Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, expressed shock after being declared a 'person of interest' by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The diplomat, who has been recalled by New Delhi, claimed that Khalistani extremists have found refuge in Canada due to its lenient laws. Verma accused Trudeau of damaging bilateral ties for political gain and alleged that Khalistanis in Canada are involved in criminal activities such as human trafficking and gun running. The Canadian government had labeled Verma and five other Indian diplomats 'persons of interest' in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

At least 95 flights from IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air received bomb threats on Thursday, affecting over 250 flights in the past 10 days. Authorities reported 25 Akasa Air flights and 20 each from Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara were targeted, causing major disruptions. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced plans to make hoax bomb threats a cognisable offence and introduce a no-fly list for offenders. The bomb threats, primarily originating from social media platforms like X, have raised security concerns, with investigations underway to determine if a larger conspiracy is involved.

India is evacuating 1.5 million people as Cyclone Dana nears the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal. With landfall expected within 24 hours, authorities have set up relief camps and suspended flight operations in Bhubaneswar and Kolkata. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assured residents that all precautions were in place. The storm, with wind speeds of 100-120 km/h, threatens to bring heavy rainfall and significant damage to coastal areas. Over 200 trains have been cancelled, and fishermen have been warned to stay ashore. Odisha and West Bengal experience regular cyclones, with severe storms historically causing fatalities.

South Korea is tackling a growing loneliness epidemic, with Seoul pledging $327 million to combat the issue over five years. The funds will be used to create a city "where no-one is lonely" through 24/7 loneliness counseling hotlines, online platforms, and in-person consultations. The city also plans to expand psychological services, green spaces, and meal plans for middle-aged and elderly residents. A rise in "lonely deaths" has brought attention to the problem, especially among men in their 50s and 60s. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated the government would “mobilize all municipal capacity” to address the crisis.

Washington Sundar delivered a stellar performance on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, taking a career-best 7 for 59 to restrict New Zealand to 259. Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65) provided some resistance, but Sundar, supported by R Ashwin’s 3/64, spun out New Zealand. Sundar’s figures included five bowled dismissals, and Ashwin surpassed Nathan Lyon’s 530 wickets. India ended Day 1 at 16/1, trailing by 243 runs, with Tim Southee removing Rohit Sharma. India is aiming to continue its 18-series home winning streak.

Cyclone Dana is approaching the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal, with heavy rains already hitting parts of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department predicts the cyclone will make landfall early Friday between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha, with wind speeds reaching 120 kmph. Flights and trains in both states have been disrupted. Disaster response teams are on alert, and the Indian Navy is prepared for relief operations. Authorities have issued warnings for fishermen and expect severe rainfall in districts like North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, and Hooghly.

At the BRICS Outreach Session in Kazan, Russia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. He highlighted the importance of respecting agreements, referencing a recent India-China border deal. "Agreements, once reached, must be scrupulously respected," Jaishankar said. He also expressed concerns about the ongoing conflicts in West Asia, reiterating India's call for a two-state solution and zero tolerance for terrorism. Jaishankar warned of the conflict's potential spread and its impact on maritime trade.

The Odisha government has evacuated over 300,000 residents from coastal districts in preparation for Cyclone Dana's landfall. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a review meeting and stressed the importance of achieving "zero casualties" during the cyclone. Authorities have set up 7,285 cyclone shelters to accommodate the displaced individuals and have deployed 91 medical teams to provide assistance. To support the evacuation efforts, 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 51 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, along with fire service personnel, are on standby to clear blocked roads and assist affected communities.

Marshall Mosher, a paraglider and adventure athlete, recently filmed a dog sitting on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza while flying over it. He shared the video on Instagram, expressing his amazement at the dog's relaxed presence atop the 4,500-year-old pyramid. After some viewers expressed concern for the dog's safety, Mosher posted a follow-up video showing the dog on the ground, reassuring them that these dogs are known to roam the area and frequently climb up and down the pyramid. Mosher is also promoting a paragliding event next year over the pyramids, encouraging others to join him in meeting these dogs.

On Thursday, over 70 flights from various Indian airlines received bomb threats, with around 20 flights each from Air India, Vistara, and IndiGo affected. Akasa Air reported bomb threats for about 14 of its flights. This incident is part of a concerning trend, as nearly 250 flights operated by Indian carriers have received bomb threats in the past 11 days. An Akasa Air spokesperson confirmed that some flights on October 24 received security alerts, and the airline’s Emergency Response teams are actively monitoring the situation. The airline is coordinating with security and regulatory authorities to ensure all safety measures are followed.