South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on October 9. The committee highlighted her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who opposed apartheid, alongside her contributions to major international legal cases. Pillay has served as a judge at important international tribunals, building a career focused on justice and human rights. The award carries a prize of 12 million Swedish kronor, approximately $1.2 million. The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony will take place in Oslo on December 10. (PC: Reuters)

Student protests are spreading across Europe, from France to Belgium, Italy and Greece, as young people demand better-funded education systems. The demonstrations highlight concerns over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings, rising tuition fees and increasing living costs. France became the centre of the movement in mid-September, with students and teachers organising school blockades and demonstrations. In Belgium, protests have led to clashes and arrests, while Italian students have occupied schools in solidarity. Greece has also witnessed calls for nationwide student action. Similar concerns over education funding and accommodation costs have emerged in Ireland, Germany and Austria. (PC: X)

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has agreed to rapidly deploy additional Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The decision, reported on October 8, 2026, comes amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group against the kingdom. The move has raised questions about civilian oversight, as Pakistan’s Parliament voted in 2015 to remain neutral in the Yemen conflict. Authorities have not disclosed the deployment’s size or operational details. Pakistan says the arrangement supports Saudi security, while analysts warn it could deepen the military’s influence over foreign policy. (PC: AFP)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his courage during a dangerous incident aboard a Flydubai flight on September 30, 2026. The captain was seriously injured when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to intervene and restrain the attacker. Other pilots subsequently took control, and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Herzog said the award would be presented after Machchhar recovers. Six Israeli passengers were also honoured for their actions. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump honoured six technology leaders on October 8, 2026, with the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Recipients included Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell. The ceremony came hours after Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of misusing foreign-worker visa programmes and announced its suspension from a green-card sponsorship programme. Microsoft defended its practices, stating that most H-1B applications involved existing employees. The developments highlight tensions between technological innovation and stricter US immigration policies.

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is holding productive discussions with Iran and will not launch an attack before the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. The announcement comes amid an ongoing conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened tensions across the Middle East. Trump said the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. Both countries have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. However, disagreements over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme remain unresolved. Trump’s announcement briefly eased oil supply concerns and influenced global crude prices. (PC: Reuters)

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 8, 2026. The incident reportedly damaged a Saudia Airlines passenger aircraft and prompted airport evacuations and flight disruptions. Several airlines, including Air India and Lufthansa, suspended services to Riyadh amid rising security concerns. Saudi authorities reported that missile debris struck a kindergarten and a medical complex, while the Houthis threatened further attacks on energy facilities. The escalation comes amid intensifying conflict in Yemen, raising concerns about regional security, aviation safety and energy infrastructure. 

Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, reportedly supports dividing the country’s four provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan—into 12–15 smaller provinces, according to a report by The Economist cited by India Today. Another proposal reportedly considers creating up to 160 smaller administrative territories. Supporters argue that smaller units could improve governance and public-service delivery. However, critics warn that restructuring could weaken political strongholds, particularly Punjab and Sindh, potentially increasing central and military influence. The proposal remains under discussion, with no official decision confirming that Pakistan’s provincial boundaries will be changed. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will not launch military action against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, while saying Washington and Tehran are engaged in “productive discussions.” In a Truth Social post, Trump said the US blockade of Iran would remain fully in place despite the diplomatic talks. His announcement comes as the two countries continue exchanging proposals aimed at ending the conflict and addressing disputes involving the Strait and Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump described Iran as being in very poor economic and military condition, while maintaining that the blockade would continue. The announcement signals a pause in potential US strikes until the midterm elections, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan has reportedly stepped up military support for Saudi Arabia as the newly activated Makkah Defence Pact enters practical implementation amid escalating Houthi attacks. According to a New York Times report cited by India Today, Pakistani fighter jets were used in strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen. Around 8,000 Pakistani troops are also estimated to be stationed in Saudi Arabia. However, Pakistan’s Information Ministry has rejected the report of PAF jets striking Houthis as “fake and fabricated,” while the military has confirmed Pakistani forces are present in Saudi Arabia. The pact focuses on collective defence and rapid deployment of capabilities. (PC: India Today)