Diana Pundole, a 32-year-old racer from Pune, has made history as the first Indian woman to join Ferrari’s prestigious global racing championship. She will compete in the Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East, driving the Ferrari 296 Challenge across tracks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia from November to April. Pundole began her racing journey in 2018 under the JK Tyre Women in Motorsport program and went on to win India’s national saloon car title in 2024, inspiring a new generation of women in motorsport. (PC: X)    

Singer Diljit Dosanjh has received a threat from the banned Sikh separatist group Sikh For Justice (SFJ) ahead of his November 1 concert in Australia. The group accused Dosanjh of “insulting” the 1984 Sikh riot victims by touching Amitabh Bachchan’s feet, alleging Bachchan had incited anti-Sikh violence with the slogan “Khoon Ka Badla Khoon.” SFJ demanded the concert’s cancellation, linking Dosanjh’s gesture to “disrespect of Sikh martyrs.” The Indian government has banned SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for its pro-Khalistan agenda and separatist activities.  

A 68-year-old Indian-origin businessman, Darshan Singh Sahsi, was fatally shot on 27 October outside his home in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He had emigrated from Rajgarh village near Doraha in Punjab, India in 1991, and later became President of textile-recycling firm Canam International. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s associate Goldy Dhillon posted on social media that the killing followed Sahsi’s refusal to pay an alleged extortion demand and purported involvement in drug trade. Canadian investigators describe it as a targeted attack; no arrests have been announced yet. 

Former US President Donald Trump said in South Korea that the United States and India will soon sign a long-awaited trade deal. Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him “the nicest-looking guy” and said both leaders share a strong friendship. The deal has faced delays due to disputes over tariffs, Russian oil imports, and access to India’s farm markets. Reports suggest both sides have agreed to reduce tariffs and limit oil imports from Russia. Trump also repeated his claim of helping stop an India-Pakistan conflict, though India has denied his role in any ceasefire. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump said he will soon finalise a trade deal with India, praising his “great relationship” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the APEC CEO Summit in South Korea, Trump said he has “great respect and love” for Modi. He described the Indian leader as “the nicest-looking guy” and joked about his strong personality. Trump’s remarks came ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The upcoming trade deal is expected to boost India-US economic ties, as both nations look to strengthen cooperation in technology, defence, and manufacturing sectors. (PC: PMO)

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for killing Indian-origin industrialist Darshan Singh Sahasi in Canada. Sahasi, 68, was shot dead outside his home in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Gang member Goldy Dhillon said Sahasi was killed over a money dispute. Soon after, the gang also fired shots at Punjabi singer Channi Nattan’s house. No one was hurt in the attack. The Bishnoi gang, listed as a terrorist group in Canada, is linked to several crimes, including the murder of Sidhu Moosewala. The Punjabi community in Canada has demanded stronger police action after these violent incidents.

India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining “active and in-depth dialogue” through both military and diplomatic channels to manage tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The latest meeting focused on the western sector of their disputed border and aimed to strengthen coordination to avoid misunderstandings and preserve peace in the region. Although major issues remain unresolved, the step reflects a cautious thaw and a shared interest in preventing escalation of friction. 

An Indian man, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, was arrested in the US after allegedly stabbing two teenagers with a metal fork on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany. Court documents say he attacked a 17-year-old passenger in the shoulder and then stabbed another in the back of the head. He also slapped a female passenger and tried to hit a crew member. The flight was diverted to Boston, where he was taken into custody. Usiripalli, who entered the US on a student visa, now faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of assault. (PC: X)

Dubai's 'Emirates Loves India' event at Zabeel Park on Sunday drew over 100,000 attendees, forcing authorities to shut entry gates after reaching capacity. Thousands of Indian expatriates were turned away as the venue hit safety thresholds. The cultural extravaganza, featuring Neha Kakkar, Mika Singh, Neeraj Madhav, and Nabeel Khan, marked the second year celebrating India-UAE ties through music, regional performances, and exhibitions. Organizers apologized for the closures, citing "overwhelming attendance." Residents queued from 1 PM, hours before the program started. Indian Embassy official A. Amarnath noted India's UAE diaspora has doubled from 2.2 million (2014) to 4.3 million today. Performer Neeraj Madhav offered to organize a compensatory show.

Indian refiners have paused new oil purchases from Russia after the US imposed fresh sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, the country’s top energy producers. The move has raised payment and supply concerns, with buyers waiting for guidance from the government and suppliers. Some refiners, including Indian Oil and Reliance Industries, are now turning to spot markets to meet short-term crude needs. Reliance, India’s biggest private refiner, has also stopped importing oil from Rosneft. India imported about 1.9 million barrels of Russian crude per day this year, but volumes are falling amid tighter sanctions and shrinking discounts. (PC: India Today)