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Russia and Saudi Arabia Push to Reopen Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb
Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman have called for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Disruptions at both waterways have restricted Saudi oil exports, raised shipping costs and intensified fears of a wider global energy crisis.
Trump and Delcy Rodríguez Meet as US–Venezuela Relations Enter New Phase
Donald Trump has met Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, for the first time since Nicolás Maduro’s capture. The encounter signals a thaw centred on oil and reconstruction, while questions over Venezuela’s political future remain unresolved.
Trump Threatens to “Annihilate” Iran if Peace Talks Fail
Donald Trump has threatened to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if Iran refuses to reach an agreement ending the war. The warning came during his UN address, even as US envoys held indirect talks with Iranian mediators and both governments publicly signalled conditional interest in diplomacy.
Modi Could Visit Canada as India and Canada Race to Finalise Trade Deal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Canada as New Delhi and Ottawa work to conclude a comprehensive trade agreement by the end of 2026. The proposed trip has not been formally scheduled, but it could provide the setting for signing the pact if negotiations are completed in time.
Astronomers Confirm a Newborn Planet Less Than a Million Years Old
Astronomers have confirmed Elias 2-24 b as the youngest known planet ever directly observed. Less than a million years old and still gathering material inside its birth disk, the distant gas giant offers a rare opportunity to watch planetary formation at an exceptionally early stage.
British Columbia Sues OpenAI Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting
British Columbia has sued OpenAI and Sam Altman over the Tumbler Ridge massacre, alleging the company detected the attacker’s violent ChatGPT activity but failed to warn police. The province is seeking recovery costs and court-ordered changes to the platform’s safety procedures.
Texas Hanuman Statue Targeted Again as Anti-Hindu Rhetoric Intensifies
A MAGA activist’s call to tear down the 90-foot Hanuman statue at a temple in Sugar Land, Texas, has triggered accusations of religious intolerance. Hindu Americans stress that the monument stands on private temple property and is protected by the religious freedom guaranteed to every faith.
Xi’s Military Purge Deepens as China Expels Two Senior Generals
China has expelled Generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Communist Party and military over alleged corruption, faction-building and disloyalty. The removal of two combat veterans leaves Xi Jinping’s top command body with only two active members and deepens an extraordinary military purge.
India’s 7.8% Growth Wins Praise from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has praised India’s 7.8% growth and its position as the fastest-growing major economy, while warning that inconsistent taxation, uneven enforcement of rules and barriers facing foreign companies could prevent the country from converting momentum into investment.
South Korea’s Lee Proposes Sanctions Relief for North Korean Nuclear Freeze
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has urged sanctions relief for North Korea in return for a freeze on its expanding nuclear and missile programmes. His phased proposal replaces an immediate denuclearisation demand with a sequence of stopping, reducing and eventually dismantling the arsenal.
Trump Reportedly Halted US Strikes on Houthis at the Last Minute
Donald Trump reportedly halted planned US strikes on Yemen’s Houthis shortly before launch, despite Saudi requests for military support. The decision avoided an immediate expansion of the conflict but left Riyadh confronting renewed Houthi attacks and advances without direct American intervention.
Gas Found off Konark as ONGC Expands Deepwater Exploration
ONGC has found natural gas in a deepwater well 43 km off Odisha’s Konark coast, offering fresh evidence of the Mahanadi Basin’s potential. The company says the initial flow is encouraging, but reserve size, commercial viability and any production timetable still require more testing and appraisal.