Bangkok is facing severe flooding after around 300mm of rain fell in parts of the city within two days, overwhelming drainage systems and transforming neighbourhoods into stagnant lakes. At least 40 people have died in flood-related incidents, including drownings and electrocutions, while thousands have moved into more than 230 shelters. Flooding has disrupted schools, roads and operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport, causing transport problems and flight cancellations. Authorities have declared a flood disaster across all 50 districts and are operating pumping stations at full capacity. Experts say rapid urban development, reduced canal networks and increasingly extreme rainfall have intensified Bangkok’s vulnerability. (PC: EPA)

Flydubai co-pilot Hamam Alhamami, accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, had reportedly been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about extremist views. Reports say Alhamami was training with Oman Air in 2024 when authorities allegedly found extremist material and removed him from flying duties, although he continued in an administrative role. He later joined Flydubai and operated the route involved in the September 30 incident. The aircraft suffered a rapid descent before the crew regained control and diverted to Saudi Arabia. Investigations are examining the incident, his background and security-vetting procedures. 

Indian Railways has raised the maximum permissible speed on the 111-km Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Banihal section from 75 kmph to 100 kmph. A Vande Bharat Express successfully tested the new speed, crossing the Chenab Railway Bridge—the world’s highest railway arch bridge—and the Anji Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, at 100 kmph. The speed enhancement follows safety clearances and is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL). Railway officials said the higher speed will improve operational efficiency, reduce travel time and provide faster, safer and more comfortable journeys between Jammu and Kashmir. 

India has secured the deportation of alleged international drug trafficker Navpreet Singh from Türkiye, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on October 3. According to Shah, Singh had obtained Turkish citizenship using the alleged fake identity “Navab Virk” and was accused of operating a network that smuggled heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan into India. Indian agencies reportedly traced his identity and location before securing his return. Singh has now been taken into custody in India in connection with drug-trafficking and other criminal cases. Shah also said the government remains committed to dismantling narco-trafficking networks operating across borders. (PC: HT)

India entered the crucial final phase of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on October 3, with medal opportunities across archery, wrestling, taekwondo, golf, cricket and hockey. Archer Kumkum Anil Mohod advanced in the women’s recurve individual event, while Dhiraj Bommadevara and Neeraj Chauhan competed in the men’s recurve category. Wrestling featured Aman Sehrawat, Sagar Jaglan, Deepak Punia, Antim Panghal and Manisha Bhanwala in medal rounds. India also faced Pakistan in the men’s cricket final and Malaysia in the men’s hockey gold-medal match. The day represented a major opportunity to strengthen India’s medal tally. (PC: Reuters)

Five Indian nationals were safely rescued and brought ashore after the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Embassy in Oman said. The embassy coordinated the rescue operation and confirmed that all five Indians were safely shifted ashore. It also thanked Omani authorities for their assistance during the operation. The incident occurred amid heightened maritime security concerns in and around the strategic waterway. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) separately reported that a tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile near Oman, with no casualties or environmental impact reported. 

Indian golfer Pranavi Urs created history at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya by winning the country’s first-ever individual women’s golf gold medal. The 23-year-old Mysuru golfer finished at 15-under par, holding off Singapore’s Shannon Tan and China’s Yin Ruoning by one stroke in a closely contested final round. Urs also contributed to India’s women’s team success alongside Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, as the trio secured silver with a combined 14-under 546, behind China. The double-medal achievement marked a significant milestone for Indian women’s golf at the continental Games. (PC: NDTV)

A car drove into a crowd of Newcastle Knights rugby fans in Wallsend, Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Saturday morning, injuring 10 people, including several children. The supporters had gathered along Newcastle Link Road to farewell the team before its NRL grand final against the Canberra Raiders in Sydney on Sunday. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man were critically injured, while eight others were reported stable in hospital. Police arrested the 18-year-old driver and launched an investigation. Initial police inquiries indicated the incident was not believed to be terrorism-related. Emergency crews, including ambulances and helicopters, responded. (PC: HT)

Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, citing sources, has identified the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 as Hamam al-Hammami. The September 30 flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, causing the aircraft to make two sharp descents over Saudi Arabia. Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and two off-duty pilots to restrain the co-pilot and help control the aircraft. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Investigators are examining the suspect’s background, alleged radicalisation and the incident’s motive. 

Global oil prices remained close to $100 a barrel after the G7 agreed to release up to 100 million barrels of crude oil and fuel from emergency reserves over four months. The coordinated move, to be managed through the International Energy Agency (IEA), aims to ease fuel shortages and stabilize energy markets. A substantial portion of diesel is expected to be released within the first 20 days as diesel prices remain elevated. Brent crude settled at about $102.25 per barrel, while U.S. WTI ended at $91.11. Supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions continue to influence prices.