London City Airport turned part of its runway into a race track on October 17, as around 5,000 runners took part in Nike’s After Dark Tour London 10K. The sold-out nighttime event allowed participants to run on a stretch normally used by aircraft, with views of the London skyline. The race began and ended at Silverworks Island in the Royal Docks, passing through waterfront areas before reaching the runway. Airport officials said the event took place outside operating hours and did not affect flights. The evening also featured live DJs, athlete hosts and a performance by British singer Pink Pantheress.

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)

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. 

Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei has ruled out transferring enriched uranium abroad, telling visiting Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir that Iran would retain all its nuclear material. According to Iranian state television, Rezaei described it as national wealth. He said Tehran would not negotiate with Washington until the United States rebuilt trust and met its conditions. President Masoud Pezeshkian demanded the removal of threats and sanctions, while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf outlined seven conditions for restoring trust. Iran’s demands include ending regional hostilities, lifting oil sanctions, releasing frozen assets and ending the US blockade of Iranian ports. Pakistan is mediating renewed negotiations amid continuing nuclear disagreements.

Elon Musk reportedly ordered speed restrictions on a version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network used by Ukraine amid its war with Russia, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday. Citing US officials and people familiar with the matter, the report said the restrictions were imposed on Ukrainian equipment last week, leaving some drones virtually inoperable and potentially weakening Kyiv’s ability to counter Russian attacks. Two sources told the newspaper that Musk and US President Donald Trump discussed the decision shortly after the slowdown became public. One source also claimed Musk had spoken with several senior Trump administration officials, including Trump, before implementing the restrictions. SpaceX had not commented in the supplied report. (PC: X)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the India-US trade deal could be finalised within weeks, with 99% of the work completed. In an interview with The Indian Express, Rubio said negotiations had narrowed to a few words and phrases. He described bilateral ties as positive and a key feature of Washington’s foreign policy. Addressing concerns over US relations with Pakistan and China, Rubio said ties with other countries would never come at India’s expense. He also said the Trump administration’s tariffs and tighter visa policies were not specifically directed at India, seeking to reassure New Delhi amid trade tensions. (PC: X)

The suspects in the Tiger Shroff shooting case allegedly conducted reconnaissance at Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence but abandoned their plan after finding police deployed there, India Today reported. According to investigators, the suspects then targeted Shroff, whose movements were allegedly easier to track. Three men opened fire at Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18, leaving his driver injured. The actor escaped direct gunshot injuries. Police are investigating the alleged conspiracy and possible links to a wider criminal network. The case has prompted increased security around several Bollywood personalities as investigators pursue further leads. (PC: India Today)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said intelligence sharing with the United States on early warnings of Russian strikes was now working, thanking Washington for its support. Speaking in Oslo after meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Zelensky said he was ready for negotiations and called for trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the US and Russia. The meeting comes amid worsening relations between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that Washington was withholding intelligence and causing Ukrainian deaths. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff would meet Russian leaders on Wednesday to exchange ideas. (PC: BBC)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Taj Mahal Palace Hotel security chief Sunil Kudyadi in Mumbai on Tuesday, hearing his first-hand account of the 26/11 terror attacks. Kudyadi was present at the hotel during the November 2008 assault. Before the meeting, Rubio laid a wreath at the hotel’s memorial to honour the 166 people killed in the attacks, including 6 American citizens. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar introduced Kudyadi to Rubio. The visit highlighted the shared commitment of India and the US to fighting terrorism. Rubio also held talks with Jaishankar on energy, defence, technology and regional issues.

Saudi Arabia’s execution of 2 Bangladeshi nationals over alleged “immoral acts” inside a mosque in Mecca has sparked outrage in Bangladesh and beyond. Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar were executed on October 14, according to Saudi media reports. However, authorities have not publicly detailed their alleged offences or disclosed information about their trials. Bangladesh’s government said it learned of the executions through media reports and has sought an explanation from Riyadh. Nazrul’s family questioned the fairness of the proceedings, saying they received no prior notice. The case has raised concerns over transparency, due process and consular notification. (PC: India Today)