US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken wanted Indian gangsters Himanshu Bhau and Neeraj Kaushik into custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. The arrests took place on October 22 following inputs from Indian agencies, reports said. Bhau, whose real name is Himanshu Ritoliya, is wanted in multiple cases, including murder, attempted murder and extortion. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in August 2023. Kaushik, also known as Neeraj Faridpuria, faces more than 25 criminal cases, according to reports. Haryana's Special Task Force is coordinating with US authorities to secure their return to India through legal procedures. (PC: X)

The Centre has praised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay after his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government reduced taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to lower airline costs. The state has cut VAT on aviation fuel from 29% to 16% at Chennai airport and to 1% at other airports. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed the decision, saying cooperation between the Centre and states is important to make air travel more affordable. The move comes amid rising crude oil prices and pressure on airlines. Lower fuel costs could improve regional connectivity, though any reduction in ticket prices will depend on airlines. (PC: India Today)

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah has triggered a political controversy after saying Pakistan’s efforts to raise the Kashmir issue internationally are helping protect the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a party workers’ convention in Baramulla on Saturday, Abdullah questioned the Centre’s intentions towards Kashmiris and asked whether people could expect justice from New Delhi. The BJP strongly criticised his remarks, calling them pro-Pakistan and seditious. BJP leaders demanded a public apology and accused Abdullah of supporting Pakistan’s narrative. Abdullah’s comments have renewed political tensions over Kashmir’s identity, security and relations between India and Pakistan. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have directed their governments to strengthen bilateral cooperation, targeting $100 billion in trade and $50 billion in mutual investments by 2030. Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar shared the details in an interview with Russian news agency TASS. Their discussions took place during the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. Cooperation includes trade, commerce and skilled labour mobility. India has also proposed establishing training institutions jointly with Russia to prepare skilled workers for Russian industries, strengthening economic and employment ties between both countries. (PC: Reuters)

Haryana gangster Himanshu Bhau, also known as Himanshu Ritoliya, and his associate Neeraj Kaushik, alias Neeraj Faridpuria, were reportedly detained in Las Vegas, United States, on October 22, 2026. The operation involved US law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), following inputs from Haryana’s Special Task Force. Bhau is wanted in India in multiple cases involving murder, kidnapping, extortion and organised crime. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in August 2023. Indian authorities are coordinating with US agencies to secure their return to India for legal proceedings.

A 25-year-old woman from Telangana, Nallamala Akshitha, died in Albany, New York, reportedly due to a suspected cardiac arrest. The daughter of businessman Nallamala Anand, she had moved to the United States for higher education and recently completed her Master of Science (MS) degree. According to reports, Akshitha had secured a job and was preparing to begin her professional career. She reportedly collapsed while walking outside her residence after dinner. Her brother, Akshay, rushed her to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Her family is arranging to bring her remains back to India. (PC: India Today)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku on Friday, October 23, 2026, as India sought to reset strained bilateral ties. Jaishankar described his meeting with Aliyev as charting a “pathway” for future relations. Ties between the countries had deteriorated more than a year earlier after Azerbaijan condemned India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan and called for a resolution of the Kashmir issue. Following what Bayramov termed a “fruitful discussion”, he acknowledged that the countries had held different viewpoints on several issues but highlighted potential cooperation in trade, tourism and energy, signalling an effort to rebuild engagement.

India on Friday advised its nationals in France, Italy and Belgium to remain vigilant and exercise caution amid protests and unrest across parts of Europe, driven largely by rising living costs. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian diplomatic missions were closely monitoring developments and maintaining regular contact with Indian community members. Nationals were urged to avoid protest areas, exercise caution while travelling and follow local government advisories. Indian embassies in France and Italy have also issued specific advisories. The warning follows violent demonstrations in France, including clashes, looting, arson and vandalism. Authorities are preparing for further protests on Saturday, with security measures and restrictions imposed in several areas.

India said deviations by Chinese forces from established patrolling patterns could disturb the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), reiterating that peace and tranquillity in border areas are essential for developing bilateral relations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the statement during a media briefing on Friday, October 23. His remarks followed comments by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Director General Shatrujeet Kapur, who said confrontations with Chinese troops continued at several locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border. New Delhi’s statement underscored its position that maintaining stability along the disputed frontier remains important to broader India-China ties, amid reports of continued encounters between border forces.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said India has become Europe’s third-largest arms exporter over the past year, citing a Bloomberg report and demand linked to the “Rearm Europe” initiative. India’s defence exports have reached a record ₹38,424 crore, approximately €3.6 billion, he said. The country now exports defence products to more than 80 nations, including ammunition, artillery shells, small arms, helmets and bulletproof jackets. Singh highlighted the expansion of India’s defence industrial base, which includes around 840 licensed companies and 17,000 small and medium enterprises, including startups. He also said domestic defence sales have reached approximately €17 billion, while India prioritises locally designed, developed and manufactured equipment. (PC: X)