Category: World

China has confirmed reaching a resolution with India over their disputed border issues, following military patrol agreements along the Line of Actual Control. The announcement comes after both nations withdrew thousands of troops following a deadly 2020 border clash that killed 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers. China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed positive approval of the deal, promising proper implementation in the next stage.READ FULL

Brazilian President Lula, 78, canceled his BRICS summit trip to Russia after suffering a minor brain hemorrhage from a head injury at home. He will participate virtually instead. His doctor confirmed he’s stable but advised against long flights. Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira will lead Brazil’s delegation. The BRICS forum now includes new members like Egypt and Iran.READ FULL

The UK government has recruited 200 additional staff to clear a backlog of 23,300 modern slavery cases within two years. This initiative aims to provide clarity and support to victims who have faced abuse. Globally, an estimated 50 million people were living in modern slavery as of 2021, with numbers rising significantly over the past decade. Modern slavery affects all countries, with over half of forced labour cases occurring in upper-middle-income or high-income nations.READ FULL

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a minimum wage increase from RM 1,500 to RM 1,700, effective February 1, 2025. Small employers have until August 1, 2025, to implement the change. New starting salary guidelines for key professions were introduced. The Progressive Wage Policy will be fully implemented in 2025 with a RM200 million allocation. Additionally, RM250 million will be dedicated to the People’s Income Initiative to combat extreme poverty and improve incomes for 50,000 workers.READ FULL

Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner swap involving 95 soldiers from each side, mediated by UAE. The exchange included Ukrainian rights activist Maksym Butkevych, who was serving a 13-year sentence. Additionally, Ukraine received bodies of 501 fallen soldiers, while Russia received 89 bodies. This marks the latest prisoner exchange since the 2022 invasion.READ FULL

WHO reports complete depletion of oral cholera vaccines in global stockpile as of October 14, 2024. Despite lower cases in 2024 (down 16%), deaths have spiked 126% with 3,432 fatalities. Thirty countries affected this year, with recent outbreaks in Niger and Thailand. Production at capacity but demand exceeds supply, threatening disease control efforts.READ FULL

Richard Pawulski, 49, from Connecticut, died after a five-year battle with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare mosquito-borne virus he contracted while gardening in 2019. The disease, which attacks the brain and has a 30% mortality rate, initially caused severe migraines and vomiting. Pawulski’s death comes as EEE cases are reportedly rising in the tri-state area on the East Coast.READ FULL

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claims Israeli forces found advanced Russian weapons in Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon, violating a 2006 UN resolution. The Washington Post reported Russian and Chinese anti-tank weapons were discovered. Netanyahu stated Israel’s goal is to make the region safe for evacuated residents to return, not to provoke a civil war in Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in at least 1,373 deaths in Lebanon.READ FULL

A fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria’s Jigawa state killed at least 94 people and injured 50 others. The incident occurred when locals attempted to collect spilled fuel from a crashed tanker. Such accidents are common in Nigeria due to high fuel prices and poor infrastructure. Police reported that the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to tip over before exploding. A mass burial was organized for the victims as the community mourns.READ FULL

South Korean author Han Kang’s book sales have surged past one million copies since her Nobel Prize in Literature win last week. Major bookstores report unprecedented demand, with websites crashing due to high traffic. Han’s victory has also boosted overall Korean literature sales. Her alma mater and hometown are celebrating the achievement. Printing houses are working overtime to meet demand. The Nobel committee praised Han’s “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and human fragility.READ FULL

Singapore’s air force deployed two F-15SG fighter jets to escort an Air India Express flight after a bomb threat was received via email. The plane landed safely at Changi Airport, where security checks found no threat items. This incident occurred amid recent hoax threats to multiple airlines. In a separate incident, another Air India flight to Chicago was diverted to Canada due to an online security threat. Authorities are investigating these incidents and taking all threats seriously.READ FULL

Pacific island nations are becoming major transit points for global drug trafficking, with cartels and criminal syndicates exploiting their strategic locations and vast, unpatrolled ocean territories. Cocaine from Latin America and methamphetamine from Asia are flooding through countries like Fiji and Tonga, leading to increased local drug use and addiction. Recent large-scale drug seizures highlight the growing problem. Law enforcement officials warn that organized crime groups are taking advantage of the region’s vulnerabilities, causing social and economic disruption in these small island communities.READ FULL

North Korea destroyed symbolic roads and railways connecting it to South Korea, prompting a “counter-fire” operation from Seoul. Japan warned against escalation on the Korean peninsula following these actions. Pyongyang had previously vowed to seal its southern border, accusing Seoul of dropping propaganda leaflets. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un directed “immediate military action” in response. Japan’s government pledged to closely monitor the situation as tensions rise between the two Koreas.READ FULL

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected French President Macron’s call for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, stating it would not change Lebanon’s security situation. Netanyahu opposes any deal allowing Hezbollah to rearm. He also expressed surprise at Macron’s plan to host a conference on Lebanon with countries like South Africa and Algeria. Netanyahu criticized these nations for denying Israel’s right to self-defense. France has summoned Israel’s ambassador over an incident involving UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s right to exist and criticized the UN for antisemitic resolutions.READ FULL

World Bank President Ajay Banga estimates war damage from Israeli strikes on Gaza at $14-20 billion, with additional destruction in southern Lebanon. He notes the conflict’s global economic impact is currently limited but could significantly increase if it spreads. Banga emphasizes the “unconscionable” loss of civilian lives on all sides. The broader economic consequences depend largely on whether the conflict expands to involve countries that are major contributors to global growth, including commodity exporters.READ FULL

Former President Barack Obama is campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania today, focusing on early voting initiatives. Following Trump’s rally in Scranton yesterday, Obama’s appearance aims to mobilize Black and young voters in crucial swing states. Having raised over $76 million for the Democratic ticket, Obama sees the election as consequential. Harris, meanwhile, heads to Nevada to connect with Latino voters while monitoring Hurricane Milton’s impact in Florida.READ FULL

North Korea announced plans to permanently shut its border with South Korea, including cutting off roads and railways. The army notified US forces to prevent accidental clashes during the fortification project. This move comes amid deteriorating inter-Korean relations, with Pyongyang recently naming South Korea its “principal enemy.” The announcement coincides with the appointment of No Kwang Chol as the new defense minister, replacing Kang Sun Nam.READ FULL

Eighteen-year-old Nepali mountaineer Nima Rinji Sherpa has become the youngest person to climb all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks after summiting Tibet’s Shisha Pangma. Coming from a family of record-holding mountaineers, he began high-altitude climbing at 16 and completed his final summit Wednesday morning. The previous record was held by Mingma Gyabu Sherpa at age 30. Nepal’s Mountaineering Association hailed it as a proud moment for the country.READ FULL

Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of Bangladesh’s Hindu community, begins tomorrow with five days of celebrations across 31,461 mandaps nationwide, including 252 in Dhaka. The festival features daily rituals from Maha Shasthi to Bijoya Dashami, ending with idol immersion on October 13. The government has extended the holiday to four days, including weekends. Authorities have implemented comprehensive security measures, including a central control room at Dhakeshwari Temple.READ FULL

American John Hopfield, 91, and British-Canadian Geoffrey Hinton, 76, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking contributions to artificial intelligence and machine learning. Hopfield was recognized for developing associative memory systems, while Hinton was honored for his method of autonomous data pattern recognition. The laureates will receive their awards, including a $1 million prize, at the December 10 ceremony in Stockholm from King Carl XVI Gustaf.READ FULL

Turkey has announced plans to evacuate approximately 2,000 of its citizens from Lebanon on Wednesday amid deteriorating security conditions. Two Turkish navy ships will depart from Mersin port on Tuesday heading to Beirut. Of the estimated 14,000 Turkish citizens registered in Lebanon, this initial evacuation will assist the first group. Turkey has also prepared to support nearly 20 other countries requesting help in evacuating their citizens through Turkish territory.READ FULL

Interpol has expanded its “Identify Me” campaign to identify 46 deceased women found across Europe, many victims of murder or suspicious deaths. The initiative, now including Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, and Spain, builds on a 2023 campaign that received 1,800 public tips. Last year, the campaign successfully identified Rita Roberts, a British woman found dead in Belgium 31 years ago, through a distinctive tattoo. Interpol is sharing victims’ photos and personal items to aid identification.READ FULL

Myanmar will send a representative to an ASEAN summit in Laos for the first time in three years, according to a diplomatic source. The junta, previously barred from summits since their 2021 coup, has agreed to send a senior foreign ministry official to the three-day meeting. This marks a potential shift in Myanmar’s stance toward ASEAN’s five-point peace plan, which the junta had previously ignored despite agreeing to it after seizing power.READ FULL

Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 5 storm with winds up to 180 mph, heading toward Florida just weeks after Hurricane Helene. The storm has triggered evacuations and warnings along Florida’s west coast. The situation has sparked political controversy, with Vice President Kamala Harris criticizing Governor Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump for “political gamesmanship” and spreading misinformation about federal disaster response. DeSantis has since spoken with President Biden about storm preparations.READ FULL

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics will be announced today in Stockholm at 11:45 am (0945 GMT). Top contenders include Israeli-British physicist David Deutsch and American mathematician Peter Shor for quantum computing research, and Britain’s John B. Pendry for his “invisibility cloak” work. Other potential winners include experts in atomic force microscopy, exoplanet research, and light manipulation. The announcement follows Monday’s Medicine Prize awarded to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun.READ FULL

A new blast occurred near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. This follows two explosions five days earlier, for which two Swedish nationals are in custody. Police are investigating a possible connection. Sweden’s intelligence agency suggested Iran may be involved in recent incidents near Israeli embassies in Scandinavia. The blast coincides with global protests marking the anniversary of the Israel-Gaza conflict.READ FULL

Mexican Mayor Alejandro Arcos of Chilpancingo was murdered less than a week after taking office, state authorities announced Sunday. The killing in Guerrero state, where drug cartels fight for control, follows another recent murder of city official Francisco Tapia. The incident highlights ongoing violence against local politicians in Mexico, where over 450,000 people have died in drug-related violence since 2006. President Sheinbaum will unveil her security plan Tuesday.READ FULL

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged international pressure on Israel for a ceasefire, supporting US and French efforts. Meanwhile, a new Israeli strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday, with reports of a large explosion and smoke visible. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and escalating conflict in the region.READ FULL

Emirates Airlines has banned passengers from carrying pagers and walkie-talkies on flights due to recent security concerns. The airline has suspended flights to Iraq and Iran until Tuesday, with Lebanon flights halted until October 15 due to Israeli attacks against Hezbollah. Jordan flights will resume Sunday. This follows attacks involving explosive communication devices last month, attributed to but not claimed by Israel. Other airlines have also suspended regional flights amid rising tensions.READ FULL

Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un exchanged messages marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. Xi expressed willingness to deepen cooperation and strengthen strategic communication. Kim pledged to consolidate bilateral ties. China remains a crucial ally for North Korea, helping it navigate international sanctions. Recent developments show North Korea also strengthening ties with Russia amidst the Ukraine conflict.READ FULL

Former US President Donald Trump, at a campaign event in North Carolina, suggested Israel should prioritize striking Iran’s nuclear facilities if it takes military action. This contrasts with President Biden’s stance against such strikes. Trump criticized Biden’s response to a question about potential Israeli action against Iran, stating that nuclear sites should be the primary target. Trump linked the current Middle East tensions to the Biden-Harris administration’s policies.READ FULL

The US is discussing potential strikes on Iranian oil facilities following Iran’s missile attack on Israel. President Biden confirmed these discussions while Israel conducted new airstrikes in Beirut targeting Hezbollah. Israel ordered evacuations in south Lebanon’s towns, including Nabatieh, suggesting an imminent military operation. The situation remains tense as Israel weighs retaliation options against Iran, with Netanyahu vowing consequences for Tuesday’s attack. Oil prices surged amid rising Middle East tensions.READ FULL

Two migrant vessels capsized off Djibouti’s coast in the Red Sea, resulting in 45 deaths. The boats, carrying 310 people from Yemen, were part of irregular migration attempts to Europe. While the UN’s International Organization for Migration reported 32 survivors, Djibouti’s coast guard claimed 115 people were rescued. Search and rescue operations continue near the Khor Angar region, about 150 meters offshore.READ FULL

Former Singapore minister S. Iswaran has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for obstructing justice and receiving over $300,000 in gifts. This marks the first jailing of an ex-cabinet member in Singapore, known for its clean governance. Iswaran pleaded guilty to five charges, including improperly receiving gifts such as tickets to sporting events and musicals. The case has shocked Singapore, raising concerns about public trust in governance.READ FULL

In a fictional 2024 US election scenario, Vice President Kamala Harris replaces Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, facing off against Donald Trump. The race is neck-and-neck, with both candidates warning of high stakes. Trump survives two assassination attempts. The election focuses on seven key swing states, with immigration and foreign policy as major issues. Results may be delayed due to potential disputes.READ FULL

A school bus carrying 44 children and teachers caught fire in Thailand after a tire burst, resulting in up to 25 feared dead. The bus was part of a trip from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam school. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed condolences. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with bodies being recovered from the charred wreckage. The incident highlights Thailand’s poor road safety record, with around 20,000 annual traffic deaths.READ FULL