Virat Kohli is reportedly set to return as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain for IPL 2025, following discussions with the franchise. Kohli, who led RCB from 2013 to 2021, stepped down before IPL 2022, with Faf du Plessis taking over. Under Kohli's leadership, RCB reached the final in 2016, though they have yet to claim an IPL title. The 35-year-old remains IPL's top run-scorer, amassing 8,004 runs across 252 matches. With Du Plessis nearing retirement, RCB is considering Kohli's return to the helm. They may also pursue players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant for the upcoming season.

The disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops from Ladakh’s Depsang and Demchok regions has concluded, marking a significant milestone since the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. Army sources confirmed that troops, tents, and temporary structures have been removed, verified by aerial inspections. Coordinated patrolling will begin soon, with ongoing discussions at the ground level to ensure stability. To celebrate this positive development, both sides will exchange sweets on Diwali, October 31, as a goodwill gesture. This disengagement is part of a larger effort to restore routine patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Ayodhya is preparing for its first Diwali since the consecration of the Ram Temple, aiming to break last year’s Guinness World Record by lighting 25 lakh diyas along the Saryu River. A team of 30, led by Guinness consultant Nischal Barot, is counting diyas using drones across 55 ghats. Around 28 lakh diyas were ordered from local artisans, and 10,000 security personnel, including half in plain clothes, are deployed for safety. A highlight includes 80,000 diyas arranged in a swastika at Ghat No. 10. The event expects 5,000–6,000 guests, with all preparations reportedly complete.

Axel Rudakubana, the 18-year-old suspect in the Southport stabbings, has appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from Belmarsh prison. He faces charges of producing a biological toxin and possessing information useful for committing or preparing acts of terrorism, following the discovery of ricin and an al Qaeda training manual at his home. Rudakubana, wearing a grey tracksuit, remained silent during the hearing and covered his face with his sweater. He already faces three murder charges, 10 attempted murder charges, and possession of a knife related to the July 29 incident in Southport.

Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has sparked outrage by canceling Diwali celebrations at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, amidst diplomatic tensions with India. The event, scheduled for October 30 and hosted by Conservative MP Todd Doherty, was meant to honor the significant festival of Diwali, a celebration of light, joy, and multicultural spirit. Shiv Bhasker, president of Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), condemned the move as "discriminatory" and "insensitive", stating it left the Indo-Canadian community feeling "betrayed and unjustly singled out". Poilievre's decision follows Canada's allegations of Indian diplomats targeting pro-Khalistanis, exacerbating tensions between the two nations.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has slammed the Punjab government for facilitating an interview between mafia boss Lawrence Bishnoi and a private news channel in September 2022, while he was in police custody. The court criticized the police for providing a "studio-like facility" that glorified crime and ordered its removal from social media platforms. Despite this, copies of the interview resurfaced online, prompting the court's ire. The court also reprimanded the government for failing to take disciplinary action against senior cops involved and for submitting an inconclusive report on the security breach after eight months.

At least 51 people have died in southeastern Spain due to torrential rains and flash floods. Heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding across multiple regions, with rescue efforts underway. Valencia region President Carlós Mazón warned that the final death toll is uncertain. Footage shows floodwaters destroying bridges, sweeping away cars, and forcing people to cling to trees for safety. The Spanish Weather Service reported a record 491mm of rain in Chiva, Valencia, in just eight hours, equivalent to a year's worth of rainfall.

US President Joe Biden sparked controversy after referring to former President Donald Trump's supporters as "garbage" during a call with Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino on Tuesday. Biden's comments came in response to comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's remarks at Trump's New York rally, where he called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage". The president later clarified his statement on social media, stating that he was actually condemning Hinchcliffe's hateful rhetoric, not Trump's supporters. Biden emphasized his support for the Latino community, slamming Trump's demonization of Latinos as "unconscionable" and "un-American".

A significant fire has broken out at the BAE Systems nuclear submarine shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Videos and images on social media showed large flames and thick smoke rising from the site. Two people were taken to the hospital for treatment, but Cumbria Police confirmed there were no fatalities. The incident is ongoing, with emergency services on the scene. Residents near the shipyard have been advised to remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed as a precaution. Authorities assured the public that there is no nuclear risk associated with the fire.

A 33-year-old woman, Reshma Begum, died, and 20 others suffered food poisoning after eating momos from a street vendor in Hyderabad's Banjara Hills area. Reshma and her two daughters, aged 12 and 14, consumed the momos on Friday in Khairatabad. Shortly after eating, they experienced symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Reshma died on Sunday morning, while her daughters are receiving treatment. The Banjara Hills Police reported that they received a complaint about the incident and have registered a case. An investigation is underway to determine the vendor's responsibility for the food poisoning outbreak.