Donald Trump said he wants China's help dealing with Russia to end the Ukraine war, speaking aboard Air Force One en route to meet Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump expressed hope that Xi, who he claims has "a big influence on Putin," could assist despite China being Russia's biggest ally and vital support amid Western sanctions. The comments follow a frustrating week for Trump as his August Putin summit yielded no results, and he admitted conversations with Vladimir "don't go anywhere." Trump announced new sanctions Wednesday against Russia's two biggest oil companies, though the Kremlin claims immunity. Meanwhile, Russian strikes killed several in Kyiv as emergency crews responded, with President Zelensky urging allies to increase support. (PC: AP News)

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned that failure to reach an agreement with Afghanistan during Istanbul talks could lead to "open war." The second round of negotiations began Saturday in Turkey, addressing security concerns and establishing a lasting ceasefire after two weeks of deadly border clashes. The confrontation, killing dozens including civilians, erupted following Kabul explosions attributed to Pakistan, prompting Taliban retaliatory strikes. An initial ceasefire collapsed within days, with Kabul blaming Islamabad. A second truce, brokered by Qatar and Turkey, appears stable. Afghanistan's delegation, led by deputy interior minister Haji Najib, seeks territorial integrity protection, while Pakistan demands addressing "terrorism emanating from Afghan soil," according to foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi.

Children in Gaza are dying while waiting for medical evacuation. Three-year-old Zain Tafesh died from leukemia, and eight-year-old Saadi Abu Taha died from cancer. Hospitals are struggling after two years of war, with doctors unable to give proper treatment. The World Health Organization says 15,000 patients need urgent help. Israel has kept Gaza’s Rafah crossing closed until Hamas meets ceasefire terms. WHO and EU countries have urged Israel to allow patients to travel for treatment, especially to hospitals in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Doctors warn that without faster action, more children will die. (PC: BBC)

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani delivered an emotional speech on October 24, 2025, condemning recent Islamophobic attacks from political opponents. Speaking outside the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx, Mamdani criticized the use of hate to fuel political campaigns, emphasizing that such rhetoric harms not only him but also the nearly one million Muslims residing in New York City. His remarks came a day after former Governor Andrew Cuomo agreed with a radio host's suggestion that Mamdani would "cheer" if another September 11 attack occurred. Mamdani's speech highlighted personal experiences of discrimination and concluded with a call for unity and respect. He also received an endorsement from House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries on the eve of early voting. (PC: AFP)

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has revealed that Osama bin Laden narrowly escaped capture at Tora Bora, Afghanistan, by disguising himself as a woman. The U.S. military had reportedly cornered bin Laden and ordered him to surrender, but he requested time until dawn to evacuate women and children. The translator conveying his message was later identified as an al-Qaeda operative embedded within U.S. forces. Exploiting this delay, bin Laden fled under the cover of darkness in a pickup truck, ultimately crossing into Pakistan, highlighting a critical operational oversight during the 2001 manhunt. (PC: NDTV)

Two robbers executed a high-profile daylight heist at Paris’ Louvre Museum, stealing eight priceless crown jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon in just seven minutes. Captured on camera, the thieves, dressed in construction gear, used a hydraulic lift to escape after cutting through a glass display case. The stolen items, including tiaras, necklaces, earrings, and brooches once owned by French royalty, contain thousands of diamonds and other gems, valued at over $102 million. The museum, home to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, temporarily closed and reopened Wednesday, highlighting both the audacity and precision of the theft.  

Afghanistan's Taliban government plans to restrict Pakistan's water access by building dams on the Kunar River, following India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered immediate dam construction using domestic companies, weeks after deadly Afghanistan-Pakistan border clashes killed hundreds. The 480-km Kunar River flows into Pakistan's Kabul River, joining the Indus near Attock, crucial for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab's irrigation needs. Afghanistan and Pakistan have no formal water-sharing agreement, with Islamabad warning of regional water crisis. This follows Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi's India visit, where both nations agreed on hydropower cooperation. India previously built Afghanistan's Salma Dam producing 42MW power and irrigating 75,000 hectares, strengthening bilateral water security partnerships. (PC: X)

Satellite imagery has revealed that China is constructing a sophisticated air defence complex near the India-Tibet border, approximately 110 km from the Pangong Lake region. The facility includes command and control centers, barracks, radar installations, and notably, retractable missile launch positions designed to house Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicles. These covered launch sites are believed to enhance the concealment and protection of China's long-range HQ-9 Surface-to-Air Missile systems. Analysts suggest that this development mirrors a similar site in Gar County, situated about 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), directly opposite India's Nyoma airfield. (PC: India Today)

The U.S., under President Donald Trump, has announced sanctions targeting Russia’s top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, to restrict Moscow’s revenue streams fueling the ongoing Ukraine war. The sanctions, effective November 21, 2025, aim to curb Russian oil exports, especially to key markets including India and China, while pressuring President Vladimir Putin toward a ceasefire. Trump’s move reflects escalating U.S. efforts to tighten economic pressure on Russia amid the prolonged conflict. Russia has condemned the measures as “unfriendly acts,” asserting it will continue its military operations in Ukraine. The sanctions also include financial restrictions on associated subsidiaries. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has stopped all trade negotiations with Canada. He said the move came after Canadian TV ads criticised US tariffs. Trump accused Canada of trying to influence US Supreme Court decisions with the ads. He posted on social media that tariffs are “very important to national security and the US economy.” The decision affects ongoing trade discussions between the two countries. Canadian officials have not yet responded. Experts say this could strain US-Canada relations and impact businesses on both sides of the border. Trump’s action shows tensions over trade and economic policy continue. (PC: The Indian Express)