World
Kerala man killed in missile attack in Israel
According to media reports from Jerusalem, the deceased has been identified as Pat Nibin Maxwell, a resident of Kerala's Kollam district
Houthis target oil tanker to India
This marks the third incident in the past month where Houthi missiles have targeted India-bound ships
New Delhi, Male agree on mutually workable solution to continue operation of Indian platforms in Maldives
The two sides decided to set up the core group following a meeting between Modi and Muizzu on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai
Navy Rushes to Aid Ship Hit by Houthi Drone
The merchant ship had nine Indians among its 22 crew members onboard
Maldives may be small but it doesn't give them license to bully us: President Muizzu
His comments came amid a diplomatic row with India over derogatory social media posts by three of his ministers against PM Narendra Modi
Asia
Kim vows North Korea to have world's most powerful nuclear force
Kim exhorted the scientists and workers to 'expand and bolster up the nuclear war deterrent of the country at an exceptionally rapid speed'
Nepal polls: PM Deuba wins from Dadeldhura; Nepali Congress ahead in election tally
Elections to the House of Representatives (HoR) and seven provincial assemblies were held on Sunday
Sri Lanka makes defence ministry's NOC mandatory for foreigners marrying locals
Registrar General WMMB Weerasekera, in a circular dated October 18, said that the decision has been taken due to national security reasons
Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan, defying China threats
Pelosi, second in line to the presidency, is the highest-profile elected US official to visit Taiwan in 25 years
Sri Lanka announces USD 1 billion economic relief package; says won't default on debt
People owning land below one acre would be given 10,000 rupees (USD 49) subsidy to cultivate food crops, Rajapaksa said
Middle East
Putin heads to Tehran for talks with leaders of Iran, Turkey
Putin is seeking to bolster ties with Tehran, a fellow target of severe U.S. sanctions and a potential military and trade partner
Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh killed during Israeli raid in West Bank
Ali Samoudi, another Palestinian journalist, was hospitalized in stable condition after being shot in the back
New coronavirus variant 'Deltacron' emerges in Cyprus
In total, 10 of the mutations from Omicron were found in the 25 samples taken in Cyprus
Pakistan opens air route to Afghanistan for commercial cargo
Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan International Airlines said that it had immediately suspended its operation in Kabul citing 'security reasons'
UN expresses concern over human rights violations in Afghanistan
The UNAMA Human Rights said that there is a need for investigations, transparency and accountability of such cases
Africa
Mauritius oil spill ship operator to pay $9.4 million
More than 1,000 tonnes of oil is believed to have leaked from the ship, with the rest siphoned out before it spilled
African continent hits 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases
African health officials also worry that the continent will suffer as richer countries buy up supplies
Maduro announces arrest of 'American spy' near Venezuelan refineries
The arrest occurred after a 'plan to cause an explosion' was 'discovered and dismantled' at El Palito refinery, authorities say
Biden administration proposes massive hike in immigration fees including H-1B visas
The application for the H-1B visa increases from USD 460 to USD 780, and L-1 from USD 460 to USD 1,385
BRICS to Add 6 New Members
Brics also agreed to support India’s proposal for membership of the African Union (AU) in the G20
Europe
NATO sending planes, ships to eastern Europe
Tensions are mounting as the West accuses Moscow of threatening to invade Ukraine by massing over 100,000 troops on its border
Blinken to visit Kyiv on Sunday: Zelensky
It will be the first official visit by US government officials since the February 24 invasion
Russia 'would deploy nuclear arms' near Finland, Sweden if join NATO
Finland said this week it will decide whether to apply for NATO membership within weeks and Sweden is also discussing membership
Boris Johnson to resign, will stay UK PM until new leader elected
The move came after days of high drama and a steady stream of resignations from his Cabinet since Tuesday
Russia announces opening of humanitarian corridors in Kyiv, other cities
Russian forces, for humanitarian purposes, are declaring a 'regime of silence' from 10:00 am on 7 March, the Russian defence ministry said
Americas
G-7 joins EU on $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the pact will help restrict Putin's primary source of revenue for his illegal war in Ukraine
US abortion ruling sparks global debate, polarizes activists
The U.N. agency dealing with sexual and reproductive health said that whether or not abortion is legal 'it happens all too often'
Biden to decide on second term 'shortly' after new year: Top aide
At 80 he is already the oldest president in US history and if he served a second term he would be 86 by the time he stepped down
Not familiar with it, familiar with shared values with India: US on BBC documentary
Price said that there are numerous elements that bolster the US' global strategic partnership with India
White House aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy vows to end H-1B visa programme
Ramaswamy himself has used the H-1B visa programme 29 times
Oceania
Indian student stabbed multiple times in Australia allegedly for cash
The incident took place on Oct 6 at about 10.30 pm, as Shubham Garg walked along the Pacific Highway, NSW Police Force said in a statement
New Zealand extends Delta outbreak lockdown
PM Jacinda Ardern said the initial three-day lockdown, which would have expired overnight Friday, would be extended by another four days
Coronavirus cases surge across Australia as omicron explodes
The surge has already overwhelmed testing stations, prompted new vaccine mandates and caused at least one state to cut back on surgeries
Facebook to restore Australia news pages as deal reached on media law
Prime Minister Scott Morrison had angrily accused Facebook of making a decision to 'unfriend' Australia
New Zealand temporarily suspends entry of travellers from India amid COVID-19 surge
The travel restriction comes after New Zealand recorded 23 new COVID-19 cases in managed isolation on Thursday, of which 17 came from India