Author: Web Desk

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…

Nepal: Nepal heavy rains have triggered widespread devastation, including landslides and flash floods, blocking roads and washing away bridges across the country. Authorities have reported that 18 people were killed in separate landslides in Ilam district, located in eastern Nepal near the Indian border. In southern Nepal, three people have died due to lightning strikes, while one person drowned in floods in Udayapur district, also in the east. At least 11 individuals have been washed away by floods and remain missing since October 4, with rescue efforts continuing, said Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management…

Chicago: US President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of the National Guard to the US-Mexico border, a move aimed at bolstering federal and state law enforcement efforts to curb illegal immigration. The decision comes amid growing reports of migrant surges and mounting political pressure to tighten border control. According to White House sources, the directive allows governors to request National Guard assistance in high-traffic border zones. These units are expected to assist Border Patrol officers with surveillance, logistics, and infrastructure support but will not directly engage in law enforcement activities. Critics, however, have expressed concern that militarizing the border…

Sochi: Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded sharply to US President Donald Trump’s description of Russia as a ‘paper tiger,’ suggesting NATO itself could fit the label and cautioning the United States against supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Group in Sochi, Putin said Russian forces have advanced along the entire front in Ukraine and that the majority of the US-led NATO alliance is engaged against Russia. Trump, who last week suggested Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost to Moscow and labelled Russia a ‘paper tiger,’ has shifted his stance from previously advocating territorial concessions. Putin…

London: A new report has revealed that TikTok recommends porn and sexually explicit content to accounts registered as children, raising fresh concerns over online safety protections. The investigation has shown that TikTok’s algorithm has pushed sexualised search terms and pornographic videos to accounts set up as 13-year-olds, even when restricted mode has been activated. The research, conducted by campaign group Global Witness, found that four fake accounts created with false dates of birth were quickly exposed to inappropriate material. Researchers discovered that the app’s ‘you may like’ suggestions contained explicit terms, which in turn led to sexualised videos, including clips…