Ahead of the upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the United States has softened its trade stance toward China. US officials confirmed that the earlier threat of imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese imports has been withdrawn, signaling a shift toward negotiation instead of confrontation. The two sides are reportedly working on a broader trade deal covering issues like TikTok’s ownership, rare-earth material exports, and China’s increased purchase of American agricultural products such as soybeans. The development marks a potential easing of trade tensions and a step toward restoring economic stability between the two nations. (PC: AFP)  

Bangladesh’s interim head Muhammad Yunus sparked a diplomatic row by presenting a book to Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairperson Sahir Shamshad Mirza during his Dhaka visit. The book’s cover reportedly featured a distorted map claiming India’s seven northeastern states, including Assam, as part of Bangladesh. India’s strategic “Chicken’s Neck” land corridor to its northeast was called into question by Yunus in recent remarks, exacerbating tensions. New Delhi is monitoring the incident but has not officially responded so far. (PC: India Today)    

French police have arrested two men linked to the daring $102 million crown jewel heist from the Louvre Museum in Paris on October 19. One suspect was detained at Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to flee to Algeria, and the other in Seine-Saint-Denis. Authorities believe the men are part of a larger organized crime network involved in art and luxury theft. Most of the stolen jewels remain missing, with fears they may have been dismantled or smuggled abroad. Investigators continue to track leads across Europe to recover the priceless artifacts. (PC: X)

Egypt and the Red Cross have started searching for the bodies of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Israel allowed the teams to enter areas under its control for the first time. The move is part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal signed in Egypt. Hamas has so far handed over 15 of 28 bodies and is working with Egyptian officials to find the rest. Former US President Donald Trump warned Hamas to return all bodies quickly. Israeli officials said Hamas knows where the bodies are but is delaying. Families of hostages welcomed the move, hoping for proper burials. (PC: BBC)

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others injured during intense clashes with militants along the Afghanistan border in Kurram and North Waziristan districts. The Pakistan Army reported that around 25 militants were also neutralized during the exchange. The incident occurred even as peace talks between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban officials continued in Istanbul, aimed at curbing cross-border terrorism. Islamabad has accused Kabul of failing to act against militant groups operating from Afghan soil, raising fears that renewed hostilities could derail the fragile peace process between the two neighbors. (PC: AFP)    

The US and China have agreed on the framework of a trade deal ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea this week, said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The deal includes a “final agreement” on TikTok’s US operations and a delay in China’s rare earth export controls. Bessent said he does not expect the 100% tariff on Chinese goods to take effect. China will also resume large soybean purchases from the US. Beijing said both sides reached a “basic consensus” to address key concerns. The two leaders will finalise the deal during talks later this week. (PC: Reuters)

Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached a deadlock after Islamabad accused the Taliban of taking an “illogical” stance on key security issues, reports said. The second round of talks in Istanbul came after the October 16 ceasefire that ended recent deadly clashes. Pakistan reportedly demanded stronger action against cross-border militants, but the Taliban refused to cooperate. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of an “all-out war” if talks fail. Turkey is mediating to ease tensions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he is ready to help resolve the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict, calling both sides “great people.” (PC: Reuters)

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “solve very quickly” the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Speaking at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, he praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir as “great people.” His comments came as Pakistan and Afghanistan held the second round of talks in Istanbul to curb border violence and terrorism. The talks follow deadly clashes that killed dozens, including five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants. Pakistan’s Defence Minister warned of an “all-out war” if peace efforts fail. Trump said he was confident both sides would reach a quick solution. (PC: The Hindu)

French police have arrested two suspects linked to the €88 million crown jewel theft from Paris’s Louvre museum. One man was caught at Charles de Gaulle Airport before flying to Algeria, and the other was headed to Mali. The robbery happened last Sunday when four thieves used power tools to break into the museum and steal jewels once owned by Empress Eugenie. They fled within four minutes. DNA evidence helped identify one suspect. France’s justice minister admitted “security failed,” and the Louvre has now moved its rarest jewels to a Bank of France vault for protection. (PC: BBC)

Five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants were killed in heavy fighting along the Afghan border, Pakistan’s army said on Sunday. The clashes took place in Kurram and North Waziristan after militants tried to cross from Afghanistan. Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan are underway in Istanbul to restore peace after earlier violence. Pakistan’s defence minister warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to “open war.” The Taliban government has not replied to the claims but denies backing militants. The recent fighting is the worst since the Taliban took power in 2021. (PC: HT)