Live Wire
Amazon Indigenous Leaders Take Environmental Crime Demands to UN
Indigenous leaders from four Amazonian countries are pressing governments to include land rights, community protection and Indigenous consent in a proposed UN protocol addressing environmental crime.
Oil Prices Retreat as Trump Waives New Sanctions on Russia
Brent crude retreated below $109 after President Trump suspended new sanctions and punitive tariffs targeting Russia. The waiver eases pressure on global oil supplies and reduces immediate tariff risks for major buyers, including India, while Middle East shipping disruptions continue.
Iran Appoints Missile Industry Veteran Mehrdad Akhlaqi as Defence Minister
Iran's parliament has approved Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defence minister with 237 votes. The veteran aerospace and missile industry official takes charge of military production and procurement following months of conflict and the death of his predecessor.
Spain Arrests Two on Terrorism Suspicions in Basque Country
Two people have been arrested on terrorism suspicions in Spain's Basque Country after police discovered information concerning security forces and a possible weapons cache. The investigation has been referred to Spain's Audiencia Nacional, with no confirmed link to a terrorist organisation.
Two Killed in Saudi Military Helicopter Crash Near Yemen Border
Two Saudi military personnel have been killed in a helicopter crash near Yemen's border. Saudi Arabia attributes the loss to a technical malfunction, while the Houthis claim to have shot down an Apache helicopter. The conflicting accounts remain unresolved.
Israeli Settlers Attack European Diplomats in West Bank
European diplomats visiting Palestinian olive harvesters in the West Bank were reportedly confronted by masked Israeli settlers near Taybeh. A Belgian diplomatic vehicle was damaged, and Israeli police have launched an investigation amid escalating violence against Palestinian farming communities.
Tunisia Sees Largest Anti-Government Protest in Years as Anger Grows
Thousands of Tunisians have joined a major demonstration against President Kais Saied, bringing labour unions, opposition parties and civil society groups together. Economic hardship, political detentions and restrictions on democratic freedoms are driving renewed public resistance.
Iran Says Supertanker Struck Naval Mine in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say an oil supertanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude struck a naval mine while crossing the Strait of Hormuz without authorisation. The vessel remains unidentified, and independent confirmation of the explosion is unavailable.
Three Children Reportedly Killed in Saudi Airstrike on Yemen
Three children aged eight and ten were reportedly killed when an airstrike struck homes in Yemen's Dhamar province. Houthi authorities blamed Saudi Arabia and alleged the use of cluster munitions, claims that remain unverified as fighting intensifies.
India and US Confirm Jaishankar-Rubio Talks for October 20
India and the US have confirmed an October 20 meeting between S Jaishankar and Marco Rubio in Mumbai. Trade, energy and investment will accompany discussions on defence, technology and the wider strategic partnership.
India Commits ₹150 Crore to Build Indigenous Quantum Security Systems
India has committed ₹150 crore to QNu Labs for a ₹300 crore indigenous quantum-security project. The programme aims to develop secure communications, trusted navigation, hardware authentication and precision timing technologies for defence and critical infrastructure.
Civilian Deaths Mount in Tigray as Ethiopia–Eritrea Tensions Escalate
Ethiopian troops have advanced towards the Eritrean border as renewed fighting claims civilian lives across Tigray. Accusations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have intensified, threatening the fragile peace established in 2022 and complicating efforts to protect civilians.