RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was officially announced as the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar elections. The announcement came after weeks of talks and deliberations, with Congress leader Ashok Gehlot confirming Tejashwi as the CM face. VIP chief Mukesh Sahani was named deputy CM candidate. Tejashwi thanked Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for the nomination and said the alliance aims to work for Bihar and end the NDA government. The two-phase elections will be held on November 6 and 11, with results on November 14. Seat-sharing remains partly unresolved, with 12 constituencies seeing overlapping nominations. (PC: India Today)

The United States carried out a second strike on a boat suspected of carrying drugs in the Pacific Ocean, killing three people. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said no US forces were harmed. The strike followed another attack a day earlier that killed two people. Both vessels were believed to be transporting drugs along known routes in international waters. Hegseth said the strikes were ordered by President Trump as part of a wider campaign against “narco-terrorists.” Since September, the US has launched nine such strikes, mostly in the Caribbean. Trump said anti-drug operations could expand to land targets. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump announced sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, for supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This marks Trump’s first Ukraine-related sanctions in his second term. The move came after Trump claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him during a recent call that India will “not buy much oil” from Russia. Indian officials have not confirmed the call or Trump’s claim. The US has also imposed high tariffs on India over its Russian oil imports. Trump said the sanctions aim to push Moscow toward a ceasefire and warned of more action if needed. (PC: HT)

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has initiated an online jihadi training course titled "Tufat al-Muminat" aimed at recruiting women into its newly formed women's wing, Jamat ul-Muminat. The 40-minute daily sessions, scheduled to commence on November 8, will be conducted by Masood Azhar’s sisters, Sadiya Azhar and Samaira Azhar. Participants are required to pay a fee of 500 PKR (approximately 156 INR) to enroll. The course aims to indoctrinate women into jihadist ideology, with teachings focusing on religious duties and the concept of martyrdom. This development underscores the group's efforts to expand its operational base by involving women in its activities. (PC: NDTV)    

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, to block funds supporting the war in Ukraine. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the move targets both firms and several subsidiaries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions aim to push Russia toward a ceasefire and peace talks. All US property and transactions linked to the companies are now frozen. The US said peace depends on Russia’s willingness to negotiate. Washington also urged allies to join in the sanctions as part of President Trump’s diplomatic effort to end the war. (PC: X)

US forces have killed two people in a strike on a suspected drug boat in the Pacific Ocean, the Pentagon said. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed no US troops were hurt. The vessel was believed to be carrying drugs along a known trafficking route in international waters near Colombia. This was the first Pacific strike since September 2 and the eighth overall in the US campaign against drug boats. At least 36 people have died in similar strikes. President Trump said the US is at war with drug cartels and warned that “there will be no refuge or forgiveness.” (PC: BBC)

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar, has launched an online ‘jihadi course’ for women called Tufat al-Muminat. The course begins on November 8 and is being used to recruit women and collect funds. Classes will be led by Azhar’s sisters, Sadiya and Samaira, who will teach for 40 minutes daily about jihad and religious duties. Each participant must pay 500 PKR. The course aims to expand the group’s new women’s unit, Jamat ul-Muminat. Sources said this move violates Pakistan’s claims of following anti-terror finance rules. India has condemned Jaish’s growing activities. (PC: NDTV)

China has warned the US to “correct its mistakes” after President Trump announced 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods starting November 1. Chinese Consul General Xu Wei said China does not want conflict but will respond if pushed. He urged cooperation, saying it benefits all countries. Xu highlighted growing trade with India, which reached $115 billion this year, and said direct flights between India and China will resume from October 26. Meanwhile, China stopped importing US soybeans in September, shifting to South America. Experts warn US farmers may lose billions if trade tensions continue. (PC: India Today)

The UN’s top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), said Israel must allow UN agencies to deliver aid to Gaza. The court ruled that Israel is obliged to ensure food, water, and medical help reach Palestinian civilians. It rejected Israel’s claims that the UN agency Unrwa supports Hamas, saying there was no proof. Israel called the opinion “political” and said it would not cooperate. The ruling is not legally binding but carries moral weight. The decision follows reports of severe hunger in Gaza, where over 640,000 people face extreme food shortages.

France faces a major cultural loss after jewels worth $102 million were stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The robbers carried out the daylight heist in just four minutes, escaping on motorbikes with crowns, necklaces, and earrings once owned by French royalty. Experts say the jewels are likely to be broken apart and sold, making recovery almost impossible. The theft has shocked France and raised serious questions about museum security. Investigators are tracking the gang behind what is being called one of the most daring art crimes in recent memory. (PC: X)