India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over its remarks on Jammu and Kashmir. India said Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are “integral and inalienable” parts of India. Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan said Pakistan’s “so-called civilian governments” are “at the mercy” of the Army and rarely complete their terms. India also accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and using the Kashmir issue to divert attention from unrest at home. It referred to protests and a crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India said J&K held peaceful elections in 2024, followed by a transfer of power.

India finished the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, securing a top-five finish. The campaign ended on a high as the men’s hockey team defeated Malaysia 5-1 in the final on October 3 to claim India’s 21st gold. India had struggled early in the Games and had only 10 gold medals by Thursday, leaving the country outside the top 10. However, a strong final two days saw India win 11 more gold medals across hockey, cricket, archery, boxing and wrestling. India’s overall tally was 21 medals fewer than its 2022 Hangzhou total of 106.

The Indian Air Force needs to induct 36–40 fighter aircraft every year to prevent its fighter squadron strength from falling below 30 and move towards the sanctioned strength of 42, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said.   Speaking ahead of Air Force Day, Singh said the IAF could induct 30–35 jets annually if planned programmes progress. HAL is targeting up to 24 Tejas Mk1A deliveries each year, while the proposed 114-aircraft MRFA programme could add around 12 jets annually. An additional Su-30 procurement could further raise the numbers. The IAF also plans to strengthen its BVR capability through Astra missiles and longer-range foreign systems. (PC: The Indian Express)

India retained the Asian Games men’s hockey gold with a 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final on Friday. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, while Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra also found the net for India. The win gave India back-to-back Asian Games titles after their 2022 triumph and secured direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India’s victory also completed a historic hockey double at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won gold a day earlier. It is the first time both Indian hockey teams have won gold at the same Asian Games. (PC: X)

UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar at a hospital on Saturday and praised his courage. Machchhar was injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30. Despite his injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker. Other pilots on board then took control of the aircraft, which landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Al Maktoum said Machchhar showed courage, responsibility and care for human life, adding that UAE leadership was proud of him and appreciated his actions. (PC: HT)

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 in Nisshin on Saturday to retain their gold medal. India posted 211/6 after Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 22. Shivam Dube added 27 off 14 balls. Pakistan managed 192/6 in 20 overs, with Hasan Nawaz scoring a fighting 96 off 51 balls. Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Dube took 2 wickets each for India. The victory secured India’s 19th gold medal of the Games. ICC chairman Jay Shah presented the gold medals.  (PC: NDTV)

Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat secured India’s 20th gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Competing in the men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling category, Aman defeated Tajikistan’s Aiaal Belolyubskii 14-8 in the semifinal before advancing to the gold-medal bout. His victory added another major wrestling success to India’s campaign, following Sujeet Kalkal’s gold in the 65kg category. Aman, an Olympic bronze medallist, was among India’s 16 wrestlers competing at the Games. India’s medal tally subsequently stood at 20 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze medals, taking the country’s total to 82.

A six-year-old girl’s request to use the lavatory helped raise the alarm during the September 30 attack aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. As the girl and her mother approached the cockpit, they reportedly heard shouting and alerted nearby passengers. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar had been attacked and stabbed by the co-pilot and was struggling to open the cockpit door. After Machchhar managed to open it, passengers entered the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker. The aircraft had rapidly descended during the incident before reserve pilots took control and diverted it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All passengers and crew survived. 

G7 nations have agreed to coordinate with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release 100 million barrels of diesel, crude oil and other emergency reserves, aiming to stabilise global energy markets. The release will begin immediately and continue for four months, according to a joint statement issued on October 2. A substantial portion of the diesel reserves will be released within the first 20 days by G7 members and partner countries. The decision comes amid tight global fuel supplies and sharply higher diesel prices. The G7 has also reaffirmed commitments against energy export restrictions among its members. (PC: Reuters)

The UAE has described an incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 as a “terrorist attack” after Omani co-pilot Hamam Alhammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit with a crash axe. The Dubai–Tel Aviv flight was carrying 174 people when the confrontation occurred on September 30. The aircraft reportedly experienced a rapid descent before the captain and other crew members managed to regain control. The injured captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the co-pilot. Two relief pilots subsequently assisted in controlling the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Authorities are investigating the motive and circumstances. (PC: NDTV)