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)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s partnership with ASEAN is a strong base for global peace and development. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, he said India and ASEAN together represent one-fourth of the world’s population and can shape a stable and secure future. Modi announced 2026 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” focusing on safety, trade, and sustainability in regional waters. His remarks came as ASEAN nations face pressure from US-China tensions. Modi said India stands ready to work with ASEAN to solve common regional and global challenges. (PC: The Indian Express)

President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would halt Russian oil imports, calling it a "big step." However, India's foreign ministry spokesperson stated he was "not aware of any conversation" between Trump and Modi, or any assurance about stopping Russian oil purchases. Trump had received assurances that India would halt purchases "within a short period of time," as Washington seeks to pressure Russia by cutting Kremlin's energy revenues. Following new U.S. sanctions, India's major refiners are preparing to sharply cut Russian crude purchases, though analysts suggest any cuts would likely be symbolic rather than structural, as Russian oil remains vital for India's economy.

Vice President JD Vance criticized New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani after he spoke about his Muslim aunt feeling unsafe wearing on the subway following the September 11 attacks. Vance wrote on X that "the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks." Guy km Mamdani made the remarks during a press conference outside a Bronx mosque, stating he wanted to "speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after September 11 because she did not feel safe in her hijab." The comments came amid controversy after Andrew Cuomo questioned Mamdani's crisis leadership abilities and made hypothetical remarks about another 9/11-style attack, which Mamdani called Islamophobic. (PC: Newsweek & NBC News)

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that India is “cutting back completely” on Russian oil imports as Washington tightens sanctions on Moscow. He also voiced optimism about achieving a “complete deal” with China covering trade, technology, and raw materials. However, Indian officials clarified there has been no such move, emphasizing that energy purchases from Russia align with national interests. Trump’s remarks come amid efforts to balance U.S. foreign policy between Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi, signaling renewed geopolitical maneuvering over global energy supply chains and trade relationships. (PC: AP)  

Pakistan's Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf visited disputed Creek Areas along India's maritime boundary, vowing to defend "every inch from Sir Creek to Jiwani." He inducted three state-of-the-art 2400 TD Hovercraft into Pak Marines, designed for navigating shallow waters, sand dunes, and marshy littoral zones where conventional craft fail. Admiral Ashraf emphasized maritime security as "cornerstone of sovereignty" and vital for economic prosperity. Top Indian intelligence sources condemned the visit as "deliberate military assertiveness in disputed maritime zones," timed provocatively before Indian Tri-Forces exercises. Intelligence assessment views the hovercraft induction as defensive upgrade but notes Pakistan uses military posturing to justify deeper Chinese strategic alliances under CPEC framework, particularly concerning Gwadar-Jiwani maritime infrastructure.