Author: Web Desk

Seoul: South Korea’s role as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting has been challenged by the presence of US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both of whom are expected to command the diplomatic agenda. The country had hoped to leverage the forum to finalise a trade deal with the United States, yet those ambitions appear to be slipping. Trump’s arrival on October 29 marks his first visit to South Korea during his second term, but he will depart the following day, skipping the main sessions of the APEC forum, forcing several other leaders to adjust…

Kingston: Hurricane Melissa has lashed Jamaica with sustained winds reaching 175 mph, marking one of the most powerful hurricanes on record for the Caribbean island. The Category 5 storm, classified as ‘catastrophic’ by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), has continued moving slowly across the Caribbean, heightening fears of widespread damage and flooding. As of October 27 afternoon, the hurricane has hovered over unusually warm Caribbean waters, which have fuelled its rapid intensification and massive size. The NHC has stated that Melissa is expected to pass over Jamaica late October 27 or early October 28 before tracking toward eastern Cuba…

Tokyo: Japan has seen a surge in bear encounters across multiple prefectures as the animals move closer to human settlements. Authorities have issued new safety guidelines to help residents respond during unexpected encounters. Reports of bear sightings and attacks have become almost daily occurrences. In Akita prefecture, a bear attacked both a jogger and a walker in built-up areas, while another incident involved a bear injuring four people before hiding inside a house. None of the victims sustained serious injuries, though nine fatalities have been recorded across Japan since April, according to the environment ministry. This marks the highest annual…

Beijing: India and China have resumed direct flights, signalling a gradual thaw in diplomatic ties after years of strained relations. IndiGo flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata has landed in Guangzhou on October 27, carrying around 180 passengers, marking the first commercial service between the two countries since early 2020. Direct Flights had been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and remained grounded following the deadly border clash in the Himalayas that worsened tensions. However, both countries have made steady efforts to restore cooperation. A landmark border patrol agreement reached last year has paved the way for improving connectivity and trust. Indian…

Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa has rapidly strengthened into a major Category 3 storm, bringing torrential rain and threatening severe flooding in Jamaica and southern Haiti. Authorities have warned residents to take precautionary measures as the storm moves slowly across the northern Caribbean. Hurricane Melissa has been centred about 200 kilometres south-southeast of Kingston and approximately 455 kilometres west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The hurricane is sustaining maximum winds of 185 kilometres per hour (115 miles per hour), according to the hurricane centre. The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston has been closed, while over 650 shelters have been activated across Jamaica. Officials have…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has raised Trump Canada tariffs by an additional 10 percent, citing an advertisement aired by Ontario during the World Series as misleading. The ad, featuring former President Ronald Reagan discussing the risks of tariffs, ran on October 24 and prompted Trump to respond while aboard Air Force One en route to Malaysia. Trump ended trade talks with Ottawa on October 23 over the ad, which he described as fraudulent and hostile. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province would pause the campaign on October 20 after discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to allow…

Gaza City: Hospitals in Gaza have been struggling to provide essential care after two years of conflict, with many patients urgently needing treatment abroad. Gaza medical evacuations have become critical for children and adults whose conditions cannot be treated locally. Among those waiting are two 10-year-old boys at Nasser Hospital, one paralysed from a stray Israeli bullet and another diagnosed with a brain tumour. Families have expressed fear for the children’s lives, highlighting the limitations of local medical facilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) has coordinated the first medical convoy since the fragile ceasefire on 10 October, transporting 41 patients…

London: More than 20 nations supporting Ukraine have pledged to take Russian oil and gas off the global market as part of a coordinated effort to cut Moscow’s war funding. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the coalition aims to choke off resources for President Vladimir Putin’s war machine. The commitment was made at a summit of the ‘coalition of the willing’ in London. The United Kingdom and the United States have imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil firms, while the European Union has targeted liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that maintaining…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced that trade talks with Canada have been terminated following an advert by Ontario that criticised the tariffs imposed by Washington. The advert, part of a $75mn (£40mn) Canadian campaign, quoted former President Ronald Reagan, highlighting how tariffs can harm American workers and consumers. Trump’s administration has implemented a 35 percent levy on multiple Canadian imports, with additional sector-specific tariffs targeting automobiles and steel. Some goods under the free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada have been exempted. Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought to negotiate relief from these levies, but…

Sydney: The New Zealand parliament has selected a bill to debate a proposed teen social media ban, aiming to protect children under 16 from online harm. The legislation has been designed to ensure social media platforms conduct age verification, similar to Australia’s law introduced in 2024. The member’s bill was submitted in May by National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd to restrict children’s access to social media and has received backing from National Party members. Coalition partners have not yet confirmed whether they will support the bill. Members’ bills in New Zealand can be introduced by lawmakers outside the cabinet and…