News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Exp and others

Jaishankar welcomes UAE’s Foreign Minister Al Nahyan in Mumbai

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed his delight in welcoming UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Mumbai airport on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) ahead of their upcoming bilateral talks .“Delighted to welcome DPM & FM UAE @ABZayed to Mumbai. Look forward to our talks,” said Mr. Jaishankar in his social media post

Gunmen kill at least 40 civilians in Mali: security and community sources

More than 40 civilians have been killed in weekend attacks by armed men on camps in Mali’s northeastern Menaka region, security and community sources told AFP on Monday (October 19, 2026). The assailants reportedly rode in on motorcycles, targeting camps mainly housing members of the Daoussahak community, whose executive bureau blamed the killings on the Islamic State group.

Japan successfully launches probe in historic Mars moon mission

Japanese scientists successfully launched a spacecraft Tuesday (October 20, 2026) that aims to be the first to retrieve samples from one of Mars’s moons, potentially helping unlock the origins of the Solar System and life on Earth. The flagship H3 rocket carrying the unmanned Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) probe blasted off into a pitch-black sky from the Tanegashima Space Center at 4:41 a.m. (1941 GMT Monday), according to a live stream broadcast by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Saudi envoy meets Pakistan Army chief, discusses regional security dynamics

Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed envoy to Pakistan, Rajeh Tami Albugamy, met Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday (October 19, 2026) and discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security dynamics, the army said. During the meeting at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made under the framework of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and underscored the importance of strengthening defence collaboration, institutional linkages and strategic coordination, the army said in a statement.

Cyril Ramaphosa tells South Africa to prepare for loss of U.S.-Africa trade deal

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday (October 19, 2026) the country should “prepare” for the possibility of being removed from Washington’s duty-free trade programme for Africa, as ties between the two nations continue to fray. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the U.S. market, has been renewed until the end of 2028.

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines sought by India, citing ‘national security’

China on Monday (October 19, 2026) said it would introduce export controls on tunnel-boring machines “to better safeguard national security and interests”, starting November 18. India has already been facing difficulties in customs clearance and delays in importing TBMs from China for several critical infrastructure projects. The latest announcement comes days after Beijing announced a plan to impose sweeping export controls on 40 cutting-edge technologies including those for certain advanced solar manufacturing and some AI platforms.

Police ‘lost control’ during French protests, says Interior Minister

French police “lost control” during nationwide protests marred by violence over the weekend, the Interior Minister admitted Monday (October 19, 2026), with President Emmanuel Macron calling for a security review. Mr. Macron also refused Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s resignation even as he acknowledged security and intelligence failures in the government response.

U.K. defence bosses’ homes targeted by pro-Palestinian group

U.K. police said they were investigating vandalism incidents, after a pro-Palestinian group appeared to claim attacks on properties belonging to executives and employees of defence industry firms. The group, called “The List,” claimed on a website to have been behind three attacks in recent weeks, including one on the home of someone it described as a “key engineer” at defence contractor Leonardo.

Tiger Shroff firing: Three suspects detained in Kota; one was in touch with Bishnoi gang aide, says police

Three people, including a minor, allegedly involved in the firing at actor Tiger Shroff were detained on Monday (October 18, 2026) in Rajasthan’s Kota city from the Pune-Jaipur Superfast Express, police said. Kota Superintendent of Police (SP) Tejaswani Gautam said at a press conference that one of the accused was in touch with Anil Pandit, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which claimed responsibility for Sunday’s (October 18, 2026) attack in an unverified social media post.

Peaceful protest is fundamental right, but protesters’ credentials must be weighed: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Monday (October 19, 2026) observed that while peaceful demonstration is a fundamental right, factors like a protester’s credentials and public inconvenience must be weighed before issuing blanket orders restricting police action. A Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna directed the Maharashtra government to respond to petitions alleging the illegal detention of individuals by the police during the recent anti-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) protests in the city.

Bombay HC to hear on October 26 plea filed by actor Imran Khan against ‘leave India notice’

The Bombay High Court will hear on October 26 the petition filed by actor Imran Khan, a U.S. citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, challenging a police notice directing him to leave India by October 28 for attending a political protest. Senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for Mr. Khan, mentioned the plea on Monday (October 19, 2026) before a Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, seeking an urgent hearing.

Government asks Meta to ensure its recommendation systems do not expose users to limited set of narratives

The government has asked Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, to ensure that its recommendation systems do not result in “disproportionate exposure of users to a single or limited set of narratives,” and to step up checks on content that could cause public disorder or incite violence or other unlawful activity.

Dhal Singh Bisen sworn in as Uttarakhand Governor

Dhal Singh Bisen was sworn in as the Governor of Uttarakhand on Monday (October 19, 2026).He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Acting Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court Manoj Kumar Tiwari at a ceremony held at the Lok Bhavan. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, members of his Cabinet, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan and several other senior officials were present on the occasion.

Neha Bora moves Delhi High Court against peace bond notice

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) said on Monday (October 19, 2026) that its president, Neha Bora, has challenged in the Delhi High Court a notice asking Neha Bora to execute a peace bond, and that lawyers will seek an urgent hearing before the Chief Justice. Neha Bora was taken into preventive detention on October 16 when on the way to participate in Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march and was released on October 17.

SC upholds cancellation of patta over Tamil Nadu water body, orders alternative site for 20 flat owners

The Supreme Court has upheld the cancellation of a ‘ryotwari patta’ granted over land recorded as a government water body in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. A Bench of Justices S.V.N. Bhatti and N.V. Anjaria, in its judgment delivered on October 16, 2026, took note of the flat owners’ plight and directed the State government to allot a suitable alternative site to the owners of 20 flats before demolishing their apartments.