Elon Musk has escalated his dispute over Starlink’s entry into India, sarcastically addressing Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” and accusing him of seeking to preserve monopolistic control. In a post on X on Friday, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO argued that Starlink could connect underserved communities, expand educational opportunities and help small businesses reach global markets. He also claimed the satellite internet service had saved lives during natural disasters when other communication systems failed. The controversy began when Musk alleged that unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink. India’s Communications Ministry rejected claims of discriminatory regulation, saying the country’s authorisation framework was fair and non-discriminatory. Starlink’s security assessment remains underway.

South African jurist Navi Pillay joked that she might share her 2026 Nobel Peace Prize with US President Donald Trump if the applause continued. The 85-year-old made the remark in Nuremberg, Germany, after colleagues congratulated her, in a moment captured in a video shared by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard. Pillay initially suspected the Nobel announcement was a joke and said she wanted to verify it, drawing on her experience as a lawyer and judge. The Nobel committee recognised her commitment to universal legal principles and strong moral compass. A former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pillay also headed the tribunal investigating the Rwanda genocide.

India has criticised the US suspension of eight IT firms from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme (PERM), saying the move does not advance the shared ambitions of both countries. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called US Vice-President JD Vance’s description of H-1B foreign workers as “foreign indentured servants” “deeply offensive,” citing its painful historical and colonial connotations. India stressed that skilled Indian professionals contribute to American innovation, productivity, research and job creation. The MEA clarified that PERM is separate from the H-1B visa programme, so existing H-1B visas remain valid, although eligible employees of affected companies could face disruptions to their Green Card applications.

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, an 85-year-old South African jurist of Indian Tamil descent, won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The daughter of a Durban bus driver, Pillay began her journey during apartheid-era South Africa, where racial discrimination once prevented her from entering judges’ chambers because of her skin colour. She persevered to become the country’s first non-white woman High Court judge. Pillay, a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is recognised for defending anti-apartheid activists and helping prosecute those responsible for the Rwanda genocide. Her career has spanned human rights advocacy, judicial service and efforts to uphold international justice. (PC: X)

The Trump administration has suspended access to the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme for major technology companies, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Cognizant, Microsoft, Adobe and Capgemini. The decision blocks new and pending applications under a key employment-based green card pathway. US officials allege that companies misused immigration programmes at the expense of American workers, while critics warn the restrictions could discourage skilled international talent. Indian IT professionals may face greater uncertainty about permanent settlement and career progression in the United States, potentially encouraging them to explore opportunities in Europe and other markets. (PC: File)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that the United States’ suspension of the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme will not significantly affect its workforce strategy or client operations. The US government suspended the programme for several major technology companies, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Cognizant and Capgemini, amid concerns over employment-based immigration practices. TCS said its PERM applications had remained in single digits over the past two years. The company reaffirmed its plan to hire 15,000 additional employees in the US over the next five years, focusing primarily on local recruitment and campus hiring rather than immigration-based recruitment. (PC: Reuters)

India has advised its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain “alert and vigilant” amid the prevailing situation in the Kingdom. In an advisory issued on October 8, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged citizens to follow local authorities’ instructions, stay indoors as necessary and exercise caution. Indians were also strongly advised against circulating or reposting videos or news related to ongoing events. The embassy, Indian Consulate in Jeddah and their VFS-supported services continue to function normally, while further advisories will be issued if necessary. The 24x7 Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra helpline remains operational. The advisory comes amid escalating Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, with reported explosions, flight disruptions and deaths at Riyadh and Abha airports.

Bangladesh is seeking a new, longer-term Ganges water-sharing agreement with India before the existing 1996 treaty expires on December 12, 2026. Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee said Dhaka wants a revised agreement with guarantee provisions protecting Bangladesh’s required dry-season water share. He said both sides are working through the Joint Rivers Commission and expressed hope that a new arrangement would be completed before the deadline. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said negotiations on transboundary rivers and the treaty’s future are continuing through discussion, dialogue and diplomacy, with international law also being considered. Bangladesh and India share 54 transboundary rivers, while the Teesta dispute remains separate from the Ganges treaty. (PC: AFP)

US authorities have suspended major IT services firms, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCLTech and Cognizant, from participating in the PERM employment-based Green Card sponsorship programme. The News18 report says the move follows allegations of systemic visa fraud and misuse of labour certification processes designed to protect domestic wages. With PERM processing halted, the primary route to permanent residency for tens of thousands of skilled professionals on H-1B visas has effectively closed. More than 100,000 Indian technology workers and their families face uncertainty. Affected workers may struggle to change employers, accept promotions or switch roles without resetting multi-year filing timelines, while families face financial and long-term planning pressures and decisions. (PC: X)

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has issued a security advisory to Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions following attacks targeting airports in the Kingdom. Indians have been urged to remain alert, stay indoors when necessary and strictly follow instructions from Saudi authorities through official channels. The embassy also advised nationals not to circulate or repost videos or news related to the ongoing situation. The advisory follows attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports that reportedly killed three people and injured 36. Indian diplomatic and VFS services in Riyadh and Jeddah continue to operate normally, while a 24-hour helpline remains available. (PC: X)