At least 30 people were injured after a Russian drone strike hit a railway station in Shostka, northeastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. In a post on X, he shared a video showing a burning train carriage and accused Russia of targeting civilians. “This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore,” Zelensky said. He added that emergency teams were helping victims at the site and urged Western nations to take real action against Russia. The attack struck while passengers and train staff were present at the station, causing widespread damage and panic. (PC: X)

In a historic moment, 16-year-old Sabri became the first Muslim girl in 95 years to perform Kathakali at Kerala Kalamandalam. She performed the role of Krishna during the Purappadu segment on Vijaya Dashami. Sabri, from Kollam, fell in love with Kathakali after watching a temple performance at age 11. Her father, Nizam Ammas, supported her dream and helped her train under experts. In 2022, Kalamandalam began admitting girl students for the first time. Sabri now plans to study Kathakali through her higher education. “It was a dream come true,” she said after her debut performance. (PC: Telegraph)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Cyclone Shakhti will affect Maharashtra and Gujarat between October 3 and 7. The cyclone, moving over the Arabian Sea, is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Wind speeds may reach up to 65 kmph, with the risk of flooding in low-lying areas. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea until Tuesday. The Maharashtra government has activated disaster management teams and evacuation plans. Shakhti, named by Sri Lanka, is likely to weaken after changing direction early next week. (PC: HT)

Actor Pankaj Tripathi surprised fans with a bold new look shared on Instagram. He wore a green velvet sherwani jacket with gold embroidery, paired with red dhoti-style trousers and gold loafers. Tripathi called it a “nayi shuruwat” (new beginning) in his caption. Ranveer Singh reacted, saying, “Arre! Yeh kya, Guruji?! Hum sudhar gaye, aur aap bigad gaye?” Other stars like Gulshan Devaiah and Harshdeep Kaur also praised the look. Some fans even asked if the photos were real or AI-generated. Tripathi was last seen in Metro In Dino and will next appear in Parivarik ManuRanjan. (PC: Instagram)

Surekha Yadav, Asia’s first female train driver, retired on September 30 after an inspiring 36-year career with Indian Railways. Starting as an assistant driver in 1989, she went on to drive freight trains, suburban locals, and prestigious services like the Deccan Queen and Vande Bharat Express. Renowned for mastering the challenging Bhor Ghat route, Yadav credited her parents’ unwavering support for her success. Her retirement marks the end of a historic journey that opened doors for women in the male-dominated rail industry and inspired generations of railway aspirants.  

A bandmate of late singer Zubeen Garg has alleged that the artist was poisoned in Singapore, shifting the narrative from a drowning accident to possible foul play. The accuser, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, claims that Garg’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta showed suspicious behaviour before and during a yacht outing — including restricting who could serve drinks and dismissing symptoms like foaming at the mouth as “acid reflux.” Authorities have arrested the manager and organiser, and murder‐related charges have been filed. A judicial commission will probe the case further. (PC: The Hindu)

India announced a 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series in Australia, starting October 19. Shubman Gill has been named the new captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, while Shreyas Iyer will serve as vice-captain. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the squad after being rested earlier. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Rohit was informed about the decision. The team also includes KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj. Young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana have been given chances. Dhruv Jurel joins as a second wicketkeeper alongside Rahul. (PC: India Today)

Delhi woke up to a thin layer of smog on Saturday as the air quality index (AQI) rose to 114, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Areas like Noida, Gurgaon, and Ghaziabad also reported light smog. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature is likely to reach 33°C, while the minimum will be around 22.5°C. The sky will remain partly cloudy through the day. IMD said a strong western disturbance may bring heavier rain over the next two days, which could help reduce pollution levels in the National Capital Region. (PC: HT)

Advisers to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir have quietly pitched a plan to U.S. officials to build and operate a deep-sea port at Pasni, a coastal town close to Gwadar. The proposal excludes military basing, focusing instead on export access for Pakistan’s rich mineral deposits via a new rail corridor connecting to inland regions. Valued at around USD 1.2 billion, the initiative is designed to diversify Pakistan’s strategic partnerships and rebalance influence between China and the U.S. A formal parliamentary approval and diplomatic agreement remain to be seen.

Munich airport has resumed flights after being closed for the second time in 24 hours due to suspected drone sightings. The airport halted operations Friday evening, affecting around 6,500 passengers. On Thursday, at least 17 flights were grounded after similar drone sightings. Authorities in Germany and Belgium are investigating the drones’ origin, which remains unknown. Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to discuss anti-drone defenses with European ministers and introduce new laws to allow military action against drones. Delays are expected as flights gradually return to normal. EU nations consider a “drone wall” amid rising concerns over airspace security. (PC: BBC)