World News - Page 18

Fed cuts rates for the second time this year amid labor market concerns and policy divisions

Policymakers voted 10-2 in favour of lowering the bank's key lending rate to between 3.75% and 4.00%, the Fed said in a statement

India-Pakistan freeze: No talks, no envoys since 2019 — longer than post-1971 war silence

In what is seen as a new phase of estrangement, India and Pakistan’s diplomatic freeze since the 2019 Pulwama–Balakot crisis has now outlasted even post-war silences, with no envoys, dialogue, or back-channel talks.

Hurricane Melissa kills 25 in southern Haiti, heads toward the Bahamas

The powerful storm has battered the Caribbean, leaving devastation in Haiti, triggering mass evacuations in the Bahamas, and prompting hurricane warnings across the region

Two arrested in daring $102 mn Louvre jewel heist admit role, stolen treasures still missing

Two men arrested in connection with the theft of France’s crown jewels from the Louvre Museum have confessed to their involvement in the high-profile heist and have been remanded in custody, according to a report, citing the Paris prosecutor’s office on Wednesday

‘No one can touch it’: Amit Shah hits back at Tejashwi Yadav, says BJP won’t let them block implementation of Waqf law

Speaking to Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at News18 ‘Sabse Bada Dangal’ ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Amit Shah said the opposition does not understand the Constitution, but his party will not let them stop the implementation of the Waqf law.

Why does Africa keep re-electing its aging leaders?

Despite having the world’s youngest population, many African nations remain under the grip of elderly leaders, fueling unrest and highlighting the continent’s generational divide

Putin defies Trump as Russia tests nuclear-powered underwater drone ‘Poseidon’

Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, defying US President Donald Trump's warnings with Moscow's second test of a new nuclear weapons system in just a few days.

Why economic ties with 'bailout nation' Pakistan is a lose-lose for Bangladesh

After two decades, Bangladesh and Pakistan have revived their Joint Economic Commission in Dhaka to explore trade. But with Pakistan’s economy under strain and Bangladesh pursuing export-driven stability, the dialogue raises a critical question — can Dhaka truly benefit from a partnership with its struggling former counterpart?

India and Russia reaffirm defence cooperation, explore new avenues for military collaboration

Top officials of Indian and Russian militaries in a meeting here reaffirmed their commitment to elevate the bilateral defence cooperation and mulling new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

EU, Japan, South Korea…: Is Trump’s cash demand stalling trade deals with partners?

In his trade negotiations with the European Union (EU), Japan, and South Korea, US President Donald Trump has not just demanded increased market access. He has also demanded them to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the United States. Such a demand, coupled with disputes about the interpretation of agreements and nature of investments, has complicated trade relationships.

Trade, TikTok and war… What will Trump and Xi Jinping discuss at tomorrow’s big meet?

It’s one of the biggest diplomatic meetings of the year — the Trump-Xi talks will be held tomorrow (October 30) in South Korea on the sidelines of the Apec summit. The timing of this face-to-face is significant; the US and China are engaged in an ongoing trade war with repercussions that are shaking the world. But other than tariffs, what else are the two powerful leaders likely to discuss?

Power walking soon to be illegal? Slovakia imposes 6 km/h speed limit for pedestrians on sidewalks

With average walking speeds around 4–5 km/h and 6.4 km/h considered moderate for fit walkers, critics question whether even brisk pedestrians could technically break the new 6 km/h sidewalk limit

Trump’s South Korea trip is more Beijing than Seoul — and no one is surprised

Donald Trump’s South Korea visit spotlights stalled trade talks with Seoul but is driven more by his China strategy, as both sides resist finalising a $350 billion investment deal amid growing regional tensions.

How Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar is training the Jaish women's jihad brigade

In a 21-minute audio recording at Markaz Usman-o-Ali in Pakistan's Bahawalpur, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar announced his plans to introduce a women's brigade called Jamat-ul-Mominat. The unit will train, indoctrinate and deploy women on 'global jihad' missions. Earlier, the terror outfit also launched an online course for women

Economy failed, poverty rampant, investment low: The story of Pakistan beyond Munir’s Trump saga

Despite Field Marshal Asim Munir’s global diplomacy and growing influence, Pakistan’s economic collapse, deepening poverty, and political repression reveal a nation where power is concentrated, but progress remains elusive

Beyond Trump-Xi meet in South Korea: 5 things to watch out for at Apec summit

While Trump-Xi summit has dominated the discourse around the Apec Summit, several other important diplomatic engagements are also happening that involve Japan, South Korea, and North Korea. Here are five things to watch out for at the summit.

US, South Korea reach deal on tariffs & investments, says presidential aide

The United States and South Korea have reached 'an agreement on the details of the tariff negotiations', which will bring US tariffs on automobiles to 15% in exchange for South Korea's $350-billion investments in the United States, according to a top aide of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Bill Gates no longer believes climate change will end humanity

Ahead of COP30 in Brazil, billionaire Bill Gates urged world leaders to prioritise health, poverty, and human development over climate politics. He warned that the poorer nations face the harshest impacts of climate change.

America’s economic paradox: Both living costs and stock prices are rising; people fret, firms rejoice

US consumer confidence declined again this month despite record highs on Wall Street, as Americans worry about rising prices, job security, and the ongoing government shutdown.

No immunity for Hamas leadership, Israel warns as Gaza agency says over 100 killed in IDF strikes

Israel launched a series of air strikes on Gaza, killing more than 100 people, after a soldier’s death prompted its defence minister to warn Hamas leaders of “no immunity”.

Hurricane Melissa hits eastern Cuba with powerful winds and heavy rain

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Cuba’s southern coast as a category three storm, unleashing 120 mph winds and torrential rain that forced evacuations and widespread power outages across eastern provinces.

Sudan massacre: Satellite images show pools of blood & piles of bodies in city captured by RSF

The paramilitary group RSF has been going door to door to find and kill non-Arabs in El-Fasher, the city in Sudan's Darfur region they recently captured, and dumping the dead in piles. The scale of massacres is such that piles of bodies and pools of blood are visible in satellite imagery.

Nepal: Altitude Air's rescue helicopter crashes near Everest base camp

An Altitude Air helicopter crashed near Lobuche in Nepal’s Everest region during a rescue mission amid heavy snowfall, but the pilot was safely rescued and is in stable condition.

China closes Everest hiking route from Tibet after heavy snowfall and icy conditions

Authorities have closed the Zhufeng Peak hiking area on Mount Everest’s Tibetan side due to heavy snowfall and freezing conditions, with officials warning that worsening weather could endanger visitors.

Why was the Bangladesh national anthem sung at a Congress event in Assam?

A major controversy has erupted after an Assam Congress leader, Bidhu Bhushan Das, reportedly sang 'Amar Sonar Bangla', the national anthem of Bangladesh, at a party meeting in the state’s Sribhumi district. The BJP has slammed the Congress for being 'Bangladesh-obsessed' and demanded an inquiry into the matter

UK deports migrant sex offender day after he was released over technical error

A convicted sex offender mistakenly released from a UK prison has been re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia, prompting an official inquiry.

‘Elections without all parties can’t be credible’: Ex-Bangladesh PM Hasina on Awami League ban

In her first interview since her ouster, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has questioned the credibility of upcoming elections as her Awami League has been banned. She said such moves will sow further division in the country.

Could failed Afghanistan-Pakistan peace reignite the conflict?

Efforts to end Afghanistan and Pakistan’s border conflict have failed once again. High-stakes talks in Istanbul mediated by Turkey and Qatar ended in deadlock, exposing deep mistrust and unresolved disputes over drone strikes, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and cross-border violence

‘Tough as hell’: Trump hails ‘great-looking guy’ PM Modi as he repeats India-Pak ceasefire claim

Speaking at a luncheon for Apec CEOs, Trump shared his account of events from earlier this year, asserting that he prevented a “war” between the two nuclear-armed neighbours by applying trade pressure

French Senate backs bill defining rape as any non-consensual act

French senators are set to vote on a bill on Wednesday that would define any non-consensual act as rape. The bill was approved on Thursday by 155 votes to 31 by the Senate.