Three siblings, aged 48, 50 and 52, were found dead inside their locked flat in the Global City residential complex in Virar West, Maharashtra, on October 29, 2026. The deceased were identified as Kumar Mehta, Deepesh Mehta and their sister Khevna Mehta. Police were alerted after residents noticed a foul smell coming from the apartment. Preliminary investigations suggest suspected suicide by poisoning, with serious health problems and financial difficulties being examined as possible factors. Forensic teams collected evidence, and the bodies were sent for post-mortem examinations. Police have registered an accidental death report, and investigations are ongoing. (PC: India Today)

India’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill has secured 13th place in SportsPro’s 2026 list of the 50 Most Marketable Athletes, ranking ahead of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who stands 14th. Lionel Messi ranks 27th. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have dropped to 85th and 90th positions, respectively, while MS Dhoni ranks 83rd. Three other Indian cricketers—Rishabh Pant (36th), Jemimah Rodrigues (31st), Smriti Mandhana (37th) and Jasprit Bumrah (39th)—also feature in the top 50. Aryna Sabalenka tops the list, followed by Eileen Gu. (PC: X)

Qatar has strongly rejected allegations that it interfered in Israel’s recent elections or funded activities to influence the results. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, accused certain Israeli politicians and media outlets of using the country as a scapegoat for domestic political failures. The controversy follows allegations of foreign interference involving Arab political parties, which could influence Israel’s government formation. Israeli election authorities have stated that the voting process was conducted lawfully, although an investigation into suspected foreign influence has been requested. Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and supporting Palestinian rights. (PC: ANI)

A fresh low-pressure area formed over the South Andaman Sea on October 29, 2026, following Cyclone Arnab’s passage across Andhra Pradesh. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is expected to move west-northwestwards, strengthen into a well-marked low-pressure area by October 30, and potentially develop into a depression by October 31. The system may affect Andhra Pradesh, with isolated heavy rainfall forecast in coastal areas on November 1, 2 and 3. Authorities are monitoring its development as the region recovers from the cyclone’s impact. (PC: The Hindu)

Bangladesh’s former interim government chief Muhammad Yunus was approached to lead a post-Sheikh Hasina administration 2 days before the former prime minister fled the country in August 2024, according to Yunus’s former press secretary, Shafiqul Alam. In a Facebook post, Alam claimed student leaders contacted Yunus through journalist Qadaruddin Shishir, who helped arrange initial discussions in secret. Hasina left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following weeks of student-led protests that escalated into a nationwide movement. Yunus took charge of the interim government on August 8. Alam’s account has renewed questions about preparations for the political transition, though the claims have not been independently established. (PC: NDTV)

Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has launched an investigation into suspected foreign funding of groups encouraging Arab citizens to vote in the October 27 election. The probe follows allegations linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, which suspects Qatar and Turkey of involvement. With 91% of votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win around 53 seats, while opposition parties led by Gadi Eisenkot have 48. Arab-led parties hold 19 seats, leaving all blocs short of the 61 needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. The results point to difficult coalition talks and uncertainty over Israel’s next government. (PC: X)

Former Bangladesh Air Force officer KM Tahsif Souri, 28, was found dead in Dhaka’s Turag River on October 28, a day after he went missing. Souri was reportedly linked to footage showing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh in August 2024. His cousin, Moshfeka Jahan, has alleged that he was murdered after facing harassment over the video. She claimed he had shared the footage but had not recorded it himself. Police said the exact cause of death remains unknown and will be determined after a postmortem examination. Authorities have not confirmed any link between his death and the video. (PC: India Today)

A Russian drone strike on a railway station in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro killed at least 13 people and injured several others on Thursday, October 29. Ukrainian officials said the drone hit a platform where a passenger train was preparing to leave for Zaporizhzhia. Reports indicated that 2 trains were struck in the attack. Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed the deaths, while local authorities reported casualties at the scene. Emergency workers rushed to the station to assist the injured and respond to the damage. The attack adds to Russia’s continuing strikes on Ukraine’s railway infrastructure. (PC: News18)

The Supreme Court has said banks must compensate victims of “digital arrest” scams if investigations find that a failure in due diligence by financial institutions led to the fraud. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stressed that banks must take steps to stop suspicious transactions before money is transferred. The court called for safeguards, including temporary holds on unusual transactions, automated alerts and verification of suspicious activity. It will examine the Reserve Bank of India’s proposed KYC Amendment Directions, 2026, expected by November 30. The court noted that digital fraud losses had reached nearly ₹800 crore this year. (PC: The Indian Express)

More than 200 passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey have been asked to leave the vessel after rising fuel costs forced its operator to suspend operations in Cambodia. The ship is docked in Sihanoukville, with passengers facing uncertainty over their travel plans. The company is exploring financial restructuring options as operating expenses rise sharply. The disruption comes ahead of the vessel’s planned visit to India, leaving passengers searching for alternative accommodation and arrangements. The ship’s departure date remains uncertain as the operator works to address its financial difficulties. (PC: The Indian Express)