Richie Mehta’s ‘Phoolan’ received a standing ovation at its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on Wednesday. The Hindi action drama, based on the life of former bandit and politician Phoolan Devi, was screened in the festival’s Special Presentation section at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The film stars Sneha Kumari in the lead role, with Anurag Thakur, Aakash Dahiya and Vikram Pratap Singh also part of the cast. Mehta said the film aims to present Phoolan Devi’s life beyond the mythology surrounding her. Based on her autobiography, the film will stream on Prime Video, with its release date yet to be announced. (PC: HT)

The United States has denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The State Department said Abbas’ application was rejected, preventing him from travelling to the US and addressing the gathering in person. Abbas will miss the UN meeting for a second consecutive year, with Palestinian officials expected to arrange a remote or prerecorded address. Washington has cited US laws concerning security, associations and statutory compliance for restrictions on Palestinian officials. The decision raises questions over US obligations under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement, which requires facilitating access for foreign officials attending UN business, though Washington says domestic laws can affect decisions. (PC: X)

Muslim-majority countries condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, with several governments calling for restraint and an end to regional escalation. Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday, outside the prohibited airspace over the city. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions in Yemen, which have affected Saudi energy infrastructure and international shipping routes. The Houthis have denied responsibility for the incident. The reported drone incident has drawn condemnation from governments across the Muslim world, with reactions focused on the security of Mecca and the need to prevent further regional escalation. (PC: Times Now)

The United States has so far held back from direct military intervention in Yemen after US officials met Houthi leaders in Oman, according to reports. The talks reportedly focused on keeping the existing ceasefire between Washington and the Houthis and preventing attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea. The development comes as the Iran-backed group advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and launches attacks inside Saudi Arabia. Washington’s decision not to intervene directly has increased pressure on Riyadh to respond to the Houthi advance. US officials have maintained contact with the group, while regional tensions and oil prices remain elevated. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan has said its defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey has “no aggressive element” and is “purely defensive” as tensions rise following recent Houthi attacks in the region. Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the agreement was based on “collective deterrence” and reflected decades of strategic, cultural and military ties between the countries. His remarks came after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca. The Houthis denied targeting the holy city. Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and warned that attacks could threaten regional security and global energy supplies. (PC: HT)

The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday, taking the target range to 3.75%-4%. It was the Fed’s first rate increase since July 2023. The decision was unanimous, with officials citing elevated inflation and saying the move would help bring price growth back towards the central bank’s 2% target. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation “is too high, and has been for too long.” The central bank also signalled that borrowing costs could remain higher as it assesses inflation and economic conditions. (PC: BBC)

Yemen’s Houthis on Wednesday claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province using a locally made missile. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the aircraft was carrying out operations in support of Saudi military activity in the area. The group also released footage it said showed the jet being hit and its wreckage. However, the claim has not been independently verified, and Saudi authorities have not confirmed the reported loss of the aircraft. The Houthis also claimed Saudi warplanes had carried out more than 450 strikes across Yemen in the past week. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan’s military said its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey could be opened to other countries, while insisting the pact is defensive and does not target Iran. Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said additional countries could join if they shared the three founding members’ approach to non-aggression, non-interference and collective deterrence. He said any decision to expand the alliance would be taken by the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. Pakistan’s military is also seeking to clarify the agreement’s purpose, stressing that it has “no regional aspirations” amid questions over how it would operate if a member were attacked. The pact was signed in Mecca in August. (PC: X)

Yemen’s Houthi forces have claimed attacks on a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and a Saudi air base in Khamis Mushait. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group used dozens of ballistic missiles and attack drones against the Yanbu facility, claiming the strikes caused a large fire and extensive damage. He also said multiple ballistic missiles targeted the Khamis Mushait air base. Saudi authorities and Aramco have not officially confirmed any damage, and the claims have not been independently verified. Yanbu has become important to Saudi oil exports because the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, prompting Riyadh to reroute crude through the Red Sea port. The Yanbu refinery has 250,000-barrel-per-day capacity, while YASREF has 400,000 barrels.

Saudi Arabia is facing major challenges in exporting oil after a key pipeline was shut. The East-West pipeline, which connects oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, was closed after attacks on Saudi energy facilities. The Strait of Hormuz is also blocked, limiting Saudi Arabia’s main export route. Houthi attacks have further reduced shipments through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi Arabia can send some oil through Egypt using the Suez Canal and Sumed pipeline. However, this route takes longer, especially for Asian markets. The disruptions have pushed oil prices higher and increased pressure on global energy supplies.