Republic of India — South Asia, world’s largest democracy by population
Ukraine has reported that Starlink and Starshield speeds have returned to operational levels after last week’s throttle capped connections for hardware moving faster than about 100 mph. Ukrainian defence systems are recording stable links above 400 kph; Washington and SpaceX continue to deny responsibility for the earlier restrictions, and questions persist about who ordered the caps.
SpaceX has limited speeds on Starshield and Starlink terminals inside Ukraine, degrading drone operations and air-defence warnings. Publishers report Elon Musk discussed the cap with senior US officials and President Donald Trump; US officials, SpaceX and Kyiv have given competing accounts about whether the White House ordered the slowdown. Kyiv has said full service has not yet been restored.
Delegations at COP17 are assessing progress on the Kunming-Montreal framework. While many parties have set targets and submitted reports, fewer than half are on track. Financing remains a core hurdle as nations seek to translate promises into measurable action, with a focus on 30 by 30 and equitable benefit-sharing.
Sri Lanka has chased down a mammoth target in Rawalpindi, with Rathnayake, Fernando and Shanaka delivering big knocks to overhaul England's record ODI score, as Liyanage seals victory with a 61* off 27 in the final over.
Jio Platforms has opened an initial public offering to raise 302bn rupees to repay telecom debt and fund growth, offering shares at 1,065–1,119 rupees and targeting a roughly 10.3tn-rupee valuation. Global fund managers and dozens of anchor investors have backed the deal, while a separate spat between Elon Musk and Reliance over Starlink approvals remains unresolved.
Two leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have been released from Tihar jail after a magistrate ordered their release following arrests at Jantar Mantar. The youth-led CJP has driven near-daily protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a voter-roll revision that removed about 130 million names; police have restricted central protest sites and detained dozens of activists.
Attacks by Yemen's Houthis have targeted Saudi airports, including Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, causing flight cancellations, injured travelers, and heightened caution from U.S. and international authorities. Delta has postponed its Atlanta–Riyadh nonstop to March 2027 amid safety concerns and regulatory warnings.
Gen Z-led protests across Indian cities have intensified, calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of electoral-roll irregularities. Leaders including Neha Bora and Rahul Gandhi are mobilising, with police detentions and park closures highlighting a widening crackdown as opposition forces seek broader political reform.
Jio Platforms has set an IPO price band and is raising up to 302 billion rupees ($3.2 billion). The anchor book has seen bids worth 2.5 trillion rupees, more than 30 times the anchor allocation, with investors including BlackRock and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority participating. The listing values Jio at about $108 billion, underlining a broader push by Reliance Industries to expand beyond traditional telecom into tech and satellite services. The IPO opens for public bidding later this week.
President Donald Trump has said the US is holding talks with Russia and China aimed at denuclearising their largest arsenals and that China could "catch up" to US nuclear capacity within five years; he has discussed the issue in interviews and, Newsmax reported, in a call with Xi Jinping. Today's date: Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:20:11 +0100.
The UK has signalled it may align with EU tariff moves on Chinese electric vehicles as part of the Made in Europe package, while Beijing warns such steps would be discriminatory. Downing Street seeks inclusion in the bloc’s framework, aiming to safeguard its automotive sector as EU rules expand amid China’s market surge.
Israel has established a dedicated Space Division under its Planning Directorate to oversee space-based military operations, sensors, and space warfare development. The move follows concerns about space as a combat domain and aims to enhance monitoring, defense, and potential attacks from space, with implications for Palestinians and regional security.
The Scotsman and BBC Business report a shift in the UK brewing sector as Allsopp’s revives a historic IPA with a ledger-driven revival, and Rebellion Brewery adopts employee ownership through an Employe Ownership Trust, signaling a broader trend toward worker-owned models in a consolidating market.
Trump has waived new Russia sanctions and tariffs on energy buyers, aiming to unlock Russian diesel exports. The move has exposed rifts within the GOP and drawn criticism from Zelenskyy, as the diesel deal is framed as an incentive to ease war pressures while global diesel costs rise.
The United States has seen shifting policy toward Ukraine as President Trump has waived sanctions on Russia and floated a diesel deal, complicating support for Kyiv. SpaceX Starlink/Starshield disruptions and reports of talks on a Moscow–Beijing settlement surface, while Zelenskyy urges renewed sanctions support.
Nvidia’s founder-CEO has been touring Europe to accelerate the company’s global AI ecosystem. He is backing startups in Europe, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, India, Malaysia and Africa, while urging sovereign AI models and infrastructure. Investors are watching whether government-backed demand can sustain chip demand amid funding challenges for neoclouds.
Ukraine and Western allies are seeking to steer diplomacy in Oslo amid strained ties with the United States. Zelenskiy has urged constructive talks on early warnings, Starlink, and Patriot missiles, while Trump hints at new mediation paths. US envoys Witkoff and Kushner join regional leaders to press for a peace pathway and energy ceasefire; leaders warn patience will be needed.
Marco Rubio has arrived in Mumbai for energy, trade and investment discussions with Indian leaders, ahead of a Jamnagar refinery visit. The trip underlines Washington’s push to diversify energy portfolios and bolster ties with India amid shifting global energy dynamics.
The Jamnagar refining complex in Gujarat, a focal point for Reliance Industries, is at the center of renewed U.S.-India energy discussions. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio is visiting to assess how large-scale refining capacity can influence energy security amid geopolitical tensions and shifts in Venezuelan oil supply.
Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent designed for professionals and small businesses. In a research preview, Duet delivers morning briefs, monitors connected apps, builds dashboards, and can perform background tasks with user approval. It connects to thousands of apps, uses a Claude Opus 5.5 model, and isn’t meant for personal errands. A waitlist is open for Pro and Max subscribers in the U.S.
New York City Council is moving to outlaw horse-drawn carriages by June 2028, following safety concerns and a fatality earlier this year. Mayor Mamdani is directing a workforce transition plan for the drivers, who number about 150, with potential compensation and career support.
Saudi air defenses have intercepted drones and missiles as attacks on airports and oil facilities intensify. Casualties include a Saudi citizen and multiple foreign nationals; additional strikes target Shaybah oil field and other energy infrastructure. The region faces rising regional tensions and a fragile security situation.
Canada has opened negotiations for a free trade agreement with Turkiye as Prime Minister Mark Carney visits Ankara. Officials say the goal is to deepen ties in trade, energy, defense, and high-tech sectors, with plans to raise two-way trade and increase direct flights. Amnesty International has urged human-rights considerations in negotiations.
The AFC has signaled support for Gianni Infantino's bid for a fourth FIFA term, with Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa endorsing his leadership at Tokyo's extraordinary congress. The endorsement follows a period of mixed signals within the confederation and comes as Infantino faces an ongoing reappointment process ahead of the March election.
New York City’s City Council has passed Romanch’s Law to ban horse-drawn carriages citywide, with a veto-proof 40-7 vote. Mayor Mamdani is expected to sign; the ban takes effect June 1, 2028. About 200 drivers face job loss, with a plan for worker retraining and potential compensation under discussion. Workers vow legal action.
A late-stage trial of a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine, intismeran, combined with Keytruda, shows a 42% reduction in cancer recurrence at two years for surgically treated melanoma patients. Results are published ahead of a major conference; overall survival remains unproven. Industry and experts say this marks a major step in cancer vaccines, with broader applications under study.
Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with Nokia and ICEYE to develop new defense and satellite-comms capabilities as Starlink faces restrictions. Disruptions have raised questions about dependence on SpaceX and spurred interest in sovereign and rival satellite networks; debates in Washington and Europe over accountability intensify as governments explore next steps.
Prince William has spoken on Earthshot Prize origins and optimism in addressing climate issues on UK TV; he reveals family love for The Celebrity Traitors and his film tastes, including Christopher Nolan’s work. The interview emphasizes urgency paired with hope as the prize expands its global reach.
The White House has removed tariffs on specific Canadian goods — including plywood, packing materials and certain machinery — and will impose duties on other items starting Oct. 30. The move has been tied to Senator Susan Collins' lobbying and comes as she faces a tight re-election fight in Maine, a state heavily dependent on trade with Canada.
Washington has long accused Confucius Institutes of being Chinese propaganda tools and has stepped up action against them. The Pentagon says 80 new propaganda cells across 30 universities had popped up under different guises, with a mission to steal IP and influence students. The latest move adds these centres to the national security threat list as part of a broader, multi-agency effort.