France’s student protests have entered their third week, spreading from Paris to cities nationwide and across the border into Belgium. Students in France are demanding better school conditions, including less crowded classrooms, more teachers and repairs to deteriorating buildings. More than 6,000 people have been arrested, while rights groups have accused police of using excessive force. In Belgium, hundreds of students protested in Liège over rising education costs, crowded classrooms and access to study materials, with 107 arrests reported by local media. France also summoned Iran’s ambassador, accusing Tehran of spreading disinformation about the protests online.

Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has warned of a possible new wave of Islamist terror attacks, saying terrorist groups are developing capabilities faster than governments and security agencies. Speaking to India Today, Azar linked his concerns to the recent flydubai cockpit attack involving Indian pilot Smit Machchhar. He said Hamas had inspired terrorist groups in India’s neighbourhood and cited the 2025 Pahalgam attack as an example. Azar stressed that investigators have not yet established whether the flydubai incident was a lone-wolf attack. He also praised Machchhar and passengers for preventing a major disaster. (PC: India Today)

An Omani co-pilot accused of trying to seize control of a flydubai aircraft had reportedly been grounded twice before joining the airline. Hammam Al Hammami was removed from flying duties by Oman Air in 2025 over concerns about extremist online content, according to reports. He later moved to Morocco and underwent three months of theoretical training with Royal Air Maroc, but his application was rejected in January 2026. Despite this, he joined flydubai as a co-pilot the following month. On September 30, he allegedly attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit axe during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Passengers helped overpower him. (PC: NDTV)

An 8-foot gold-covered statue depicting US President Donald Trump has been unveiled at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Titled “The Orange Plague – King of Injustice”, the sculpture was created by Danish artist Jens Galschiøt as a satirical protest. The statue shows Trump naked, holding a golf club, a world-shaped ball and a set of scales while standing on the shoulders of a smaller man. Galschiøt said the work addresses concerns over US climate and foreign policies. The sculpture is scheduled to remain in Strasbourg until Thursday and is expected to appear again at the COP31 climate conference in Turkey in November. (PC: The Independent)

US death row inmate Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after surviving a failed lethal injection in Tennessee last week, her lawyers said. Pike, 50, remains in hospital receiving critical medical care and is still handcuffed and shackled to her bed. An anaesthesiologist advising her legal team said she can communicate in a basic way but appears to have no memory of the execution attempt. Pike survived 2 injections of pentobarbital on September 30. Experts described her recovery as unprecedented. Tennessee authorities have not said whether another execution will be attempted. Governor Bill Lee has suspended executions in the state for the rest of 2026. (PC: BBC)

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces attacked Aden International Airport with ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones on Wednesday, escalating fighting with Saudi-backed government forces. One missile landed near the runway shortly before a Cairo flight was due to arrive, forcing authorities to divert the aircraft to Jeddah. No casualties were immediately reported. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh and vowed to target its launch platform. The attacks came as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces launched a counteroffensive to retake territory near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea coast, threatening renewed regional instability. 

A Liberian-flagged oil tanker caught fire in the Black Sea off Russia’s resort city of Sochi after reportedly being attacked by naval drones on Tuesday evening. Russia’s Transport Ministry said crude oil was burning openly in the sea, creating a huge blaze and a thick cloud of black smoke visible from the coastline. All 23 crew members, who were Indian nationals, were rescued, with no casualties reported. Russian authorities temporarily restricted access to beaches and coastal areas. Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident comes amid escalating Russian and Ukrainian strikes against maritime and energy targets. 

France has suspended the use of stun grenades during student protests after a 15-year-old boy lost his hand in an incident in Lens on Monday. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ordered the pause until investigations clarify what happened. Authorities said the teenager picked up the grenade before it exploded, while students claimed he was hit directly by police. The protests have spread across France, with more than 500 schools disrupted on Wednesday. Police arrested 488 people during Tuesday’s demonstrations, while 43 security officers were injured. Police watchdog IGPN has opened 18 investigations into whether officers used proportionate force during the protests. (PC: BBC)

The United States has lost or suffered damage to at least 81 military aircraft and drones since the Iran war began, according to a new Congressional Research Service report. The losses are estimated at nearly $3.3 billion. The affected equipment includes 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, 1 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones and 2 A-10 attack aircraft. Three F-15Es were shot down in friendly fire over Kuwait, while another was lost over Iran. Eight more F-15Es were damaged in Iranian strikes on a Jordan air base. The report said some damaged aircraft may return to service. (PC: NDTV)

The US military has lost or damaged at least 81 aircraft, drones and helicopters worth up to $3.3 billion during the Iran war, according to a Congressional Research Service report. Losses include 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 attack jets, seven KC-135 tankers, one E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J aircraft, one HH-60W helicopter, and several drones and helicopters. At least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones were lost, reducing the fleet to 135, below the Air Force’s intended 189 deployable aircraft. Three F-15Es were destroyed in friendly fire over Kuwait, while another was shot down over Iran. An E-3 Sentry worth $270 million was also lost, highlighting significant American military equipment losses.