The United Arab Emirates has honoured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and flydubai crew members for their bravery during a cockpit emergency on September 30. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on those involved. During the incident, the seriously injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene and help avert a potential tragedy. Their response helped protect passengers and secure the aircraft during the emergency. The honour recognises the crew’s courage and efforts to manage the situation. The report did not provide further details about the incident or the recipients.

US President Donald Trump claimed his endorsement helped Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recover from an expected decisive defeat in Israel’s October 27 election. Exit polls showed Netanyahu’s Likud-led bloc in a tight contest with the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot, with neither side securing the 61 seats needed for a Knesset majority. Kan 11 and Channel 13 projected 51 seats for each bloc, while Channel 12 gave Netanyahu’s alliance a narrow 52–49 lead. Netanyahu ruled out relying on Arab parties to form a government, complicating coalition negotiations. Turnout reached 77.7%, its highest in over two decades. Final results remained pending, leaving Netanyahu’s political future uncertain.

Indian stock markets tumbled on October 28 as rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions rattled investors. The Nifty fell over 150 points to open at 22,678, while the Sensex dropped more than 700 points at the opening and declined over 900 points in early trade. The rupee opened at 95.02 against the US dollar, compared with Tuesday’s close of 95.12. Brent crude traded at $115 per barrel after reports that Houthis had struck Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery with a missile, raising supply concerns. Economist Sanchita Mukherji said recovery would depend on lower oil prices, currency stability, easing uncertainty and stronger corporate earnings growth. (PC: Times Now)

Cyclone Arnab began making landfall early Wednesday along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts, bringing torrential rainfall, strong winds and rough seas, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district, several trees were uprooted, disrupting movement across affected areas. Visakhapatnam also experienced strong winds and high tides, with rough sea conditions reported at RK Beach. A tree was uprooted near Andhra University’s College of Engineering for Women, news agency ANI reported. In Chennai, giant sea waves surged onto roads and entered residential areas in Ennore. The conditions highlighted the cyclone’s impact across coastal locations as the landfall process continued on Wednesday.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh equalled a world record after taking one wicket in the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday. He finished with figures of 1/33 in four overs as India restricted New Zealand to 198/3 before securing a six-wicket victory. Arshdeep’s dismissal took his 2026 tally to 39 wickets in 30 T20I matches, matching Ireland’s Joshua Little, the former Gujarat Titans pacer, who claimed 39 wickets in 2022. Arshdeep has taken 149 wickets in 102 T20Is since his 2022 debut, making him India’s leading T20I wicket-taker. He is now one wicket away from reaching 150 international T20 wickets. (PC: Getty Images)

Democratic candidate Dr Amish Shah is seeking to become the first Indian American to represent Arizona in the US Congress, contesting the state’s closely watched 1st Congressional District ahead of the November 3 general election. He faces Republican Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker backed by President Donald Trump. Shah became the first Indian American elected to Arizona’s state legislature in 2018 and served from 2019 to 2024. An emergency and sports medicine physician, he says he has knocked on more than 28,000 doors while campaigning. His campaign highlights bipartisan work on healthcare and education. The seat became open after Republican incumbent David Schweikert entered Arizona’s gubernatorial race. (PC: AP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticised defeated presidential rival Flavio Bolsonaro after reports suggested the senator was travelling to the United States following Sunday’s election. Speaking at his 81st birthday celebrations in Brasília on Tuesday, Lula said leaving Brazil secretly was “shameful” and suggested such a departure meant someone had something to hide. Brazilian authorities had not officially confirmed Bolsonaro’s departure. He reportedly faced travel restrictions, with his passports cancelled, and is under investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering. The US State Department said it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family. Bolsonaro rejected the election result and vowed to lead the opposition.

India has invited Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, to the inaugural Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi from November 20 to 22, 2026, diplomatic sources said. New Delhi has invited all 10 SCO member states to participate in the event. The invitation marks the first such invitation to a senior Pakistani minister since Operation Sindoor, launched by India in May 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack. The move comes amid strained bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries. The forum will bring representatives of SCO members together for discussions focused on civilisational dialogue, although further details about the agenda were not provided. (PC: X)

Arunachal Pradesh Congress president Bosiram Siram has alleged that Chinese troops advanced 40–50 km into Indian territory in Upper Subansiri district. Following a visit to border areas, he claimed Chinese military activities had restricted local residents’ access to traditional grazing, hunting and foraging grounds. Siram urged the Centre and Defence Ministry to conduct an impartial investigation and strengthen border infrastructure. However, Chief Minister Pema Khandu rejected the allegation, saying he did not believe an incursion was occurring. The claims remain unverified, and the Indian Army previously dismissed a separate related allegation as baseless. (PC: X)

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid declared a “crushing defeat” for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc after exit polls from the October 27, 2026 election indicated a close contest. Projections showed the opposition grouping led by Gadi Eisenkot holding a slight advantage in some polls, while others indicated a tie. Neither camp appeared close to the 61 seats required for a majority in Israel’s 120-member Knesset. Arab parties could play a decisive role in coalition negotiations. With voter turnout reaching 77.7%, the highest in more than two decades, final results and government formation remained uncertain. (PC: X)