Author: Fathima T K

Mumbai: Indian sugar stocks fell in early trading on October 19 after the government directed oil marketing companies to reduce sugar diversion for ethanol production to zero for the 2026-27 supply year, raising concerns over profit margins and returns on investment. The latest ethanol tender excludes supplies produced from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses, a sugar-rich by-product of sugarcane crushing. The decision restricts the ability of sugar companies to redirect these raw materials between sugar production and ethanol manufacturing in response to changing market conditions. The policy change could weaken profit margins for sugar producers and reduce returns…

London: The National Trading Standards (NTS) has warned that AI scams are becoming harder to identify as criminals use fake retail websites, cloned voices and deepfake videos to deceive consumers and steal money. Fraudsters are creating professional-looking websites that claim to represent family-owned businesses selling quality products made in the UK. Some sites use images of British high streets with Union Jack flags to make the businesses appear genuine. However, consumers who place orders may receive cheap, mass-produced goods from countries such as China instead of the products advertised. In other cases, the goods may never arrive, trading standards officers…

Najran: The Saudi-led coalition has reported that a reconnaissance helicopter crashed in southwestern Saudi Arabia’s Najran region due to a technical malfunction, killing both crew members. The aircraft involved was an AH-6i reconnaissance helicopter. The crash occurred in an area under the jurisdiction of the Saudi National Guard Ministry. The incident comes as tensions have increased along the Saudi-Yemen border. Najran faced attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces in recent weeks as fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and the Yemen-based group has intensified. The conflict in Yemen also become another front in the wider US-led war with Iran. The latest developments…

Paris: The protests in France have escalated into widespread violence and looting, with at least 1,200 people arrested as an estimated 550,000 demonstrators took to the streets over school conditions and the rising cost of living. Clashes continued in Paris as riot police used tear gas and water cannon against crowds. Officers were seen charging at demonstrators and striking several people with batons. Fires broke out in streets and vehicles were set alight, including near the Place de la République in the city centre. France protests also saw buildings and businesses targeted across the country. In Limoges, a major fire at…

Manila: Philippine authorities have fined 6 companies a combined 1.76 billion pesos ($27.9 million, £21 million) over an alleged onion cartel linked to a sharp rise in prices during the country’s 2022 food crisis. The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) stated that the companies, which include onion importers and storage and shipping firms, were penalised for participating in an illegal market allocation scheme. The commission described the penalty as the largest since its establishment in 2016. Onions are a staple ingredient in Philippine kitchens. Prices surged to a record 800 pesos per kilogram in 2022, exceeding the country’s daily minimum wage…

Washington: Donald Trump, the US President confirmed that the United States is holding talks with Russia and China on denuclearisation, raising the possibility of discussions aimed at reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles held by the world’s largest nuclear powers. Trump stated that Washington was discussing denuclearisation with Moscow and Beijing. The US president described the continued existence of large nuclear arsenals as a serious concern and expressed interest in reducing nuclear weapons if an agreement could be reached. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) noted that Russia holds the world’s largest stockpile of stored nuclear warheads, followed by the United States…

Istanbul: Severe flooding in Istanbul has killed 2 people after the city experienced its heaviest rainfall in 84 years, while hundreds of residents were rescued from flooded areas and submerged vehicles disrupted daily life. The victims include a 14-year-old boy who died from electrocution after stepping into a puddle. A 34-year-old man also died after slipping while attempting to cross a road and hitting his head on the pavement. The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death are being investigated by the Istanbul governorship. Nuri Aslan, the city’s deputy mayor, stated that 595 people was evacuated to safe areas after becoming trapped…

London: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) reported that UK households have paid an average of £13,961 ($18,520) in additional bills since 2021, as rising mortgage repayments, loan costs and utility charges put pressure on family budgets. The union body stated that the increase amounts to an extra £2,792 ($3,704) a year per household. The findings come ahead of the government’s October 28 budget, with the TUC urging John Healey, Chancellor  to introduce measures to ease the cost of living and support household spending. The analysis of official figures found that the UK had recorded the weakest growth in consumer spending…

Congo: Fear of Ebola is keeping mothers and children away from essential healthcare in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), contributing to rising maternal deaths and falling childhood vaccination rates. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported a decline of more than 30 percent in hospital deliveries and a 50 percent drop in treatment for obstetric complications between May and July compared with levels before the outbreak. Health workers warn that avoiding prenatal care and choosing home births can increase the risk of death when pregnancy or delivery complications arise. The outbreak has spread across 7 provinces, infecting more…

England: Water companies are seeking new restrictions on non-essential business water use as drought conditions continue across much of England, putting pressure on rivers, groundwater supplies and wildlife. South East Water, Southern Water and South West Water have applied to extend water restrictions to businesses in parts of their service areas. The proposed non-essential use bans could prevent golf clubs and private schools from using mains water to irrigate playing fields and courses. Commercial car washes could also be required to stop operating. The applications come after businesses in drought-affected areas were excluded from the hosepipe restrictions imposed on the…