On October 15, 2025, Uruguay’s Senate legalized euthanasia, becoming the first Latin American country to do so through legislation. Approved by 20 of 31 senators after five years of debate, the law allows terminally ill or severely suffering patients to request medical assistance to end their lives, provided they are mentally competent and approved by two doctors. Unlike Colombia and Ecuador, Uruguay’s law stems from legislative action, not court rulings. Minors are excluded, and assisted suicide remains prohibited. The move, reflecting growing secularism, strengthens Uruguay’s progressive image alongside legalized marijuana, same-sex marriage, and abortion, despite opposition from the Catholic Church.    

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks, signalling a possible easing of trade tensions. Trump admitted that the 100% tariffs he announced on all Chinese imports last week were “not sustainable.” The meeting is expected to take place during the APEC summit in South Korea. Trump said he believes things “will be fine” with China, despite recent sharp exchanges over trade and rare earth export controls. China has warned that the US move harms bilateral ties but said it remains open to talks to resolve differences. (PC: India Today)

Fresh clashes broke out in Bangladesh on Friday as protesters opposed the interim government’s new political charter. Hundreds gathered outside the National Parliament complex in Dhaka, accusing the government of ignoring their concerns. Police fired tear gas, stun grenades, and used batons to disperse the crowd. Several people were injured. The protesters were part of the movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. The new “July National Charter,” signed by major political parties, aims to guide reforms under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s government. However, several groups refused to sign, calling the charter incomplete and unfair.

Venezuelan fishermen are living in fear after recent US military strikes on boats in the Caribbean. The attacks, aimed at suspected drug traffickers, have killed at least 27 people. The US says the boats carried drugs linked to networks backed by President Nicolás Maduro, but no proof has been shown. Fishermen near Lake Maracaibo say they now fear being mistaken targets. Many have stopped going to sea, while others vow to defend their country. Venezuela’s defence minister has warned citizens to prepare “for the worst” as tensions rise between Washington and Caracas.

Russian President Putin told Trump during Thursday's phone call that Russia remains open to Ukraine settlement, with Kremlin confirming a summit could occur within two weeks in Budapest, Hungary. The announcement precedes Trump's Friday Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, where Tomahawk cruise missile supply discussions are expected. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Foreign Minister Lavrov and Secretary of State Marco Rubio must arrange preliminary talks resolving several issues before the summit. Putin faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant but will travel to Hungary regardless. Trump posted on Truth Social suggesting Middle East success could aid Russia-Ukraine negotiations, calling the conflict "inglorious."

Ukrainian President Zelensky meets Trump Friday at the White House, seeking Tomahawk missiles capable of striking 2,500km into Russia. The meeting follows Trump's "very productive" call with Putin Thursday, where they agreed to face-to-face talks in Budapest within two weeks. Trump reversed his earlier openness, stating "we can't deplete" US Tomahawk stockpiles. High-level advisors will meet next week, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading American delegation. Russia launched massive overnight attacks that includes 28 ballistic missiles and 320 drones before the Trump-Putin call, exposing Moscow's "real attitude toward peace," Ukraine's ambassador stated. Trump-Putin relations improved since failed August Alaska summit, though comprehensive peace remains elusive. (PC: Reuters)

Critical Pakistan-Taliban negotiations commence Friday in Doha with third-party mediation, addressing escalating cross-border tensions fueled by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan's National Security Adviser Lt Gen Asim Malik and Afghan Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob are expected to meet, with key ministers joining delegations. Discussions center on ceasefire extension, highlighting Pakistan's security vulnerabilities and military fatigue from TTP attacks in Khyber and Waziristan. Islamabad seeks concessions and counter-terrorism assurances while desperately attempting to stabilize its western frontier. Kabul aims to assert diplomatic legitimacy, leverage the crisis, and pressure Pakistan toward formal Taliban sovereignty recognition. The third-party mediation underscores severe bilateral relationship breakdown as both sides pursue divergent objectives.

President Trump cast doubt on supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns about depleting US stockpiles despite earlier suggestions he might provide them. Trump announced a second meeting with Putin in Budapest within two weeks, occurring before Friday's White House talks with Zelenskyy. The long-range Tomahawks, with 2,500km range, could reach Moscow, prompting Russian warnings of relationship destruction and major escalation. Trump acknowledged discussing the missiles with Putin, who opposes the transfer. Since 2022's invasion, Ukraine has repeatedly requested long-range capabilities for deep strikes inside Russia. Trump described Tomahawks as a "new step of aggression," stating "we can't deplete for our country" while keeping options open.

On October 15, hackers breached four smaller airports — two in British Columbia (Kelowna, Victoria), one in Ontario (Windsor), and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania — by exploiting a “cloud-based software provider” used for display systems. Messages praising Hamas and condemning Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on flight information screens and loudspeakers. At Harrisburg, a voiceover declared “Free Palestine” and claimed “Turkish hacker Cyber Islam was here.” U.S. and Canadian authorities, including the FAA and RCMP, are investigating the breaches.     

Satellite images have confirmed Pakistan’s recent airstrikes inside Afghanistan between October 9 and 15, targeting areas in Kandahar, Nangarhar, and Spin Boldak. The strikes destroyed multiple Taliban-linked sites, including camps and storage facilities near the border. Afghan authorities reported at least 21 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries, while Pakistan claimed to have targeted militant hideouts. The Taliban responded by attacking Pakistani posts and claimed significant losses on the other side. The clashes, occurring soon after Taliban minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s India visit, prompted Qatar-brokered peace efforts leading to a temporary truce on October 15. (PC: India Today)