US President Donald Trump claimed he considered renaming the Atlantic Ocean “Trump Ocean” but abandoned the proposal after Google CEO Sundar Pichai reportedly refused, citing the ocean’s coverage of multiple countries. Trump recounted asking Pichai whether Google Maps could accommodate the change and said the executive declined. He praised Pichai and Google co-founder Sergey Brin as “totally brilliant guys.” The remarks follow other geographical renaming initiatives, including the US government’s adoption of “Gulf of America” for the Gulf of Mexico and Google Maps displaying “Lake America” for US users. Google said the latter change reflected the official US Geographic Names Information System, while Canadian users continue seeing “Lake Ontario.”

Mumbai Police investigating the October 18 firing outside actor Tiger Shroff’s Juhu residence have found that the two alleged shooters also conducted reconnaissance at the homes of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, according to Hindustan Times. The 18-year-old suspects, Phool Singh and Rehan Ansari, reportedly spent a month in Mumbai before the attack and were allegedly recruited by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Investigators believe Shroff was selected because he lacked security cover. Three additional arrests in Sonipat brought the total to ten. Police are probing alleged weapons supplies, logistics and accomplice networks, while firearms and the accused’s mobile phones remain unrecovered. The suspects remain in police custody until October 31. (PC: HT)

The Indian Embassy in Paris has issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals living in or travelling to France amid ongoing unrest and localised curfews. Citizens have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid protest sites, large gatherings and crowded areas, and follow instructions issued by French authorities. The embassy also advised Indians to monitor local news, consult official French government updates and check for possible public transport disruptions. The advisory comes as France prepares for fresh demonstrations on October 24 following violent unrest linked to protests over rising living costs and concerns about public services and school conditions. The Indian Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Marseille have shared emergency helpline contacts. 

A Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker carrying 21 Indian seafarers was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on October 21, 2026, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said. All 21 Indian sailors and the remaining crew members were reported safe following the incident. In a post on X, Sonowal identified the vessel as M/T AL DASMA and confirmed that authorities were monitoring developments. He said the government remained in close contact with the ship management company to safeguard the crew’s security and well-being. The incident comes amid heightened maritime security concerns around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route.

Suvarna Raj won gold in the women’s discus F54 event on Day 4 of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, delivering a strong start for India with a best throw of 15.66 metres. She defeated Iran’s Shahid Habibi by just 21 centimetres, taking India’s gold medal tally to 15. A wheelchair user, Suvarna has represented India at three Asian Para Games and competed internationally since 2017. Her recent achievements include discus gold and shot put silver at the Canberra Track Meet in January 2026, followed by bronze at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix. Beyond sport, she advocates accessibility and disability rights, having conducted over 1,000 accessibility audits nationwide. (PC: X)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday, October 21, welcomed the release of leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka following a Special Executive Magistrate’s order in New Delhi. The two were released from Tihar Jail after their judicial custody expired in connection with a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 14. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke praised the leaders, describing them as “much, much bigger leaders” than himself. The party’s legal head, Ratna Singh, said the release decision should have come earlier. The development marked a key moment for the party after the detention of its leaders over the Jantar Mantar protest, according to PTI’s report. (PC: X)

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail on Wednesday after spending a week in custody. A Special Executive Magistrate ordered their release after they submitted written assurances to maintain peace and furnished bonds and sureties of Rs 50,000 each. The decision came hours after they withdrew their Delhi High Court petition challenging their custody. The two were detained on October 14 for allegedly violating peace bonds during a Tiranga protest at Jantar Mantar. They had been demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter list irregularities. (PC: India Today)

Ukraine lost more than $1 million worth of drones after their connection to Starshield, a US-backed satellite internet service, was disrupted, The New York Times reported. A Ukrainian commander said several drones fell as their video feeds stopped working during missions against Russian targets. The disruption reportedly forced some units to suspend operations for 3 days. Ukrainian officials also said speed restrictions affected drone attacks and air defence. The US administration denied deliberately cutting support, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged a slowdown had occurred and said service had been restored. The dispute has raised tensions between Washington and Kyiv. (PC: NDTV)

Mumbai Police sources said the accused in the firing case involving actor Tiger Shroff had also surveyed Ranbir Kapoor’s residence in Bandra. Investigators are probing an alleged conspiracy linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police told a court that the shooters initially targeted Salman Khan but allegedly shifted their focus to Shroff after finding heavy security outside Khan’s home. Eight people have been arrested so far. Three alleged shooters were remanded to police custody until October 31. Investigators are also examining an alleged weapons supply network, with two women accused of transporting firearms to Mumbai from Amritsar. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has said the United States and India are close to finalising a bilateral trade deal, describing it as “a much different kind of deal”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said negotiations were nearing completion, with 99% of the work done and finalisation expected within weeks. However, differences over specific wording and terms remain unresolved. The deal has faced delays amid tensions over US tariffs on Indian goods and India’s purchases of Russian oil. Both countries are continuing negotiations to settle outstanding issues and strengthen economic ties. (PC: The Indian Express)