Bollywood actors Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra have announced that they are expecting their second child. The couple shared the news on October 7 through a joint social media post, featuring their daughter Saraayah and tiny knitted baby socks. “Blessed once again with the greatest gift of all. Our hearts are so full of love and gratitude,” they wrote. Kiara and Sidharth welcomed their first child, daughter Saraayah, in July 2025. The couple, who married in February 2023, received congratulatory messages from several friends and colleagues from the film industry following the announcement. (PC: X)

A Liberia-flagged oil tanker carrying 23 Indian crew members came under attack by unmanned surface vessels off Russia’s Black Sea coast near Sochi, Russian authorities said. The Aframax Rio was attacked on Tuesday, with open fire reported in the surrounding waters. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the entire Indian crew was rescued and evacuated to shore, with preliminary information indicating that nobody was injured. The fire was reportedly too intense for firefighting operations to begin initially, as oil continued burning in the Black Sea. Rescue vessels were expected to approach once conditions became safer. Sochi authorities temporarily restricted access to beaches and sea embankments. The attack comes amid escalating risks to commercial shipping during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

India has proposed a three-part truce between Russia and Ukraine aimed at reducing attacks on critical infrastructure, maintaining vital commodity flows and protecting commercial shipping in the Black Sea, according to a CNN-News18 report cited by Firstpost. The proposal was conveyed during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s September 3 visit to Kyiv, his first standalone trip to Ukraine as foreign minister. It calls for halting attacks on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure, continuing grain and energy movement through Black Sea ports, and ending strikes targeting commercial shipping. The proposal combines concerns addressed separately by earlier initiatives from Egypt, Turkey and the US, while adding specific protection for commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea. (PC: X)

Police in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district have arrested nine people, including two women, over the alleged sexual assault of a married woman during a so-called “purification ritual.” According to police, the woman had left her husband and gone to live with another man. Her husband and relatives allegedly tracked down the couple, tied them up and assaulted them. Police said the man was beaten while tied to a babul tree, and the woman was allegedly sexually assaulted. Videos of the incident surfaced on social media, prompting an investigation. District Police Chief Premsukh Delu said the woman had been threatened and unlawfully confined before being rescued. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. (PC: X)

The US military has lost or damaged at least 81 aircraft, drones and helicopters worth up to $3.3 billion during the Iran war, according to a Congressional Research Service report. Losses include 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 attack jets, seven KC-135 tankers, one E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J aircraft, one HH-60W helicopter, and several drones and helicopters. At least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones were lost, reducing the fleet to 135, below the Air Force’s intended 189 deployable aircraft. Three F-15Es were destroyed in friendly fire over Kuwait, while another was shot down over Iran. An E-3 Sentry worth $270 million was also lost, highlighting significant American military equipment losses.

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, its first hike since February 2023, citing rising inflation and economic pressures. The unanimous decision followed its October 5-7 meeting and shifted the policy stance to “calibrated tightening”, signalling that rate cuts are off the table near term. Governor Sanjay Malhotra said headline CPI inflation is expected to average 5.8% over the next three quarters, with full-year inflation projected at 4.4%. The RBI cited higher global food and energy prices, market volatility, tighter financial conditions, trade uncertainty and a stronger US dollar. Future action will depend on evolving inflation, growth and price pressures.

Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football has triggered an emotional response from Argentina supporters and fans worldwide. The 39-year-old ended his 21-year Argentina career after helping the team defeat Benin 3-0 in his final appearance. Messi scored from the penalty spot and provided two assists, taking his international tally to 126 goals in a record 208 appearances. Fans at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium displayed heartfelt messages, including “Gracias” and pleas for him not to leave. Supporters praised his achievements, including the 2021 Copa América, 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa América titles, while describing his departure as the end of an era. (PC: AFP)

Dr Shota Musaev, a Georgian dentist living in Israel, has recalled the tense 45 minutes he spent treating Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar after the pilot was seriously injured during a cockpit attack on September 30. Musaev rushed to help after hearing screams and found Machchhar bleeding heavily from deep wounds to his head and hands. Using T-shirts and ice, he applied pressure to control the bleeding while repeatedly telling the captain, “Please don’t sleep, we need you.” When Machchhar’s pulse weakened, Musaev raised his legs and urged the crew to land quickly. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

India has proposed a three-part truce between Russia and Ukraine aimed at reducing the war’s impact on global food and energy supplies. The proposal calls for stopping attacks on energy facilities and critical infrastructure, ensuring the continued movement of grain and energy through Black Sea ports, and ending attacks on commercial shipping. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India has been engaging with both Moscow and Kyiv on these issues. Ukraine has described India’s proposal as the “most comprehensive” among four ceasefire initiatives. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to find mutually acceptable solutions. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump has blamed mass migration and Islam for France’s nationwide school protests, rejecting the view that the unrest is primarily about education. More than 250,000 people demonstrated across France on Tuesday, with students, teachers and parents demanding better funding, improved school facilities and more staff. Protests began in September and have included school blockades, class boycotts and occasional clashes with police. Trump claimed the demonstrations reflected uncontrolled migration and an alleged attempt by Islam to take over France, but provided no evidence linking the school movement to religious demands. French officials have focused on education, policing and public spending concerns. (PC: Reuters)