squadron and frontline bases. He has received honours, including Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026. (PC: X)

Saudi Arabia’s failure to rein in Iran-backed Houthis has exposed weaknesses in its decades-long policy of outsourcing national security to the United States and Pakistan, West Asia expert Prof. Alvite Ningthoujam said. American fighter jets and personnel had provided a security guarantee, while Pakistan supported the kingdom through military deployments and agreements dating back to the 1960s. Despite formalising their alliance through a mutual defence agreement in 2025 and the Mecca Agreement this year, neither country came to Saudi Arabia’s aid during the Houthi offensive. Ningthoujam said Riyadh became complacent, believing it could “buy security,” while focusing more on internal dissent than external defence. He said the kingdom’s security policy collapsed. (PC: Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP)

Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down across all three formats. Mandhana, who has captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, will make her full-time debut as captain in the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. The left-handed batter has also led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles, in 2024 and 2026. The BCCI said Mandhana brings considerable experience and leadership qualities into the role. She has been part of India’s team since 2013 and is the highest run-scorer in international women’s cricket and T20Is. Mandhana called the appointment a special honour and thanked the BCCI, selectors, teammates and supporters for their trust. (PC: X)