Reliance Industries Ltd. has lost nearly $50 billion in market value since July, as weak earnings and an economic slowdown take a toll. The company’s shares have lagged behind India’s broader market, which remains strong in 2024. The main reason for the decline is disappointing results from its oils-to-chemicals business, which has struggled with low demand. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of missed earnings estimates. The company also faced setbacks when its telecom division, Reliance Jio, lost subscribers after raising tariffs. Reliance had offered free shares at its annual meeting, but provided no updates on upcoming listings.

Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir – Security forces killed a terrorist in an encounter in Sopore’s Rampora area in Baramulla district on Saturday. The operation was launched after a tip-off about terrorist activity in the area. "During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place," the Kashmir Zone Police shared on X. The identity and affiliation of the terrorist are being verified. This follows an earlier encounter in Sopore on Friday, where two terrorists were killed. The Army confirmed that anti-terrorist operations are ongoing in the region as security forces address the rising threat.

The Indian Ministry of Tourism, along with the High Commission of India in the UK, hosted a vibrant cultural evening, ‘Chalo India,’ at London’s historic Cutty Sark. This event celebrated India’s culture and heritage and launched the “Chalo India” initiative, encouraging the Indian diaspora to invite non-Indian friends to explore India.   Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India’s Tourism Minister, said, “Through ‘Chalo India,’ we aim to build lasting bonds and invite the world to experience the beauty, culture, and spirit of India. London, with its deep-rooted ties to India, is the perfect place to launch this vision.”   The event welcomed dignitaries, including High Commissioner Shri Vikram Doraiswami, as well as tourism ministers from Telangana, Uttarakhand, Goa, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Orissa. Traditional performances like Bharatnatyam and Garba enthralled the audience, showcasing India’s diverse heritage.   British author Monisha Rajesh shared her experience, saying, “Traveling through India by train allowed me to see the country’s soul. Every journey showed me something new about India’s rich landscapes and traditions.” The launch of the “Chalo India” portal allows Indian residents abroad to refer friends for a free e-Tourist visa until March 2025. The evening ended with a vote of thanks, underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening tourism ties with the UK.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has firmly denied involvement in a plot to kill former President Donald Trump, calling the allegations "completely baseless." The U.S. Justice Department recently unsealed charges against an Iranian man, Farjad Shakeri, accused of collaborating with Iran's Revolutionary Guard to assassinate Trump before the U.S. presidential election. Iran's spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, dismissed the accusations as a "malicious conspiracy" aimed at complicating U.S.-Iran relations. He compared these claims to previous false accusations against Iran, calling them part of a broader effort by Zionist and anti-Iranian groups to escalate tensions.

A small asteroid, designated 2024 UQ, struck Earth on October 22, just hours after its detection by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Hawaii. Measuring only 3 feet in diameter, it disintegrated in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, off California. The asteroid was the third "imminent impactor" of 2024, with impact monitoring systems failing to fully track its trajectory in time. While the event posed no significant threat, it highlights the need for continued advancements in early space surveillance and impact detection technology.

Bryan Lanza, a senior adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, stated that Trump's administration will prioritize peace efforts in Ukraine over reclaiming Russian-occupied Crimea. Lanza told BBC that the administration aims for "realistic peace," urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to adopt a pragmatic approach. "Crimea is gone," Lanza said, adding that retaking it is "not the goal of the United States." Trump's stance has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue it may weaken Ukraine’s sovereignty. During Trump’s campaign, he claimed he could end the conflict "in a day," though specific plans have not been detailed.

The U.S. Justice Department unveiled charges against an Iranian man, allegedly an asset of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), for planning to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election. The criminal complaint, filed in a Manhattan federal court, claims that an IRGC official directed the man, identified as Shakeri, in September to develop a plan for surveilling and killing Trump. Shakeri, who resided in Tehran, reportedly immigrated to the U.S. as a child but was deported in 2008 after a robbery conviction. Two others have also been charged in connection with the assassination plot.

The Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) denied reports that Afghan women are prohibited from hearing each other’s voices. In a recent audio statement, PVPV spokesperson Saiful Islam Khyber criticized these reports as “brainless” and “illogical,” affirming that women need to interact in society. While the Taliban enforces strict behavior codes based on their interpretation of Islamic law, including restrictions on women’s voices in public and media, officials clarified that communication during prayer may involve hand gestures instead of raised voices. Many international groups have condemned Taliban policies as “gender apartheid.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced backlash for congratulating Donald Trump on X, a platform banned in Pakistan. Sharif reportedly used VPN to access X, violating Pakistan’s laws after the platform was restricted earlier this year due to national security concerns, especially regarding activity by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Social media users criticized Sharif's actions, with one saying, "If hypocrisy had a face, it would be Shehbaz Sharif." Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reaffirmed ties with the U.S., calling them “old friends and partners,” while stressing Pakistan’s “strategic” relationship with China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress in Maharashtra, saying it uses states under its rule as "ATMs." Speaking in Akola ahead of the Maharashtra elections, he declared, "We won’t let Maharashtra become the ATM of the Congress." Modi challenged Congress’s commitment to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy, asking, "Did they ever visit Ambedkar’s panchteerth?" He promoted unity, urging voters to follow the mantra "Ek hain toh safe hain" (we are safe if we are united). Modi highlighted BJP’s work, including building four crore houses, and requested support for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.