UK police have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly raping a 20-year-old Indian-origin woman in a racially motivated attack in Walsall. The suspect was detained on Monday morning in Perry Barr after a large manhunt. Police said the woman was attacked in the Park Hall area on Saturday night because of her race. Neighbours heard her screams as the attacker broke into her home and assaulted her. The victim, identified as Punjabi, was reportedly abused with racial slurs. West Midlands Police called it an “absolutely appalling attack” and said she is being supported by trained officers. (PC: India Today)

China has built 36 hardened aircraft shelters at its Lhunze airbase in Tibet, about 100 km from Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang. Satellite images show new runways, tunnels, and drone areas. Experts say the base could host fighter jets and attack helicopters, cutting China’s response time. Former Air Chief BS Dhanoa said this move shows China is preparing for possible war scenarios. Air Marshal Anil Khosla called the development a “serious strategic threat” to India. The Indian Air Force is expected to counter with advanced US-made Sky Guardian drones arriving in 2029. (PC: X)

Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on October 28 after intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm. The IMD has warned of heavy rain and strong winds across Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. The Andhra government has evacuated thousands from coastal areas and opened over 400 relief camps. Schools and colleges in affected districts are closed, and several train services have been cancelled. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh are monitoring rescue efforts. PM Modi has assured full central support as disaster teams stay on high alert. (PC: India Today)

A man was caught on video shouting racist abuse at an Indian worker in a McDonald’s outlet in Oakville, Canada. The video shows him yelling, “Go back to your f***ing country, you stupid Indian.” When a woman confronted him, he became aggressive and repeated the slurs. The video quickly went viral, sparking outrage online. Many users condemned the behaviour, calling it “disgusting” and praising the worker for staying calm. Police are aware of the video as Canada faces growing concerns about hate crimes. Recently, a new Hate Crime Unit was formed to tackle racist attacks in the Peel region. (PC: ManyBeenRinsed/X)

During the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, S. Jaishankar engaged in talks with Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia focusing on deepening bilateral cooperation and enhancing people-to-people links. The meeting highlighted India’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific and the “India-ASEAN” partnership, with Jaishankar conveying the best wishes of Narendra Modi for the summit’s success. Discussions touched upon strategic sectors including defence, technology, and economic collaboration — signalling a stronger engaging role for both nations in regional architecture. (PC: PTI)    

A 20-year-old woman of Indian origin was raped in a racially aggravated assault in the Park Hall area of Walsall, West Midlands. West Midlands Police responded after she was found distressed in the street late Saturday evening; the attacker, described as a white male in his 30s with short hair and dark clothing, allegedly broke into the home. The force has released CCTV footage and urged witnesses to come forward. Community groups say the victim is Punjabi, and the incident comes weeks after a similar racially motivated rape in the region.   

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur to strengthen India-U.S. strategic and economic ties. The two leaders discussed key global issues including regional security, Indo-Pacific stability, counterterrorism, and supply chain resilience. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific and enhancing cooperation in technology, defense, and trade. The meeting highlighted growing diplomatic engagement under the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership amid evolving geopolitical challenges and shifting power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. (PC: PTI)    

A 20-year-old Indian-origin woman was raped in a “racially aggravated” attack in Walsall, UK, according to a report. Police said the suspect is a white man in his 30s with short hair and dark clothing. The West Midlands Police have released CCTV footage of the attacker and launched a public appeal for information. Community groups said the victim is a Punjabi woman, sparking concern after a similar racially motivated rape of a British Sikh woman nearby last month. Officers are recovering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and increasing patrols. Police urged anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. (PC: westmidlands.police.uk)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s growing relationship with Pakistan will not harm its historic ties with India. Speaking ahead of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Rubio called India a “deep, historic, and important” partner. His comments came amid reports of increased US-Pakistan engagement after President Trump’s meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. Rubio said India’s concerns are understood, but the US is working to maintain balance in the region. He also noted India’s interest in diversifying energy sources and said the US aims to strengthen strategic and trade relations without compromising ties with any country. (PC: India Today)

Direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, China, resumed on Sunday after nearly five years. IndiGo Airlines operated the first flight with 176 passengers on board an A320 neo aircraft from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Flights were suspended in early 2020 due to COVID-19 and the eastern Ladakh border tensions. The resumption follows recent diplomatic initiatives and will strengthen business, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Airport officials held a small ceremony to mark the occasion. The daily non-stop flights are expected to boost convenience for travelers and reinforce Kolkata’s role as a major international aviation hub in eastern India. (PC: HT)