October 13: Who and what made news today? Here’s a quick wrap before you hit the hay
With tensions flaring in the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s truce outreach, denying visas to its defence minister and ISI chief.
Meanwhile, as world leaders gather in Egypt for the US-brokered Gaza peace summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence has raised eyebrows, even as India is represented by Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Here is a quick wrap of the top news of the day. Tune in before signing off for today.
Afghanistan rejects Pak truce bid, denies visas to defence minister, ISI chief
In a major setback to Islamabad’s peace outreach to Kabul, the visas of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, ISI chief Asim Malik, and two other Pakistani generals have been rejected.
Their visa requests have been rejected on three separate occasions over the past three days, TOLOnews reported, citing sources. Read more
PM skips Gaza peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. Who does he not want to meet?
As world leaders gather in Egypt today to finalise the framework for the US-brokered Gaza peace plan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will stay away. Instead, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh will represent India at the high-level summit co-chaired by US and Egyptian Presidents Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
Despite apersonal invitation from El-Sisi, PM Modi’s decision to skip has set off speculation about why he’s not attending the gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh where over 20 world leaders will meet to finalise the framework of a peace deal and discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction. Read more
10 college degrees that no longer pay off, per Harvard report
In an era when the promise of higher education is being redefined, new research from Harvard economists suggests that not all college degrees deliver lasting financial returns.
Once considered a guaranteed path to success, traditional majors, ranging from business to engineering, are now showing signs of “degree fatigue,” as rapidly changing job markets and automation reshape the value of academic credentials. Read more
Indian-origin man, wrongfully jailed in US for 43 years, walks free. Then, a twist
After spending more than four decades in prison for a murder he did not commit, Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam’s long-awaited freedom has been replaced by a new ordeal – the threat of deportation to India, a country he barely knows.
The 64-year-old, who was released from Pennsylvania’s Huntingdon State Correctional Institution on October 3, after his murder conviction was overturned, was immediately detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Read more
Union Minister Suresh Gopi offers to resign, cites drop in income
Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday expressed his desire to step down from his ministerial post and recommended BJP’s newly elected Rajya Sabha member C Sadanandan Master as his replacement in the central cabinet.
Addressing party workers at a function here, which was also attended by Sadanandan, Gopi said the senior leader’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha marked a significant breakthrough in the politics of northern Kannur district. Read more
PM welcomes Israeli hostages’ release, supports Trump’s peace efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the release of all 20 Israeli hostages from Gaza after over two years in Hamas captivity, praising the “unwavering” peace efforts of US President Donald Trump and the “strong resolve” demonstrated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We welcome the release of all hostages after over two years of captivity. Their freedom stands as a tribute to the courage of their families, the unwavering peace efforts of President Trump and the strong resolve of Prime Minister Netanyahu. We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region,” PM Modi said in a post on X. Read here
Gritty West Indies make India toil, stretch Delhi Test to Day 5
West Indies surprised India with a gritty batting display on Day 4 of the second Test, delaying the inevitable and stretching the contest to the final day in New Delhi. Riding on centuries from Shai Hope and John Campbell and a fighting 79-run stand for the last wicket, the West Indies piled on the runs in their second innings, scoring 390 and making India bat again. Chasing a tricky target of 121 on a pitch that had begun to offer some assistance to bowlers at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, India went to stumps at 63 for 1. Read more
Pak plunges into chaos as 15 die in police firing during Islamist party rally
Pakistan’s Punjab Police launched amassive crackdown on Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protestersovernight in Muridke, triggering violent clashes that left at least 15 people, including a police officer, dead and scores injured. Security forces used baton charges and fired tear gas as the Islamist group’s march, led by party chief Saad Hussain Rizvi, pressed on from Lahore.
