By B.V. Phani Kumar
- Two high-speed trains collided in Spain’s Toledo province, killing at least 68 people and injuring nearly 180 others. The crash involved more than 500 passengers travelling between Madrid and Andalusia. Emergency teams worked through the night to free survivors from mangled coaches. Spanish authorities declared three days of national mourning. Investigations into the cause are under way.
- Israel held legislative elections with no clear majority emerging. Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party secured the largest number of seats but fell short of a governing majority. Rival blocs are exploring possible coalitions, including with Arab parties. High voter turnout marked the poll. Government formation talks are expected to continue for days.
- Defeated Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro arrived in Miami with his family after leaving Brazil. He declared himself the rightful winner and alleged electoral irregularities. Brazilian authorities had cancelled his passports earlier. The development has heightened political tensions in Brazil. US officials confirmed visa arrangements for the family.
- Saudi Arabia carried out an airstrike on a market in Yemen’s Al-Jawf region, killing 14 civilians and wounding ten more. The attack forms part of the ongoing Houthi-Saudi conflict. Local reports described heavy damage to the market area. International calls for restraint have grown. Humanitarian groups are assessing the impact.
- Cyclone Arnab made landfall on India’s east coast, particularly affecting Andhra Pradesh, killing at least three people. Nearly one lakh residents were evacuated from coastal areas. Strong winds and heavy rain caused flooding and power disruptions. Crop damage is being assessed. Relief operations are in progress.
- The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.5 per cent. Officials cited persistent inflation linked partly to higher oil prices from Middle East tensions. This is the first rate hike since mid-2023. Markets reacted cautiously. Further policy decisions will depend on inflation data.
- Ukrainian forces reported advances using pipeline networks in the northeast to outflank Russian positions. President Zelenskyy highlighted the “Veles” operation as a key development. Fighting continues along multiple fronts. Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian cities have intensified. Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire remain limited.
- Greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere reached record highs in 2025 according to a UN weather agency report. Scientists warned of accelerated global warming and more extreme weather events. The findings come amid ongoing climate talks. Countries face pressure to strengthen emission cuts. Extreme weather events continue worldwide.
- The United States warned Middle East allies to prepare for possible military action related to Iran after US midterm elections. Additional missile defence systems are being sent to Israel. Diplomatic channels have been used to convey the message. Regional tensions remain high. Oil markets reacted with price spikes.
- Flávio Bolsonaro’s family received US visas after his election defeat in Brazil. He continues to claim the election was stolen. Brazilian authorities are monitoring the situation. Political polarisation in Brazil has deepened. International observers are watching developments closely.
- Jordan conducted air strikes in Syria targeting Islamic State fighters, claiming 20 killed. Damascus condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty. The strikes highlight ongoing security concerns in the region. Local reports confirmed casualties. Diplomatic protests have followed.
- A deadly attack on a market in Sudan’s Darfur region killed dozens of civilians, including vendors. Witnesses said the victims were selling food. The incident adds to the humanitarian crisis in the area. Aid groups are struggling to reach affected communities. International appeals for protection have increased.
- Norway and Finland leaders held rare talks with Russian President Putin. Putin blamed EU and NATO policies for prolonging the Ukraine conflict. The meeting focused on regional security. European reactions were mixed. Diplomatic channels remain limited.
- US forces struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, killing five people. Officials described the action as part of ongoing anti-narcotics operations. Details of the vessel’s origin are under investigation. Regional governments have been briefed. Further operations are expected.
- UN experts said Nicaraguan leaders may have committed crimes against humanity through systematic repression. The report detailed arbitrary detentions and political persecution. The government rejected the findings. Human rights groups called for international action. Diplomatic pressure is mounting.
- Russian jet-powered drones have increased the intensity of attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian defences are under strain. Civilian infrastructure continues to be targeted. Western allies are discussing additional support. The conflict shows no sign of easing.
- Israel’s election results left both major blocs short of a majority. Arab parties recorded strong gains. Coalition talks will determine the next government. Netanyahu remains caretaker prime minister for now. Regional implications are being closely watched.
- Spain’s prime minister declared three days of mourning after the deadly train crash. Rescue operations continued into the night. Survivors described chaotic scenes. Rail services on the affected line remain suspended. Safety reviews of the high-speed network have been ordered.
- Canada linked its interest rate decision partly to oil price rises from the Iran-related fuel crisis. Higher gasoline costs have kept inflation elevated. The central bank signalled further vigilance. Economic growth forecasts remain cautious. Markets adjusted to the rate hike.
- Qatar urged Iran to show goodwill and reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions. Mediators presented a new draft deal. Iran rejected some proposals as unacceptable. Oil shipping routes remain a global concern. Diplomatic efforts continue.
Global Markets and Economy
- West Asia tensions pushed crude sharply higher. Brent crude traded near $115.50 a barrel after an attack on a major Saudi refining facility revived fears of supply disruption. The development immediately raised concerns for import-dependent economies, especially India, because higher crude raises the import bill and dollar demand. Markets also watched the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision amid the energy shock. The combination of oil, geopolitics and central-bank uncertainty kept global risk sentiment cautious.reuters+1
- The US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged. The decision came after officials cited underlying strength in the American economy, even as financial markets remained sensitive to oil-price movements and geopolitical risk. For emerging markets, the pause offered some near-term relief but did not remove pressure from higher energy costs. Indian equities had already opened cautiously ahead of the announcement. Investors will now look for clearer signals on the future rate path.reuters+1
- The United Nations warned of a rising risk of ethnic cleansing. The warning came as Israel expanded its operation in the West Bank, intensifying concern about civilian safety and regional escalation. India separately used the UN platform to renew its call for reform of the Security Council. New Delhi argued that the veto should not become an instrument of narrow political convenience. The statements underlined India’s continuing effort to position itself as a voice for multilateral reform.news.abplive
- Global technology firms continued restructuring around artificial intelligence. Microsoft was reported to be offering voluntary exit schemes to a large section of its global workforce, including employees in India. The move reflects a broader shift of corporate capital towards AI infrastructure, data centres and advanced computing. It also raises questions about employment patterns in technology services. For India’s IT sector, the development is significant because many Indian professionals work directly or indirectly with global technology clients.news.abplive+1
- Global investors kept a close watch on India’s largest-ever IPO listing. Jio Platforms’ debut became a major international market story because of its size, pricing and immediate valuation. The listing was read as a test of investor appetite for large Indian digital and telecom assets. Its strong opening gave a positive signal to global funds tracking Indian equities. It also reinforced the growing weight of Indian companies in global market-cap rankings.news18+1
