&imwidth=896&imheight=504&format=webp&quality=medium "Latest News India and World Highlights: Trump-Xi summit, Iran's proposal to end war and more")
In top stories today, Iran has proposed a seven-day plan to the United States that would halt hostilities, reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and pave the way for comprehensive talks over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the proposal on Thursday during a press briefing on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Araghchi said the plan had been delivered to Washington through intermediaries and closely follows commitments outlined in a memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States in June before the agreement unraveled.
In other big news of the day US President Donald Trump hosted his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, for a lavish state dinner at the White House, followed by a day of pomp and ceremony. The event was attended by a host of billionaires, Washington power brokers, and business leaders that included Tesla's Elon Musk, Apple's Tim Cook, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and Sam Altman of OpenAI,
Following up, the parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have begun an indefinite hunger strike in Mumbai, demanding arrests and a swift investigation into the circumstances surrounding their son’s death. Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began their indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Thursday evening, after they were unable to hold the planned demonstration outside the IIT Bombay campus in Powai. The couple is demanding immediate action against those named in the case and accountability for what the family alleges was caste-based discrimination and harassment faced by Sahil at the institute.
Stay with us for the latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.
Iran has submitted a proposal to the United States to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, its foreign minister told media outlets in New York.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in France on Friday for the Vatican's first official visit to the European nation in 18 years, with artificial intelligence, young believers and the continent's future near the top of his agenda.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (Sep 25) said US President Donald Trump told him he would allow Ukraine to produce advanced Patriot air defence missiles, after a series of reversals on the issue.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was on a visit to the United States for the 81st UN General Assembly was asked questions by reporters regarding Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and Pakistan's alleged harbouring of terrorists, which he refused to answer and just walked away.
The Israeli military said Friday that two reserve soldiers were killed in Gaza after an army drone crashed at a military post and exploded moments later. A military source told AFP that the soldiers approached the drone after it initially appeared not to have exploded.
The soldiers were identified as 24-year-old Nadav Kali and 23-year-old Ofek Moalem, both from the 7007th Battalion of the 16th Brigade. The military said the incident is under review.
The deaths bring the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 970, according to the army. Seven of those deaths have occurred since the start of a ceasefire last year.
Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, says nearly 74,000 people have been killed in the war.
Asian markets ended mixed on Friday as investors weighed elevated oil prices, rising bond yields and uncertainty over the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.3%. Sydney and Jakarta also declined. Shanghai, Taipei and Seoul were closed for holidays. Brent crude eased 0.8% to $105.73 a barrel after rising more than 3% on Thursday.
US and Japanese bond yields also remained in focus. The US 10-year Treasury yield reached its highest level since 2007, while Japan’s 10-year yield hit a fresh 30-year high.
Markets also assessed the US-China trade truce extension. The two countries agreed to extend the pause for two months, but disputes over tariffs, agricultural purchases, rare earths and technology restrictions remain unresolved. Analysts said geopolitical risks and oil supply concerns could keep market volatility elevated.
Heavy fighting broke out overnight in Ethiopia’s Afar region as federal forces clashed with Tigray rebels during an attempt to repel an assault on the town of Abala, a humanitarian source told AFP on Friday.
The source said federal forces managed to prevent the rebels from entering the town, which lies in a mountainous area along the border between Afar and Tigray regions.
The Ethiopian army also used a drone during the fighting to defend Abala, according to the humanitarian source. No further details on casualties or damage were immediately available.
The Israeli military said Friday that two reserve soldiers were killed in Gaza after an Israeli army drone crashed at a military post and exploded moments later. A military source told AFP that the soldiers approached the drone after it initially appeared not to have exploded.
The soldiers were identified as 24-year-old Nadav Kali and 23-year-old Ofek Moalem, both from the 7007th Battalion of the 16th Brigade. The military said the incident remains under investigation.
The deaths bring the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 970, according to the army. Seven of those deaths have occurred since the start of a ceasefire last year.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says nearly 74,000 people have been killed in the war. The figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
Around 80 countries have called for the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and condemned what they described as attacks by Iran and its Houthi allies that are disrupting international trade and energy security.
A joint statement read by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations said Iran's actions in the Strait continued to threaten international security and freedom of navigation.
The statement also condemned the Houthis' renewed conflict in Yemen, attacks on Saudi Arabia and strikes in the Red Sea. It warned that Houthi advances towards the Bab el Mandeb Strait could increase risks to international shipping, maritime security and global trade.
The statement was backed by Gulf Arab states and major Western powers. Iran and the Houthis have described their actions as defensive.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said his government has examined the possibility of US military action against Canada and has prepared for what he described as an “extreme tail risk” scenario.
Speaking to The New York Times, Carney said assessing such a possibility was part of responsible risk management, while stressing that it was not the expected scenario. He did not provide details about the preparations.
Tensions between Canada and the United States have increased under US President Donald Trump. Any military conflict would involve a major imbalance in military resources. According to figures cited in the report, the US has more than 2 million active-duty and reserve personnel, compared with fewer than 200,000 in Canada.
Canada's Arctic position and extensive coastline have also contributed to Carney's decision to increase defence spending.
Newcastle University has faced criticism after awarding a professorship of practice in sustainability to Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani and an executive director at Reliance Industries.
The university said the appointment recognised Ambani’s contributions to sustainability and highlighted links between work at Vantara, the wildlife facility he oversees, and its research on conservation and biodiversity.
The decision has drawn criticism from researchers and wildlife conservationists. Lyla Mehta of the Institute of Development Studies accused the university of giving corporate interests academic legitimacy, while conservationist Prerna Singh Bindra questioned whether Vantara should be described as a conservation facility rather than a captive animal facility.
Vantara has faced concerns over its acquisition of animals from around the world, including endangered species. The facility has denied wrongdoing.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has pardoned Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina who spent nearly 15 years on Indonesia's death row for drug trafficking before being sent home. Veloso, 40, is expected to be freed after the pardon since there are no other active cases against her, though Marcos did not specify when that will happen.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday forecast that Tropical Storm Nolo would intensify into a major hurricane as it approached the Big Island of Hawaii. It will be the fourth tropical cyclone to affect Hawaii in 2026.
The investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has widened, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining statements from students, faculty and hostel staff, while his parents have launched a protest demanding action against those they hold responsible for his death.
It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, who joined the company in 2024. Last September, Starbucks closed 627 stores in North America and Europe.
US President Donald Trump used the White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (Sep 24) to praise their relationship, saying the two had “never gotten along better” and thanking Xi for making the long journey from China to Washington.
Iran has proposed a seven-day plan to the United States that would halt hostilities, reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and pave the way for comprehensive talks over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the proposal on Thursday during a press briefing on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
A major landslide triggered by continuous rainfall caused extensive damage in Rimbi Village under the Yuksom-Tashiding Constituency of West Sikkim last night. No loss of life has been reported so far.
