The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata has defended its decision to rusticate 6 students for a year, saying the action followed allegations of vandalism, defacement and physical assault, not peaceful protests. The statement came a day after veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah expressed solidarity with the students and accused the BJP of targeting people who oppose its policies. The institute said it respects peaceful dissent while enforcing disciplinary rules. The ongoing dispute has disrupted academic activities, with classes suspended since September 28. Students have also demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera amid the campus controversy. (PC: NDTV)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was acquitted by a special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday in a 2018 criminal defamation case over remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The court cited a lack of evidence while delivering its verdict. BJP leader Vijay Mishra filed the complaint on August 4, 2018, over Gandhi’s comments at a campaign rally in Bengaluru during the Karnataka Assembly elections. Gandhi appeared in court for the verdict. He had surrendered and received bail in February 2024. The case involved witness statements and legal challenges over a voice sample before the final hearing. (PC: India Today)

Brazil’s left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term in office, defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in a closely fought run-off election. The 80-year-old leader secured just under 52% of the vote and thanked supporters in São Paulo for defending Brazilian democracy. Flávio, who won the first round, called the result “inexplicable” and demanded its annulment. Lula’s victory bucks a wider regional trend towards right-wing leaders in Latin America. Flávio’s father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is serving a sentence under house arrest over a coup plot following his defeat in the previous presidential election. (PC: BBC)

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has accused President Mohamed Muizzu of potentially reviving anti-India rhetoric following his recent bilateral visit to Pakistan, which resulted in several agreements. Shahid, who is seeking leadership of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ahead of the 2028 presidential election, alleged that Muizzu could revive the “India Out” campaign, which gained prominence in 2023. He warned that the President might attempt to create a narrative based on hatred before the elections. The remarks come despite Muizzu maintaining cordial relations with New Delhi for much of his tenure, according to the report. Shahid’s allegations concern Muizzu’s possible future political strategy.

Fifteen Punjabi-origin candidates have won seats in British Columbia’s October 24 provincial election, according to preliminary tallies by Punjabi community outlets Babushahi and Punjab News Express. Twelve are Conservatives and three belong to the NDP. The Conservatives swept all 10 Surrey ridings, home to one of the largest Punjabi communities outside India. Mandeep Dhaliwal retained Surrey North, while Garry Purewal unseated longtime NDP incumbent Jagrup Brar in Surrey-Fleetwood. The 93-seat Legislative Assembly election saw Conservatives win 64 seats, the NDP 27 and Greens two, with over 99 per cent of polls counted. Final results, expected in early November, could change these figures. (PC: Reuters)

Crude oil prices eased on Monday, October 26, after reaching six-month highs, with Brent crude remaining above $114 per barrel after briefly crossing $117. Persistent geopolitical tensions and supply concerns continued to fuel market volatility. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia prompted the US State Department to order non-essential personnel to leave the country. President Donald Trump said Washington was not negotiating with Iran, while reports indicated the US and Israel were planning possible fresh strikes after the American midterm elections. Expert Peter McGuire cited fears of attacks on Gulf infrastructure. Investor Anant Ladha warned that elevated crude prices could raise corporate costs, weaken earnings and pressure Indian equity markets. (PC: Times Now)

Indian tennis stars Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi have filed nominations for the Sports Person of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections in the All India Tennis Association (AITA), ahead of the November 7 polls. Their entry signals a push for greater representation of prominent players in the federation’s administration. Leander Paes, whose presidential candidature was backed by the Bengal Tennis Association, is absent from the nominees’ list. His omission effectively ends his prospects of contesting for the top post under the current eligibility rules. Paes, the only player in Tier I of the 40-member roster, needed to qualify through the SOM process because he lacked the required tenure as an office-bearer. (PC: PTI)

Walmart-backed Flipkart is planning to launch a platform called ‘Earth’ to tap growing demand for premium, sustainable products, according to an Economic Times report. The company has begun onboarding brands offering healthier, toxin-free and environmentally sustainable products across multiple categories. These include beauty and personal care, snacks and beverages, home decor, fashion, appliances and other segments. The initiative could expand Flipkart’s presence in the premium consumer market by bringing sustainability-focused products to online shoppers. People familiar with the development told the publication about the plans. Further details, including the platform’s launch date, product range and pricing strategy, were not specified in the available report excerpt. (PC: X)

The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata defended its decision to rusticate six students for a year, saying disciplinary proceedings concerned alleged misconduct, including vandalism, defacement and physical assault, rather than participation in protests. The response followed veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah’s public expression of solidarity with the students. Shah accused the BJP of targeting political dissenters and intimidating young filmmakers after its West Bengal election victory. The institute maintained that it upheld peaceful protest while enforcing disciplinary rules. The dispute has disrupted academic activities, with classes suspended since September 28 and students demanding Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera’s resignation. BJP spokesperson Rahul Sinha called for an investigation into Shah’s remarks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran against attacking Israel ahead of the country’s October 27 national elections, threatening a “disproportionate” military response. Speaking beside an Arrow missile defence system in Jerusalem, he said Tehran would face far stronger blows than it could imagine. Potential escalation routes include attacks by Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, direct missile strikes, cyber operations and disruptions to maritime traffic. Any confrontation could prompt Israeli retaliation, draw in the United States and threaten regional stability and energy markets. Netanyahu’s warning also carries domestic political significance, reinforcing his security credentials amid electoral uncertainty, although its influence on voters remains unclear.