Student protests are spreading across Europe, from France to Belgium, Italy and Greece, as young people demand better-funded education systems. The demonstrations highlight concerns over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings, rising tuition fees and increasing living costs. France became the centre of the movement in mid-September, with students and teachers organising school blockades and demonstrations. In Belgium, protests have led to clashes and arrests, while Italian students have occupied schools in solidarity. Greece has also witnessed calls for nationwide student action. Similar concerns over education funding and accommodation costs have emerged in Ireland, Germany and Austria. (PC: X)

Goa Police have registered an unnatural death case following the death of veteran Bollywood and Marathi actor Nana Patekar at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. According to The Indian Express, Panaji Police received information from Manipal Hospital on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, after the actor was brought to the hospital and declared dead. Police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Officials said cardiac arrest appeared to be the preliminary cause, but the exact cause of death would be established after the post-mortem report.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has agreed to rapidly deploy additional Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The decision, reported on October 8, 2026, comes amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group against the kingdom. The move has raised questions about civilian oversight, as Pakistan’s Parliament voted in 2015 to remain neutral in the Yemen conflict. Authorities have not disclosed the deployment’s size or operational details. Pakistan says the arrangement supports Saudi security, while analysts warn it could deepen the military’s influence over foreign policy. (PC: AFP)

Delhi Police has issued a public advisory from a mosque in Old Delhi, urging residents to avoid unnecessary protests, rumours and provocative messages. The move comes amid ongoing demonstrations by Opposition groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Police officials told ThePrint that similar messages were being communicated through marketplaces and other gathering places. They said permission had not been granted for the planned large-scale mobilisation, describing it as an unlawful assembly and urging residents to maintain public order.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his courage during a dangerous incident aboard a Flydubai flight on September 30, 2026. The captain was seriously injured when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to intervene and restrain the attacker. Other pilots subsequently took control, and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Herzog said the award would be presented after Machchhar recovers. Six Israeli passengers were also honoured for their actions. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump honoured six technology leaders on October 8, 2026, with the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. Recipients included Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell. The ceremony came hours after Vice President JD Vance accused Microsoft of misusing foreign-worker visa programmes and announced its suspension from a green-card sponsorship programme. Microsoft defended its practices, stating that most H-1B applications involved existing employees. The developments highlight tensions between technological innovation and stricter US immigration policies.

Veteran Bollywood and Marathi cinema actor Nana Patekar was cremated with full state honours at his farmhouse in Donje village, near Pune, on Thursday night, October 8, 2026. The 75-year-old actor died earlier that day following a cardiac arrest at his residence in Goa. His final rites were attended by prominent political leaders, including Eknath Shinde, Sunetra Pawar and Chandrakant Patil, along with actor Jackie Shroff. His son, Malhar Patekar, performed the last rites. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, while thousands of admirers gathered to pay their final respects. Patekar leaves behind a lasting legacy in Indian cinema, theatre and social service.

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is holding productive discussions with Iran and will not launch an attack before the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. The announcement comes amid an ongoing conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened tensions across the Middle East. Trump said the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. Both countries have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. However, disagreements over Iran’s uranium enrichment programme remain unresolved. Trump’s announcement briefly eased oil supply concerns and influenced global crude prices. (PC: Reuters)

The Trump administration has suspended access to the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme for major technology companies, including TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Cognizant, Microsoft, Adobe and Capgemini. The decision blocks new and pending applications under a key employment-based green card pathway. US officials allege that companies misused immigration programmes at the expense of American workers, while critics warn the restrictions could discourage skilled international talent. Indian IT professionals may face greater uncertainty about permanent settlement and career progression in the United States, potentially encouraging them to explore opportunities in Europe and other markets. (PC: File)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is preparing for its October 10 protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration is backed by student organisations and other groups raising concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions and voter deletions. Delhi authorities have intensified security arrangements, deploying thousands of police and paramilitary personnel. Reports indicate that the protest has not received official permission, with prohibitory orders in force. The planned demonstration adds to growing opposition-led protests demanding accountability and transparency in the Election Commission’s functioning. (PC: Times Now)