- Russia and Ukraine have reported some progress in peace talks held in Abu Dhabi over two days.
- The two sides agreed in principle to a major prisoner exchange, though wider differences remain unresolved.
- Territorial questions continue to be among the most difficult issues in the negotiations.
- United States mediators said the talks would continue despite the absence of a full breakthrough.
- The development has raised cautious hopes for a reduction in hostilities, but officials remain guarded.
- United States envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin.
- The meeting is part of a renewed American push to secure a peace arrangement in the Ukraine war.
- It marked the tenth in-person meeting between Witkoff and the Russian President.
- The talks followed the Abu Dhabi negotiations and were expected to focus on ending the conflict.
- Observers say the outcome could influence the pace of future diplomacy and battlefield decisions.
- Russia said it carried out a large overnight strike on military factories across Ukraine.
- Targets included facilities in Kyiv and the wider Kyiv region, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
- Kyiv’s mayor said a Russian drone struck a nine-storey residential building in the Solomyanskyi district.
- One woman was reported killed and five people injured in the incident.
- Ukrainian officials also reported damage to energy and civilian infrastructure in the Rivne region.
- Moscow said its air defences brought down 71 Ukrainian drones overnight across Russian territory.
- The city’s mayor said five drones heading towards the Russian capital were intercepted.
- The claims came as both countries continued exchanging long-range attacks.
- Civilian infrastructure has again been drawn into the conflict, worsening safety concerns.
- The scale of the overnight operations underlined the continuing intensity of the war.
- Oil prices moved higher after an early fall, as geopolitical tensions continued to support the market.
- Brent crude rose 45 cents to 93.21 dollars a barrel in Asian trading.
- United States West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 27 cents to 86.80 dollars a barrel.
- Both contracts had earlier fallen by more than a dollar amid supply concerns.
- Traders are watching Middle East developments closely for signs of disruption to exports.
- Japan confirmed its first bird flu case of the season in Kyoto prefecture.
- The outbreak was reported at a farm in Kameoka city in western Japan.
- Authorities said avian influenza had killed 14 birds at the farm.
- Officials decided to cull about 200,000 birds to contain the spread.
- The case has raised concerns for poultry farmers and food supply chains ahead of winter.
- The United Kingdom government is discussing contingency plans to support households if energy costs worsen.
- Finance minister John Healey said officials were preparing for a worst-case energy scenario.
- The move follows concerns over the impact of the Middle East energy crisis.
- Any support package would aim to protect vulnerable households from sharp price rises.
- The government has not yet announced the exact form or size of the proposed measures.
- Poundland has received a temporary reprieve as its United States owner continues talks with potential buyers.
- Gordon Brothers agreed to extend a moratorium on creditor claims by another 10 days.
- The extension gives the discount retailer more time to secure a buyer.
- The company had faced the prospect of an immediate collapse without the arrangement.
- The case highlights continuing pressure on British high-street retail businesses.
- British artificial intelligence chip start-up Fractile has reached a valuation of about 7 billion dollars.
- The valuation came in its latest fundraising round, which included backing from the British government.
- The company is now among the most valuable technology start-ups in the United Kingdom.
- Investors continue to show strong interest in advanced computing and semiconductor businesses.
- The development reflects the growing strategic importance of chip technology globally.
- ExxonMobil has launched a legal challenge against European Union carbon capture rules.
- The company filed a confidential challenge against the regulatory framework.
- The case could test the limits of Europe’s climate policy and industrial compliance requirements.
- Carbon capture technology is central to several decarbonisation plans across the region.
- The dispute may influence how energy companies approach future investments in Europe.
- Senior lawmakers in the United States are pushing to tighten restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence chips.
- Republicans and Democrats want to include proposed measures in a stalled defence package.
- The proposals would make it harder to send advanced AI chips to certain countries.
- The move reflects concern over the military and strategic use of advanced computing.
- Chip-making nations and technology firms are closely watching the legislative debate.
- European Union lawmakers have backed a 200-billion-euro plan to strengthen research and innovation.
- The Horizon programme is intended to support scientific research across member states.
- The funding push comes amid global competition in technology, defence and clean energy.
- Supporters say sustained investment is necessary to keep Europe competitive.
- Critics will watch how effectively the funds reach universities, start-ups and industry.
- The United States announced fresh sanctions against 13 individuals and entities.
- Those targeted include people and organisations based in Russia, China, Hong Kong and Pakistan.
- Washington said the action was aimed at networks helping Iran procure weapons and components.
- The sanctions add to existing pressure on Iran’s external procurement channels.
- The measure could affect shipping, finance and technology-linked businesses.
- United States forces have completed their exit from Iraq after more than two decades.
- The withdrawal marks a major shift in America’s military presence in the Middle East.
- Analysts say the departure could create more space for Iranian influence in the region.
- Iraqi authorities now face the task of managing security without a direct American combat presence.
- The development is likely to shape regional alliances and future security arrangements.
- Iran’s top security official said no talks were currently underway with the United States.
- The statement came amid continuing tensions over the Middle East conflict.
- Tehran has previously rejected direct negotiations under pressure from Washington.
- The lack of dialogue raises the risk of further escalation in the region.
- Global energy markets remain sensitive to any change in Iran’s position.
- Houthi forces have intensified attacks on airports, ports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
- The strikes have added to concerns about the security of key infrastructure in the region.
- Shipping and energy routes are particularly vulnerable to such attacks.
- Saudi authorities face growing pressure to protect civilian and commercial assets.
- The situation adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile Middle East.
- A new study suggests that not everyone diagnosed with obesity is in poor health.
- Researchers found that only between a quarter and a third of people diagnosed with obesity may be considered unwell.
- The study was published in the journal Nature and supports a broader way of assessing health.
- Experts have proposed moving beyond body mass index alone to include body fat and wider health indicators.
- The findings could influence how doctors and health systems approach obesity treatment worldwide.
- The World Health Organization estimates that more than one billion people globally are affected by obesity.
- The scale of the problem has made it a major public-health challenge for governments.
- Health experts say prevention, early diagnosis and affordable treatment remain key priorities.
- The new research may prompt a review of diagnostic standards in several countries.
- Policymakers are likely to face pressure to update health guidance and screening methods.
- Global economic commentators have warned that the world economy could be vulnerable to an artificial intelligence investment bust.
- Concerns have grown that heavy spending on AI infrastructure may not generate returns quickly enough.
- Investors have begun reducing exposure to semiconductor-heavy markets in some regions.
- The shift has benefited countries such as India, which are being seen as diversification destinations.
- The coming months will test whether AI-led market optimism can be sustained.
- A commentary published by an international news agency argued that Iran, like the United States, has missed opportunities to end the war.
- The piece said continued fighting would carry costs for Iran’s key allies, including China.
- China is both the world’s largest crude importer and a major supplier of manufactured goods.
- Prolonged conflict could disrupt trade, energy flows and global supply chains.
- The analysis suggests diplomatic space may still exist, despite deep mistrust between the sides.
