US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington’s growing relationship with Pakistan will not harm its historic ties with India. Speaking ahead of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Rubio called India a “deep, historic, and important” partner. His comments came amid reports of increased US-Pakistan engagement after President Trump’s meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. Rubio said India’s concerns are understood, but the US is working to maintain balance in the region. He also noted India’s interest in diversifying energy sources and said the US aims to strengthen strategic and trade relations without compromising ties with any country. (PC: India Today)

Direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, China, resumed on Sunday after nearly five years. IndiGo Airlines operated the first flight with 176 passengers on board an A320 neo aircraft from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Flights were suspended in early 2020 due to COVID-19 and the eastern Ladakh border tensions. The resumption follows recent diplomatic initiatives and will strengthen business, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Airport officials held a small ceremony to mark the occasion. The daily non-stop flights are expected to boost convenience for travelers and reinforce Kolkata’s role as a major international aviation hub in eastern India. (PC: HT)

Police have updated details of the Kurnool bus fire that killed 20 people. The crash started when drunk biker Shiva Shankar collided with a divider, injuring his pillion rider Erri Swami. A double-decker bus then ran over the bike, causing the fuel tank to explode and engulf the bus in flames. The bus driver, Miriyala Lakshmaiah, obtained his licence using a fake Class 10 certificate and has been arrested. Investigators also flagged safety violations by the travel company, including illegal bus modifications. Police described the incident as a criminal act of negligence and promised strict action. (PC: NDTV)

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “solve very quickly” the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Speaking at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, he praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir as “great people.” His comments came as Pakistan and Afghanistan held the second round of talks in Istanbul to curb border violence and terrorism. The talks follow deadly clashes that killed dozens, including five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants. Pakistan’s Defence Minister warned of an “all-out war” if peace efforts fail. Trump said he was confident both sides would reach a quick solution. (PC: The Hindu)

French police have arrested two suspects linked to the €88 million crown jewel theft from Paris’s Louvre museum. One man was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport before flying to Algeria, and the other was headed to Mali. The robbery happened last Sunday when four thieves used power tools to break into the museum and steal jewels once owned by Empress Eugenie. They fled within four minutes. DNA evidence helped identify one suspect. France’s justice minister admitted “security failed,” and the Louvre has now moved its rarest jewels to a Bank of France vault for protection. (PC: BBC)

Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants were killed in heavy fighting along the Afghan border, Pakistan’s army said on Sunday. The clashes took place in Kurram and North Waziristan after militants tried to cross from Afghanistan. Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan are underway in Istanbul to restore peace after earlier violence. Pakistan’s defence minister warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to “open war.” The Taliban government has not replied to the claims but denies backing militants. The recent fighting is the worst since the Taliban took power in 2021. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India’s partnership with ASEAN is a strong base for global peace and development. Speaking at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, he said India and ASEAN together represent one-fourth of the world’s population and can shape a stable and secure future. Modi announced 2026 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation,” focusing on safety, trade, and sustainability in regional waters. His remarks came as ASEAN nations face pressure from US-China tensions. Modi said India stands ready to work with ASEAN to solve common regional and global challenges. (PC: The Indian Express)

Cyclone Montha is expected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada on October 28, with wind speeds up to 100 kmph. The India Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain alerts for Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to prepare for evacuation and relief work. Odisha has cancelled officials’ leaves and activated disaster response teams. Red and orange alerts have been issued in several districts. NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby as both states brace for heavy rain and strong winds. (PC: India Today)

A new claim has emerged in the Satara doctor suicide case. Bhagyashree Pachangne, mother of a woman who died earlier, has alleged that the doctor was forced to sign a fake postmortem report in her daughter’s case. She has demanded a full investigation. The doctor, who later died by suicide, had accused a police officer of sexual assault and a techie of mental harassment. She also mentioned political pressure in her suicide notes. The case has sparked a political storm in Maharashtra. Two men, including the police officer, have been arrested in connection with the doctor’s death. (PC: NDTV)

The Election Commission (EC) will announce the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 10-15 states on October 27. The press briefing is expected at 4:15 pm and will likely be led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The first phase will include states preparing for Assembly elections in 2026, such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. The voter roll revision aims to update records and remove illegal foreign migrants. States with ongoing local elections may have revisions deferred. Bihar has already updated its voter list for upcoming polls. (PC: India Today)