On October 16, 2025, two masked gunmen opened fire at Zamindar Bar & Grill in Brampton, Canada. A video circulating online shows the assailants, dressed in black, shooting multiple rounds before fleeing. Goldy Dhillon, an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, later claimed responsibility via social media, stating the attack was a warning to the restaurant owner for disrespecting their group. This incident coincided with the third attack on comedian Kapil Sharma’s Caps Café in Surrey, also attributed to the Bishnoi gang, highlighting a pattern of gang-related extortion targeting Indian businesses in Canada.   

A grenade attack targeted an Indian Army camp in Kakopathar, Assam, injuring three soldiers and causing damage to camp buildings and vehicles. The explosive was reportedly thrown from a distance, prompting immediate evacuation of the injured to a nearby hospital. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the attackers. Preliminary investigations suggest involvement of insurgent groups active in the region. Authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage and are investigating the motive behind the attack, while reinforcing security measures at vulnerable military installations. (PC: NDTV)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer from Punjab, for soliciting an ₹8 lakh bribe to settle a criminal case. During raids across Ropar, Mohali, and Chandigarh, the CBI seized approximately ₹5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold and jewellery, two luxury vehicles (Mercedes and Audi), 22 high-end wristwatches, firearms, and 40 litres of imported liquor. Bhullar's associate, Krishna, was also arrested. Further investigations are underway to assess potential money laundering links. (PC: NDTV)

After prolonged negotiations, the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar finalised its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming 2025 Assembly elections. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will contest 135 seats, the Congress will field candidates in 61, and the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) will contest 16. The discussions, marked by internal disagreements and candidate withdrawals, were resolved after interventions from Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. The agreement ends weeks of uncertainty and solidifies the alliance’s strategy against the ruling NDA in Bihar’s high-stakes political battle. (PC: PTI)    

On October 15, hackers breached four smaller airports — two in British Columbia (Kelowna, Victoria), one in Ontario (Windsor), and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania — by exploiting a “cloud-based software provider” used for display systems. Messages praising Hamas and condemning Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on flight information screens and loudspeakers. At Harrisburg, a voiceover declared “Free Palestine” and claimed “Turkish hacker Cyber Islam was here.” U.S. and Canadian authorities, including the FAA and RCMP, are investigating the breaches.     

Satellite images have confirmed Pakistan’s recent airstrikes inside Afghanistan between October 9 and 15, targeting areas in Kandahar, Nangarhar, and Spin Boldak. The strikes destroyed multiple Taliban-linked sites, including camps and storage facilities near the border. Afghan authorities reported at least 21 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, while Pakistan claimed to have targeted militant hideouts. The Taliban responded by attacking Pakistani posts and claimed significant losses on the other side. The clashes, occurring soon after Taliban minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s India visit, prompted Qatar-brokered peace efforts leading to a temporary truce on October 15. (PC: India Today)  

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Budapest to seek an end to the “inglorious” Russia-Ukraine war. The summit follows what Trump called a “very productive” phone call with Putin. Ahead of the meeting, high-level advisors from both countries will hold talks, led on the US side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump said Putin praised recent Middle East peace efforts and expressed hope for progress on Ukraine. Trump will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House to discuss the call and next steps toward peace. (PC: India Today)

The Congress on Thursday released its first list of 48 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram will contest from the SC-reserved seat of Kutumba. The list includes Bijendra Chaudhary from Muzaffarpur, Amita Bhushan from Begusarai, and Kaushelendra Kumar from Nalanda. The seat-sharing deal with Mahagathbandhan allies is yet to be finalised. In a post on X, Rajesh Ram thanked the party and said the “entire Kutumba family” would fight together. He expressed confidence that the Congress and Mahagathbandhan alliance would form the next government in Bihar. (PC: HT)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is “determined” to bring back the bodies of hostages still held in Gaza. He made the remarks at a memorial for victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. His statement came after Hamas returned two more bodies, leaving 19 still missing. Netanyahu said Israel would continue to fight terrorism with “full force.” The Hostages Forum urged the government to halt the ceasefire until all bodies are returned. The US, however, said Hamas had not broken the deal and that efforts to locate more bodies are continuing in Gaza. (PC: BBC)

Lionel Messi’s planned friendly match in Kerala against Australia may be called off, reports from Argentina suggest. Journalist Gaston Edul said the India leg of Argentina’s tour may have “fallen through,” with plans shifting to another African nation. TyC Sports also hinted the game could move to Morocco or be postponed to March 2026. However, organisers in India insist the match is still on. “The Argentina A team will visit Kerala,” said Anto Augustine of Reporter TV. The game is scheduled for November 17 in Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, ahead of Messi’s December GOAT Tour across India.