Morning Digest: UNHRC urges release of Delhi detentions as India calls concerns misplaced; 12 killed, over 300 injured in Saudi airport attack, and more

Police detain a protester during a demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi | Photo Credit: AP UN human rights body expresses concern over Delhi detentions, urges immediate releaseThe Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (OHCHR) on Saturday (October 10, 2026) said it was “concerned” by reports of “mass detentions” at the Delhi protests against the Chief Election Commissioner, a statement that the government rejected.‘Will come back tomorrow’: youth groups vow to continue protest till Gyanesh Kumar resignsLeaders of youth and student organisations on Saturday vowed to continue their protest until all their demands, including the rollback of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, were met, despite the detention of several key organisers ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned demonstration in New Delhi.Supreme Court fixes special hearing on Sunday for pleas challenging mass detentions, transit shutdown in DelhiThe Supreme Court is hearing on Sunday (October 11) a petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy against the indiscriminate detentions of leaders, former Chief Ministers, students, youths, journalists, lawyers, and others by the Delhi Police, against the rule of law and democratic dissent.Missile strikes passenger terminal at Riyadh airport; 12 killed, over 300 woundedAn attack on the international airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital killed 12 people and injured over 300 others, civil aviation authorities said early Sunday (October 11, 2026), with some in critical condition.PM Modi to launch Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2, to share ride with Tamil Nadu CM VijaySix years since the work began, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)’s first train from Porur Bypass is all set to run till Poonamallee on Sunday morning (October 11, 2026) around 11.30 a.m., with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay among the first few commuters.NIA to probe mid-air attack on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar on flydubai flightThe National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case in connection with the alleged mid-air hijacking attempt of an Israel-bound flydubai flight and the attack on its Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, on September 30.At least five killed in fresh Manipur violenceAt least five people were killed in clashes between armed groups and attacks on villages in separate incidents in Manipur’s Kamjong and Ukhrul districts since Friday (October 9, 2026) evening.Rahul Gandhi visits Chennai for ‘Voice of Students’ event, meets CM VijayLeader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on Saturday to participate in ‘Voice of Students – Chhatron ki Goonj’, a student interaction event that was held at Island Grounds near Marina Beach.Former IAS, IFS officers defend Election Commission and SIR in an open letterIn an open letter, 124 former officials of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service and allied services defended the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, while questioning allegations of vote-rigging “without credible evidence”.India-U.S. trade pact to be finalised keeping changed circumstances in mind: Piyush Goyal“The U.S. and India announced in February that they had reached a framework for an interim trade agreement, but circumstances have changed, and the pact will be finalised accordingly,” Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday (October 10, 2026). He also said trade pact negotiations are on with number of regions including Israel, Chile, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and Russia-led group Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Published - October 11, 2026 07:56 am IST