India and the United States have concluded most discussions on a proposed bilateral trade agreement and are now fine-tuning the pact, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. Speaking in The Hague during a two-day official visit, Goyal confirmed progress in negotiations but did not announce a signing date or provide further details about the outstanding issues. He is accompanying a business delegation and addressed the India-Netherlands Business Forum. Goyal also highlighted India’s trade engagement, stating that the country had concluded nine free trade agreements over the past four and a half years. The latest remarks indicate continued work towards finalising the proposed India-US trade agreement. (PC: X)

American YouTuber and makeup artist James Charles has sparked mixed reactions after reviewing several Indian dishes in an Instagram video. He rated garlic naan 7/10 on its own but gave it 10/10 with butter chicken, whose gravy he compared to vodka sauce. Charles described pani puri’s water as “vinegary and sour,” awarding it 6/10, while mango lassi received 9/10. Samosa chaat scored 4/10, and lamb curry just 2/10. He ended his food trail with gulab jamun, giving the Indian sweet a perfect 10/10. While some viewers appreciated his attempt to explore Indian cuisine, others criticised his pronunciation and dish selection, suggesting regional favourites he had missed. 

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re-election has opened fresh opportunities to strengthen economic ties with India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Lula, calling him his “dear friend” and promising deeper strategic cooperation. Bilateral trade between the 2 countries reached $15.21 billion in 2025, rising more than 25% from the previous year. Lula has set a target of increasing trade to $30 billion. Key areas for cooperation include pharmaceuticals, petroleum, chemicals, engineering goods, agriculture, energy and critical minerals. Both countries also seek closer coordination through BRICS and other international forums to strengthen the voice of developing nations. (PC: economic times)

An Indian-origin couple has been sentenced in the United Kingdom for fraudulently claiming they could supply personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic and laundering the proceeds. Jogesh Bhandari, 59, received an eight-year prison sentence, while his wife, Meenakashi (Meena) Bhandari, received a two-year suspended sentence and 250 hours of unpaid community work. Their associate, Craig Morris, was jailed for 3 years and 9 months. Investigators found that money meant for PPE supplies was spent on luxury cars, Rolex watches, jewellery, holidays and home renovations. Some promised glove shipments never arrived, leaving businesses facing significant financial losses. (PC: India Today)

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has accused President Mohamed Muizzu of potentially reviving anti-India rhetoric following his recent bilateral visit to Pakistan, which resulted in several agreements. Shahid, who is seeking leadership of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ahead of the 2028 presidential election, alleged that Muizzu could revive the “India Out” campaign, which gained prominence in 2023. He warned that the President might attempt to create a narrative based on hatred before the elections. The remarks come despite Muizzu maintaining cordial relations with New Delhi for much of his tenure, according to the report. Shahid’s allegations concern Muizzu’s possible future political strategy.

Fifteen Punjabi-origin candidates have won seats in British Columbia’s October 24 provincial election, according to preliminary tallies by Punjabi community outlets Babushahi and Punjab News Express. Twelve are Conservatives and three belong to the NDP. The Conservatives swept all 10 Surrey ridings, home to one of the largest Punjabi communities outside India. Mandeep Dhaliwal retained Surrey North, while Garry Purewal unseated longtime NDP incumbent Jagrup Brar in Surrey-Fleetwood. The 93-seat Legislative Assembly election saw Conservatives win 64 seats, the NDP 27 and Greens two, with over 99 per cent of polls counted. Final results, expected in early November, could change these figures. (PC: Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly asked US President Donald Trump for stronger public support ahead of Israel’s October 27 election. According to reports, Netanyahu spoke with Trump twice in 3 days and sought additional endorsements as opinion polls showed his coalition trailing the opposition. Three major Israeli television polls projected Netanyahu’s bloc to win around 50 seats in the 120-member Knesset, below the 61 needed for a majority. Trump had already publicly endorsed Netanyahu, warning that his defeat could affect US-Israel relations. The White House has not publicly commented on the reported requests for further support. (PC: News18)

India and the European Union are accelerating efforts to finalise their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before the end of 2026, with signing expected around December 17–18 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated Brussels visit. The European Commission has proposed a fast-track approval process to avoid delays caused by translating the agreement into 24 official EU languages. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal is expected to visit Brussels to resolve procedural issues. The agreement aims to reduce trade barriers, expand market access and strengthen investment ties. If approved and signed on schedule, it could become operational in early 2027. 

More than 1,300 people were arrested across France on Saturday as hundreds of thousands joined protests over rising living costs and poor school conditions. The Interior Ministry estimated 410,000 participants, while trade unions put the turnout at 800,000. Police deployed around 70,000 officers nationwide and used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds in Paris, Lyon and other cities. Protesters set barricades on fire in Marseille and damaged property in Bordeaux. Authorities said 53 police officers were injured. Although most demonstrations remained peaceful, officials said the violence was less severe than last weekend’s unrest, which saw widespread looting and arson. (PC: BBC)

India has issued an advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia as regional tensions rise following multiple missile and drone attacks. Saudi air defences reportedly intercepted 11 ballistic missiles and 2 drones within 12 hours. The Indian Embassy urged citizens to follow local laws and warned against filming or sharing information about missile interceptions and impact sites, which could lead to legal consequences. Air India and Air India Express flights to Riyadh and Dammam remain suspended until November 7, while services to Jeddah are suspended until October 31. Indian officials are also assisting travellers affected by flight disruptions. (PC: News18)