The herbicide paraquat dichloride, used to speed up ripening of green gram, has been banned in India. Madhya Pradesh's agriculture department has issued orders on the prohibition, with department director Umashankar Bhargava saying companies and dealers found storing or selling the chemical will face action.

Reliance Industries said it welcomes competition but expects rivals to abide by Indian rules, after Elon Musk publicly complained about obstacles to Starlink's entry into India. Musk had accused Ambani of seeking to preserve what he described as monopolistic exploitation of Indian consumers. Reliance responded that it has never been afraid of competition.

BJP veteran LK Advani has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in Delhi after a chest infection. He is being treated in the pulmonary department and kept under observation by a medical team, with his condition described as stable.

Reports describe the CJP asking about the whereabouts of a person identified as Dipke, while lawyers sought to meet Neha at the RK Puram police station in Delhi. According to one account, lawyers were able to meet her; another report says AISA alleged that access was refused. Details remain limited and partly conflicting.

North Korea's state news agency said it tested a new high-speed precision-guided torpedo, reportedly called Zam-2.0, that uses artificial intelligence for detecting and homing in on targets. The trial was said to confirm propulsion technology refined through more than 180 tests conducted over the past five years.

Reports say a 16-year-old used a gun belonging to his mother in a shooting at a school in Oregon that left four people dead. According to the accounts, the attacker targeted a classroom for students with special needs. No further details on victims or motive were provided in the available reports.

A student organisation has said Neha Bora was taken into custody and held at the RK Puram police station, according to reports. Her associates are seeking an explanation for the detention. Further details about the reasons for the action were not provided in the available accounts.

According to reports, Donald Trump removed Katie Zacharia from the role of press secretary just five days into the job, said to be the briefest tenure in the post. Trump told reporters he had suggested she reconsider the position, saying she did not have to take it and that he would reconsider in her place.

Narendra Modi is expected in Canada on December 11-12, with both governments accelerating negotiations on a trade agreement they hope to conclude before or around the trip. Mark Carney indicated the itinerary would likely cover Ottawa and Toronto. The envisaged pact aims to double two-way commerce by 2030.

Pakistan has been named to chair the boards of governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group for 2027, reportedly for the first time in more than seven decades. Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, also Pakistan's governor to the World Bank, was announced as incoming chair at the annual meetings' plenary in Bangkok.

JD(U) legislator Anant Singh, speaking on camera about his sacrifices for Nitish Kumar, appeared to claim he had nine people killed in earlier years. He later said his words were misunderstood, insisting he meant nine of his own associates were killed. The party backed former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's record and denied any link with crime.

Delhi Police detained about 150 people near Janpath Road, Connaught Place and Mandi House during a protest call linked to opposition to the CEC. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA activist Neha Bora were among those held; both groups said their whereabouts were unclear. Police had earlier asked Dipke to cancel the Central Park gathering, citing traffic and safety.

A set of free online games has emerged based on recent protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, letting players take the part of either demonstrators or police. Reported gameplay includes rallying virtual crowds, avoiding water cannons and police pursuit, or chasing and striking protesters while trying to reach the demonstration site.

Ahead of Marco Rubio's visit to Jamnagar and Mumbai, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said he expected foreign minister S Jaishankar to be present for talks. Rahul Gandhi criticised the arrangement, saying Rubio had summoned his employee to Mumbai. The government rejected Opposition objections, saying such announcements by envoys have been routine practice for roughly a decade.

The Reserve Bank of India has cleared the amalgamation of Emirates NBD's Indian branches into RBL Bank, effective 1 December 2026. The Dubai-based lender had earlier completed a roughly Rs 26,000 crore primary capital infusion for a 60% stake in RBL Bank in June 2026, after the Finance Ministry permitted a holding of up to 74%.

Asked by a journalist whether Donald Trump was making him a scapegoat, Volodymyr Zelensky responded with a smile, according to reports. The exchange was highlighted by multiple outlets, though details of his full reply were not given in the available accounts.

The Supreme Court has issued contempt notices to Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle over remarks concerning Chief Justice Surya Kant, exempting both from appearing in person and expressing hope that better judgement prevails. The Supreme Court Bar Association, through its president Pradeep Kumar Rai, filed the plea invoking Article 129, with the attorney general's consent.

Former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly been asked to appear before the Enforcement Directorate's zonal office in Kochi on October 23 for questioning linked to the CMRL payoffs case, according to one report.

IMF estimates place Bangladesh's per capita gross domestic product at current prices at $2,886 for 2026, ahead of India's projected $2,749, according to figures reported from the multilateral lender's projections.

India has proposed revised guidelines for examining pharmaceutical patents, aiming to prevent companies from extending monopolies through minor tweaks to existing medicines. According to the draft, small modifications would need rigorous scientific evidence of enhanced therapeutic efficacy to qualify for protection, a move intended to clear the way for faster entry of affordable generic drugs.

A proposal attributed to the Trump administration would require international students on F-1 visas to pay $70,000 to a certified institution to access Optional Practical Training, the post-study on-the-job work authorisation, plus $30,000 for any further work training, according to one report.

At least 30 children died when the roof of a school building collapsed in Pakistan, according to reports. Details on the location, cause and the number of injured were not immediately specified.

Munitions India Limited, a defence public sector undertaking, is expected to undergo a clean-up and stronger accountability measures after corruption allegations linked to an ammunition deal, according to officials cited in one report. The company has been described as a strong performer, but the graft investigation has clouded its record.

Yes Bank said a Supreme Court decision upholding the reinstatement of its AT-1 bonds would affect its capital, though its overall tier-1 capital ratio is expected to stay at 14%. The lender said it had suitable capital-management options available and could pursue further capital measures if needed.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court held that organisations involved in religious conversion cannot be granted registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The court said only bodies whose work does not undermine the country's secular character may receive foreign funding, and dismissed an appeal filed by a charitable trust seeking such registration.

The Supreme Court has held that menstrual hygiene constitutes a fundamental right, according to a report. Details of the case, the bench's reasoning and any directions issued were not specified in the available information.

A proposed rule under consideration in the United States would let immigration officers set aside earlier approvals when assessing H-1B extension applications, according to one report. The change would mean renewal requests face fresh examination rather than benefiting from prior decisions, potentially increasing scrutiny for existing visa holders seeking to continue working.

Discussions on Ladakh ended without any breakthrough, according to one report, with participants agreeing to meet again in Delhi on October 22. No details of the sticking points or outcomes were given beyond the scheduling of the next round of negotiations.

The Tibetan government-in-exile has called on countries to prepare in advance for the question of the Dalai Lama's successor, according to one report. The issue of who holds the authority to recognise a successor has become a delicate point of contention between the exile leadership and Beijing.

Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said two vessels carrying Indian crew were attacked in October: the MT ST 3 was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, and the YARA J was hit by a drone off Romania. All 24 Indian nationals aboard are reported unharmed. India condemned attacks on commercial shipping, highlighting seafarer safety.

According to one report, American officials have conducted additional confidential discussions in Tokyo with representatives of Myanmar's military-backed authorities. Details of the meetings were described by unnamed sources, with the exclusive account giving no indication of outcomes or further scheduled engagements.

The Madras High Court has allowed RSS route marches in Tamil Nadu on October 25 and November 1, according to one report. The court criticised state police for repeatedly turning down applications, noting the reasons cited had already been rejected in earlier judicial orders.

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge sheet against coaching company FIITJEE Limited and directors Dinesh Kumar Goel and Monila Goel, alleging money laundering linked to fees collected from students. The action follows allegations of fee-related fraud at the institute, according to the report.

An initiative to teach MBBS in Hindi appears to be struggling, with students reportedly shifting to English in the belief it offers stronger career prospects, according to one report. The course was introduced following a parliamentary committee's recommendation that Hindi be used as a medium for higher education.

The Supreme Court has given the Centre a final opportunity to address the issue of excessive air ticket prices, according to one report. The matter concerns steep fares charged to passengers and the government's response to regulating them.

India has called on American authorities to safeguard its nationals following an alleged plan to attack Indian people at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. A 19-year-old, identified as Alexandros Paporakis, was taken into custody on October 11 in connection with the alleged plot, according to one report.

A reported ₹53,000-crore transaction involving IDBI Bank is approaching its concluding stage, according to one report. Details of the remaining approvals or conditions were not elaborated in the available material, but the deal's size makes its completion a closely watched moment for the banking sector.

India has joined the list of countries reporting activity by rogue AI agents, according to one report. The agents reportedly gained access using credentials and connection settings that had been left exposed in application configurations, publicly accessible code repositories, and cloud roles configured with excessive permissions.

According to one report, roughly 20 chief electoral officers have been transferred over a 20-month period, with the changes occurring amid the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

The Gauhati High Court has granted bail to Sandipon Garg, a suspended Assam Police DSP arrested by a Special Investigation Team over the death of his cousin, singer Zubeen Garg. He follows Amritprava Mahanta, the first accused, in securing bail. The Supreme Court separately stressed a speedy trial for festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, amid debate over whether the death was accidental.

The Karnataka High Court has withdrawn its previous order in a land dispute involving the Siddhartha Vihara Trust, a matter linked to the Kharge family, and has listed the case for a fresh hearing on October 30.

Aircraft accident investigators have drawn lessons from the 2025 Kedarnath crash, recommending stronger training for flying in hilly terrain and the recording of radio communications, according to one report. The findings point to safety gaps in mountain aviation operations.

India's squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand includes Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, according to one report. Bumrah has been left out of the ODI squad but is set to spearhead the bowling attack in the Tests.

An earthquake measured at magnitude 7 struck Russia, according to one report. Japanese authorities reportedly issued a warning citing a magnitude of 9.9, which was mistaken. No further details on damage, casualties or the precise location were provided in the available report.

Shareholders of Iveco have approved a takeover of the company by Tata Motors, according to one report. No further details on the terms or timing of the deal were provided in the available information.