New Delhi ranked as the world’s most polluted city on Friday, with an air quality index (AQI) of 339 following Diwali celebrations. Despite a firecracker ban, many people used them, worsening the already poor air. Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, praised citizens for minimizing cracker use but noted pollution levels are still high. The air is expected to stay in the “very poor” range as stubble burning in nearby states also increases. Experts warn pollution could worsen in early November as farm fires peak, further trapping smog and dust in the cooler winter air.

The U.S. Treasury has imposed sanctions on 19 Indian companies, labeling them “Third-Country Sanctions Evaders” for supplying dual-use technology to Russia. This is part of a larger action targeting nearly 400 entities globally for supporting Russia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment on the sanctions, marking the largest U.S. action against Indian companies linked to Russia. A recent call between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan addressed regional security and cooperation, but did not mention the sanctions. India has previously stated it does not recognize unilateral sanctions.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a strong response to recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military positions. The strikes, which targeted anti-aircraft and radar sites, reportedly killed four Iranian soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s aim is to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and claimed Israel’s freedom to operate within Iran is at an all-time high. Iranian officials hinted at a severe counterattack, possibly from Iraqi territory, to reduce direct risks. Military experts suggest that Iran may wait until after the U.S. elections on November 5 to act.

Celebrated Indian fashion designer Rohit Bal, aged 63, passed away on Friday following complications from a heart ailment he battled since last year. Known for his fusion of traditional and contemporary styles, Bal, a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), was a pioneer in the Indian fashion industry. Despite health challenges, he made a remarkable return to Lakme India Fashion Week this October. FDCI and celebrities, including Shobha De and Masaba Gupta, shared heartfelt tributes. Bal, often referred to as "Gudda," leaves behind a rich legacy in fashion.

As the US election nears, Ukrainians view its outcome as less pivotal to the ongoing conflict with Russia than initially thought. Despite extensive military and financial support from the Biden administration, recent battlefield losses in Ukraine’s eastern regions have led to frustration with Biden’s reluctance to approve long-range Western weapons for strikes deep inside Russia. Republican candidate Donald Trump has criticized current US aid levels, stating he would end the conflict if elected, though specifics remain unclear. Ukrainians now focus more on their own resilience as they face growing Russian aggression.

Junior doctors from Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College announced new protests, expressing dissatisfaction with the CBI’s investigation into the August 9 rape and murder of their colleague. They criticized the chargesheet for naming only one suspect, despite the involvement of other “perpetrators,” including former principal Sandip Ghosh. The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum has scheduled a rally on November 9 in Kolkata, joined by civil society members, and a lamp-lighting event on November 4. TMC MP Kalyan Bandyopadhyay criticized the protest, alleging CPI(M) interference, stating it inconveniences the public.

In Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, two migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh were shot by terrorists on Friday. The injured, identified as 25-year-old Sofiyan and 20-year-old Usman Malik, were daily wage laborers with the Jal Shakti Department and are currently in stable condition at JVC Hospital Bemina in Srinagar. Security forces swiftly arrived at the scene and initiated a search for the assailants. This attack marks the second targeted assault on non-locals in just 12 days, following the tragic killing of a doctor and six migrant workers in Ganderbal on October 19 and another worker on October 18.

A Halloween night shooting in downtown Orlando, Florida, left 2 people dead and 6 injured after a 17-year-old opened fire, Orlando Police confirmed. Officers responded to reports of shots near Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue around 1:07 a.m. The victims, aged 19 to 39, were hospitalized and are in stable condition. Authorities apprehended the suspect, who had a previous arrest for grand theft in 2023. Law enforcement is considering charging the suspect as an adult. Nearly 100 officers were present, patrolling the crowded area, yet the suspect passed by multiple officers without apparent concern.

The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Spain’s Valencia region has climbed to 202, with additional fatalities in Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, bringing the national toll to 205. Torrential rain has triggered flash floods across multiple regions, prompting Spain’s Meteorological Agency to issue red warnings in Huelva, advising residents to stay indoors. In Valencia, the Spanish Ministry of Defence has dispatched 500 military personnel to aid in recovery efforts, while power outages affected around 40,000 people. Local officials fear more casualties may surface, as heavy rainfall has led to severe damage, submerging homes and infrastructure.

In British Columbia, Canada’s largest drug "superlab" has been dismantled by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), arresting Gaganpreet Randhawa, an Indian-origin businessman linked to an international crime network. The superlab, found in rural Falkland, housed sophisticated equipment for producing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA. RCMP seized over 500kg of drugs, including 54kg of fentanyl valued at $485 million, enough to produce 95 million lethal doses. The raid also uncovered firearms and explosives. RCMP's extensive investigation, supported by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), marked a significant victory against organized crime.