LIBERTY

Saudi Arabia Under Missile Attacks Saudi Arabia is facing fresh missile and drone attacks, with airports becoming major targets. The growing conflict threatens regional stability, global oil supplies and the safety of Indians working and travelling in the Gulf. What Is Happening Now? Saudi Arabia reported another wave of missiles and drones on October 12, following deadly attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. A major strike on Saturday killed 13 people and injured more than 300. Another attack on Sunday killed one person and injured 11. Airport operations remain suspended amid security inspections. Who Is Behind the Attacks? Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack. Saudi-backed forces have launched military operations against the Houthis in Yemen, raising fears of wider confrontation. Why It Matters The attacks threaten Saudi Arabia’s aviation, energy infrastructure and economic development plans. They also raise concerns about...

France Tests M51.3 Missile as Russia Tensions Rise France has successfully test-fired its upgraded M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile at a tense moment for European security. Although the missile carried no nuclear warhead, the launch sends a powerful strategic signal as tensions with Russia deepen. What Is Happening Now? France conducted the first test launch of the M51.3 from a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine on October 6. The unarmed missile was fired from Le Vigilant off Brittany as part of an operation validating the submarine’s ability to deploy the upgraded weapon after maintenance. The M51.3 entered service in 2025. France does not publicly disclose its range, although estimates for the M51 family generally put it at around 9,000 km or more . Why It Matters The timing is geopolitically significant. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently warned that Moscow could use nuclear weapons if its Kaliningrad territory were attacked. NATO says its activities do n...

Trump’s ‘India Election’ Mix-Up Sparks Debate A single word in a Donald Trump post has unexpectedly put India at the centre of an American election debate. But the “Indian presidential election” Trump cited never happened. What Is Happening Now? US President Donald Trump claimed that around 125 million people had voted in the first round of “India’s Presidential Election,” with results announced soon after voting ended. The problem: India held no such election. Trump appeared to be referring to Brazil , where voters went to the polls on October 4. Brazil’s presidential contest is now heading to an October 25 runoff between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro. Trump used the comparison to criticise the time required to count votes in parts of the United States. His post offered no evidence supporting his broader claim that American voting is corrupt. Why It Matters This is more than a social-media typo because it comes at a sensitive moment in India-US relations. India and th...