US Imposes New Sanctions on Russian Oil Firms Amid Ukraine War
President Donald Trump announced new "massive" sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This move led to a significant jump in global oil prices, with Brent crude futures soaring over 5% to approximately $66 per barrel. The sanctions aim to prevent foreign entities from conducting business with these sanctioned producers. Russian President Vladimir Putin swiftly responded, stating that Moscow would never yield to pressure from the United States or any other foreign power and warned of an "overwhelming" response to any military strikes deep inside Russia. The European Union has also aligned with the US, imposing its own sanctions on Russia and companies, including several from China and India, accused of assisting Russia in circumventing existing restrictions, particularly in drone production.
International Court of Justice Orders Israel to Allow UN Aid into Gaza
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a critical advisory opinion, ordering Israel to restore access for United Nations aid agencies to deliver food and essential supplies into the Gaza Strip. The court highlighted "starvation as a weapon of war" and found that Israel had not provided sufficient evidence to support claims that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) lacked neutrality or that a significant number of its staff were Hamas members. The ruling comes amidst reports of a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with mass graves showing signs of torture. Both Israel and the Trump administration condemned the ICJ's ruling, with the US State Department calling it "Another corrupt ruling." Meanwhile, US officials, including Vice President Vance, met with Israeli counterparts to strategize on salvaging the Gaza peace plan.
President Trump's Diplomatic Engagements and Domestic Policies
President Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea on October 30. Discussions are expected to cover trade issues and China's alleged role in fentanyl smuggling. Earlier, Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao following his prison sentence for crypto-related crimes. Domestically, the White House is defending its new H-1B visa policy, which includes a $100,000 fee for new applicants, facing multiple lawsuits. President Trump also faced criticism from the Colombian President regarding anti-drug air strikes and scrutiny over a $250 million White House Ballroom project.
Other Key Global Headlines
- Royal Visit to Vatican: King Charles III and Queen Camilla undertook a historic visit to the Vatican, participating in an ecumenical service with Pope Leo XIV, aimed at strengthening ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
- North Korea-Russia Ties: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated that military cooperation with Russia would continue to "advance non-stop."
- Pakistan Bans TLP: Pakistan re-banned the far-right Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) following deadly anti-Israel protests.
- World Bank Aid for Kerala, India: The World Bank approved a $280 million program for the Indian state of Kerala, designed to improve health systems and expand access to healthcare for 11 million elderly and vulnerable residents.
- Louvre Heist: The Louvre Museum reopened after a "brazen daylight heist," with security footage capturing the thieves' escape.
- Iranian Military Command: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly assumed a senior military command during the Israel-Iran War in June 2025, following the deaths of several top commanders.