US President Donald Trump opposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported plan to strike Iran earlier this month, the Financial Times reported, citing 3 people familiar with the matter.   According to the report, Israel’s military had prepared strikes for the weekend of October 10 targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, government sites and civilian infrastructure, including energy plants. Trump reportedly rejected the plan to avoid reigniting the conflict with Tehran ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3.   The report highlights differences over the timing of possible military action as tensions between Washington, Israel and Iran continue. (PC: News18)

North Korea has released images of leader Kim Jong Un visiting a garment and footwear exhibition, following unverified social media claims that he had died from a brain haemorrhage.   The photographs, published in the state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, showed Kim inspecting footwear and clothing and speaking with officials. The apparent public appearance came after US-based Chinese dissident Wanjun Xie alleged that Kim had fallen into a coma and was taken to Beijing for treatment. He also claimed that Kim had died, but provided no verifiable evidence. North Korean state media's report offered a public indication of Kim's activities amid the rumours. (PC: NDTV)

Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, near Toronto, will host an Indian consular camp on November 15, 2 years after pro-Khalistan protesters stormed the temple and assaulted worshippers in November 2024.   India’s Consulate in Toronto has announced 15 consular camps across Canada from November 1 to 29. The camps will provide services, including life certificates for pensioners, and consular assistance to members of the Indian community.   Indian missions had cancelled several camps after the 2024 violence over security concerns. The return to the temple marks a renewed effort to provide services to Indians living far from diplomatic offices. The schedule also includes temples, a gurdwara and a church. (PC: HT)

The State Bank of India (SBI) has confirmed a suspected data breach after 3,897 customer records containing personal information were identified on the dark web. The bank disclosed the incident in a stock exchange filing on October 21.   The exposed information reportedly includes customers’ names, mobile numbers, dates of birth, email addresses, residential addresses and identifiers linked to loan records.   SBI received alerts about the suspected data exposure on October 16 from its threat intelligence provider, the Defence Cyber Agency and CERT-In. The bank has engaged an independent cybersecurity agency to investigate the incident.   SBI said its core banking operations and financial performance remain unaffected. The investigation will establish the source and extent of the data exposure. (PC: India Today)

The United States aims to more than double bilateral trade with India to over $500 billion within three years, up from a record $240 billion, US Ambassador Sergio Gor announced. The announcement came as President Donald Trump said Washington and New Delhi were “pretty close” to reaching a trade agreement, adding that the deal would differ significantly from previous agreements. Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump expressed confidence that an agreement was within reach. Earlier, at the Freedom 250 reception in Mumbai, Gor highlighted the countries’ economic and strategic partnership, saying Trump had tasked him with delivering tangible results rather than merely discussing future cooperation.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that a minor cannot lose Indian citizenship merely because his father acquired British citizenship. The court heard a petition filed by the child through his father, N.S. Gurudev Nagaiah Shanmugam of Madurai, seeking renewal of the minor’s passport. The petitioner asked the court to direct the Madurai Regional Passport Officer to process the application. The judge observed that the child acquired Indian citizenship by birth because both parents were Indian citizens at the relevant time. The court directed the Regional Passport Officer to consider and dispose of the passport renewal application within three months, according to The Hindu’s report published October 21, 2026. (PC: The Hindu )

India continued its impressive campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with outstanding performances in para-athletics. Sachin Sarjerao Khilari won gold in the men’s shot put F46 event with a Games-record throw of 15.87 metres. Mohammed Yasser secured silver with 15.06 metres, while Parveen claimed bronze with 14.94 metres, completing an all-Indian podium sweep. Meanwhile, Ayush Verma won gold in the men’s shot put F53 event, taking India’s gold tally to 10. Indian archers Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag also earned silver in women’s compound doubles, strengthening India’s medal campaign. (PC: PTI)

Israeli police arrested ten suspects on October 19, 2026, following alleged attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, European diplomats and American photojournalist Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank. Levine was reportedly assaulted while covering the Palestinian olive harvest in Abu Falah on October 16 and sustained serious injuries requiring surgery. A day later, masked settlers allegedly attacked European diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland near Taybeh. The arrests were conducted under “Operation Olive Leaf” with assistance from Israel’s Shin Bet security agency. The incidents prompted international condemnation and calls for accountability and stronger protection for civilians, journalists and diplomats. 

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested four additional suspects in connection with the October 18 firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai. The accused, Kunal and Sumit from Haryana, and Radha and Babita from Uttar Pradesh, allegedly helped transport firearms and coordinate the operation. Police claim Kunal procured a pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition from Amritsar, while the two women allegedly carried the weapon to Mumbai. The arrests follow the detention of three alleged shooters in Kota, Rajasthan. Mumbai Police’s CID secured three days’ transit remand to investigate the suspects’ roles and possible links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. (PC: ANI)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined members of the Indian community for Navratri celebrations, dancing Garba to traditional Gujarati music while wearing a dupatta over his black suit, NDTV reported. A widely shared social media video showed his performance. Mamdani subsequently visited a temple, where he was seen seeking blessings from a priest. On X, he extended festive greetings to Hindu communities, acknowledging traditions including Durga Puja, Dashain, Dussehra, Navratri, Sindur Khela and Golu displays. Mamdani has previously celebrated Diwali and Raksha Bandhan with local residents. The mayor, of Indian origin, is New York City’s first South Asian, Indian American and Muslim mayor.