The United States cancelled the traditional G20 foreign ministers’ group photograph in Atlanta after several European representatives objected to appearing alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Diplomats, including representatives from the UK and Australia, reportedly threatened to boycott the photograph because of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to scrap the photo to avoid diplomatic controversy distracting from the discussions. The incident highlighted growing divisions among G20 members over Russia, Ukraine and international security. Despite the disagreement, the two-day foreign ministers’ meeting continued as scheduled. (PC: AFP)

Poland witnessed political unrest after Constitutional Tribunal president Bogdan Swieczkowski was suspended on October 30, triggering protests in Warsaw. Riot police were deployed after demonstrators gathered outside the court, with three people detained following clashes. President Karol Nawrocki cut short his flight to Senegal and returned to Poland, saying the situation required his presence. The suspension has intensified a long-running dispute between Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s pro-European government and the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party over judicial appointments. Tusk defended the move as necessary to restore judicial independence, while opposition leaders accused his government of staging a coup. (PC: NDTV)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has challenged Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to discuss allegations of electoral fraud in a special session of Parliament. Speaking at a BJP meeting in Lucknow on October 30, Shah said the BJP was ready for a parliamentary debate but claimed Rahul Gandhi would never agree. He dismissed the Opposition’s allegations against the Election Commission as baseless and accused its leaders of creating political drama instead of accepting election defeats. His remarks came ahead of Opposition protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over voter-list revisions. (PC: PTI)

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has faced widespread criticism from Indians, Pakistanis and Afghans after defending the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan. Naik claimed the restrictions were temporary, citing security concerns and a shortage of female teachers. He also argued that Afghan women could pursue advanced Islamic studies, including master's degrees and PhDs. However, his statements contradict UN findings that millions of Afghan girls remain excluded from secondary and higher education. Malala Yousafzai’s father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, and several academics and activists condemned his remarks, questioning his justification of the restrictions. 

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)

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket, strengthening India's indigenous satellite navigation system, NavIC. The launch took place at 11:51 pm on Friday from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. More than 20 minutes after liftoff, the rocket deployed NVS-03 into its intended orbit. ISRO chief Dr V Narayanan, who monitored the mission, announced its successful completion and congratulated the engineers and industry involved. The launch marks a step towards enhancing India's independent navigation capabilities, with potential significance for national security, preparedness and reliable positioning services.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a project worth over Rs 40,000 crore to build eight next-generation corvettes for the Indian Navy. The compact, fast, multirole stealth warships are expected to strengthen India's surface combatant fleet and operate across the Indian Ocean Region. The government is expected to sign a construction contract soon with Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The corvettes will enhance the Navy's capabilities in anti-surface, anti-submarine and coastal warfare, complementing its existing four Kamorta-class vessels. CCS approval marks a key step before finalising major defence acquisition contracts. (PC: Wikimedia)

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.

India lifted an estimated 496 million people out of extreme poverty between 2011 and 2023, according to the World Bank’s October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief. The proportion living in extreme poverty fell from 27.1% to 2.6%, while poverty below the $4.20-a-day threshold declined from 57.7% to 16.1%. The World Bank attributed the progress to consumption growth, rising employment, particularly among women, and expanded food subsidies. However, it flagged persistent regional inequalities, youth unemployment and stagnant real earnings. Around 57% of India's poor remain concentrated in a belt stretching from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal. The report cautioned that estimates could change as new economic and labour-market data emerge. (PC: X)

New Zealand defeated India by 87 runs in the fourth T20I in Auckland, taking a 3-1 lead in the series and claiming their first win. India were bowled out for 172 for nine while chasing 260, after Jacob Duffy dismissed Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the opening over. Duffy finished with four wickets for 23 runs. Earlier, New Zealand posted 259 for seven, their highest T20I total against India. Glenn Phillips struck 107 from 49 balls, while Michael Bracewell scored 65 off 25. Their 115-run fifth-wicket stand came from 41 deliveries. Phillips also completed his third T20I century in 46 balls. India’s defeat was their second-largest by runs in T20Is. (PC: BCCI)