The Israeli parliament has preliminarily approved a bill that imposes Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Hamas decried the move and said it “reflects the ugly face of the colonial occupation”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the move threatens the fragile ceasefire deal in Gaza. He is in Israel now following the visit of the US Vice President JD Vance.The bill was passed on Wednesday, following a narrow margin of 25-24 votes. The bill, referred to as "Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025,” was pushed by far-right MK Avi Maoz. It will now be discussed by the Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee.&nbsp;"They passed a vote in the Knesset, but the president (Donald Trump) has made clear that’s not something we’d be supportive of right now," &nbsp;said Rubio.&nbsp;Hamas' statement called this a direct violation of international law. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and that Israel should withdraw its settlers."We affirm that the occupation's frantic attempts to annex West Bank lands are invalid and illegitimate and will not change the fact that the West Bank is Palestinian territory according to history, international law, and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice issued in 2024," said Hamas' statement.&nbsp;The United Arab Emirates, in September, indicated that West Bank Annexation would violate the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which was aimed at normalising Israel Arab relations.&nbsp;Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a statement, said that it denounces and condemns the Israeli Knesset's approval, reiterates its support for the “…historical right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital…”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Statement?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Statement</a> | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia&#39;s condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli Knesset&#39;s approval, in preliminary reading, of two draft laws aimed at imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and legitimizing Israeli… <a href="https://t.co/HGUJiuF9lw">pic.twitter.com/HGUJiuF9lw</a>&mdash; Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAmofaEN/status/1981074732360618019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Oslo Accords of 1993 were meant to initiate a phased withdrawal of Israel from Palestinian territory in Gaza and the West Bank. The West Bank was divided into three areas: Area A under Palestinian civil and security control, Area B under Palestinian civil control and Israeli security control, and &nbsp;Area C under Israeli military and civil control. However, the planned Israeli withdrawal was never fully realised. As of mid-October 2025, there had been reports of at least 1000 attacks in the year, with 40,000 Palestinians forced from their homes in refugee camps in Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm since October 7, 2023.

Israel’s parliament narrowly passes a bill to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Hamas condemned the move, and the US Secretary of State warned of its implications on the Gaza cease-fire deal

The Israeli parliament has preliminarily approved a bill that imposes Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Hamas decried the move and said it “reflects the ugly face of the colonial occupation”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the move threatens the fragile ceasefire deal in Gaza. He is in Israel now following the visit of the US Vice President JD Vance. The bill was passed on Wednesday, following a narrow margin of 25-24 votes. The bill, referred to as "Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025,” was pushed by far-right MK Avi Maoz. It will now be discussed by the Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. "They passed a vote in the Knesset, but the president (Donald Trump) has made clear that’s not something we’d be supportive of right now," said Rubio. Hamas' statement called this a direct violation of international law. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and that Israel should withdraw its settlers. "We affirm that the occupation's frantic attempts to annex West Bank lands are invalid and illegitimate and will not change the fact that the West Bank is Palestinian territory according to history, international law, and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice issued in 2024," said Hamas' statement. The United Arab Emirates, in September, indicated that West Bank Annexation would violate the spirit of the Abraham Accords, which was aimed at normalising Israel Arab relations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a statement, said that it denounces and condemns the Israeli Knesset's approval, reiterates its support for the “…historical right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital…”

Israel’s parliament narrowly passes a bill to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank. Hamas condemned the move, and the US Secretary of State warned of its implications on the Gaza cease-fire deal

Israel's parliament approves bill for West Bank annexation, Rubio warns of a fallout

In a significant development and major relief for millions of migrant workers, Saudi Arabia has officially announced to end of the Kafala System, providing more freedom and rights to work in the country. The plan to end the Kafala labour system was announced in June as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 'Vision 2030', a multi-trillion-dollar plan to clean the reputation of the country to attract foreign investors, including the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and reforms.<h3>What is the kafala system?</h3>The five-decade-old Kafala labour sponsorship system, which had been in place in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East, was an inhuman control over employees, which included the seizure of travel documents and the decision on when they could change their jobs or leave the country.&nbsp;This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel, a sponsor who could be either an individual or a company.&nbsp;This kafeel held extensive authority over the workers’ lives, deciding their place of employment, controlling their wages, and even determining where they could live.&nbsp;More disturbingly, workers were barred from filing abuse complaints without their sponsor’s approval — a clause that seemed both illogical and unjust. Although conditions were somewhat better for skilled or white-collar employees, the system drew widespread criticism from labour and human rights organisations.<h3>How the kafala system will affect the Indian labourers</h3>The end of this system is a landmark move in Gulf labour reforms, aligning with international human rights standards and responding to long-standing pressures from human rights organisations like the International Labour Organisation (ILO), but it has significantly affected around 2.3 to 2.6 million Indian migrant workers residing and working in the kingdom. In addition, it is expected to affect nearly 13 million foreign workers overall, with Indians being the largest expatriate worker group.&nbsp;No matter how exploited they were, and now finally received relief, but due to this system, Indian workers were getting more jobs as compared to other nations, resulting in a record of receiving a high amount of remittance for India. Based on the last reported fiscal year (2023-24), Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately 6.7 per cent of India's total inward remittances.&nbsp;Despite gaining more freedom and mobility, workers may still face challenges in securing new jobs, as individual sponsors might feel uncertain or hesitant about hiring foreign labourers easily without any terms and conditions.

This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel.

In a significant development and major relief for millions of migrant workers, Saudi Arabia has officially announced to end of the Kafala System, providing more freedom and rights to work in the country. The plan to end the Kafala labour system was announced in June as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 'Vision 2030', a multi-trillion-dollar plan to clean the reputation of the country to attract foreign investors, including the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and reforms. What is the kafala system? The five-decade-old Kafala labour sponsorship system, which had been in place in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East, was an inhuman control over employees, which included the seizure of travel documents and the decision on when they could change their jobs or leave the country. This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel, a sponsor who could be either an individual or a company. This kafeel held extensive authority over the workers’ lives, deciding their place of employment, controlling their wages, and even determining where they could live. More disturbingly, workers were barred from filing abuse complaints without their sponsor’s approval — a clause that seemed both illogical and unjust. Although conditions were somewhat better for skilled or white-collar employees, the system drew widespread criticism from labour and human rights organisations. How the kafala system will affect the Indian labourers The end of this system is a landmark move in Gulf labour reforms, aligning with international human rights standards and responding to long-standing pressures from human rights organisations like the International Labour Organisation (ILO), but it has significantly affected around 2.3 to 2.6 million Indian migrant workers residing and working in the kingdom. In addition, it is expected to affect nearly 13 million foreign workers overall, with Indians being the largest expatriate worker group. No matter how exploited they were, and now finally received relief, but due to this system, Indian workers were getting more jobs as compared to other nations, resulting in a record of receiving a high amount of remittance for India. Based on the last reported fiscal year (2023-24), Saudi Arabia accounted for approximately 6.7 per cent of India's total inward remittances. Despite gaining more freedom and mobility, workers may still face challenges in securing new jobs, as individual sponsors might feel uncertain or hesitant about hiring foreign labourers easily without any terms and conditions.

This system was introduced in the 1950s to regulate the flow of skilled and unskilled foreign workers from India and other Southeast Asian nations. To prevent the local economy from being overwhelmed by cheap labour, every incoming worker was 'tied' to a kafeel.

What is Kafala system? Saudi Arabia abolishes labour system that can affect 2.3 million Indian workers

US President Donald Trump clarified on Wednesday (Oct 22) that a news report on the United States giving approval to Ukraine to use long-range missiles deep into Russia was false. In a post on his Truth Social, Trump added that the US "has nothing to do with those missiles." Trump was referring to a news report by The Wall Street Journal, citing unidentified US officials saying that the Trump administration had lifted a restriction on Ukraine's use of some long-range missiles provided by Western allies.&nbsp;Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Journal story on "the U.S.A.'s approval of Ukraine being allowed to use long range missiles deep into Russia" was false. "The US has nothing to do with those missiles, wherever they may come from, or what Ukraine does with them!," Trump added. Trump had earlier refused to send Tomahawk missiles to the US. This comes at a time when NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Trump and said that he supported President's decision not to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Trump explained that while the Tomahawk is a powerful weapon, its complexity means it’s not a practical option for Ukraine in the near term.&nbsp;Earlier in the day, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. This announcement came shortly after Trump canceled a planned second summit with Putin in Budapest, stating the meeting “didn’t feel right” and that progress wasn’t likely, though he left open the possibility of future talks. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting, I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in remarks at the White House on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “No precise timeframe was initially set here” and that “Preparation is needed, serious preparation.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Trump’s demand for “an immediate ceasefire, which has suddenly become a topic of discussion again,” was contrary to what was agreed at the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska in August.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trump denied reports that the US approved Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russia, calling them false. The US also sanctioned Russia’s top oil firms and canceled a Putin summit, citing lack of progress.

US President Donald Trump clarified on Wednesday (Oct 22) that a news report on the United States giving approval to Ukraine to use long-range missiles deep into Russia was false. In a post on his Truth Social, Trump added that the US "has nothing to do with those missiles." Trump was referring to a news report by The Wall Street Journal, citing unidentified US officials saying that the Trump administration had lifted a restriction on Ukraine's use of some long-range missiles provided by Western allies. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the Journal story on "the U.S.A.'s approval of Ukraine being allowed to use long range missiles deep into Russia" was false. "The US has nothing to do with those missiles, wherever they may come from, or what Ukraine does with them!," Trump added. Trump had earlier refused to send Tomahawk missiles to the US. This comes at a time when NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met Trump and said that he supported President's decision not to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Trump explained that while the Tomahawk is a powerful weapon, its complexity means it’s not a practical option for Ukraine in the near term. Earlier in the day, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. This announcement came shortly after Trump canceled a planned second summit with Putin in Budapest, stating the meeting “didn’t feel right” and that progress wasn’t likely, though he left open the possibility of future talks. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting, I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in remarks at the White House on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “No precise timeframe was initially set here” and that “Preparation is needed, serious preparation.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Trump’s demand for “an immediate ceasefire, which has suddenly become a topic of discussion again,” was contrary to what was agreed at the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska in August.

Trump denied reports that the US approved Ukraine to use long-range missiles in Russia, calling them false. The US also sanctioned Russia’s top oil firms and canceled a Putin summit, citing lack of progress.

Did US approve Ukraine's use of long-range missiles? Trump reveals the TRUTH

Authorities in South Africa have suspended eight students after a shocking bullying incident at Milnerton High School in Cape Town sparked national outrage. A video showing the brutal assault was widely circulated on social media, showing several boys attacking a fellow student using various objects such as a hockey stick, a hose pipe, and a belt. The disturbing footage has led to widespread public anger, with parents staging protests outside the school. These protests were dispersed by police using tear gas, and members of various political parties have also expressed support for further demonstrations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Bullying is a longstanding issue in South African schools, and this latest incident, which has garnered intense attention, is one of the most violent to emerge in recent years. The mother of the 16-year-old boy in the video shared her heartbreak, revealing that her son had just finished cancer treatment earlier this year. "My child had just beaten cancer only for something like this to happen to him," she was quoted as saying while speaking to local news outlet News24.&nbsp;<h2>Watch the disturbing video</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">A disturbing video showing a Grade 10 learner from Milnerton High School being assaulted by fellow students. Nationwide outrage and urgent calls for tougher action against school bullying.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopBullying?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopBullying</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MilnertonHigh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MilnertonHigh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SchoolViolence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SchoolViolence</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProtectOurChildren?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProtectOurChildren</a> <a href="https://t.co/AtVWljvPqd">pic.twitter.com/AtVWljvPqd</a>&mdash; Pro Jileka (@MVProJileka) <a href="https://twitter.com/MVProJileka/status/1980628246887801023?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Following the attack, the teen has been withdrawn from the school for his safety. In response to the incident, numerous organisations, including Amnesty International South Africa, condemned the assault. Amnesty referred to the video as "deeply disturbing" and called for swift disciplinary measures. The video, lasting just over two minutes, shows the victim pleading for the attack to stop while some of the perpetrators continue to beat him. Others are seen laughing and cheering, further adding to the cruelty of the scene.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-illegal-alien-truck-rams-into-suv-other-vehicles-in-ontario-3-dead-truck-driver-identified-is-he-indian-1761189584818">'Illegal alien': Truck rams into SUV, other vehicles in Ontario, 3 dead, truck driver arrested- Is he Indian</a>&nbsp;South Africa's Ministry of Education has confirmed it is working with the Western Cape Education Department, which oversees the school, to address the situation. Both entities have assured the public that the suspended students will face appropriate consequences. They also urged against sharing the video, emphasising the need to protect the dignity and privacy of everyone involved. The incident has prompted a response from parliament as well. Joy Maimela, chairperson of the education committee, expressed her ‘utter horror’ and labeled the attack as a criminal act, calling for immediate and decisive action from the authorities.

Outrage erupts in South Africa after brutal bullying incident goes viral on social media | What's happening

Authorities in South Africa have suspended eight students after a shocking bullying incident at Milnerton High School in Cape Town sparked national outrage. A video showing the brutal assault was widely circulated on social media, showing several boys attacking a fellow student using various objects such as a hockey stick, a hose pipe, and a belt. The disturbing footage has led to widespread public anger, with parents staging protests outside the school. These protests were dispersed by police using tear gas, and members of various political parties have also expressed support for further demonstrations. Bullying is a longstanding issue in South African schools, and this latest incident, which has garnered intense attention, is one of the most violent to emerge in recent years. The mother of the 16-year-old boy in the video shared her heartbreak, revealing that her son had just finished cancer treatment earlier this year. "My child had just beaten cancer only for something like this to happen to him," she was quoted as saying while speaking to local news outlet News24. Watch the disturbing video

A disturbing bullying attack at Milnerton High School in Cape Town has sparked national outrage in South Africa. A video shows a 16-year-old boy being assaulted by multiple students

A fatal crash involving a semitruck and an SUV took place on the 10 Freeway in California's Ontario on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 22).The semi-truck slammed into the back of an SUV and then plowed into multiple other vehicles in the same lane, leading to death of three people. Dashcam footage appears to show that the driver did not apply breaks on the freeway. At least four were also injured in the accident. Authorities have now arrested the driver of the truck. He has been identified as 21-year old Punjabi truck driver named Jashanpreet Singh.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-trucker-harjinder-singh-s-family-calls-florida-crash-mistake-not-crime-over-1mn-sign-petition-for-his-release-what-we-know-1756008835251">'Mistake, not crime': Indian trucker Harjinder Singh stays in US jail amid 1M signatures demanding release - What is the case against him</a>&nbsp;The recent incident involving a Sikh truck driver in the U.S. follows ongoing legal proceedings against Indian-origin driver Harjinder Singh, accused of making an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike that resulted in three deaths. Harjinder's case had sparked a large debate over alleged corruption in California’s commercial driver license system, with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy citing it as a reason for withholding $40 million in federal funds. Over 1.6 million people had signed a petition calling for the release of Harjinder Singh. Supporters argue it was a tragic accident, not a crime, while critics say the petition undermines the US justice system. A counter-petition urges strict punishment, warning against leniency.&nbsp;<h2>Is Jashanpreet Singh an Indian citizen?</h2>Officials have so far confirmed that Jashanpreet Singh is from Yuba City, Northern California, but have not disclosed his citizenship or immigration status. The case has reignited debate over California’s truck driver licensing system again.According to CHP officer Rodrigo Jimenez, the 21-year-old driver was hospitalised after the crash, where medical staff and officers determined he was under the influence of drugs. Singh reportedly failed to brake before colliding with slow-moving traffic, killing three people, KTLA reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-minister-wants-centre-s-intervention-in-harjinder-singh-s-case-after-us-pauses-foreign-truck-driver-visas-1756094457179">Indian minister wants Centre's intervention in Harjinder Singh's case after US pauses foreign truck driver visas</a>&nbsp;While authorities have not verified his nationality, Fox News reporter Bill Melugin claimed—citing ICE sources—that Singh is an “Indian illegal alien” who was caught and released at the California border in March 2022 under the Biden administration. Melugin added that ICE has placed a detainer on Singh with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, where he remains in custody on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. Officials have yet to confirm these claims or formally file charges, and the victims’ identities have not been released.

A deadly crash on California’s 10 Freeway killed three when trucker Jashanpreet Singh, reportedly under the influence, slammed into traffic. Singh, from Yuba City, is in custody amid claims he’s an Indian illegal immigrant, reigniting debates over licensing and immigration.

A fatal crash involving a semitruck and an SUV took place on the 10 Freeway in California's Ontario on Tuesday afternoon (Oct 22).The semi-truck slammed into the back of an SUV and then plowed into multiple other vehicles in the same lane, leading to death of three people. Dashcam footage appears to show that the driver did not apply breaks on the freeway. At least four were also injured in the accident. Authorities have now arrested the driver of the truck. He has been identified as 21-year old Punjabi truck driver named Jashanpreet Singh. Read More | 'Mistake, not crime': Indian trucker Harjinder Singh stays in US jail amid 1M signatures demanding release - What is the case against him The recent incident involving a Sikh truck driver in the U.S. follows ongoing legal proceedings against Indian-origin driver Harjinder Singh, accused of making an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike that resulted in three deaths. Harjinder's case had sparked a large debate over alleged corruption in California’s commercial driver license system, with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy citing it as a reason for withholding $40 million in federal funds. Over 1.6 million people had signed a petition calling for the release of Harjinder Singh. Supporters argue it was a tragic accident, not a crime, while critics say the petition undermines the US justice system. A counter-petition urges strict punishment, warning against leniency. Is Jashanpreet Singh an Indian citizen? Officials have so far confirmed that Jashanpreet Singh is from Yuba City, Northern California, but have not disclosed his citizenship or immigration status. The case has reignited debate over California’s truck driver licensing system again. According to CHP officer Rodrigo Jimenez, the 21-year-old driver was hospitalised after the crash, where medical staff and officers determined he was under the influence of drugs. Singh reportedly failed to brake before colliding with slow-moving traffic, killing three people, KTLA reported. Read More | Indian minister wants Centre's intervention in Harjinder Singh's case after US pauses foreign truck driver visas While authorities have not verified his nationality, Fox News reporter Bill Melugin claimed—citing ICE sources—that Singh is an “Indian illegal alien” who was caught and released at the California border in March 2022 under the Biden administration. Melugin added that ICE has placed a detainer on Singh with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, where he remains in custody on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. Officials have yet to confirm these claims or formally file charges, and the victims’ identities have not been released.

A deadly crash on California’s 10 Freeway killed three when trucker Jashanpreet Singh, reportedly under the influence, slammed into traffic. Singh, from Yuba City, is in custody amid claims he’s an Indian illegal immigrant, reigniting debates over licensing and immigration.

'Illegal alien': Truck rams into SUV, other vehicles in Ontario, 3 dead, truck driver arrested- Is he Indian

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that India will cut down its Russian oil imports amid pressure from the US administration. Trump on Wednesday (Oct 22) claimed that India will "sharply reduce" its imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, citing a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the reduction would be gradual but significant. This is the first time Trump has provided a time-frame on when India will cut the Russian imports. This comes despite New Delhi stating that it takes decisions to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario.”&nbsp;"India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing," the President said. "India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday, and they have been absolutely great," Trump said, adding that the phase-out would be gradual to ensure stability in global markets.&nbsp;Earlier, Trump revealed that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about trade as he extended Diwali wishes to him. Trump, during Diwali event at the White House, reiterated that PM Modi has reassured him that India would lower its Russian oil imports. Trump also called PM Modi a "great friend". The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, FBI chief Kash Patel and intelligence head Tulsi Gabbard, besides the new US envoy to India Sergio Gor and other prominentIndian American business leaders.&nbsp;"I just spoke to your prime minister today. We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He's very interested in that," he told reporters at the White House. Repeating his controversial claims about India not buying Russian oil and PM Modi agreeing to it, he said, “We just have a very good relationship, and he's not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as with Russia and Ukraine. And as you know, they're not going to be buying too much oil. So, they've got it way back, and they're continuing to cut it way back.” This comes despite the Indian government rejecting his claims by stating that India's energy imports are based on its own demands.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said PM Modi assured him India will sharply cut Russian oil imports by year-end, calling the move gradual but major. He praised Modi as a “great friend” during Diwali events, though India’s government clarified its energy choices depend on domestic needs

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that India will cut down its Russian oil imports amid pressure from the US administration. Trump on Wednesday (Oct 22) claimed that India will "sharply reduce" its imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, citing a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the reduction would be gradual but significant. This is the first time Trump has provided a time-frame on when India will cut the Russian imports. This comes despite New Delhi stating that it takes decisions to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario.” "India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing," the President said. "India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday, and they have been absolutely great," Trump said, adding that the phase-out would be gradual to ensure stability in global markets. Earlier, Trump revealed that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about trade as he extended Diwali wishes to him. Trump, during Diwali event at the White House, reiterated that PM Modi has reassured him that India would lower its Russian oil imports. Trump also called PM Modi a "great friend". The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, FBI chief Kash Patel and intelligence head Tulsi Gabbard, besides the new US envoy to India Sergio Gor and other prominentIndian American business leaders. "I just spoke to your prime minister today. We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He's very interested in that," he told reporters at the White House. Repeating his controversial claims about India not buying Russian oil and PM Modi agreeing to it, he said, “We just have a very good relationship, and he's not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as with Russia and Ukraine. And as you know, they're not going to be buying too much oil. So, they've got it way back, and they're continuing to cut it way back.” This comes despite the Indian government rejecting his claims by stating that India's energy imports are based on its own demands.

US President Donald Trump said PM Modi assured him India will sharply cut Russian oil imports by year-end, calling the move gradual but major. He praised Modi as a “great friend” during Diwali events, though India’s government clarified its energy choices depend on domestic needs

'That's a big thing': Trump says India will cut down Russian oil imports to 'almost nothing' by year-end, cites call with PM Modi

On Wednesday (October 22), over 20 people were arrested after protests turned violent for the third consecutive night outside a hotel housing asylum seekers near Dublin. Authorities reported 23 arrests as demonstrators threw bottles, bricks, and fireworks at police officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, southwest of Dublin. This follows a similar protest the previous evening, which saw six people arrested and a police van set alight. Monday's protest had been peaceful. The unrest was sparked by reports claiming that a 26-year-old man, allegedly involved in the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near the hotel, was an asylum seeker. Authorities have not confirmed these claims.&nbsp;Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan condemned the ‘thuggish violence’ and warned that more arrests could follow. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin also criticised the violent protests and the ‘vile abuse’ directed at police, describing the assault on the child as 'extremely serious'.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sanctions-two-russian-oil-companies-over-putin-s-lack-of-commitment-to-end-ukraine-war-1761181823262">Trump sanctions two Russian oil companies over Putin's 'lack of commitment ' to end Ukraine war</a>&nbsp;Rising anti-immigration sentiment in both Ireland and the UK has led to similar protests, with hotels accommodating asylum seekers becoming common flashpoints. In June, unrest in Northern Ireland resulted in injuries to multiple officers after two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of attempting to rape a young girl. Irish police said that Tuesday’s violence was coordinated by online groups inciting hatred, and that most of the individuals involved in the unrest were young men and teenagers. Two officers sustained injuries, one from a bottle thrown at their head and another from an arm injury, requiring hospital treatment.&nbsp;A 26-year-old man appeared in court earlier on Tuesday (October 21), facing charges related to an alleged sexual assault that reportedly occurred at a location near a hotel. The victim, who was in state care at the time, had reportedly gone missing after leaving a trip to the city center. The child and family agency, Tusla, confirmed that she had ‘absconded’ before being reported as missing.&nbsp;In a statement earlier, Minister Martin called the alleged assault extremely serious and deeply troubling, acknowledging the widespread concern, anger, and anxiety it had stirred across the country. He further said, “Clearly, there has been a failure in the state's duty to safeguard this child.”&nbsp;In June, tensions flared in Northern Ireland after two teenagers were arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a young girl in Ballymena. Dozens of police officers were injured during the ensuing anti-immigrant riots. While the ethnicity of the accused has not been officially confirmed, it was reported that one of them requested a Romanian interpreter in court, fueling what officials described as a ‘racist’ backlash, leading to attacks on homes and businesses.

Dublin protests: Tensions escalate as 23 arrested after clashing with police; riots enter third day

On Wednesday (October 22), over 20 people were arrested after protests turned violent for the third consecutive night outside a hotel housing asylum seekers near Dublin. Authorities reported 23 arrests as demonstrators threw bottles, bricks, and fireworks at police officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, southwest of Dublin. This follows a similar protest the previous evening, which saw six people arrested and a police van set alight. Monday's protest had been peaceful. The unrest was sparked by reports claiming that a 26-year-old man, allegedly involved in the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl near the hotel, was an asylum seeker. Authorities have not confirmed these claims. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan condemned the ‘thuggish violence’ and warned that more arrests could follow. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin also criticised the violent protests and the ‘vile abuse’ directed at police, describing the assault on the child as 'extremely serious'. Also Read: Trump sanctions two Russian oil companies over Putin's 'lack of commitment ' to end Ukraine war Rising anti-immigration sentiment in both Ireland and the UK has led to similar protests, with hotels accommodating asylum seekers becoming common flashpoints. In June, unrest in Northern Ireland resulted in injuries to multiple officers after two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of attempting to rape a young girl. Irish police said that Tuesday’s violence was coordinated by online groups inciting hatred, and that most of the individuals involved in the unrest were young men and teenagers. Two officers sustained injuries, one from a bottle thrown at their head and another from an arm injury, requiring hospital treatment. A 26-year-old man appeared in court earlier on Tuesday (October 21), facing charges related to an alleged sexual assault that reportedly occurred at a location near a hotel. The victim, who was in state care at the time, had reportedly gone missing after leaving a trip to the city center. The child and family agency, Tusla, confirmed that she had ‘absconded’ before being reported as missing. In a statement earlier, Minister Martin called the alleged assault extremely serious and deeply troubling, acknowledging the widespread concern, anger, and anxiety it had stirred across the country. He further said, “Clearly, there has been a failure in the state's duty to safeguard this child.” In June, tensions flared in Northern Ireland after two teenagers were arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a young girl in Ballymena. Dozens of police officers were injured during the ensuing anti-immigrant riots. While the ethnicity of the accused has not been officially confirmed, it was reported that one of them requested a Romanian interpreter in court, fueling what officials described as a ‘racist’ backlash, leading to attacks on homes and businesses.

Tensions outside a Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers led to violent clashes with police, resulting in 23 arrests, injuries, and property damage

In a big action against Russia. the United States hit two major Russian oil companies with sanctions on Wednesday (Oct 22). US President Donald Trump accused Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of a lack of commitment toward ending the war in Ukraine, as Moscow conducted a major training exercise involving nuclear arms. This comes after Trump said that he cancelled the Budapest meeting with Putin because he did not want to waste his time.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US Treasury Department said Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, were targeted. "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. This is the first time sanctions have been imposed on Russian since Trump came to power for the second time. For months, Trump has resisted pressure from US lawmakers to impose energy sanctions, hoping that Putin would agree to end the fighting.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US president said he was not yet prepared to supply Ukraine with the long-range Tomahawk missiles it had requested. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump explained that Ukrainian forces would need at least six months of training to operate the weapons effectively.&nbsp;Meanwhile, a day ago, Trump had confirmed that he won't meet Putin. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting, I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in remarks at the White House on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “No precise timeframe was initially set here” and that “Preparation is needed, serious preparation.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Trump’s demand for “an immediate ceasefire, which has suddenly become a topic of discussion again,” was contrary to what was agreed at the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska in August.&nbsp;

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia’s major oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil, accusing Moscow of prolonging the Ukraine war. Trump canceled a planned summit with Putin, citing poor timing, as Russia held nuclear drills and the EU approved new sanctions, escalating tensions further.

In a big action against Russia. the United States hit two major Russian oil companies with sanctions on Wednesday (Oct 22). US President Donald Trump accused Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of a lack of commitment toward ending the war in Ukraine, as Moscow conducted a major training exercise involving nuclear arms. This comes after Trump said that he cancelled the Budapest meeting with Putin because he did not want to waste his time. The US Treasury Department said Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, were targeted. "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. This is the first time sanctions have been imposed on Russian since Trump came to power for the second time. For months, Trump has resisted pressure from US lawmakers to impose energy sanctions, hoping that Putin would agree to end the fighting. The US president said he was not yet prepared to supply Ukraine with the long-range Tomahawk missiles it had requested. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump explained that Ukrainian forces would need at least six months of training to operate the weapons effectively. Meanwhile, a day ago, Trump had confirmed that he won't meet Putin. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting, I don’t want to have a waste of time — so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in remarks at the White House on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “No precise timeframe was initially set here” and that “Preparation is needed, serious preparation.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that Trump’s demand for “an immediate ceasefire, which has suddenly become a topic of discussion again,” was contrary to what was agreed at the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska in August.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia’s major oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil, accusing Moscow of prolonging the Ukraine war. Trump canceled a planned summit with Putin, citing poor timing, as Russia held nuclear drills and the EU approved new sanctions, escalating tensions further.

Trump sanctions two Russian oil companies over Putin's 'lack of commitment ' to end Ukraine war

In addition to the Louvre's wild history of robbery, on Oct 19, four thieves robbed the museum of precious and priceless crown jewels in just seven minutes and fled the scene in a Hollywood movie-style getaway.

From the Mona Lisa to Crown Jewels: Heists and history, the Louvre's most infamous thefts

The Horn of Africa has become the western anchor of China’s maritime strategy. At its northern edge stands Djibouti, hosting the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s first overseas base since 2017. Farther south, along the same arc of sea, Pakistan’s newly minted defence partnership with Somalia signals the quiet expansion of that architecture. Between the logistics hub in Djibouti and the training corridor proposed for Mogadishu lies a developing continuum of Chinese influence, mediated through partners and layered across commercial, military, and developmental channels.This corridor, if mapped on maritime traffic and defence cooperation data, outlines a single integrated network along the western rim of the Indian Ocean. The partnership between Pakistan and Somalia is therefore not a bilateral curiosity but the southern flank of an evolving strategic chain that ties Chinese naval logistics, shipbuilding finance, and training diplomacy into one continuous system.From Djibouti’s Quays to Karachi’s ShipyardsChina’s base in Djibouti, adjacent to the Doraleh Multipurpose Port, has grown into a self-contained complex with dry docks, ammunition depots, and replenishment facilities for surface combatants and submarines. Satellite imagery published by independent maritime monitors between 2021 and 2024 shows significant infrastructure expansion, including hardened shelters and new berthing capacity for large hulls.At the other end of the Arabian Sea, Pakistan’s ports of Karachi and Gwadar form the supply and shipbuilding nexus. The Type-054A/P frigates and Hangor-class submarines built under Chinese licences sustain not only Pakistan’s own navy but also its emerging role as an intermediary in maritime cooperation with African partners. The MoU with Somalia, signed in August 2025, introduces the next logical step: transferring training and logistical templates derived from Chinese platforms to an African navy seeking reconstitution after years of instability.When viewed together, these nodes form a continuous geographic line of influence: Djibouti–Gwadar–Karachi–Mogadishu. Each location performs a distinct function within the same strategic logic – support, production, and diffusion.Somalia’s Place in the ChainSomalia’s coastline, spanning over 3,300 kilometres, dominates the western Indian Ocean’s lower littoral. Its location between the Bab el-Mandeb and the Mozambique Channel grants it proximity to the sea lanes that sustain much of Asia–Europe commerce. By embedding itself within Somalia’s naval training architecture, Pakistan introduces a link that extends China’s operational reach beyond the Gulf of Aden.The arrangement appears benign. It speaks of cooperation, technical expertise, and South–South partnership. Yet its underlying logic follows the precedent of other Chinese maritime ventures: infrastructure coupled with defence cooperation, offered at concessional terms that bring long-term strategic influence. Somalia, with limited fiscal space and a fragile maritime bureaucracy, becomes an ideal candidate for such external assistance.The practical result is a diffusion of standards and dependencies. Somali naval personnel will learn on Pakistani systems configured to Chinese specifications; their logistics will rely on imported spares; their command frameworks may emulate doctrines designed far from Mogadishu. Over time, this creates interoperability not primarily with African or Western navies but with an ecosystem aligned to Beijing through Karachi.Regional ImplicationsThe Djibouti–Mogadishu continuum alters the geometry of the western Indian Ocean. Where once the maritime order was anchored by multilateral coalitions such as the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the EU’s Operation Atalanta, the emerging pattern is bilateral and opaque. Pakistan’s naval training mission in Somalia, Turkey’s ongoing ten-year pact, and China’s permanent logistics base each represent separate lines of authority that converge without coordination.For regional stakeholders, this raises both operational and governance questions. The multiplicity of unaligned bilateral arrangements risks duplicating tasks and fragmenting accountability. It also deepens the competitive dynamic between the India–EU maritime partnership on one side and the China–Pakistan alignment on the other. The Horn of Africa, once a laboratory for multilateral maritime governance, now risks becoming a patchwork of competing corridors.The economic dimension reinforces this trend. China’s financing of African port infrastructure, i.e. Lamu, Bagamoyo, and Doraleh, creates logistical redundancy that strengthens its supply resilience. The Pakistan–Somalia link, though framed as a training partnership, complements this pattern by extending influence into the human capital and doctrinal space of African maritime forces.Policy ReflectionsTo interpret this chain merely as a naval expansion would be to miss its institutional character. China’s influence operates through modular partnerships that link infrastructure, finance, and training into an interlocking system of dependency. Pakistan, a long-standing defence client, functions as an intermediary node rather than a fully autonomous actor.Somalia’s leadership, while seeking capability and legitimacy, must therefore weigh the hidden costs of imported competence. The promise of rapid capacity-building may conceal a slower erosion of independent planning. If training curricula, maintenance regimes, and advisory oversight all originate abroad, the resulting navy may serve not as a sovereign institution but as an extension of someone else’s design.For regional and international observers, the challenge lies in offering credible alternatives. Multilateral frameworks such as the African Union Mission’s maritime initiatives or the EUCAP Somalia programme can still provide transparent, verifiable models of partnership. These, unlike bilateral defence deals, are structured to ensure local ownership and open auditing.The continuum from Djibouti to Mogadishu represents the new geography of influence in the western Indian Ocean. It is neither overtly militarised nor openly declared, yet its architecture is deliberate and cumulative. Djibouti supplies the logistics, Pakistan the training, China the financing, and Somalia the access. Together, they form a maritime ecosystem where cooperation blends seamlessly with control.For Somalia, the strategic question is not whether it should receive assistance, but from whom, and under what terms. For others watching the Horn, the answer will define not just the balance of power but the very meaning of sovereignty at sea.(Commander Rahul Verma (Retd) is an Emerging Technology and Prioritisation Scout for a leading Indian Multi-National Corporation, focusing on advancing force modernisation.through innovative technological applications and operational concepts. With 21 years as a Naval Aviator, including a distinguished role in the Indian Navy’s Technology Development Acceleration Cell, he brings diverse aviation experiences, from Seaking Pilot to RPAS Mission Commander and Flying Instructor.)

Between the logistics hub in Djibouti and the training corridor proposed for Mogadishu lies a developing continuum of Chinese influence, mediated through partners and layered across commercial, military, and developmental channels.

The Horn of Africa has become the western anchor of China’s maritime strategy. At its northern edge stands Djibouti, hosting the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s first overseas base since 2017. Farther south, along the same arc of sea, Pakistan’s newly minted defence partnership with Somalia signals the quiet expansion of that architecture. Between the logistics hub in Djibouti and the training corridor proposed for Mogadishu lies a developing continuum of Chinese influence, mediated through partners and layered across commercial, military, and developmental channels. This corridor, if mapped on maritime traffic and defence cooperation data, outlines a single integrated network along the western rim of the Indian Ocean. The partnership between Pakistan and Somalia is therefore not a bilateral curiosity but the southern flank of an evolving strategic chain that ties Chinese naval logistics, shipbuilding finance, and training diplomacy into one continuous system. From Djibouti’s Quays to Karachi’s Shipyards China’s base in Djibouti, adjacent to the Doraleh Multipurpose Port, has grown into a self-contained complex with dry docks, ammunition depots, and replenishment facilities for surface combatants and submarines. Satellite imagery published by independent maritime monitors between 2021 and 2024 shows significant infrastructure expansion, including hardened shelters and new berthing capacity for large hulls. At the other end of the Arabian Sea, Pakistan’s ports of Karachi and Gwadar form the supply and shipbuilding nexus. The Type-054A/P frigates and Hangor-class submarines built under Chinese licences sustain not only Pakistan’s own navy but also its emerging role as an intermediary in maritime cooperation with African partners. The MoU with Somalia, signed in August 2025, introduces the next logical step: transferring training and logistical templates derived from Chinese platforms to an African navy seeking reconstitution after years of instability. When viewed together, these nodes form a continuous geographic line of influence: Djibouti–Gwadar–Karachi–Mogadishu. Each location performs a distinct function within the same strategic logic – support, production, and diffusion. Somalia’s Place in the Chain Somalia’s coastline, spanning over 3,300 kilometres, dominates the western Indian Ocean’s lower littoral. Its location between the Bab el-Mandeb and the Mozambique Channel grants it proximity to the sea lanes that sustain much of Asia–Europe commerce. By embedding itself within Somalia’s naval training architecture, Pakistan introduces a link that extends China’s operational reach beyond the Gulf of Aden. The arrangement appears benign. It speaks of cooperation, technical expertise, and South–South partnership. Yet its underlying logic follows the precedent of other Chinese maritime ventures: infrastructure coupled with defence cooperation, offered at concessional terms that bring long-term strategic influence. Somalia, with limited fiscal space and a fragile maritime bureaucracy, becomes an ideal candidate for such external assistance. The practical result is a diffusion of standards and dependencies. Somali naval personnel will learn on Pakistani systems configured to Chinese specifications; their logistics will rely on imported spares; their command frameworks may emulate doctrines designed far from Mogadishu. Over time, this creates interoperability not primarily with African or Western navies but with an ecosystem aligned to Beijing through Karachi. Regional Implications The Djibouti–Mogadishu continuum alters the geometry of the western Indian Ocean. Where once the maritime order was anchored by multilateral coalitions such as the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the EU’s Operation Atalanta, the emerging pattern is bilateral and opaque. Pakistan’s naval training mission in Somalia, Turkey’s ongoing ten-year pact, and China’s permanent logistics base each represent separate lines of authority that converge without coordination. For regional stakeholders, this raises both operational and governance questions. The multiplicity of unaligned bilateral arrangements risks duplicating tasks and fragmenting accountability. It also deepens the competitive dynamic between the India–EU maritime partnership on one side and the China–Pakistan alignment on the other. The Horn of Africa, once a laboratory for multilateral maritime governance, now risks becoming a patchwork of competing corridors. The economic dimension reinforces this trend. China’s financing of African port infrastructure, i.e. Lamu, Bagamoyo, and Doraleh, creates logistical redundancy that strengthens its supply resilience. The Pakistan–Somalia link, though framed as a training partnership, complements this pattern by extending influence into the human capital and doctrinal space of African maritime forces. Policy Reflections To interpret this chain merely as a naval expansion would be to miss its institutional character. China’s influence operates through modular partnerships that link infrastructure, finance, and training into an interlocking system of dependency. Pakistan, a long-standing defence client, functions as an intermediary node rather than a fully autonomous actor. Somalia’s leadership, while seeking capability and legitimacy, must therefore weigh the hidden costs of imported competence. The promise of rapid capacity-building may conceal a slower erosion of independent planning. If training curricula, maintenance regimes, and advisory oversight all originate abroad, the resulting navy may serve not as a sovereign institution but as an extension of someone else’s design. For regional and international observers, the challenge lies in offering credible alternatives. Multilateral frameworks such as the African Union Mission’s maritime initiatives or the EUCAP Somalia programme can still provide transparent, verifiable models of partnership. These, unlike bilateral defence deals, are structured to ensure local ownership and open auditing. The continuum from Djibouti to Mogadishu represents the new geography of influence in the western Indian Ocean. It is neither overtly militarised nor openly declared, yet its architecture is deliberate and cumulative. Djibouti supplies the logistics, Pakistan the training, China the financing, and Somalia the access. Together, they form a maritime ecosystem where cooperation blends seamlessly with control. For Somalia, the strategic question is not whether it should receive assistance, but from whom, and under what terms. For others watching the Horn, the answer will define not just the balance of power but the very meaning of sovereignty at sea. (Commander Rahul Verma (Retd) is an Emerging Technology and Prioritisation Scout for a leading Indian Multi-National Corporation, focusing on advancing force modernisation. through innovative technological applications and operational concepts. With 21 years as a Naval Aviator, including a distinguished role in the Indian Navy’s Technology Development Acceleration Cell, he brings diverse aviation experiences, from Seaking Pilot to RPAS Mission Commander and Flying Instructor.)

Between the logistics hub in Djibouti and the training corridor proposed for Mogadishu lies a developing continuum of Chinese influence, mediated through partners and layered across commercial, military, and developmental channels.

Djibouti–Mogadishu Continuum: Mapping a China-friendly maritime chain

The US struck another alleged drug vessel on Tuesday night, this time on the Pacific side of South America, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed on Wednesday. In the eighth such US attack on a boat since Sept. 2, two individuals aboard the vessel were killed, Hegseth said. The other seven strikes had targeted vessels in the Caribbean. A defence official confirmed the vessel was in international waters off of Colombia. Hegseth wrote on social media that the Defense Department conducted the strike at President Trump’s direction and alleged the vessel was operated by a “designated terrorist organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.”&nbsp;“The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics. There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters,” he added while claiming that no US forces were harmed in the strike.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. The vessel was known by our intelligence to be… <a href="https://t.co/BayDhUZ4Ac">pic.twitter.com/BayDhUZ4Ac</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1981049943306752361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Hegseth also shared a video of the strike, in which a vessel moving in the waters is hit and engulfed in flames.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/woman-doctor-at-govt-hospital-in-bengal-attacked-threatened-with-rape-home-guard-among-three-arrested-1761138694655">Woman doctor at govt hospital in Bengal attacked, threatened with rape; Home Guard among three arrested</a>&nbsp;At least 34 people have been killed in US strikes on alleged drug boats. The Trump administration has told Congress that the US is in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels.&nbsp;“Narco-terrorists intending to bring position to our shores will find no safe harbour anywhere in our hemisphere,” Hegseth wrote on X. “Just as Al Qaeda wages war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people.”“There will be no refuge or forgiveness–only justice,” he added.&nbsp;At least 36 people have been killed in the American strikes on alleged drug boats.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jain-community-members-buy-190-luxury-cars-get-rs-21-crore-discount-in-bulk-deal-1760891278156">Jain community members buy 190 luxury cars, get Rs 21 crore discount in bulk deal</a>&nbsp;Trump administration officials have repeatedly justified the strikes as counter-narcotics measures necessary to fight drug-trafficking organisations, several of which have been designated as terrorist organisations by the US.&nbsp;News of the strike comes amid rising tensions between the Trump administration and the Colombian government of President Gustavo Petro. On Sunday, Trump denounced Petro as an “illegal drug leader” who is “strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Colombia.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thieves-used-cherry-picker-angle-grinder-in-7-minute-louvre-museum-heist-pulled-off-like-a-breeze-1760880195775">Thieves used ‘cherry picker’, ‘angle grinder’ in 7-minute Louvre Museum heist, pulled off like a breeze</a>&nbsp;Trump added that the US will no longer offer subsidies to Colombia, which has historically been one of its closest allies in Latin America.&nbsp;US estimates from the Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA, indicate that the vast majority of cocaine bound for US cities passes through the Pacific.&nbsp;Around 10,000 US troops, as well as dozens of military aircraft and ships, have been deployed to the Caribbean as part of the operation.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly justified the strikes as counter-narcotics measures necessary to fight drug-trafficking organisations, several of which have been designated as terrorist organisations by the US. At least 36 people have been killed in these American strikes.

The US struck another alleged drug vessel on Tuesday night, this time on the Pacific side of South America, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed on Wednesday. In the eighth such US attack on a boat since Sept. 2, two individuals aboard the vessel were killed, Hegseth said. The other seven strikes had targeted vessels in the Caribbean. A defence official confirmed the vessel was in international waters off of Colombia. Hegseth wrote on social media that the Defense Department conducted the strike at President Trump’s direction and alleged the vessel was operated by a “designated terrorist organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.” “The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics. There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters,” he added while claiming that no US forces were harmed in the strike.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly justified the strikes as counter-narcotics measures necessary to fight drug-trafficking organisations, several of which have been designated as terrorist organisations by the US. At least 36 people have been killed in these American strikes.

US strikes another alleged drug vessel, for the first time in Pacific; two killed

US President Donald Trump, via a post on his Truth Social account on Wednesday (Oct 22), said that American cattle ranchers are reaping benefits from the tariffs he imposed on imports from other countries. He urged the cattle ranchers to lower their prices. Trump also reminded the cattle ranchers that if it were not for him and the tariffs that he imposed, they would still be doing what they have done in past years.&nbsp;“The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50 per cent Tariff on Brazil,” the American president wrote in his post.&nbsp;“If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!” he added.&nbsp;“In addition to everything else, Tariffs on other Countries SAVED our Cattle Ranchers!” he emphasised.&nbsp;Meanwhile, in another post, Trump wrote, "Mary Barra of General Motors, and Bill Ford of Ford Motors Company, just called to thank me for putting Tariffs on Mid Size and Large Size Trucks. Their Stock has gone through the roof! They told me that, without Tariffs, it would be a very hard, long "slog" for Truck and Car Manufacturers in the United States. I told them, It's very simple, this is a National Security matter. With the Tariffs, we have a strong and powerful Economy and Country. Without them, we have the exact opposite!"

Trump said that American cattle ranchers are reaping benefits from the tariffs he imposed on imports from other countries. He urged the cattle ranchers to lower their prices. 

US President Donald Trump, via a post on his Truth Social account on Wednesday (Oct 22), said that American cattle ranchers are reaping benefits from the tariffs he imposed on imports from other countries. He urged the cattle ranchers to lower their prices. Trump also reminded the cattle ranchers that if it were not for him and the tariffs that he imposed, they would still be doing what they have done in past years. “The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50 per cent Tariff on Brazil,” the American president wrote in his post. “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!” he added. “In addition to everything else, Tariffs on other Countries SAVED our Cattle Ranchers!” he emphasised. Meanwhile, in another post, Trump wrote, "Mary Barra of General Motors, and Bill Ford of Ford Motors Company, just called to thank me for putting Tariffs on Mid Size and Large Size Trucks. Their Stock has gone through the roof! They told me that, without Tariffs, it would be a very hard, long "slog" for Truck and Car Manufacturers in the United States. I told them, It's very simple, this is a National Security matter. With the Tariffs, we have a strong and powerful Economy and Country. Without them, we have the exact opposite!"

Trump said that American cattle ranchers are reaping benefits from the tariffs he imposed on imports from other countries. He urged the cattle ranchers to lower their prices.&nbsp;

Trump asks cattle ranchers to lower beef prices, says they are benefiting because he put tariffs on imports

Donald Trump's close aide, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead in Utah on September 12. In his memory, the Trump administration held a memorial at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21. Now, as per a fresh report, the memorial might have cost the American taxpayers a huge amount. TMZ cited data saying that the US Secret Service paid millions to an event firm to secure the perimeter.&nbsp;As per the TMZ report, the &nbsp;Secret Service hired ARCUS Group, LLC, a full-service event management and disaster relief aid organisation. The organisation paid $2,677,416.19 to guard the memorial's perimeter at Glendale.&nbsp;In Kirk's assassination, a 22-year-old college student, Tyler Robinson, was arrested as the suspect. He has been charged with two counts of obstruction of justice, aggravated murder, criminal discharge of a handgun causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offence while a child was present.

As per the TMZ report, the  Secret Service hired ARCUS Group, LLC, a full-service event management and disaster relief aid organisation. The organisation paid $2,677,416.19 to guard the memorial perimeter at Glendale.



Donald Trump's close aide, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead in Utah on September 12. In his memory, the Trump administration held a memorial at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on September 21. Now, as per a fresh report, the memorial might have cost the American taxpayers a huge amount. TMZ cited data saying that the US Secret Service paid millions to an event firm to secure the perimeter. As per the TMZ report, the Secret Service hired ARCUS Group, LLC, a full-service event management and disaster relief aid organisation. The organisation paid $2,677,416.19 to guard the memorial's perimeter at Glendale. In Kirk's assassination, a 22-year-old college student, Tyler Robinson, was arrested as the suspect. He has been charged with two counts of obstruction of justice, aggravated murder, criminal discharge of a handgun causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent offence while a child was present.

As per the TMZ report, the &nbsp;Secret Service hired ARCUS Group, LLC, a full-service event management and disaster relief aid organisation. The organisation paid $2,677,416.19 to guard the memorial's perimeter at Glendale.&nbsp;

How much did Charlie Kirk's memorial cost? This is the shocking amount Trump admin spent

The Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday (Oct 18) was struck with chaos after thieves robbed the world-renowned museum of its priceless French imperial jewels. What was left by them was a 19th-century crown that once belonged to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. The crown, which is covered in 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was found near the museum, broken. The thieves managed to flee with eight other items with an estimated value of $102 million, including an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his wife, Empress Marie Louise<h2>Can the crown be restored?</h2>The director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, said on Wednesday (Oct 22) that the initial assessment of the crown suggests that it could be restored.“Initial assessments suggest that a delicate restoration is possible,” Laurence des Cars said. She added that the piece was likely damaged not by the fall but by the robbers when they were trying to extract it from the small opening in its display case.It was “crushed when being taken out of the display case”, she said. Following a 2014 study, new ultra-resistant “high-end jewellery showcases” were ordered to house the crown jewels in the Apollo Gallery, des Cars said.“The glass was not broken. It was split and the thieves managed to pass their hands through, but the glass held firm,” she added.<h2>‘We failed’</h2>Des Cars admitted that there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum.“Despite our efforts, despite our hard work on a daily basis, we failed,” des Cars told lawmakers in her first public statement since the robbery. She added that while all alarms had functioned during the heist, security cameras did not adequately cover the thieves’ point of entry.“The only camera installed is directed westward and therefore did not cover the balcony involved in the break-in,” she said. “There are some perimeter cameras, but they are ageing.” Surveillance of the museum’s outside walls “is highly insufficient.”Des Cars said she had tendered her resignation following the theft on Sunday, but the culture ministry had refused it.Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered to speed up security measures at the Louvre after its reopening three days after the brazen heist that took place in broad daylight.

The director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, admitted that there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum.

The Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday (Oct 18) was struck with chaos after thieves robbed the world-renowned museum of its priceless French imperial jewels. What was left by them was a 19th-century crown that once belonged to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. The crown, which is covered in 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was found near the museum, broken. The thieves managed to flee with eight other items with an estimated value of $102 million, including an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave his wife, Empress Marie Louise Can the crown be restored? The director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, said on Wednesday (Oct 22) that the initial assessment of the crown suggests that it could be restored. “Initial assessments suggest that a delicate restoration is possible,” Laurence des Cars said. She added that the piece was likely damaged not by the fall but by the robbers when they were trying to extract it from the small opening in its display case. It was “crushed when being taken out of the display case”, she said. Following a 2014 study, new ultra-resistant “high-end jewellery showcases” were ordered to house the crown jewels in the Apollo Gallery, des Cars said. “The glass was not broken. It was split and the thieves managed to pass their hands through, but the glass held firm,” she added. ‘We failed’ Des Cars admitted that there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum. “Despite our efforts, despite our hard work on a daily basis, we failed,” des Cars told lawmakers in her first public statement since the robbery. She added that while all alarms had functioned during the heist, security cameras did not adequately cover the thieves’ point of entry. “The only camera installed is directed westward and therefore did not cover the balcony involved in the break-in,” she said. “There are some perimeter cameras, but they are ageing.” Surveillance of the museum’s outside walls “is highly insufficient.” Des Cars said she had tendered her resignation following the theft on Sunday, but the culture ministry had refused it. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered to speed up security measures at the Louvre after its reopening three days after the brazen heist that took place in broad daylight.

The director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, admitted that there was inadequate security camera coverage of the outside walls of the museum.

Louvre heist: Can broken diamonds and emeralds crown dropped outside Paris museum be restored?

Israel on Wednesday (Oct 22) rejected a ruling by the International Court of Justice that stated that it was obliged to facilitate the passage of aid into Gaza and meet the “basic needs” of the population. Calling it a predictable ‘advisory opinion’, Israel called the ruling “yet another political attempt to impose political measures” against the country. The court also recalled the obligation not to use starvation as a method of warfare.“Israel categorically rejects the ICJ’s ‘advisory opinion,’ which was entirely predictable from the outset regarding UNRWA,” foreign ministry spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, posted on X. “This is yet another political attempt to impose political measures against Israel under the guise of ‘International Law.’”<h2>What did ICJ say in its ruling?</h2>In its Wednesday ruling, the ICJ said that Israel, which did not take part in the proceedings, must not use starvation of the civilian population in Gaza as a means of waging war. It added that Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of the people and must provide essential supplies for their survival. ICJ also said that Israel must facilitate aid into Gaza provided by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.“The court considers that Israel is under an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said. “As an occupying power, Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of the local population, including the supplies essential for their survival.”Iwasawa further added, “The court recalls Israel’s obligation not to use starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.”The ICJ also said Israel had not stood up its allegations that UNRWA members also worked for Hamas.Meanwhile, Norway said that it will propose a UN General Assembly resolution demanding that Israel lift restrictions on aid to Palestinians following the ICJ ruling on the war. “Norway intends to follow up on this (ICJ) decision with a new resolution at the UN General Assembly,” Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said.“No country can place itself above its obligations under international law. This is essential, both for Palestinians and for all other populations living in situations of war and conflict,” he added.While ICJ’s ‘Advisory Opinion’ is not legally binding, the court believes it carries “great legal weight and moral authority.”

In its Wednesday ruling, the ICJ said that Israel, which did not take part in the proceedings, must not use starvation of the civilian population in Gaza as a means of waging war.

Israel on Wednesday (Oct 22) rejected a ruling by the International Court of Justice that stated that it was obliged to facilitate the passage of aid into Gaza and meet the “basic needs” of the population. Calling it a predictable ‘advisory opinion’, Israel called the ruling “yet another political attempt to impose political measures” against the country. The court also recalled the obligation not to use starvation as a method of warfare. “Israel categorically rejects the ICJ’s ‘advisory opinion,’ which was entirely predictable from the outset regarding UNRWA,” foreign ministry spokesman, Oren Marmorstein, posted on X. “This is yet another political attempt to impose political measures against Israel under the guise of ‘International Law.’” What did ICJ say in its ruling? In its Wednesday ruling, the ICJ said that Israel, which did not take part in the proceedings, must not use starvation of the civilian population in Gaza as a means of waging war. It added that Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of the people and must provide essential supplies for their survival. ICJ also said that Israel must facilitate aid into Gaza provided by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. “The court considers that Israel is under an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said. “As an occupying power, Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of the local population, including the supplies essential for their survival.” Iwasawa further added, “The court recalls Israel’s obligation not to use starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.” The ICJ also said Israel had not stood up its allegations that UNRWA members also worked for Hamas. Meanwhile, Norway said that it will propose a UN General Assembly resolution demanding that Israel lift restrictions on aid to Palestinians following the ICJ ruling on the war. “Norway intends to follow up on this (ICJ) decision with a new resolution at the UN General Assembly,” Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said. “No country can place itself above its obligations under international law. This is essential, both for Palestinians and for all other populations living in situations of war and conflict,” he added. While ICJ’s ‘Advisory Opinion’ is not legally binding, the court believes it carries “great legal weight and moral authority.”

In its Wednesday ruling, the ICJ said that Israel, which did not take part in the proceedings, must not use starvation of the civilian population in Gaza as a means of waging war.

‘Attempt to impose political measures’: Israel rejects ICJ ruling demanding it to meet ‘basic needs’ of people in Gaza, facilitate aid

The Israel Defense Forces eliminated Hezbollah Radwan Force platoon commander Issa Ahmad Karbala in Lebanon’s Ain Qana area, approximately 13 miles from the Israeli border, in an airstrike on Wednesday. He was targeted while riding a motorcycle in the town of Ain Qana. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that one person was killed in the strike. “Issa Ahmad Karbala advanced the transfer of weapons in Lebanon and advanced terror attacks against the State of Israel,” the military stated, adding that he had violated the truce terms with Lebanon. The Radwan Force is the Hezbollah unit that was tasked with infiltrating Israeli territory, seizing areas along the northern border, and abducting hostages as part of the terror group’s “Conquer the Galilee” plan for years, until the 2023-2024 war saw most of Hezbollah’s leadership eliminated.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔴ELIMINATED: Issa Ahmad Karbala, a Hezbollah Radwan Force platoon commander in the Ain Qana area. The terrorist advanced the transfer of weapons in Lebanon and advanced terror attacks against the State of Israel. The activities of the terrorist constitute a violation of the… <a href="https://t.co/g4LZIBLBwj">pic.twitter.com/g4LZIBLBwj</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1980921253939568978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;The IDF emphasised that it would “continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/woman-doctor-at-govt-hospital-in-bengal-attacked-threatened-with-rape-home-guard-among-three-arrested-1761138694655">Woman doctor at govt hospital in Bengal attacked, threatened with rape; Home Guard among three arrested</a>&nbsp;Israel and Lebanon signed a ceasefire deal on Nov. 26, 2024, to end the cross-border clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah. The Iranian-backed terror group had started attacking the Jewish state in support of Hamas after its Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.The IDF has conducted frequent raids to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding terrorist infrastructure across Southern Lebanon, which is a violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement.Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has rejected demands to disarm in accordance with the truce, warning in July that the terrorist group was “rebuilding, recovering, and ready now” to take on the IDF.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jain-community-members-buy-190-luxury-cars-get-rs-21-crore-discount-in-bulk-deal-1760891278156">Jain community members buy 190 luxury cars, get Rs 21 crore discount in bulk deal</a>&nbsp;On Monday, the IDF carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the Nabatieh area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">צה&quot;ל תקף מטרות טרור של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בלבנון לפני זמן קצר, צה&quot;ל בהובלת פיקוד הצפון, תקף באמצעות חיל האוויר תשתיות טרור של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחב נבטיה שבלבנון. ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה ממשיך בנסיונות שיקום של תשתיות טרור ברחבי לבנון. הימצאותם של תשתיות הטרור ופעילות ארגון… <a href="https://t.co/JFxsqaicK2">pic.twitter.com/JFxsqaicK2</a>&mdash; צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1980241913715241073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Hezbollah terror organization continues its attempts to rebuild terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon,” the army said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thieves-used-cherry-picker-angle-grinder-in-7-minute-louvre-museum-heist-pulled-off-like-a-breeze-1760880195775">Thieves used ‘cherry picker’, ‘angle grinder’ in 7-minute Louvre Museum heist, pulled off like a breeze</a>&nbsp;On Sunday, the IDF also carried out a ground operation on the Lebanese side of Mount Dov to demolish several Hezbollah posts.The IDF said that the posts were destroyed to prevent them from being used by Hezbollah to entrench itself in the area in the future. The operations in Lebanon come as the IDF carries out one of its largest exercises in the past two years, simulating fighting along the border with Lebanon and in Israeli communities in the area.The 91st “Galilee” Division’s drill, which began on Sunday, will conclude on Thursday. The IDF said it was the first “full division-level drill” since the start of the war.

Issa Ahmad Karbala, the platoon commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, was targeted while riding a motorcycle in the town of Ain Qana. Lebanon’s health ministry also confirmed that one person was killed in the strike. 

The Israel Defense Forces eliminated Hezbollah Radwan Force platoon commander Issa Ahmad Karbala in Lebanon’s Ain Qana area, approximately 13 miles from the Israeli border, in an airstrike on Wednesday. He was targeted while riding a motorcycle in the town of Ain Qana. Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed that one person was killed in the strike. “Issa Ahmad Karbala advanced the transfer of weapons in Lebanon and advanced terror attacks against the State of Israel,” the military stated, adding that he had violated the truce terms with Lebanon. The Radwan Force is the Hezbollah unit that was tasked with infiltrating Israeli territory, seizing areas along the northern border, and abducting hostages as part of the terror group’s “Conquer the Galilee” plan for years, until the 2023-2024 war saw most of Hezbollah’s leadership eliminated.

Issa Ahmad Karbala, the platoon commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, was targeted while riding a motorcycle in the town of Ain Qana. Lebanon’s health ministry also confirmed that one person was killed in the strike.&nbsp;

Israeli Air Force kills Hezbollah Radwan Force commander Issa Ahmed Karbala in targeted strike

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel on Thursday, an Israeli government spokeswoman said on Wednesday (Oct 22). The visit will mark the third by a senior Washington official this week. Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff are already in the country to promote the plan to end the war in Gaza. Shosh Bedrosian told reporters that Rubio would also meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.“This is the secretary of state third trip to Israel since mid-September which further shows the hand-in-hand relationship that Israel and the United States have as we mark this historic time,” Bedrosian said.Earlier on Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel. During a press conference in Jerusalem, Vance warned of the tough task ahead in disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza as part of the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.“We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people of Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” he said.Netanyahu added that ideas for “the day after” had been discussed. “We’re just creating an unbelievable day after with a completely new vision of how to have the civil government, how to have the security there, who could provide that security there,” he said.“It’s not going to be easy, but I think it’s possible... we're really creating a peace plan and an infrastructure here where nothing existed even a week and a day ago,” he said. “That’s going to require a lot of work. It requires a lot of ingenuity.”Vance added that the Gaza peace deal could also pave the way for broader alliances for Israel in the Middle East.“I think this Gaza deal is a critical piece of unlocking the Abraham Accords,” he said, referring to the series of agreements between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. “But what it could allow is an alliance structure in the Middle East that perseveres, that endures, and that allows the good people in this region, the world, to step up and take ownership of their own backyard.”

Earlier on Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel on Thursday, an Israeli government spokeswoman said on Wednesday (Oct 22). The visit will mark the third by a senior Washington official this week. Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff are already in the country to promote the plan to end the war in Gaza. Shosh Bedrosian told reporters that Rubio would also meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday. “This is the secretary of state third trip to Israel since mid-September which further shows the hand-in-hand relationship that Israel and the United States have as we mark this historic time,” Bedrosian said. Earlier on Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel. During a press conference in Jerusalem, Vance warned of the tough task ahead in disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza as part of the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. “We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people of Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” he said. Netanyahu added that ideas for “the day after” had been discussed. “We’re just creating an unbelievable day after with a completely new vision of how to have the civil government, how to have the security there, who could provide that security there,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy, but I think it’s possible... we're really creating a peace plan and an infrastructure here where nothing existed even a week and a day ago,” he said. “That’s going to require a lot of work. It requires a lot of ingenuity.” Vance added that the Gaza peace deal could also pave the way for broader alliances for Israel in the Middle East. “I think this Gaza deal is a critical piece of unlocking the Abraham Accords,” he said, referring to the series of agreements between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. “But what it could allow is an alliance structure in the Middle East that perseveres, that endures, and that allows the good people in this region, the world, to step up and take ownership of their own backyard.”

Earlier on Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel.

‘Historic time’: Rubio to meet Netanyahu in Israel this week, marking third visit by a senior US official

Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, made a claim without proof that the marital life of the US Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance is not going great. Talking at an episode of the "I've Had It" series, she said, without any proof, that the couple might be heading for a divorce.&nbsp;“I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here, we’ll save you," Psaki said.&nbsp;Reacting to this, Steven Cheung, the White House Director of Communications and the President's aide, slammed Psaki, who has worked with former President Obama and Biden.&nbsp;“Jen Psuki must be transferring her own personal issues onto others,” Cheung wrote on X. He misspelled her surname.&nbsp;“@jrpsaki is a dumba** who has no comprehension of the truth and has to overcompensate for her lack of talent by saying untrue things. Circle back on that, moron,” he added.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Psaki further said in the podcast that Vance &nbsp;had his sights set on the presidency. Calling the US VP &nbsp;“the little Manchurian candidate,” she claimed he "wants to be president more than anything else", adding that he will do anything to “get there.”

Reacting to this, Steven Cheung, the White House Director of Communications and the President aide, slammed Psaki, who has worked with former President Obama and Biden.



Jen Psaki, former White House press secretary, made a claim without proof that the marital life of the US Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance is not going great. Talking at an episode of the "I've Had It" series, she said, without any proof, that the couple might be heading for a divorce. “I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here, we’ll save you," Psaki said. Reacting to this, Steven Cheung, the White House Director of Communications and the President's aide, slammed Psaki, who has worked with former President Obama and Biden. “Jen Psuki must be transferring her own personal issues onto others,” Cheung wrote on X. He misspelled her surname. “@jrpsaki is a dumba** who has no comprehension of the truth and has to overcompensate for her lack of talent by saying untrue things. Circle back on that, moron,” he added. Meanwhile, Psaki further said in the podcast that Vance had his sights set on the presidency. Calling the US VP “the little Manchurian candidate,” she claimed he "wants to be president more than anything else", adding that he will do anything to “get there.”

Reacting to this, Steven Cheung, the White House Director of Communications and the President's aide, slammed Psaki, who has worked with former President Obama and Biden.

JD and Usha Vance getting divorce? Former WH press secretary claims not all is well in their marriage. Details here

Kremlin on Wednesday reported that it had conducted a strategic nuclear drill under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. This comes just a day after the announcement of the delay in the summit between Trump and Putin in Hungary. Kremlin asserted that it was a routine drill; however, Western media branded Moscow as "anxious".Kremlin on Wednesday carried out a nuclear drill incorporating land-based, naval, and air components to assess the readiness of its “military command structures and the operational skills of personnel responsible for troop control”."Under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, a training exercise of the strategic nuclear forces was carried out involving their land, sea, and air elements," said the Kremlin in a statement&nbsp;As part of the drill, Russia launched a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome toward the Kura range in Kamchatka. It also included the launch of cruise missiles using Tu-95MS strategic bombers, and Sineva ballistic missiles from the Bryansk submarine in the Barents Sea.&nbsp;The Yars ICBM has a range of 10,500 km to 12,000 km, which is more than enough to strike targets in the continental US from launch sites in Russia.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🔥📹Russia’s Defense Ministry releases footage of a Yars ICBM launch as part of a strategic nuclear forces drill <a href="https://t.co/6qNrddyIq0">https://t.co/6qNrddyIq0</a> <a href="https://t.co/9v57bjVHvB">pic.twitter.com/9v57bjVHvB</a>&mdash; Sputnik (@SputnikInt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SputnikInt/status/1980968543651848414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Washington earlier on Tuesday refused to move forward with the proposed Hungary Summit, saying that they do not want “to have a wasted meeting”. This was the result of a phone call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where Rubio summarised that Russia has not changed its position, even though it wanted peace but denied a potential “ceasefire” immediately, which will lead to “nothing” . However Russian official blamed Western media for “spreading fake news”. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, "Preparations for the summit are continuing."&nbsp;Kremlin observers are interpreting this display of nuclear power as a method to intimidate Western powers, amid rising tensions and deadlock with the West over Ukraine.&nbsp;

Russia flexes its nuclear might. President Vladimir Putin oversees a major strategic drill testing ICBMs and cruise missiles, just after the Trump-Putin summit was delayed.

Kremlin on Wednesday reported that it had conducted a strategic nuclear drill under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. This comes just a day after the announcement of the delay in the summit between Trump and Putin in Hungary. Kremlin asserted that it was a routine drill; however, Western media branded Moscow as "anxious". Kremlin on Wednesday carried out a nuclear drill incorporating land-based, naval, and air components to assess the readiness of its “military command structures and the operational skills of personnel responsible for troop control”. "Under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, a training exercise of the strategic nuclear forces was carried out involving their land, sea, and air elements," said the Kremlin in a statement As part of the drill, Russia launched a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome toward the Kura range in Kamchatka. It also included the launch of cruise missiles using Tu-95MS strategic bombers, and Sineva ballistic missiles from the Bryansk submarine in the Barents Sea. The Yars ICBM has a range of 10,500 km to 12,000 km, which is more than enough to strike targets in the continental US from launch sites in Russia.

Russia flexes its nuclear might. President Vladimir Putin oversees a major strategic drill testing ICBMs and cruise missiles, just after the Trump-Putin summit was delayed.

Putin oversees Russia's strategic nuclear drill after delay in Putin-Trump summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Oct 22) backed a proposal by US President Donald Trump to make the current front line the basis for the talks over war with Russia. Zelensky added that he doubted his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would agree to it. Efforts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine have appeared to have hit a standstill since the Alaska summit, where Trump and Putin held talks. After the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Zelensky has been urging Trump to broker a peace in Ukraine.Speaking to reporters during his visit to Oslo, Zelensky said that Trump “proposed ‘Stay where we stay and begin conversation.’” He added, “I think that was a good compromise, but I’m not sure that Putin will support it, and I said it to the president.”Following talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelensky is set to visit Sweden, Brussels and London as part of a European tour aimed at shoring up support for Kyiv amid a string of deadly Russian attacks.Last week, Trump announced that he would be meeting Putin in Budapest, Hungary. However, the meeting was called off after a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday. The two were set to meet this week or next, but the White House said that both had a “productive” call and that a meeting was no longer “necessary.”Trump confirmed on Tuesday (Oct 21) that a meeting with Putin has been put on hold as he did not want a “wasted meeting”.“I don’t want to have a wasted meeting, I don’t want to have a waste of time – so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said at the White House on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “No precise timeframe was initially set here” and that “Preparation is needed, serious preparation.”Zelensky had earlier shown willingness to join Trump and Putin in Hungary, if he is invited. “If I am invited to Budapest -- if it is an invitation in a format where we meet as three or, as it’s called, shuttle diplomacy, President Trump meets with Putin and President Trump meets with me – then in one format or another, we will agree,” Zelensky said on Monday.Earlier in August, Trump and Putin held talks in Alaska as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine. However, the negotiations produced no concrete output the reach peace.

Last week, Trump announced that he would be meeting Putin in Budapest, Hungary. However, the meeting was called off later.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Oct 22) backed a proposal by US President Donald Trump to make the current front line the basis for the talks over war with Russia. Zelensky added that he doubted his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would agree to it. Efforts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine have appeared to have hit a standstill since the Alaska summit, where Trump and Putin held talks. After the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Zelensky has been urging Trump to broker a peace in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Oslo, Zelensky said that Trump “proposed ‘Stay where we stay and begin conversation.’” He added, “I think that was a good compromise, but I’m not sure that Putin will support it, and I said it to the president.” Following talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelensky is set to visit Sweden, Brussels and London as part of a European tour aimed at shoring up support for Kyiv amid a string of deadly Russian attacks. Last week, Trump announced that he would be meeting Putin in Budapest, Hungary. However, the meeting was called off after a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday. The two were set to meet this week or next, but the White House said that both had a “productive” call and that a meeting was no longer “necessary.” Trump confirmed on Tuesday (Oct 21) that a meeting with Putin has been put on hold as he did not want a “wasted meeting”. “I don’t want to have a wasted meeting, I don’t want to have a waste of time – so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said at the White House on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “No precise timeframe was initially set here” and that “Preparation is needed, serious preparation.” Zelensky had earlier shown willingness to join Trump and Putin in Hungary, if he is invited. “If I am invited to Budapest -- if it is an invitation in a format where we meet as three or, as it’s called, shuttle diplomacy, President Trump meets with Putin and President Trump meets with me – then in one format or another, we will agree,” Zelensky said on Monday. Earlier in August, Trump and Putin held talks in Alaska as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine. However, the negotiations produced no concrete output the reach peace.

Last week, Trump announced that he would be meeting Putin in Budapest, Hungary. However, the meeting was called off later.

‘Good compromise’: Zelensky backs Trump’s front-line proposal but ‘not sure that Putin will support it’

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists have identified ancient rocks deep inside the Earth's crust. They were chemical clues of this proto-Earth, the primordial planet that existed before the formation of the moon. This finding challenges the previous idea that an immense collision remelted and re-invented the Earth's chemical composition.&nbsp;The study found clues in the ancient rocks from Greenland, Canada and Hawaii. The study poses immense potential, giving a window to look at the building blocks of primordial Earth and its neighbouring world.&nbsp;"This is maybe the first direct evidence that we've preserved the proto-Earth materials," &nbsp;said Nicol Nile, an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at MIT.&nbsp;Scientists identified a rare chemical fingerprint, in the rock samples collected from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii. These rocks have a certain kind of potassium imbalance, specifically, the potassium-40 isotope, when compared to most of the material found on Earth today. Potassium naturally occurs in three isotopes- potassium-39, potassium-40 and potassium-41, which are slightly different versions of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Scientists use advanced mass spectrometry and trace the anomaly back to 4.5 million years ago.&nbsp;4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a giant hot, molten sphere of Lava formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. After 100 million years or so, a Mars-size asteroid collided with the Earth in an event so violent that it remelted and remixed the chemical composition of the Earth. The discovery challenges the existing theory of the reinvention of Earth following the great impact and suggests that some parts of the proto-Earth survived.&nbsp;"We see a piece of the very ancient Earth, even before the giant impact," Nie said in the statement. "This is amazing because we would expect this very early signature to be slowly erased through Earth's evolution."The chemical signature of proto-Earth material does not precisely match any known meteorite, necessarily implying that original materials that formed our planet may still be missing from geological collections.&nbsp;

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence of 4.5-billion-year-old proto-Earth material deep within Earth's mantle, shedding light on our planet's early composition.

In a study recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience, scientists have identified ancient rocks deep inside the Earth's crust. They were chemical clues of this proto-Earth, the primordial planet that existed before the formation of the moon. This finding challenges the previous idea that an immense collision remelted and re-invented the Earth's chemical composition. The study found clues in the ancient rocks from Greenland, Canada and Hawaii. The study poses immense potential, giving a window to look at the building blocks of primordial Earth and its neighbouring world. "This is maybe the first direct evidence that we've preserved the proto-Earth materials," said Nicol Nile, an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at MIT. Scientists identified a rare chemical fingerprint, in the rock samples collected from Greenland, Canada, and Hawaii. These rocks have a certain kind of potassium imbalance, specifically, the potassium-40 isotope, when compared to most of the material found on Earth today. Potassium naturally occurs in three isotopes- potassium-39, potassium-40 and potassium-41, which are slightly different versions of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Scientists use advanced mass spectrometry and trace the anomaly back to 4.5 million years ago. 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was a giant hot, molten sphere of Lava formed from a swirling cloud of gas and dust. After 100 million years or so, a Mars-size asteroid collided with the Earth in an event so violent that it remelted and remixed the chemical composition of the Earth. The discovery challenges the existing theory of the reinvention of Earth following the great impact and suggests that some parts of the proto-Earth survived. "We see a piece of the very ancient Earth, even before the giant impact," Nie said in the statement. "This is amazing because we would expect this very early signature to be slowly erased through Earth's evolution." The chemical signature of proto-Earth material does not precisely match any known meteorite, necessarily implying that original materials that formed our planet may still be missing from geological collections.

Scientists have discovered the first direct evidence of 4.5-billion-year-old proto-Earth material deep within Earth's mantle, shedding light on our planet's early composition.

Scientists discover remnants of 4.5 billion-year-old proto-earth in the depths of earth

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday (Oct 22) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel, where he warned of the tough task ahead in disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza as part of the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.“We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people of Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” Vance said during a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Jerusalem.Netanyahu added that ideas for “the day after” had been discussed. “We’re just creating an unbelievable day after with a completely new vision of how to have the civil government, how to have the security there, who could provide that security there,” he said.“It’s not going to be easy, but I think it’s possible... we're really creating a peace plan and an infrastructure here where nothing existed even a week and a day ago,” Netanyahu added. “That’s going to require a lot of work. It requires a lot of ingenuity.”Vance added that the Gaza peace deal could also pave the way for broader alliances for Israel in the Middle East.“I think this Gaza deal is a critical piece of unlocking the Abraham Accords,” he said, referring to the series of agreements between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. “But what it could allow is an alliance structure in the Middle East that perseveres, that endures, and that allows the good people in this region, the world, to step up and take ownership of their own backyard.”Earlier on Tuesday (Oct 21), Vance expressed “great optimism” that the truce would hold during a press conference in Kiryat Gat, a southern Israeli city where a US-led mission is monitoring the ceasefire and post-war plans for Gaza. He added that Washington would not set a deadline for Hamas to disarm, despite Israeli concerns that the Palestinian militant group is seeking to reassert itself in Gaza.

Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas engaged in a hostage-prisoner swap during which the Palestinian militant group released all living survivors in exchange for prisoners and Gazans.

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday (Oct 22) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his second day of a trip to Israel, where he warned of the tough task ahead in disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza as part of the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. “We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people of Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” Vance said during a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Netanyahu added that ideas for “the day after” had been discussed. “We’re just creating an unbelievable day after with a completely new vision of how to have the civil government, how to have the security there, who could provide that security there,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy, but I think it’s possible... we're really creating a peace plan and an infrastructure here where nothing existed even a week and a day ago,” Netanyahu added. “That’s going to require a lot of work. It requires a lot of ingenuity.” Vance added that the Gaza peace deal could also pave the way for broader alliances for Israel in the Middle East. “I think this Gaza deal is a critical piece of unlocking the Abraham Accords,” he said, referring to the series of agreements between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. “But what it could allow is an alliance structure in the Middle East that perseveres, that endures, and that allows the good people in this region, the world, to step up and take ownership of their own backyard.” Earlier on Tuesday (Oct 21), Vance expressed “great optimism” that the truce would hold during a press conference in Kiryat Gat, a southern Israeli city where a US-led mission is monitoring the ceasefire and post-war plans for Gaza. He added that Washington would not set a deadline for Hamas to disarm, despite Israeli concerns that the Palestinian militant group is seeking to reassert itself in Gaza.

Earlier this month, Israel and Hamas engaged in a hostage-prisoner swap during which the Palestinian militant group released all living survivors in exchange for prisoners and Gazans.

‘Very, very tough task ahead’: JD Vance warns of challenges in disarming Hamas, rebuilding post-war Gaza

NASA has confirmed this week that Earth has a temporary “second moon”. It is a small asteroid captured in orbit around the planet, and it travels almost in synch with the Earth. It was discovered by the University of Hawaii this week. Astronomers suggest that it has probably been tagging along for around 60 years and is likely to continue along with the Earth until 2083. The celestial body is known as a ‘quasi-moon’ and is 18 to 36 meters wide and is approximately the width of a building.&nbsp;The celestial body is identified as 2025 PN7. But unlike the moon, which is bound by gravity to the Earth, the 2025 PN7 is not bound to the Earth. At its closest, it will come as close as 4 million km distance of the Earth, roughly 10 times the distance to the moon; at its most distant, it can move away to 17 million km from the Earth. This to and fro movement is because of the interaction of the gravity of the Sun, the Earth. Such mini-moons are naturally captured objects that orbit the planet for a short period before either falling back into space or entering Earth’s atmosphere.The celestial body was first observed earlier in the year, during a routine telescope survey. It came across at first as an illegible dot, but soon confirmed to be a companion of the earth. Till now, the Earth has found eight quasi-moons in total. Each of these is important in revealing information about near-earth gravity and how asteroids interact with it. This sparks scientific curiosity and highlights the dynamic nature of objects in near-Earth space.Earth's main moon remains the dominant natural satellite, but these temporary companions. Our moon is brighter, bigger and a constant of the Earth. But 2025 PN7 is a silent traveller that has temporarily joined the Earth in its journey.&nbsp;

Earth has a temporary new companion, NASA confirms asteroid 2024 PT5 has entered orbit, acting as a mini-moon. Not permanent, but fascinating.

NASA has confirmed this week that Earth has a temporary “second moon”. It is a small asteroid captured in orbit around the planet, and it travels almost in synch with the Earth. It was discovered by the University of Hawaii this week. Astronomers suggest that it has probably been tagging along for around 60 years and is likely to continue along with the Earth until 2083. The celestial body is known as a ‘quasi-moon’ and is 18 to 36 meters wide and is approximately the width of a building. The celestial body is identified as 2025 PN7. But unlike the moon, which is bound by gravity to the Earth, the 2025 PN7 is not bound to the Earth. At its closest, it will come as close as 4 million km distance of the Earth, roughly 10 times the distance to the moon; at its most distant, it can move away to 17 million km from the Earth. This to and fro movement is because of the interaction of the gravity of the Sun, the Earth. Such mini-moons are naturally captured objects that orbit the planet for a short period before either falling back into space or entering Earth’s atmosphere. The celestial body was first observed earlier in the year, during a routine telescope survey. It came across at first as an illegible dot, but soon confirmed to be a companion of the earth. Till now, the Earth has found eight quasi-moons in total. Each of these is important in revealing information about near-earth gravity and how asteroids interact with it. This sparks scientific curiosity and highlights the dynamic nature of objects in near-Earth space. Earth's main moon remains the dominant natural satellite, but these temporary companions. Our moon is brighter, bigger and a constant of the Earth. But 2025 PN7 is a silent traveller that has temporarily joined the Earth in its journey.

Earth has a temporary new companion, NASA confirms asteroid 2025  PN7 has entered orbit, acting as a mini-moon. Not permanent, but fascinating.

Earth has two moons? NASA confirms asteroid becomes earth's second moon until 2083

Afghanistan Defence Minister, from the ruling Taliban regime, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid slammed Pakistan for claiming that Kabul is fighting ‘New Delhi’s proxy war.' The Taliban minister called the remarks made by Pakistan defence minister “groundless" and “illogical." Clarifying that Afghanistan's ties with India under Taliban regime are “independent” and guided “solely by Afghanistan’s national interests,” he said that his country won't allow allow its territory to be used against other countries.&nbsp;Speaking at an interview with Qatar-run broadcaster Al Jazeera, Mujahid in Doha, said, “These accusations are groundless. Our policy will never involve using our territory against other countries. We maintain relations with India as an independent nation and will strengthen those ties within the framework of our national interests." “At the same time, we will preserve our relations with Pakistan based on good neighborliness. Our aim is to expand relations, not create tensions. Pakistan’s accusations are unfounded, illogical, and unacceptable," he added.&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-hosting-terrorist-groups-and-blaming-neighbours-india-issues-stern-response-after-khawaja-asif-blames-delhi-for-clashes-with-afghan-taliban-1760667128144">'Hosting terrorist groups and blaming neighbours': India issues stern response after Khawaja Asif blames Delhi for clashes with Afghan Taliban</a><h2>What exactly did Pak minister say?</h2>Amid increasing hostility between Pakistan and Afghanistan and deadly clashes on the border, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif blamed India. Issuing a baseless allegation, Asif highlighted the timing of the clashes at the border and said that it happened during Afghani foreign minister's India visit. Slamming the Taliban, Asif alleged that it is fighting ‘India’s proxy war.' Speaking to Geo News, Asif said, "I have my doubts that the ceasefire will hold, because the decisions of the [Afghan] Taliban are being sponsored by Delhi…Right now, Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi."&nbsp;&nbsp;Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-minister-baselessly-claims-afghan-taliban-fighting-india-s-proxy-war-1760593863943">'Fighting India's proxy war': Pakistan minister casts doubt on ceasefire with Afghan Taliban, issues anti-India rant</a><h2>India slams Pakistan&nbsp;</h2>India also slammed Asif for his comments and said that it was an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its internal failures. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal slammed Pakistan stating that it is the country that “hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities.” He then added that Pakistan has a old habit of putting blame on neighbours. He also claimed that Islamabad is not happy with Afghanistan exercising its sovereignty over its own territories.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read More |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-afghans-have-always-been-loyal-to-india-explosions-rock-kabul-within-48-hours-of-pak-minister-vowing-big-action-what-happened-1760061090838"> 'Afghans have always been loyal to India': Explosions rock Kabul within 48 hours of Pak PM 'vowing big action' - What happened</a>

Afghan Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid rejected Pakistan's claim that Kabul is fighting India’s proxy war, calling it baseless. He stressed Afghanistan’s independent ties with India and peaceful policy. Earlier, India had slammed Pak for deflecting blame and supporting terrorism.

Afghanistan Defence Minister, from the ruling Taliban regime, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid slammed Pakistan for claiming that Kabul is fighting ‘New Delhi’s proxy war.' The Taliban minister called the remarks made by Pakistan defence minister “groundless" and “illogical." Clarifying that Afghanistan's ties with India under Taliban regime are “independent” and guided “solely by Afghanistan’s national interests,” he said that his country won't allow allow its territory to be used against other countries. Speaking at an interview with Qatar-run broadcaster Al Jazeera, Mujahid in Doha, said, “These accusations are groundless. Our policy will never involve using our territory against other countries. We maintain relations with India as an independent nation and will strengthen those ties within the framework of our national interests." “At the same time, we will preserve our relations with Pakistan based on good neighborliness. Our aim is to expand relations, not create tensions. Pakistan’s accusations are unfounded, illogical, and unacceptable," he added. Read More | 'Hosting terrorist groups and blaming neighbours': India issues stern response after Khawaja Asif blames Delhi for clashes with Afghan Taliban What exactly did Pak minister say? Amid increasing hostility between Pakistan and Afghanistan and deadly clashes on the border, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif blamed India. Issuing a baseless allegation, Asif highlighted the timing of the clashes at the border and said that it happened during Afghani foreign minister's India visit. Slamming the Taliban, Asif alleged that it is fighting ‘India’s proxy war.' Speaking to Geo News, Asif said, "I have my doubts that the ceasefire will hold, because the decisions of the [Afghan] Taliban are being sponsored by Delhi…Right now, Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi." Read More | 'Fighting India's proxy war': Pakistan minister casts doubt on ceasefire with Afghan Taliban, issues anti-India rant India slams Pakistan India also slammed Asif for his comments and said that it was an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its internal failures. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal slammed Pakistan stating that it is the country that “hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities.” He then added that Pakistan has a old habit of putting blame on neighbours. He also claimed that Islamabad is not happy with Afghanistan exercising its sovereignty over its own territories. Read More | 'Afghans have always been loyal to India': Explosions rock Kabul within 48 hours of Pak PM 'vowing big action' - What happened

Afghan Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid rejected Pakistan's claim that Kabul is fighting India’s proxy war, calling it baseless. He stressed Afghanistan’s independent ties with India and peaceful policy. Earlier, India had slammed Pak for deflecting blame and supporting terrorism.

'Afghanistan maintains relations...': Taliban minister slams Pakistan for 'fighting India's proxy war' remark, calls it 'illogical'

South Korea's military, through its Joint Chief of Staff, reported that North Korea had fired several ballistic missiles on Wednesday. The missiles were reportedly fired from an area south of the capital, Pyongyang and were flying northeastern direction at around 350km.&nbsp;According to several reports, Japan's new Prime Minister&nbsp;Sanae Takaichi said that the missiles have not reached the territorial waters of Japan. North Korea usually tests its missiles in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.This is North Korea's first ballistic launch since June, when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office. This comes just ahead of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference to be organised in South Korea from October 30 to November 1. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, are likely to participate in the APEC annual summit. However, South Korean officials say that Mr Trump is unlikely to be present for the summit. A total of representatives from 21 states, along with businessmen and CEOs like the Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, are expected to be present at the summit.Experts predict that North Korea is likely to launch more provocative missiles ahead of and during the APEC summit. This recent move complicates South Korea's efforts to engage North Korea in diplomacy. &nbsp;Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, has urged for "a new era of peaceful coexistence" during his speech at the UN General Assembly last year.&nbsp;The UN has yet to recognise North Korea as a nuclear-armed state despite its possessing nuclear capability. From North Korea's perspective, this is necessary to push for a lifting of the international sanctions. Washington has repeatedly urged the resumption of diplomatic talks on nuclear disarmament. However, Kim Jung Yun has repeatedly insisted that North Korea is open for diplomatic talks if Washington gives up its aim of nuclear disarmament.&nbsp;&nbsp;

North Korea fires several ballistic missiles days before the APEC 2025 Summit in South Korea, raising regional tensions ahead of global leaders’ visit.

South Korea's military, through its Joint Chief of Staff, reported that North Korea had fired several ballistic missiles on Wednesday. The missiles were reportedly fired from an area south of the capital, Pyongyang and were flying northeastern direction at around 350km. According to several reports, Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said that the missiles have not reached the territorial waters of Japan. North Korea usually tests its missiles in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. This is North Korea's first ballistic launch since June, when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office. This comes just ahead of the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference to be organised in South Korea from October 30 to November 1. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, are likely to participate in the APEC annual summit. However, South Korean officials say that Mr Trump is unlikely to be present for the summit. A total of representatives from 21 states, along with businessmen and CEOs like the Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, are expected to be present at the summit. Experts predict that North Korea is likely to launch more provocative missiles ahead of and during the APEC summit. This recent move complicates South Korea's efforts to engage North Korea in diplomacy. Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, has urged for "a new era of peaceful coexistence" during his speech at the UN General Assembly last year. The UN has yet to recognise North Korea as a nuclear-armed state despite its possessing nuclear capability. From North Korea's perspective, this is necessary to push for a lifting of the international sanctions. Washington has repeatedly urged the resumption of diplomatic talks on nuclear disarmament. However, Kim Jung Yun has repeatedly insisted that North Korea is open for diplomatic talks if Washington gives up its aim of nuclear disarmament.

North Korea fires several ballistic missiles days before the APEC 2025 Summit in South Korea, raising regional tensions ahead of global leaders’ visit.

North Korea fires ballistic missiles ahead of Trump's visit to South Korea for APEC annual summit

A Sri Lankan opposition politician was shot dead in his office on Wednesday, police said, the latest in a wave of assassinations and the first to target a political figure. Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, the council chairman of the coastal city of Weligama, was meeting with constituents when a gunman burst in and fired multiple times with a revolver.&nbsp;No one else was wounded, and the gunman fled the scene. "An investigation is underway to track down the killer," police said in a statement, adding that the motive for the attack remains unclear. Wickramasekara was a member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya&nbsp;(SJB) party, which has been locked in a bitter power struggle with the ruling party over control of the Weligama council.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-strikes-kill-six-in-kyiv-amid-energy-blackouts-power-cuts-across-ukraine-1761121304553">Russian strikes kill six in Kyiv amid energy blackouts, power cuts across Ukraine</a>&nbsp;Sri Lanka has seen a surge in violent crime this year, much of it linked to drug gangs and organised crime. Official figures show at least 50 people have been killed in more than 100 shootings. This marks the first assassination of a politician since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government came to power last year, pledging to restore law and order. The most brazen attack was in February when a gunman dressed as a lawyer shot dead a suspect inside a courthouse in Colombo.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-based-terror-group-jaish-e-mohammed-launches-online-course-to-recruit-women-into-new-all-female-unit-1761117261805">Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed launches online course to recruit women into new all-female unit</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sri Lanka politician, Lasantha Wickramasekara, shot dead inside office

A Sri Lankan opposition politician was shot dead in his office on Wednesday, police said, the latest in a wave of assassinations and the first to target a political figure. Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, the council chairman of the coastal city of Weligama, was meeting with constituents when a gunman burst in and fired multiple times with a revolver. No one else was wounded, and the gunman fled the scene. "An investigation is underway to track down the killer," police said in a statement, adding that the motive for the attack remains unclear. Wickramasekara was a member of the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party, which has been locked in a bitter power struggle with the ruling party over control of the Weligama council. Also Read: Russian strikes kill six in Kyiv amid energy blackouts, power cuts across Ukraine Sri Lanka has seen a surge in violent crime this year, much of it linked to drug gangs and organised crime. Official figures show at least 50 people have been killed in more than 100 shootings. This marks the first assassination of a politician since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government came to power last year, pledging to restore law and order. The most brazen attack was in February when a gunman dressed as a lawyer shot dead a suspect inside a courthouse in Colombo. Also Read: Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed launches online course to recruit women into new all-female unit Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lasantha Wickramasekara, 38, the council chairman of the coastal city of Weligama, was meeting with constituents when a gunman burst in and fired multiple times with a revolver

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Sri Lanka politician, Lasantha Wickramasekara, shot dead inside office