A Panama-flagged oil tanker, MT Louise 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers was struck by two limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz on October 30, triggering a fire in its engine room and temporarily disabling the vessel. A small boat reportedly attached the explosives to the tanker's hull before leaving the area. The crew successfully extinguished the fire, and no injuries or environmental damage were reported. The tanker later resumed its journey. Another vessel, MT Arzanah, carrying two Indians, was also attacked a day earlier. All 29 Indian seafarers aboard both vessels were reported safe. 

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and Germany on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, USA, on October 30. Discussions covered strengthening bilateral relations, trade, critical minerals, defence, nuclear cooperation and multilateral issues. He also met European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to discuss the Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Gulf. The meetings aimed to strengthen India's international partnerships and explore greater cooperation amid ongoing global geopolitical and economic challenges. (PC: PTI)

Two foreign nationals, Alexander Maximilian Theiss (57), a German Lufthansa crew member, and Juraj Horvat (45), a Slovakian IBM project manager, died following suspected electrocution at the swimming pool of Bengaluru’s five-star Conrad Hotel on Friday evening (October 30). The incident occurred at the hotel’s third-floor swimming pool in Halasuru. An American guest and an Indian pool attendant sustained injuries while attempting to rescue the victims. Both were taken to Manipal Hospital and are reported to be out of danger. Police have registered a case and are investigating possible electrical faults and alleged safety negligence. (PC: X)

India sharply reduced its crude oil imports from the US and Russia in September 2026, while increasing supplies from the United Arab Emirates, according to official government data. The shift coincided with the signing of the Russia Sanctions Act into law that month. India’s imports of US oil fell to zero, while Russian oil purchases were also drastically reduced. The UAE's share rose to more than one-fourth of India's total oil imports. Despite the shift in suppliers, the country's crude oil sourcing remained highly concentrated, with Russia and the UAE together accounting for 60% of total imports. The data highlights changes in India's oil procurement pattern. (PC: Getty Images)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Atlanta on Friday, chaired by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussions focused on easing energy supply chains and strengthening cooperation on shared economic and security challenges. Rubio warned of interconnected geopolitical and economic crises threatening global energy and food markets, trade, supply chains and freedom of navigation. He urged G20 members to strengthen economic resilience and safeguard markets. Jaishankar had arrived late Thursday and interacted with counterparts ahead of the meeting. He is also scheduled to attend a Quad Ministerial with Japan, Australia and the US. From Atlanta, he will travel to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Israeli-American Rabbi Yossi Mizrachi has faced widespread criticism after a video of him mocking Hindu religious traditions and cow worship went viral on social media. Mizrachi made sweeping remarks about Indians consuming cow urine and ridiculed Indian doctors, alleging they also used it to treat patients. He further joked about cows blocking roads and causing traffic delays in New Delhi. His comments triggered angry reactions from people in India and Israel, with several social media users accusing him of racism and insulting Hindu beliefs. Mizrachi has previously courted controversy over remarks concerning Holocaust deaths, Muslims and people with disabilities, according to the report. (PC: X)

India voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an end to the United States' longstanding economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. The resolution, adopted on October 28, received 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions. Representing India, UN Counsellor Soumya Nair said the restrictions were harming Cuba's economy, essential services and development prospects. She highlighted shortages of over 60% of essential medicines and a decline of more than 50% in food production over five years. India urged countries to respect sovereignty and resolve international issues through diplomacy. 

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said transgressions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China continue because Beijing does not recognise the McMahon Line. Speaking to reporters in Tawang on Thursday, Khandu described the current situation as normal and said Indian armed forces were guarding the border effectively. He explained that Arunachal Pradesh shares an approximately 1,200-kilometre border with Tibet, controlled by China, and that patrols from both sides sometimes cross into areas claimed by the other. These remarks marked his first comments on the ongoing face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the region. The border remains undefined, contributing to recurring patrol-related transgressions, he said. (PC: The Indian Express)

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar suffered a life-threatening skull fracture after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with an emergency axe aboard a FlyDubai flight on September 30. Neurosurgeons examining photographs of his injuries said damage to a major vein near the fracture could have caused severe bleeding during surgery. One doctor warned that similar injuries can carry more than a 40% risk of death or disability, though this was not an estimate of Machchhar’s personal risk. Despite heavy bleeding, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker and prevent a possible disaster. (PC: India Today)

Nallamala Akshitha, a 25-year-old woman from Telangana, died of a suspected cardiac arrest in Albany, New York, on Friday. She had recently completed her Master of Science (MS) degree and secured a job, according to reports. Akshitha had moved to the United States around 4 years ago for higher studies. She was reportedly walking outside her residence after dinner when she suddenly collapsed. Her brother, Akshay, later found her unconscious and rushed her to a nearby hospital with help from neighbours. Doctors declared her dead on arrival. Her family in Khammam district is arranging to bring her remains to India. (PC: India Today)