World News - Page 12

Amazon’s silent killer: Mercury poisoning fears grow among Indigenous women, threatening unborn babies
Deep in the Amazon, Indigenous women say they fear getting pregnant. Rivers that have been the lifeblood of their people now carry mercury from illegal gold mining, threatening the health of their unborn children.

South Korea urges China to revive dialogue with North Korea as Xi makes landmark Seoul visit
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Gyeongju on Saturday (1 November), marking Xi’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years. Lee urged Xi to help revive dialogue with North Korea and support efforts toward denuclearisation.

Ukraine accuses Russia of using INF-banned 9M729 missiles in repeated strikes
Ukraine has accused Russia of using a ground-launched cruise missile whose secret development once triggered the collapse of a key Cold War-era arms treaty. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Moscow has fired the 9M729, or SSC-8, missile at Ukraine multiple times since August, calling its use proof of “Russia’s complete disregard for international arms control norms.”

Ukraine strikes key Russian fuel pipeline near Moscow, calls it ‘serious blow’ to military logistics
Ukrainian forces hit an important fuel pipeline in the Moscow region that supplies the Russian army, Ukraine's military intelligence said Saturday, a claim that came amid a sustained Russian campaign of massive drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Canada unveils C$6.4 bn critical minerals plan with G7 allies to counter China’s dominance
Canada unveils a C$6.4 billion critical minerals plan with G7 allies, launching stockpiling and investment deals to counter China’s dominance in rare earths and secure Western supply chains for energy and defence.

Protests erupt in Rio after Brazil’s deadliest police raid leaves 121 dead in favelas
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to protest Brazil’s deadliest police operation, which left at least 121 people dead. Demonstrators are demanding justice, an independent investigation, and an end to violent security tactics

US slams Beijing’s Scarborough Shoal claim, urges ASEAN to stand firm against China’s ‘destabilising’ actions
The US has condemned China’s claim over Scarborough Shoal, urging ASEAN nations to stand firm against Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Read here

Hassan secures win with 98% votes in Tanzania’s 'disputed election' amid violent protests
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won a controversial election with nearly 98 per cent of the vote, extending her rule for another five years after days of violent unrest and allegations of fraud. International observers and rights groups have raised concerns over transparency, repression, and a deadly crackdown on protesters.

Egypt inaugurates world’s largest museum celebrating its ancient civilisation
Egypt has inaugurated the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest institution dedicated to ancient Egypt, after two decades of construction

Pakistan partially reopens Torkham border to allow Afghan refugees to cross
The closure, which lasted nearly three weeks, left thousands of Afghan refugees stranded along with hundreds of trucks carrying goods, suspending key trade routes between the two countries

China ‘made a real mistake’ on rare earth export curbs, says Bessent
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has criticised China for tightening control over rare earth exports, calling it a “real mistake” that exposed Beijing’s willingness to weaponise key minerals vital to global industries.

Musk teases ‘unforgettable’ flying Tesla Roadster demo before end of year
Elon Musk has claimed that Tesla will unveil a flying car prototype by the end of the year. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience, he said the upcoming Roadster demo will be “unforgettable.”

South Korean President urges Xi Jinping to help ‘resume dialogue’ with North Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to support efforts to resume talks with North Korea during their first summit, emphasising regional stability and stronger bilateral cooperation

Israel says bodies returned from Gaza not among remaining hostages
Israel’s military has confirmed that three bodies handed over from Gaza were not among the remaining hostages, as exchanges continue under a US-brokered ceasefire deal

2 planes collide in New York as US airlines struggle with harsh weather & staffing issues amid govt shutdown
Two planes collided on the tarmac at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Friday as the United States grapples with travel delays brought on by weather and staffing shortages.

Tanzania: President Samia wins election with 98% of votes, secures another term
The United Nations on Friday urged Tanzania's security forces to refrain from using unnecessary force against demonstrators and demanded investigations into election-related violence, after polls descended into deadly chaos

9 killed, several injured in stampede at Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam
At least nine people were killed and several others injured after a stampede broke out at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Kasibugga town of Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district on Saturday. The incident took place during Ekadashi, when a large crowd of devotees gathered at the temple

Maldives introduces 'generational' smoking ban for those born after 2007
The Maldives now prohibits anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco or vaping products.

Carney says he 'apologised' to Trump over anti-tariff ad as US suspends trade talks with Canada
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X that an ad created by the government of Ontario “misrepresents the ‘Presidential Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade’ dated April 25, 1987”

Why US food aid benefits will continue in November despite govt shutdown
The US government shutdown has stretched into its second month and two federal judges have ordered the Trump administration to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap). The rulings offer temporary relief for 42 million Americans relying on food aid

'She has no plans to convert': Vance clarifies his stance on wife Usha’s religion amid backlash
Vance received major backlash after he told a group of college students in Mississippi that he hopes Second Lady Usha Vance, who is a Hindu, converts to Christianity

‘Say Thank You’: JD Vance embraces viral meme persona with Halloween makeover
Vice President JD Vance transformed his viral meme persona into a Halloween costume, playfully referencing his past controversy over remarks to Ukraine’s president.

Over 2/3s of Israelis think Netanyahu govt has become 'vassal state' of US: Survey
Responding to a survey conducted by Channel 12, at least 2/3rds of the respondents said they believe Washington is taking all the major decisions regarding the Israeli military's post-ceasefire activities in Gaza

Ukraine accuses Russia of ‘nuclear terrorism’ over strikes on energy infrastructure
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has condemned alleged Russian attacks on power substations crucial for the safe operation of its nuclear plants.

Trump labels Nigeria as 'country of particular concern' over 'existential threat' to Christians
US President Donald Trump stirred yet another storm after he declared Christianity in Nigeria is facing an 'existential threat', ordering its inclusion in the 'countries of particular concern' list

Ukraine sends special forces in strategic hub of Pokrovsk after Russia amasses troops
The Ukrainian special forces landed in a Black Hawk helicopter a few days ago in the operation, which was complicated by Russian drone activity, a source in the 7th Rapid Response Corps

BlackRock hit by ‘breathtaking’ $500 million scam, Indian-origin CEO Brahmbhatt vanishes
Indian-origin businessman Bankim Brahmbhatt has been accused of orchestrating a $500 million scam that defrauded BlackRock’s private credit arm and other lenders

chief of staff steps down amid post-election cabinet reshuffle in Argentina
Argentina’s President Javier Milei accepted the resignation of his chief of staff Guillermo Francos following a major election victory and announced a broader government reshuffle

Trump rejects resuming trade talks with Canada after anti-tariff ad
Trump reacted strongly to a Canadian anti-protectionist advertising campaign: after abruptly ending bilateral trade talks, he then imposed an additional 10 percent increase in tariffs on Canadian products

Lincoln bathroom gets marble makeover in latest phase of White House renovation
Trump, who has drawn criticism from preservationists and Democrats for adding a Mar-a-Lago-style sheen to the historic mansion, unveiled the remodelled white-and-black-marbled bathroom via social media