US President Donald Trump has threatened another round of military strikes against Iran, describing it as “another little Epic Fury” if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington. Speaking at a Florida rally, Trump said the conflict could end through a deal or further military action. Iran responded with a warning against renewed attacks, reportedly considering targeting undersea communication cables in the Gulf to disrupt internet connectivity. The escalating tensions come amid ongoing conflict, diplomatic uncertainty and rising security concerns across the Middle East. (PC: NDTV)

The White House said Friday that US First Lady Melania Trump had helped secure a localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky, scheduled to take effect on October 29. The arrangement aims to suspend military action temporarily, enabling humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations through a designated safe passage. Melania said the city’s remaining residents, primarily elderly people, urgently need medical care, medicines, food and clean water amid attacks, mined roads and limited electricity. She said she initiated discussions with Russian and Ukrainian leaders and coordinated the agreement’s terms. Civilian representatives from both countries are expected to assess residents’ needs and organise evacuations to destinations of their choice. (PC: X)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that speed restrictions on SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellite communication services remain in place, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s claim that Elon Musk had restored Ukraine’s access. Zelenskyy said the restrictions continue to disrupt Ukrainian military operations, particularly high-speed drone missions used to counter Russian attacks. “The speed limits on Starlink and Starshield are still there, and the speed has not been restored,” he said, adding that Kyiv hopes SpaceX and the US administration will lift them. Ukraine’s deputy ambassador to the US, Denys Sienik, also confirmed the situation remained unchanged, saying Ukrainian officials were awaiting the removal of restrictions.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is “totally ours” as attacks on ships in the strategic waterway reached a record high in October, according to Times Now. Trump told reporters that Washington could seize Iran’s oil or take the entire country, while weighing whether to end the conflict or allow it to “wither.” Meanwhile, Iran has continued warning vessels against crossing the strait without coordinating with its authorities. The escalation raises concerns about maritime security along a crucial global oil transit route. Trump’s assertion of US control comes amid heightened tensions and continued threats to commercial shipping navigating the strategically significant passage. (PC: Reuters)

A tanker carrying Russian diesel is heading to New York in what could become the first Russian petroleum-product shipment imported by the United States since former President Joe Biden banned such imports in 2022. According to Reuters, the Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes loaded 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel at Russia’s Primorsk port on October 22 and is expected to arrive on November 7. President Donald Trump announced the arrangement to curb rising fuel prices ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Russia has pledged additional shipments, including 500,000 metric tons in November. The buyer and seller remain unidentified, while Moscow says exports will continue steadily. (PC: AFP)

Pakistan’s LPG shortage has worsened following the suspension of imports through two key crossings with Iran, pushing the price of a 12-kg cylinder to Rs 7,000–10,000 or more in some areas. According to traders cited by Reuters, prices rose from Rs 4,500 to Rs 7,000 in Balochistan, reaching Rs 7,500 in Lahore and Rs 8,200 in Skardu, while parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported prices exceeding Rs 10,000. Pakistan closed the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings on October 17 over security and smuggling concerns. The Pakistan LPG Association estimates daily imports from Iran at around 7,000 tonnes. Traders warn shortages and prices could worsen as winter approaches. (PC: Reuters)

Ukraine has carried out an extraordinary battlefield rescue, using a heavy-lift drone to evacuate soldier Kostiantyn Vlasenko after 491 days in a dangerous frontline zone during the war with Russia. Severely injured in a Russian attack, Vlasenko lost both feet and survived for months while hiding in a hole. Ukrainian forces eventually deployed a large drone to fly him approximately 15 kilometres to safety. The operation highlights how emerging drone technology is transforming military rescue missions, particularly where conventional evacuation is too dangerous. The unprecedented mission offers new possibilities for saving wounded soldiers. 

Veteran American actor Tom Skerritt, renowned for his performances in Top Gun, Alien and the television series Picket Fences, has died at the age of 93. His family confirmed that he died of natural causes on October 21, 2026. Skerritt played Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in Top Gun and Captain Dallas in Alien. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993 for Picket Fences. With a career spanning more than six decades, Skerritt leaves behind a lasting legacy in Hollywood cinema and television. (PC: X)

Former CIA Director General David Petraeus said at the NDTV World Summit on October 23, 2026, that a human made the final decision in the bombing of Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, southern Iran, while artificial intelligence assisted the targeting process. The strike reportedly killed at least 156 people, including children. Petraeus’s remarks highlight the continuing debate over AI’s role in modern warfare and military accountability. His statement contrasts with earlier reports suggesting an AI-driven targeting process contributed to the deadly attack. The incident raises serious questions about civilian protection and human responsibility. (PC: Reuters)

American national Mathew Aaron VanDyke returned to India and appeared before a Delhi court on October 23, 2026, in a case involving alleged arms and drone warfare training for ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals in March, alleging they entered Myanmar through Mizoram and trained members of groups including the Chin National Front and Kachin Independence Army. The NIA’s September chargesheet invoked immigration-related offences, while its investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act remains open. The case continues before the court. (PC: X)