John Kiriakou, former CIA officer with 15 years of service, has advised Pakistan to avoid any conventional military confrontation with India, stating such a war would be catastrophic for Islamabad. He highlighted that the U.S. intelligence community had anticipated heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, prompting evacuation of American civilians from Islamabad in 2002. Kiriakou also claimed that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was effectively monitored by the U.S., a point Islamabad denies. His warning underscores the risks of escalation in the already tense India-Pakistan relations. (PC: News18)

Elipe Siva Nagu, a 34-year-old Indian national employed as a staff nurse at Singapore’s Raffles Hospital, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison and two strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to molesting a male visitor. The incident occurred on June 18, 2025, when the victim entered a patient’s toilet and was approached by Nagu, who claimed he needed to “disinfect” him. Nagu then applied soap to his hand and molested the startled victim. The victim later experienced flashbacks of the incident. Nagu was arrested two days after the report was made and was suspended from his nursing duties immediately following the offense. (PC: Getty Images)  

The family of Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old truck driver from Puranashala, Gurdaspur, has denied allegations that he was under the influence of drugs during a fatal crash in Ontario, California, which resulted in three deaths and four injuries. Singh, who entered the US illegally in 2022, was arrested on charges including gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. His father, Ravinder Singh, emphasized that Jashanpreet was a baptised Sikh and had no history of drug use. The family has appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht for assistance in addressing the situation. (PC: X)  

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou revealed that after the 2001 Indian Parliament terror attack, U.S. intelligence believed a full-scale war between India and Pakistan was imminent. “We believed India and Pakistan would go to war. Families were evacuated from Islamabad,” he said. Kiriakou confirmed that the CIA had strong evidence linking Pakistan-based terror groups to the attack and admitted that the U.S. viewed Pakistan as a key sponsor of terrorism in South Asia. He added that the CIA concluded Pakistan would not survive a conventional war against India, given India’s superior military capabilities.    

The family of 22-year-old Jashanpreet Singh from Gurdaspur, Punjab, has denied allegations that he was under the influence of drugs during a fatal truck crash in California that killed at least three people. “He was an Amritdhari Sikh and never did drugs or alcohol,” said his father, defending his son’s character. Jashanpreet had moved to the US via the “dunki” route after his father spent nearly ₹40 lakh hoping for a better future. The family, in shock, insists the tragedy was an accident, not negligence, and has appealed for compassion from authorities. (PC: The Times of India)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized the UN and Pakistan at the organization's 80th anniversary event, stating "all is not well" as debates become "increasingly polarized" and work "visibly gridlocked." He condemned Pakistan's Security Council attempts to protect The Resistance Front (TRF), the terror outfit claiming responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar questioned multilateralism's credibility when "sitting Security Council members openly protect" terror organizations and victims are equated with perpetrators in "global strategy", an apparent reference to India-Pakistan hyphenation. Pakistan attempted removing TRF references from UNSC statements condemning Pahalgam. Despite criticizing the UN's failures on terrorism, development, and SDG Agenda 2030, Jaishankar affirmed commitment to multilateralism and supporting the flawed institution during crisis.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confronted UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant at Berlin Global Dialogue over US sanctions targeting Russian oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil, questioning why India was singled out when Germany and Britain sought exemptions for their Rosneft subsidiaries. India's Nayara Energy, controlled by Rosneft, faces sanctions alongside other Russian firms as Western powers pressure Moscow over Ukraine. Goyal highlighted that UK "probably already got exemption" while Germany seeks exemption citing its Rosneft subsidiaries under government trusteeship since 2022. Bryant acknowledged Germany's subsidiary exemption, prompting Goyal to ask why India's subsidiary wasn't similarly treated. The UK issued special licenses for German Rosneft subsidiaries under state control, while Indian refiners face pressure to abandon discounted Russian crude.

An 83-year-old British woman, Olena Byko, set a remarkable record with a 117-metre bungee jump at Rishikesh's Shivpuri Bungee Jumping Centre on October 13, capturing hearts across social media. The viral video shows Byko dancing and appearing completely relaxed before her fearless leap, displaying extraordinary energy and excitement. Social media users praised her "leap of courage," celebrating her as proof that age presents no barrier to adventure. Comments highlighted her graceful arm movements, comparing her to "a ballerina in flight" and noting she was "in her own world enjoying." The inspiring footage has made her a role model for younger generations, demonstrating living life to the fullest at any age.

Indian doctors in the US are alarmed over Donald Trump administration's proposed H-1B visa fee hike to $100,000 for new applicants, fearing it will worsen rural healthcare shortages. Nearly 25% of US doctors are foreign-trained, with 64% serving underserved rural areas that American graduates avoid. While the White House clarified existing visa holders remain unaffected with possible "national interest" exemptions, unclear guidance creates anxiety. Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, first Indian-origin AMA president, warns fees could devastate smaller hospitals. Over 50 medical organizations urged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider, arguing immigrant physicians fill critical care gaps rather than displacing American doctors in communities desperately needing medical services. 

India and the United States are on the verge of concluding a long-anticipated trade agreement, with negotiations advancing to the legal drafting phase. Both nations have resolved most outstanding issues, leaving only a few non-tariff barriers to address. A senior Indian official noted that common ground has been established on nearly all contentious points. Despite progress, the deal awaits final political approval. The official deadline for the initial phase of the Bilateral Trade Agreement remains set for fall 2025, as previously agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. (PC: Business Standard)