Russian and Ukrainian delegations have arrived in Istanbul for a second round of peace talks, following a night of intense aerial assaults by both sides. Hours earlier, Kyiv launched 117 drones targeting military bases deep inside Russia, reportedly destroying at least 13 warplanes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the strike as “an absolutely brilliant result.” The Ukrainian attack came in retaliation to Russia’s largest aerial offensive on Ukraine the night before. Despite a previous round of talks in Istanbul last month yielding little progress beyond a prisoner exchange, hopes remain that diplomacy may ease tensions amid the ongoing war. (PC: BBC)

Six people were injured in Boulder, Colorado, after Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower in a targeted terror attack on a pro-Israel demonstration. The incendiary devices, made from bottles filled with flammable liquid and a lit wick, have roots in World War II. Named after Soviet minister Vyacheslav Molotov, the “cocktails” were coined sarcastically by Finns during the Winter War to fight Soviet tanks. The attack reignited concerns over terrorism and the use of improvised weapons in political violence. The FBI is investigating the assault, which Soliman reportedly carried out while shouting “Free Palestine.”

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held in two to three phases before the current Assembly's term ends on November 22. The Election Commission is planning the schedule around major festivals like Diwali and Chhath. Polling reforms include reducing voters per booth from 1,500 to 1,200, more booths in dense areas, and door-to-door verification by BLOs. The EC will deploy the new ECINET dashboard, replacing 40 older tools. Voter rolls will link to death records to avoid fraud, and a special AI cell will monitor synthetic content. CEC Gyanesh Kumar will visit Bihar later this month. (PC: India Today)

Gnanasekaran, the accused in the December 2024 Anna University sexual assault case, has been sentenced to 30 years of life imprisonment by the Madras High Court. He was also fined ₹90,000 after being found guilty on all 11 charges by the Chennai Mahila Court. The case, which involved the assault of a 19-year-old student, sparked political protests and public outrage, with opposition parties accusing the DMK government of mishandling the case. Despite allegations of the accused’s links to senior DMK leaders, the court delivered a strong verdict. AIADMK welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for justice and student voices. (PC: News18)

In a bizarre new conspiracy theory, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that former President Joe Biden was "executed in 2020" and replaced with a robotic clone. The post, which Trump reshared from a fringe account, alleges Democrats are unaware of the supposed switch. The claim follows Biden’s recent disclosure of aggressive prostate cancer. The White House has not responded. Trump’s history of promoting baseless theories continues—ranging from genocide claims in South Africa to alleging the FBI tried to assassinate him. Analysts warn the repeated spread of misinformation may further polarize political discourse ahead of the 2026 midterms. (PC: NDTV)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine launched a “brilliant operation” deep inside Russian territory, using 117 drones in a strike that destroyed over 40 aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers. The attack, planned over 18 months, targeted airbases across three time zones and came just a day before peace talks in Istanbul. Zelenskyy stressed the need for coordinated pressure—military, diplomatic, and economic—on Russia. The strike, reportedly coordinated near Russia’s FSB offices, has heightened tensions as the two nations prepare to discuss ending Europe’s largest war since WWII. Moscow has yet to provide its promised peace proposal for the talks. (PC: Reuters)

A mass stabbing at the Union Gospel Mission men's shelter in Salem, Oregon, USA, left at least 11 people injured on Sunday evening. The incident took place at the shelter on the 700 block of Commercial Street Northeast. According to the Salem Police Department, all victims were transported to Salem Health with varying degrees of injuries. The male suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is currently in custody. Authorities have not released further details as the investigation is ongoing. The motive for the attack remains unclear. Officials are urging the public to avoid the area while detectives gather evidence. (PC: HT)

Six people were injured in a suspected terrorist attack during a peaceful rally for Israeli hostages at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado. The FBI confirmed the attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national with an expired visa, used Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower, reportedly shouting “Free Palestine” during the assault. The event, held weekly, turned chaotic as attendees rushed to help the injured. Soliman is in custody. Officials are investigating the incident as a potential antisemitic terror attack. Israel’s foreign minister condemned it as a “terrible antisemitic terror attack targeting Jews.” Emergency responders secured the area quickly. (PC: Reuters)

Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Sunday, hitting five Russian airbases. Over 40 aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers, were damaged. The attack, called Operation "Pavutyna" or "Spider Web", targeted bases in deep Russian regions like Murmansk and Irkutsk. Russia confirmed fires on some planes but reported no casualties. This marks the first such strike in Siberia. Ukrainian sources said the plan took a year and used drones hidden in trucks. The attack comes just before peace talks in Istanbul. Ukraine says the goal was to weaken Russia’s long-range weapons. Both sides are set to meet for fresh talks on Monday. (PC: X/ @RT_com)

Ukraine carried out a secret drone attack on four Russian airbases, damaging 41 warplanes. The operation, called ‘Spider’s Web’, used drones hidden inside wooden sheds. These sheds were placed on trucks and taken close to the airbases. Once there, drones flew out and hit the targets. The Irkutsk base, over 4,300 km from the war zone, was one of the main targets. Ukraine said President Zelenskyy helped plan the attack. Russia confirmed some planes were hit. Videos show bombers on fire. This comes a week after Russia’s big missile strike that killed 13 civilians in Ukraine. The situation remains tense. (PC: India Today)