By. B.V. Phani Kumar
- Nepal flood disaster deepens: Death toll from catastrophic flash floods and landslides has climbed past 760, with nearly 3,000 people still missing across Nepal and adjoining Tibetan areas; mass burials have begun in Chitwan as rescue teams battle blocked roads and fresh rainfall warnings.
- Russia escalates energy war on Ukraine: Moscow warned of “massive strikes” targeting Ukraine’s power grid and energy infrastructure, raising fears of widespread blackheads ahead of winter as Kyiv scrambles to reinforce air defences.
- Iceland rejects EU membership bid: In a closely watched referendum, Icelandic voters turned down restarting accession negotiations with the European Union by about 53–47%, citing sovereignty concerns and protection of fisheries amid geopolitical uncertainty.
- Australia’s far-right makes inroads: The One Nation party won a lower-house seat in Western Australia’s state parliament, unseating Labor in a Perth constituency and extending its surge after entering the national lower house earlier this year.
- Guinea-Bissau holds pivotal referendum: Voters cast ballots on constitutional changes to shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system, a move backed by the ruling junta as part of a transition plan ahead of December elections.
- G20 finance chiefs meet under strain: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pressed counterparts to narrow trade imbalances, boost growth and cut Iran-linked business ties while trying to soothe markets jittery over rising U.S. debt and bond yields.
- France’s Palestine fault line widens: With the 2027 presidential race taking shape, analysts say France’s recognition of Palestine and criticism of Israel’s Gaza campaign have turned the issue into a domestic litmus test for leadership.
- Libya’s 4+4 committee signs election deal: Rival factions agreed on restructuring the High National Elections Commission and set a 24-month timetable for parliamentary and presidential polls under a unified executive, a key step toward ending the east–west split.
- Myanmar military regains ground with air power: Junta forces, backed by hundreds of air strikes and conscript deployments, have pushed back rebels in several townships, including near India’s border, though civilian casualties remain high.
- Iran’s border child labour crisis: Economic hardship is driving children in Iran’s frontier provinces into “kolbari”—hazardous cross‑border goods carrying—despite repeated warnings from labour groups about injuries and deaths.
- Honduras Supreme Court convenes Garífuna land dialogue: After four international rulings ordering land restitution, the court called talks with Garífuna communities over collective titles in Punta Piedra, Triunfo de la Cruz, San Juan and Cayos Cochinos; community leaders boycotted, citing unfulfilled orders.
- U.S. mail‑voting rules blocked again: A federal judge temporarily halted a Trump administration plan seen by critics as designed to restrict ballot delivery by mail ahead of the midterms, extending a legal tug‑of‑war over postal voting regulations.
- U.S. sanctions on Iran tighten: Treasury announced fresh measures to isolate Iran’s financial channels, the first public actions under a new campaign aimed at curbing Tehran’s regional activities.
- Meta settles with states for up to $18 billion: A sweeping agreement resolves long‑running investigations into the company’s data and content practices, with funds earmarked for state-level consumer protection and digital safety initiatives.
- Trump administration deports 23,000+ to third countries: Since early 2025, more than 23,000 migrants have been sent to 26 nations under expanded removal programmes, drawing scrutiny from rights groups and some lawmakers.
- California environmental waivers hit local resistance: Governor Gavin Newsom’s push to fast‑track big infrastructure by waiving some rules is meeting pushback from local authorities concerned about cumulative impacts.
- U.S. oil reserve replenishment plan advances: The White House said a proposal to refill strategic petroleum reserves could help lower gasoline prices, even as Republican challenges to California’s rulemaking powers force regulatory recalibration.
- FIFA investment row intensifies: Legal fallout continues over FIFA’s controversial push to tap private investment for revenue expansion, with critics warning of governance risks and conflicts of interest.
- Vietnam moves to end death penalty for drug trafficking: Hanoi is narrowing capital punishment for narcotics offences, retaining it only for “exceptional” cases, part of a broader criminal justice reform drive.
- SCO summit sees Vietnam’s vice‑presidential debut: Vietnam’s vice president attended an expanded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, marking the first such participation after recent party and assembly elections.
