Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said intelligence sharing with the United States on early warnings of Russian strikes was now working, thanking Washington for its support. Speaking in Oslo after meeting US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Zelensky said he was ready for negotiations and called for trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the US and Russia. The meeting comes amid worsening relations between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that Washington was withholding intelligence and causing Ukrainian deaths. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Witkoff would meet Russian leaders on Wednesday to exchange ideas. (PC: BBC)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Taj Mahal Palace Hotel security chief Sunil Kudyadi in Mumbai on Tuesday, hearing his first-hand account of the 26/11 terror attacks. Kudyadi was present at the hotel during the November 2008 assault. Before the meeting, Rubio laid a wreath at the hotel’s memorial to honour the 166 people killed in the attacks, including 6 American citizens. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar introduced Kudyadi to Rubio. The visit highlighted the shared commitment of India and the US to fighting terrorism. Rubio also held talks with Jaishankar on energy, defence, technology and regional issues.

Delhi Police have arrested 4 more people, including 2 women, in connection with the shooting incident outside actor Tiger Shroff’s residence in Mumbai. The arrests were made by the Delhi Police Special Cell on Tuesday as investigators probed the alleged conspiracy behind the attack. The accused, identified as Kunal, Sumit, Radha and Babita, were handed over to the Mumbai Police. According to investigators, Kunal and Sumit allegedly arranged the weapons, while Radha and Babita delivered the guns to the 3 shooters in Mumbai’s Dadar area. With these arrests, the total number of people arrested in the case has reached 7. (PC: NDTV)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged India to increase purchases of American energy, defence equipment and technology during talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on Tuesday. The discussions focused on energy security, defence cooperation, trade and regional developments amid continuing strains in bilateral ties. Rubio said greater energy trade could help India diversify its supplies and meet growing demand. He also expressed optimism about finalising a bilateral trade deal, saying only a few issues remained. Rubio highlighted India’s refining capacity and said Indian companies could process more Venezuelan crude as supplies increase in global markets. 

Saudi Arabia’s execution of 2 Bangladeshi nationals over alleged “immoral acts” inside a mosque in Mecca has sparked outrage in Bangladesh and beyond. Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar were executed on October 14, according to Saudi media reports. However, authorities have not publicly detailed their alleged offences or disclosed information about their trials. Bangladesh’s government said it learned of the executions through media reports and has sought an explanation from Riyadh. Nazrul’s family questioned the fairness of the proceedings, saying they received no prior notice. The case has raised concerns over transparency, due process and consular notification. (PC: India Today)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated on Monday that she would return to Bangladesh in December, despite the risk of arrest, torture or death. Speaking virtually at an event hosted by the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations in Washington, DC, Hasina told India Today, “I will go back to Bangladesh in December.” She added that she was not afraid, acknowledging that authorities could kill, arrest or torture her. The Awami League chief has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka after her government fell following a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024. Her latest remarks renew a commitment she previously made in July and on the second anniversary of her removal. (PC: X)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the United States and Israel for regional insecurity and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, urging neighbouring countries to resolve disputes through diplomacy and establish a joint security arrangement without foreign forces. Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran on Monday, Araghchi described the war and economic blockade as the principal sources of insecurity. Lavrov’s visit comes as Moscow seeks to mediate the conflict, with talks between Tehran and Washington stalled. The West Asia war began in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite an April ceasefire and a June memorandum of understanding, tensions around the strategic waterway have continued. (PC: Reuters)

A Fox News Digital investigation published on October 9 identified 50 organisations allegedly associated with France’s student protest movement, claiming some are using demonstrations over education conditions to advance broader political agendas. Of these, 15 are student or youth groups, while 35 include labour unions, political parties, communist and socialist organisations, and advocacy groups. The report identified Indian Alliance Paris as allegedly promoting French demonstrations and drawing parallels with Indian protests. It also named US-based BreakThrough News as an outlet amplifying the unrest. US Vice President JD Vance criticised Western liberalism, while French President Emmanuel Macron condemned violence. Police reportedly arrested more than 2,300 people during weekend clashes and looting.

More than 400 Indian-origin students, researchers, academics and alumni affiliated with universities across 27 countries have signed a statement titled “Spare India From Anarchy”, warning against what they describe as attempts to undermine Indian democracy through disruptive protests. Signatories linked to institutions including MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Stanford urged political and social groups to pursue grievances through constitutional methods, dialogue and democratic protest. Though the statement names no specific protest or organisation, it comes amid demonstrations against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The signatories cited BR Ambedkar’s warning against abandoning constitutional methods, while opposition parties allege irregularities in the voter-revision exercise. (PC: ANI)

China has announced export controls on tunnel-boring machines (TBMs), citing national security and national interests, with the measures set to take effect on November 18, 2026. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on October 19 that it would introduce controls on TBMs and related items while adjusting export-control measures for certain dredgers and associated equipment. The move comes as India faces customs-clearance difficulties and delays in importing Chinese TBMs for several critical infrastructure projects. The announcement follows Beijing’s plan to impose sweeping export controls on 40 cutting-edge technologies, including technologies used in advanced solar manufacturing and certain artificial intelligence platforms, raising concerns over access to strategically important equipment. (PC: iStock)