A planned debate at Oxford Union on “India’s Policy Towards Pakistan is a Populist Strategy Sold as Security Policy” collapsed as each side blamed the other. J Sai Deepak — who was to represent India — produced email and call‑log evidence confirming his participation and that Indian replacements were offered when original speakers withdrew. The Pakistan High Commission in the UK countered that the Indian team pulled out last minute, giving Pakistan a “walkover.” The cancellation triggered accusations of poor coordination by the Oxford Union and spurred sharp social‑media reactions debating which side withdrew. (PC: X)

A video going viral has triggered uproar in the UK after showing pavements, dustbins and roads in Harrow, London stained red with spit from paan or chewing tobacco. The staining is reportedly widespread across areas such as Rayners Lane and North Harrow — especially outside shops and takeaways selling gutka/paan products. Locals and social‑media users have reacted with anger and disgust, with many calling the act unhygienic and demanding stricter enforcement of public‑spitting bans. Meanwhile, authorities in Harrow are under pressure: the stain‑cleanups are costly, and existing rules (like the Public Spaces Protection Order that fines spitting) are being questioned for their effectiveness. 

Airbus has called for a global software update on its A320 family—around 6,000 aircraft may be affected—following concerns that intense solar radiation can corrupt flight-control data. In some cases (~900 jets), hardware fixes are required, causing temporary groundings and flight disruptions. Regulators, including EASA, have issued an emergency airworthiness directive. Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and EasyJet warn of delays or cancellations as the fixes are implemented. (PC: Reuters)

North London's Brent Council faces a costly public health crisis as paan and gutka spitting stains streets, particularly around Wembley's South Asian community areas. The council spends over £30,000 (Rs 35 lakhs) annually cleaning dark-red tobacco residue from pavements, telephone boxes, and buildings, with even high-powered jets unable to remove stubborn stains. Authorities adopted a "zero-tolerance approach," deploying enforcement officers and warning banners across three hotspot areas. Offenders face fines up to £100 (Rs 12,000). Cabinet Member Krupa Sheth warned perpetrators: "Don't mess with Brent, because we will catch you and fine you." The distinctly South Asian habit, normalized across the subcontinent, now causes serious health, environmental, and financial damage in UK streets.(PC: NDTV)

Former Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry claims death rumors about jailed Imran Khan are Taliban's "tit-for-tat" response to earlier Pakistani media reports alleging Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Haibatullah's assassination. Afghan social media handles, including Afghan Times, alleged Khan was murdered in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail by army chief Asim Munir. Chaudhry insists Khan remains "hale and hearty," with jail authorities confirming he's eating meals and exercising regularly. The controversy intensifies as Pakistani authorities haven't allowed Khan's sisters to meet him for three months despite court orders, sparking PTI worker sit-ins demanding "proof of life." Chaudhry blames the Shehbaz Sharif government's ban on meetings and photo releases on their fear of Khan's overwhelming political popularity.

Maj. Gen. Dan Tolkowsky, Israel's fifth Air Force commander and high-tech pioneer, died at 104 in Tel Aviv. Born in 1921 to a prominent Zionist family, he served as an RAF Spitfire pilot during WWII before helping the Haganah acquire Israel's first aircraft. Leading the IAF from 1953-1958 at age 32, he introduced jet aircraft and commanded during the 1956 Sinai Campaign. Post-military, Tolkowsky revolutionized Israeli technology as Discount Investments CEO, co-founding Elron Ventures, which established Elbit and Elscint. In 1985, he launched Athena, Israel's first venture capital fund. President Herzog awarded him the Presidential Medal of Honor in 2023. Survived by three children, nine grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he'll be buried Monday in Tel Aviv.(PC: Wikipedia)

President Donald Trump announced a permanent pause on migration from all "Third World Countries" to allow the US system to recover, following a deadly shooting near the White House. The policy will terminate Biden-era admissions, remove non-assets, end federal benefits for non-citizens, and pursue "reverse migration." Trump's declaration came after Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly shot two National Guard troopers, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who died, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, who remains critical. The administration immediately suspended all Afghan immigration processing. Trump claimed 53 million foreigners currently reside in the US, asserting migrants receive excessive benefits while causing social dysfunction. The sweeping policy will significantly impact millions seeking education, employment, or asylum in America.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the 29-year-old Afghan suspect in the ambush shooting of two U.S. National Guard members near the White House, previously served in a CIA-backed strike unit in Afghanistan. He drove over 2,500 miles from Washington State before opening fire using a .357 revolver. One of the soldiers, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, has died; the other remains in critical condition. Lakanwal entered the U.S. under “Operation Allies Welcome” in 2021 and was granted asylum earlier this year. (PC: India Today)

Following the shooting of two United States National Guard members in Washington D.C., Trump declared he will “permanently pause migration from all third‐world countries”. In a late-night social media post, he pledged to end federal benefits for non-citizens, deport those not deemed “net assets”, and denaturalise migrants viewed as threats to “domestic tranquility”. His administration also initiated a review of asylum approvals and suspended immigration processing for Afghan nationals. Legal experts warn the sweeping policy faces major constitutional and practical hurdles.

Israeli security forces shot dead two Palestinian men, Montasir Abdullah (26) and Yusuf Asasa (37), during a raid in Jenin, West Bank, despite video footage showing them appearing to surrender. The men exited a building, raised their shirts to show they were unarmed, and lay on the ground before being directed inside again — and then were fired upon at close range. The Israeli military says it has launched a “surrender procedure” and is reviewing the incident. Palestinians call it a “cold-blooded execution” and warn of potential impunity.