Author: Web Desk

Mexico: Heavy rains in Mexico have killed at least 27 people and left several others missing as downpours triggered landslides, flooded streets, and caused rivers to overflow in several states. Civil protection authorities in Hidalgo reported 16 fatalities and said that over 1,000 homes and hundreds of schools have been affected by the severe weather. In Puebla, Governor Alejandro Armenta said that at least nine people have died due to incidents including landslides, while five others remain missing. Veracruz state authorities reported two additional deaths. President Claudia Sheinbaum said that emergency teams are working to support the population, reopen blocked…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that an additional 100 percent tariff will be imposed on imports from China from next month. The announcement has added to tensions between the two largest economies as both sides harden their positions on trade and technology. Trump has also confirmed that the United States will introduce export controls on critical software. The decision follows China’s move to tighten rules for rare earth exports, a sector in which Beijing dominates global production. These materials are essential for manufacturing vehicles, smartphones, and advanced electronics. https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1976752806389596388 Trump has accused China of becoming hostile and attempting…

Mumbai: Sir Keir Starmer has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first visit to the country. The meeting has taken place in Mumbai, where the British Prime Minister is leading a two-day trade mission accompanied by the largest-ever UK delegation to India, including over 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and cultural leaders. The discussions have focused on strengthening business and trade relations following the signing of a landmark UK-India trade deal in July. Under the agreement, India’s average tariff on UK goods will fall from 15 percent to 3 percent, while the United Kingdom will reduce import duties…

Kabul: Social media restrictions have been enforced in Afghanistan as the Taliban government has applied filters to control content on major online platforms, according to sources at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The filters have been designed to restrict certain types of posts on Facebook, Instagram and X, though officials have not clarified which categories are being targeted. Several users in Kabul have reported that videos on their Facebook accounts are no longer accessible, while Instagram use has also been severely limited. These restrictions follow a two-day nationwide internet shutdown last week that affected telecommunications, businesses and air…

Tokyo: Sanae Takaichi has faced early challenges in forming a stable government as Japan’s likely next prime minister, with the ruling party’s coalition partner Komeito expressing concerns about her stance on key issues. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has selected hardline conservative Takaichi as its new leader in a weekend vote, positioning her to become Japan’s first female premier later this month. However, a rift with the moderate Komeito could delay or even jeopardise her confirmation in parliament, where the coalition lacks a guaranteed majority. Takaichi has held discussions with Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito to address concerns about her conservative…

London: Gold prices have reached record highs, extending a powerful rally driven by investors seeking stability amid economic and geopolitical volatility. The surge in gold prices reflects strong safe-haven demand and growing confidence that the US Federal Reserve will move towards additional interest rate cuts. Spot gold has been trading 0.7 percent higher at $4,011.18 (£3,185) per ounce by 0300 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery have gained 0.7 percent to $4,033.40 (£3,200) per ounce. Spot gold has jumped 53 percent year-to-date after a 27 percent rise in 2024, marking one of the strongest performances in decades. Market…

Mumbai: India has allowed users to authenticate instant digital payments through facial recognition and fingerprints under the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) network starting October 8. This new feature, known as biometric authentication for UPI payments in India, uses Aadhaar-based verification to simplify digital transactions. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which operates UPI, has introduced this biometric approval option in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s latest guidelines permitting alternative authentication methods. Until now, users have relied primarily on numeric PINs to verify payments. The shift marks a significant advancement in the country’s digital payment ecosystem, offering faster…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has called off diplomatic efforts with Venezuela, instructing his special envoy Richard Grenell to halt all outreach. This decision follows a series of US military strikes on vessels carrying drugs near Venezuelan waters, as Trump described the situation as a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. The US official confirmed that while Trump is considering further military action inside Venezuela, no decision has been made on advancing the campaign to a second phase. The president communicated his directive to Grenell during a meeting in the Oval Office last October 2, which also included senior military…

Darjeeling: Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides in India’s Darjeeling region, killing at least 18 people and damaging critical infrastructure, officials have reported. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue in remote areas. The intense rainfall has washed away homes, roads, and two iron bridges, disrupting connectivity in several districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, areas known for their tea plantations. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s chief minister, said that large tracts of land have been inundated, and infrastructure damage has been widespread. Highway traffic has been severely affected, particularly where an iron…

Canberra: Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have signed a defence deal granting both countries access to each other’s military facilities and mutual defence support in case of an attack. The Australia-PNG defence agreement, signed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape in Canberra, has been described as rooted in geography, history, and regional cooperation rather than geopolitics. The pact, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, allows up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in Australia’s military, with the option of obtaining Australian citizenship. Marape emphasised that the agreement has been transparent to China and…