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Current affairs — 19 October 2026

3 prelims-relevant stories, each distilled into quick facts — with a 3-question quiz at the end.

Geographystrait-of-hormuz

Oil tanker on fire after hitting mine in Hormuz: Iran's Guards

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said two supertankers carrying more than two million barrels of crude each caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents highlight the strait's role as a narrow route for about one-fifth of global oil consumption.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu — International (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • The Strait of Hormuz is flanked by Iran to the north and Oman to the south and is about 30 kilometres wide at its narrowest.
  • The strait normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, making disruption significant for energy flows.
  • Iran's Guards said each of the two affected supertankers carried more than two million barrels of crude oil.
  • After taking control of the strait, Iran required ships to obtain its authorisation before transiting the waterway.
  • Washington imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian oil exports in response to Tehran's blockade of Hormuz.
Current Affairsrussia-sanctions

Zelenskyy says Trump could lift more Russia sanctions

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised a U.S. waiver of sanctions targeting Russian energy revenues, warning that it could encourage further attacks. The waiver coincided with a major Russian strike on Ukraine's energy grid.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu — International (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026, waiving sanctions targeting Russian energy revenues.
  • The announced diesel deal would allow exports of Russian diesel in exchange for an easing of sanctions.
  • Russia attacked 15 critical power-generation facilities in Ukraine on the same day as the U.S. sanctions decision.
  • The Lindsey Graham Act targeted Russia's energy and defence sectors, Vladimir Putin and a shadow fleet of tankers.
  • Ukraine reported one death in Kherson and another in Sumy; the Kherson attack wounded 22 people, including two children.
Polity & Governanceonline-child-safety

SC bars online platforms from hosting subscription-based sexual content

The Supreme Court ordered stronger safeguards against online child sexual exploitation and abuse material, including paywall restrictions, perceptual-hash and URL-listing procedures, and a national detection database.

Source published PrelimsAI reviewed/published
Read the original report from The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Prelims pointers

  • The Bench comprised Justices J. B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran.
  • The Court linked online child-protection offences to Section 15 of the POCSO Act and Section 67B of the IT Act.
  • Internet access and use were described as a fundamental right under Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a).
  • The Centre was directed to create a National Hash & URL List Database solely to detect and remove CSEAM.
  • The Court directed SOPs for perceptual hash matching and URL listing by significant social media intermediaries.

Today's quiz

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Question 1 of 3

Consider the following statements about the Strait of Hormuz: 1. Iran lies to its north. 2. Oman lies to its south. 3. It is about 30 kilometres wide at its narrowest. Which are correct?

Answer key

Take the quiz above first. This key is for revision after you finish.

  1. Q1

    Consider the following statements about the Strait of Hormuz: 1. Iran lies to its north. 2. Oman lies to its south. 3. It is about 30 kilometres wide at its narrowest. Which are correct?

    (A) 1, 2 and 3

  2. Q2

    Which sector was directly targeted by the U.S. sanctions that Trump waived?

    (A) Russian energy revenues

  3. Q3

    Consider the following statements: 1. The Court linked internet access to Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a). 2. It directed creation of a National Hash & URL List Database. Which is correct?

    (C) Both 1 and 2

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