Former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph has said constitutional courts must take stronger action when warnings fail to protect democratic principles. Speaking at a convention in Kerala, he compared the Supreme Court to a watchdog responsible for guarding the Constitution. His remarks came amid protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities. Joseph called for constitutional amendments to protect the Election Commission’s independence, including rules governing appointments and service conditions. He also urged citizens to hold peaceful, informed demonstrations and warned that weakened public trust in constitutional institutions could threaten democratic functioning. (PC: HT)

Air France has barred Pakistani pilots and cabin crew from operating flights to and from Israel, following stricter enforcement of Israeli aviation rules. The restrictions apply to crew members from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel and may also affect those holding dual citizenship. United Airlines has introduced similar requirements into its crew-planning procedures, while Czech airline Smartwings has also confirmed compliance. The move follows an attempted attack by a co-pilot aboard a FlyDubai flight on September 30. Separately, an Ethiopian Airlines flight returned to Addis Ababa after Israeli authorities identified an Indonesian pilot on board. (PC: India Today)

At least 600,000 people across Ukraine have lost electricity following overnight Russian missile and drone strikes, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday. Ukraine’s emergency service reported at least 3 deaths and 21 injuries in Kyiv. Zelensky said critical energy infrastructure in Kyiv, the surrounding region and Kharkiv was hit, despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that an energy ceasefire had begun. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 39 missiles and 128 drones overnight. Russia’s defence ministry said its strikes targeted energy and communications facilities used by Ukraine’s military. Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. (PC: BBC)

A 35-year-old Saudi national working at OpenAI has been arrested in the United States for allegedly placing a recording device inside the company’s San Francisco office. The US Justice Department said Abdulrahman Alfozan was arrested on October 9 after OpenAI’s security team discovered the device late last month. Prosecutors allege he hid a USB device inside a television in an executive conference room. A second device was reportedly found in his unattended bag. OpenAI said there was no indication that he had accessed or stolen its AI models, source code or customer data. He faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted. (PC: NDTV)

An Air India flight from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Wednesday after the pilot issued a hijacking alert. Flight AI 2030, operated by a Boeing 787-9, landed safely at Jaipur International Airport and was moved to an isolation bay for security checks. All passengers and crew members were evacuated safely. DGCA sources said the aircraft had transmitted code 7500, used internationally to indicate a hijacking. However, police sources said the emergency landing followed a bomb threat. Security agencies, local police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad conducted checks. The DGCA is investigating the incident. (PC: HT)

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said. The 71-year-old underwent a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, with no complications reported. Doctors identified the condition as lung adenocarcinoma after examining a growth detected during routine checks. The Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week while he recovers. His schedule has been cleared until October 20. Despite the diagnosis, the Vatican has said he showed no symptoms of infection or illness. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly discussed renewed strikes on Iran last week, Axios reported, citing four sources. A US official said Netanyahu wants to resume attacks and raised the idea with Trump, who reportedly told him to “get ready” without committing to a timeline. An Israeli official said Netanyahu was concerned by intelligence suggesting Iran was rebuilding its nuclear programme. Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before November’s midterm elections. However, both militaries remain on alert and are preparing for a change in policy. The White House denied they discussed restarting the war, while Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on their conversations. (PC: X)

A Saudi national employed by OpenAI was arrested after allegedly planting a recording device inside the company’s San Francisco office, according to OpenAI and federal prosecutors. OpenAI said its security team discovered a sophisticated hidden recording device late last month and referred the matter to the FBI. The US Justice Department said Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi engineer who joined OpenAI in July 2025, was arrested on October 9. According to the department, Alfozan allegedly wrapped a USB device in toilet paper and inserted it into a television in an executive conference room. He was reportedly captured on camera near the room multiple times, despite lacking authorisation to attend meetings there.

Pakistan’s Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has projected a 22% irrigation water shortage in Punjab and Sindh during the Rabi season, threatening the cultivation of wheat, barley, mustard and gram. Islamabad has repeatedly accused India of undermining Pakistan’s water rights after New Delhi placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. However, the report attributes the projected shortage to Pakistan’s domestic water-management challenges rather than India’s treaty decision. Inadequate storage capacity, reduced river inflows and delays in infrastructure projects have been identified as contributing factors. The shortage raises concerns about agricultural production and food security as Pakistan enters a crucial crop-growing season. (PC: X)

Katie Zacharia, US President Donald Trump’s newly appointed White House press secretary, delivered her first briefing on October 13, 2026. Lasting just 14 minutes, the appearance included questions from only three media outlets, all generally sympathetic to Trump. Zacharia relied heavily on scripted remarks highlighting the administration’s achievements and stumbled over her words during the briefing. She also announced that US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle had been asked to resign following allegations of misconduct. Trump praised Zacharia’s performance, while media observers criticised the limited questioning and raised concerns about transparency and her professional credentials.