The Israeli military said on Wednesday that one of the four bodies returned by Hamas on Tuesday is not that of a hostage. The bodies were handed over as part of the ceasefire deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. After forensic tests, Israeli officials found that one body did not match any of the known hostages. So far, Hamas has returned eight bodies and 20 living hostages. Israel urged Hamas to return all remaining deceased hostages as agreed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not stop its efforts until every hostage, living or dead, is brought back. (PC: HT)

Veteran actor Pankaj Dheer, best known for playing Karna in BR Chopra’s iconic TV show Mahabharat, passed away on October 15 at the age of 68. He had been battling cancer, which relapsed a few months ago despite surgery. The Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) confirmed his death, saying the cremation would be held in Mumbai. Dheer also appeared in films like Sanam Bewafa and Baadshah, and shows such as Chandrakanta and Sasural Simar Ka. He ran the Abhinay Acting Academy. Fans still remember him as the legendary warrior Karna. He is survived by his wife and son, actor Nikitin Dheer.

Hamas publicly executed eight men in Gaza, accusing them of being criminals and collaborators with Israel. The executions, filmed and shared online, came as the group seeks to reassert control after Israeli forces withdrew. Witnesses said the men were beaten, blindfolded, and shot before crowds. Hamas claimed the victims were linked to armed clans that gained power during the war. US President Donald Trump warned Hamas to disarm soon or face forceful action. The incident has raised global concern over human rights and fears of renewed violence amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire. (PC: NDTV)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer briefed Parliament on his landmark visit to Mumbai, leading the largest-ever UK trade delegation to India. He announced £1.3 billion in investments and 10,600 new UK jobs, praising India as a “growing force on the world stage” and a key partner in Britain’s post-Brexit global strategy. Starmer celebrated the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a “historic step” to unlock new business opportunities. He confirmed expanded cooperation in education, technology, and defence, including a £350 million missile contract. Starmer emphasized the “living bridge” of shared history and future between the two nations. (PC: X)

Chinese customs officers in Shandong province have seized 60,000 maps bound for export, citing “mislabelled” depictions of Taiwan and omissions of key South China Sea islands. Authorities said the maps endangered China’s national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The maps failed to include the nine-dash line, which outlines Beijing’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, and omitted maritime boundaries with Japan. Taiwan was mislabelled as a province, though specifics weren’t disclosed. China routinely inspects and destroys maps with “errors,” with past seizures involving Tibetan and nautical borders. The incident underscores rising regional tensions, especially after a recent maritime clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels. (PC: BBC)

Scientists are raising alarms as Starlink satellites increasingly fall back to Earth, with one to two re-entries daily they are potentially rising to five amid expanding satellite constellations from SpaceX, Amazon, and China. Over 8,000 Starlink satellites currently orbit Earth, with projections nearing 50,000 total in low-Earth orbit. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell warns this surge risks triggering Kessler syndrome, a chain reaction of space debris collisions that could render parts of orbit unusable. The ongoing solar maximum worsens decay, as solar flares expand Earth’s atmosphere, dragging satellites down. While Starlink has revolutionized connectivity, experts stress urgent global coordination to manage orbital congestion and prevent catastrophic debris escalation. (PC: X & NDTV)

Abhinav Kashyap has reignited his feud with Salman Khan, calling him a “criminal” and questioning his casting as a soldier in Battle of Galwan. The Dabangg director accused Salman of hijacking the film and fostering a toxic work environment, claiming the actor “stabbed him in the back.” In a recent interview, Kashyap said Salman has “destroyed his life” and mocked his “chapri” style. Salman responded subtly on Bigg Boss, saying badmouthing others only harms the speaker and urging Kashyap to reflect. The clash highlights deep personal and professional tensions, with Kashyap also taking aim at Shah Rukh Khan, intensifying Bollywood’s ongoing public feuds.

Delhi’s air quality stayed in the ‘poor’ category for the second day on Wednesday, with AQI at 213. The city recorded its first poor air day since June. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-1 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across NCR, including road cleaning, dust control, and checking polluting vehicles. Forecasts suggest AQI will remain poor until October 17 and may reach ‘very poor’ during Diwali. Transport, residential emissions, and unfavourable weather are the main causes. Authorities urge citizens to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali and avoid firecrackers. (PC: HT)

Haryana is facing a police crisis after two officers died by suicide. Senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar allegedly took his life on October 7, citing harassment, caste discrimination, and false corruption cases. His PSO was also targeted. On October 14, ASI Sandeep Lathar, involved in probing Puran Kumar, also died by suicide. He accused the late officer of bribery, sexual harassment, and a Rs 50 crore deal with gangster Rao Inderjit. The BJP government has placed senior officers on leave. Allegations of police-gangster links, caste bias, and corruption have raised serious questions about Haryana Police credibility.

President Donald Trump has threatened to relocate the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from Boston, citing public safety concerns and criticizing Mayor Michelle Wu’s leadership. Seven games are scheduled at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, but Trump suggested he could appeal directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to move them. He claimed Wu’s political stance is hindering safety efforts and said, “We could take them away.” FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani reaffirmed that venue decisions rest solely with FIFA. Trump’s comments followed recent unrest in Boston, where police made multiple arrests. Organizers warn that any venue change would face major logistical challenges, with the tournament kickoff just eight months away.