Pakistan's defence partnership with Saudi Arabia has entered a new and more sensitive phase after Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara agreed to move ahead with the practical implementation of their Makkah Joint Defence Agreement amid rising tensions in the region. The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Alliance in Riyadh on October 5. The three countries agreed to begin arrangements for providing the military forces and capabilities covered under the agreement and ensuring their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia, subject to existing arrangements and the national laws of the participating countries.
The move is significant because the pact is shifting from a political and diplomatic commitment towards a more practical defence framework. While the agreement is officially focused on collective security and protecting member states, its implementation comes at a time when the security situation around Saudi Arabia and Yemen is becoming increasingly volatile.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was signed earlier this year. The pact establishes the principle that an attack against one of the participating countries would be treated as an attack against all three. The arrangement has given a formal structure to defence ties that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained for decades, while Türkiye's participation adds another major regional military power to the framework.
At the October 5 meeting, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and agreed to strengthen coordination, military readiness and operational cooperation. Pakistan has also taken an important institutional position within the new alliance, with retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood appointed as the first Secretary-General of the Makkah Alliance for a three-year term.
The timing of the agreement's implementation has added to its importance. Saudi Arabia is facing heightened security concerns as fighting involving Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement continues. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have intensified military operations against the Houthis, including around strategically important areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The escalation has also increased the risk of attacks against Saudi territory. Recent attacks have targeted infrastructure and airports, raising concerns about the potential for the Yemen conflict to spill further into the kingdom. The worsening security environment means the newly established Makkah alliance is facing an operational test at a much earlier stage than many observers might have expected.
Saudi Arabia has been seeking stronger defensive cooperation with regional partners as these threats increase. Türkiye is already providing technical and defensive assistance, including military equipment, intelligence support, air-defence capabilities and logistical assistance. Pakistan, meanwhile, has maintained a longstanding military relationship with Saudi Arabia and has previously contributed personnel and expertise to the kingdom's security arrangements.
The implementation of the Makkah pact does not automatically mean that Pakistani or Turkish troops will enter combat operations inside Yemen. The latest agreement specifically refers to the deployment of agreed military capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The immediate emphasis therefore appears to be on strengthening Saudi Arabia's defensive capabilities rather than directly expanding the war into neighbouring territory. The development presents a difficult strategic balancing act. Saudi Arabia is an important economic and diplomatic partner, and Islamabad has strong military ties with Riyadh. At the same time, Pakistan shares a border with Iran and has traditionally attempted to avoid becoming directly involved in conflicts between Iran and Gulf Arab states.
That balancing act could become increasingly difficult if the Yemen conflict expands or attacks on Saudi territory become more frequent. Any incident involving Pakistani personnel or military assets could potentially place additional pressure on Islamabad to respond, even if its original mission was limited to defensive duties.
Pakistan has nevertheless continued to keep diplomatic channels open. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar previously indicated that members of the Makkah pact would discuss an Iranian proposal involving political engagement with the Houthis. The approach reflects Islamabad's attempt to maintain its defence relationship with Saudi Arabia while also avoiding a wider regional confrontation.
The growing military dimension of the pact has therefore raised questions about how the collective-defence commitment will operate in a real crisis. A defence agreement can serve as a deterrent by making potential adversaries think twice before attacking a member state. At the same time, deeper military commitments can create new risks if one member becomes directly involved in an escalating conflict.
The situation is particularly important for Pakistan because the country has its own security and economic challenges to manage. A larger overseas military commitment could require additional resources and logistical planning, while a prolonged regional conflict could create difficult political choices for Islamabad.
The inclusion of Türkiye also gives the alliance a broader strategic character. Saudi Arabia brings considerable economic and geopolitical influence, Pakistan contributes a large and experienced military, and Türkiye brings significant defence capabilities and a growing military-industrial base. However, translating these individual strengths into an effective joint security mechanism will depend on how the three countries coordinate during an actual crisis.
The alliance is still developing its institutional structure. The three foreign ministers have discussed establishing the organisation's secretariat, committees and working groups, while the October 5 emergency meeting marked another step towards putting the defence arrangement into operation. The immediate priority is expected to remain the protection of Saudi territory and critical infrastructure as tensions around Yemen continue. The deployment of agreed defensive capabilities could strengthen Saudi Arabia's ability to respond to attacks and may also serve as a warning to groups considering further strikes.
The central challenge will be maintaining its commitment to Saudi security without being drawn into a broader regional conflict. The Makkah pact was created to strengthen collective defence and deterrence, but its practical implementation comes at a particularly sensitive moment. The coming weeks could therefore prove crucial for the new alliance. If the arrangement succeeds in strengthening Saudi Arabia's defences while keeping the conflict contained, it could emerge as an important regional security framework. But if the fighting expands and the defence commitment pulls member states directly into the conflict, the pact could face its most serious test yet.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar’s last public appearance video has surfaced online just hours after news of his death, giving fans a glimpse of the actor days before his sudden demise. Patekar, 75, died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after suffering a cardiac arrest in Goa. His death has sent shockwaves across the Indian film industry, with colleagues, public figures and fans remembering the veteran performer for his powerful acting, distinctive dialogue delivery and decades-long contribution to cinema and theatre.
The video circulating online was reportedly recorded on October 4 during an event in Dona Paula, Goa. Patekar had attended the installation ceremony of Rajshri Khandeparkar as president of Samraat Club International. During the gathering, the actor interacted with those present and addressed the audience.
Patekar appeared in good spirits during the event and was seen participating in the celebrations. His remarks from the occasion have gained particular attention following his death, especially his reflections on life and the limited time available to people. He spoke about the importance of using one’s life meaningfully and doing something for others rather than remaining focused only on oneself.
The actor also recalled his late friend and former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during his address. Although Patekar’s comments were not made in reference to his own health or an impending death, they have taken on a more emotional significance after his sudden passing. According to reports, Patekar became unwell in the early hours of Thursday. He reportedly contacted a friend after feeling unwell, following which the friend reached his residence in Goa. The actor was subsequently taken to Manipal Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. He was declared dead at around 5:20 am.
Patekar’s death marks the end of a career spanning several decades. Starting with theatre, he went on to become one of the most respected performers in Hindi and Marathi cinema. His acclaimed performances in films including Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan and Natsamrat established his reputation as an actor capable of handling both intense dramatic roles and mainstream cinema.
He also appeared in popular commercial films such as Welcome, introducing his distinctive style to a wider generation of audiences. Over the course of his career, Patekar received three National Film Awards and was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cinema. As tributes continue to pour in, the video from his recent Goa appearance has become an emotional final glimpse of the veteran actor in public. For many fans, the footage has added a poignant dimension to the memories of an artist whose career remained closely connected with theatre, cinema and the people who admired his work.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to examine the possibility of setting up a joint venture in India to manufacture advanced systems for the Dassault Rafale programme. The proposed partnership is expected to focus on the production of sophisticated equipment for Rafale aircraft being supported under India's Make in India push. Among the systems being considered are complex fuel and fluid-management systems, along with associated assemblies that play an important role in aircraft safety, performance and operational reliability.
The proposed collaboration reflects the increasing participation of Indian private-sector companies in global aerospace and defence supply chains. It also underlines Safran Aerosystems' efforts to deepen its industrial partnerships with India's growing network of aerospace manufacturers. Joel Berkoukchi, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aerosystems' Fluid & Fuel Systems Division, said the potential partnership demonstrates Safran's long-term commitment to the Indian market and to developing the country's private aerospace industry.
He highlighted the demanding requirements of programmes such as Rafale, which depend on reliable, high-quality and scalable supply chains. According to him, Hical's expanding production capabilities, including its recently established facility at Devanahalli, can help meet the manufacturing demands associated with advanced fuel, fluid and other critical aircraft systems.
The MoU further strengthens Hical's existing connection with the Rafale programme. The company has already been chosen by Dassault Aviation to contribute to control systems for the aircraft, giving it an established position within the wider Rafale industrial ecosystem. The proposed joint venture could mark another step towards moving beyond component manufacturing and into more complex aerospace systems. It would also create an opportunity for the company to expand its capabilities while contributing to India's objective of increasing domestic value addition in high-end defence manufacturing.
The announcement comes at a time when Hical is significantly expanding its aerospace production infrastructure. The company recently opened a new manufacturing facility in Devanahalli, near Bengaluru, as part of a broader effort to increase production capacity and develop the engineering and industrial capabilities required for sophisticated aerospace and defence programmes.
Yashas Jaiveer, Managing Director of Hical Technologies, described the MoU as an important development in the company's move towards complex systems manufacturing for advanced aircraft such as the Rafale. He said the combination of Safran Aerosystems' technological expertise and Hical's expanding manufacturing capabilities could help advance India's Make in India objectives. The partnership could also demonstrate the ability to industrialise and manufacture sophisticated aerospace systems in India for both domestic requirements and international markets.
The proposed collaboration comes against the backdrop of India's broader push to build a stronger domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing base. The government has increasingly encouraged Indian companies to participate in high-value production, improve indigenous content and become part of international supply chains.
International aerospace companies are also expanding their partnerships with Indian manufacturers, creating opportunities for domestic firms to take on more technically demanding roles in global programmes. Based in Bengaluru, Hical Technologies specialises in high-precision electromechanical systems for the aerospace and defence sectors. The company works with major global original equipment manufacturers and has built capabilities in engineering, precision manufacturing and quality-controlled production.
Its growing involvement in programmes such as Rafale highlights the expanding role of Indian private industry in the country's aerospace ecosystem. A potential partnership with Safran could further strengthen that position and support India's longer-term ambition of developing a globally competitive and increasingly self-reliant aerospace manufacturing sector.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
Samsung Electronics is forecasting a record quarterly operating profit of 107.4 trillion won ($80.17 billion) for the July-September period, marking what would be the first time a technology company has crossed the 100 trillion won profit threshold in a single quarter. The estimate represents an almost ninefold increase from the same period a year earlier and is slightly higher than the 106.1 trillion won expected by analysts surveyed by LSEG.
The remarkable jump in earnings is being driven primarily by the global boom in artificial intelligence, which has sharply increased demand for memory chips used in AI servers and data centres. As the world's largest memory-chip maker, Samsung has benefited from tight supplies of DRAM and NAND products as well as growing demand for high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, which is essential for processing the enormous volumes of data required by advanced AI systems.
The latest forecast would mark Samsung's fourth consecutive quarter of record operating profit and highlight the extent to which AI infrastructure investment has outpaced semiconductor supply. The resulting shortage has pushed memory prices significantly higher and strengthened the earnings of major chipmakers. Samsung and US-based Micron Technology expect the supply-demand imbalance in memory chips to continue potentially through 2028. However, increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers and concerns that AI-related investment could eventually slow remain significant risks to the industry's longer-term growth.
Despite the latest record profit projection, Samsung's shares showed limited movement in early trading, slipping around 0.2% compared with a 0.5% decline in South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index. The company's stock remains more than 25% below its record high reached in June, reflecting investor concerns about whether the extraordinary growth generated by the AI boom can be sustained.
Currency movements have added another challenge. The recent strengthening of the South Korean won has prompted some analysts to reduce their earnings forecasts because overseas sales denominated in US dollars translate into fewer won when converted into the company's home currency. At the same time, investors are becoming increasingly focused on whether Samsung can maintain the exceptionally rapid earnings growth seen over the past year.
Analysts expect Samsung's fourth-quarter profit to increase by about 8.2% from the previous quarter, considerably slower than the estimated 20% sequential growth during the third quarter. One reason is that the pace of memory-price increases is expected to moderate. Market research firm TrendForce forecasts that conventional DRAM contract prices could rise by around 10% to 15% in the fourth quarter, significantly below the roughly 60% jump recorded in the second quarter.
The direction of memory prices is being closely monitored because the more than year-long rally has helped Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron achieve exceptionally strong profit margins. A slowdown in price growth could therefore have a noticeable impact on the semiconductor industry's earnings momentum, even if demand for AI-related hardware remains strong.
Samsung expects its third-quarter revenue to reach approximately 195 trillion won, representing a substantial increase from the same period last year. The company is scheduled to publish its complete financial results, including detailed performance figures for its individual business divisions, on October 29. Memory chips are expected to account for most of the improvement in Samsung's overall earnings. Demand has strengthened not only for conventional DRAM and NAND chips but also for HBM, which has become a critical component in AI computing systems. Analyst Douglas Kim estimates that Samsung's HBM shipments increased by nearly 50% from the previous quarter as the company works to narrow its competitive gap with SK Hynix in the rapidly expanding market.
The semiconductor boom, however, is creating difficulties for some of Samsung's other operations. Its smartphone and consumer electronics businesses are facing higher component costs as memory prices rise, putting pressure on margins. Analysts estimate that Samsung's mobile division recorded a larger-than-expected loss of more than $1 billion during the third quarter.
Samsung's contract chipmaking business is also expected to remain loss-making, with high fixed costs and relatively low utilisation rates continuing to weigh on its performance. The company is nevertheless hoping that utilisation will improve over the next several quarters as demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing increases.
Samsung is also continuing its efforts to close the technology gap with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's leading contract chipmaker. If demand for advanced manufacturing processes continues to strengthen, higher factory utilisation could gradually improve Samsung's foundry business. The latest results underline how deeply the AI boom has reshaped the global semiconductor industry. While Samsung is benefiting enormously from surging demand for memory used in AI infrastructure, investors are now looking beyond record quarterly numbers and asking whether the extraordinary growth can continue as chip prices stabilise and competition intensifies.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said the Indian Air Force demonstrated its rapid combat readiness, offensive strength and effective air defence during last year’s four-day conflict with Pakistan. Speaking at the IAF’s 94th anniversary, he highlighted the force’s growing use of AI, drones, stealth aircraft, satellites and autonomous systems while stressing the importance of joint operations with the Army and Navy.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.
Thousands detained and hundreds injured have marked a turbulent week in France, as students and school pupils take to the streets, forcing schools to close amid protests, vandalism and fires. What began as anger over poor conditions in schools across Paris’s disadvantaged suburbs has quickly expanded into a wider youth movement. Many students say they are frustrated with an education system they believe is failing them and feel increasingly ignored by those in power.
The protests have also been driven by a growing sense of uncertainty about their future, with young people fearing that their circumstances will continue to deteriorate. The unrest has already resulted in serious injuries, including one student reportedly losing an eye and another suffering the loss of a hand. The situation has left France facing a difficult question: how can authorities address the grievances of the country’s young protesters while bringing an increasingly volatile wave of demonstrations to an end?
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The Flydubai incident has raised questions about how airlines recruit and screen pilots, particularly after reports that the co-pilot had previously been grounded by another airline. Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Aerospace Lead at Frost & Sullivan, outlines the standard checks pilots undergo, including licence verification, medical assessments, employment history and security screening. He also discusses whether stronger international information-sharing is needed, speaking to Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Simon Hattenstone, a features writer at The Guardian, has supported Manchester City for more than five decades. His connection with the club began when he was a child, during a difficult period in his life when he was recovering from a serious illness. He would attend matches in his hometown alongside his father, forming a bond with the club that would remain with him for much of his life.
For many years, being a Manchester City supporter meant experiencing far more disappointment than success. The club endured long periods away from the spotlight, with occasional moments of excitement breaking up years of frustration. That changed dramatically when City's fortunes began to improve, eventually leading to an extraordinary period of trophies, high-profile players and international attention. According to the original account, that remarkable rise was later overshadowed by allegations and a major legal dispute.
Guardian football writer Jonathan Liew has described the case as being about much more than Manchester City's transformation into one of football's biggest clubs. The allegations concern claims that the club benefited from hundreds of millions of pounds in improperly reported or unlawful income following its change in fortunes after 2008. The legal findings and the club's position on those matters have become part of a much wider debate surrounding football finances.
The story also raises broader questions about how the Premier League has evolved as international investment has poured into English football. The arrival of enormous amounts of overseas money has transformed clubs, transfer markets and commercial competition, while also raising difficult questions about financial regulation, ownership and competitive balance. Manchester City's story, therefore, has become part of a much larger discussion about how money has reshaped both English football and the business surrounding it.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Severe flooding in Bangkok has displaced thousands of residents and put the city’s drainage network under immense strain. Intense rainfall has also triggered deadly flooding in Nepal, India and the United States. Poh Kok Ing and Hairianto Diman speak with Bangkok-based Singaporean Ang Geck Geck and Tim Fletcher, Professor of Urban Ecohydrology at the University of Melbourne, to explore why cities are increasingly vulnerable to extreme downpours and how improved drainage, green infrastructure and smarter urban planning could help reduce flood risks.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
