The Economic Times

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called for stronger defence cooperation between India and ASEAN countries, including joint research on maritime security, counter-drone systems, cyber defence and disaster response, stressing that regional challenges require collective action and practical solutions.

The US Justice Department has directed California officials to investigate alleged noncitizen voters within 48 hours. It has demanded that ballots from these voters be withheld until their citizenship is confirmed. The department underlines its commitment to ensuring election integrity and may take legal action if demands are not met. Allegations of widespread voter fraud by noncitizens persist despite evidence showing this is rare.

A US federal judge has extended an order preventing the Trump administration from banning certain reporters from the White House. US District Judge Timothy Kelly ruled that CNN, MS NOW, and Politico have strong constitutional claims. The judge emphasized that concerns regarding the media's accuracy and fairness are valid. He ordered the restoration of the reporters' press credentials while the case continues.

Florida experienced six storm-related fatalities due to Hurricane Isaias, as confirmed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The deaths include incidents involving a fallen tree and carbon monoxide exposure. Additionally, a car crash occurred at a non-functioning traffic signal, leading to more fatalities. In Alabama, the storm resulted in two deaths, as reported by Governor Kay Ivey. Hurricane Isaias resulted in significant power outages across multiple states, affecting many residents.

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a lawsuit concerning public records about Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is seeking access to crucial documents from the Trump administration. The Trump administration argues that DOGE is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act requirements. The lawsuit aims to determine whether DOGE functions as a federal agency under FOIA rules.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced plans for new talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These discussions aim to facilitate negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow regarding ongoing conflicts. Zelenskiy supported President Donald Trump's proposal for an energy truce contingent on Russia's compliance. His team has already forwarded relevant proposals for future meetings to the American side.

The Trump administration is implementing a new policy that shortens the time refugees have to appeal status termination. This change reduces the contest period from 30 days to just 10 days. Critics argue this policy could endanger numerous refugees who fled violence and persecution. Advocates warn that the policy undermines the principles of permanent protection that refugee resettlement represents.

Brent crude futures rose $1.40, or 1.35%, to $107.35 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained $1.24, or 1.32%, to $95.38. Brent had fallen 0.9% on Tuesday, while WTI rose 0.4%.

US President Donald Trump stated that intelligence sharing with Ukraine about the ongoing war with Russia continues. He believes both nations desire to conclude the conflict, yet lack a clear path to achieve this. Trump characterized President Putin's interest in negotiations as strong while critiquing Zelenskyy's responses. Additionally, concerns were raised about a diesel deal involving Russia intended for the global market.

In early Asian trading, gold prices held steady as investors awaited crucial US consumer price data, which could affect future Federal Reserve decisions. New York Fed President John Williams spoke about the need for potential interest rate increases to combat inflation. Additionally, Fed Governor Christopher Waller noted that robust economic growth could influence US bond yields, with other precious metals experiencing slight downturns amid the evolving market conditions.

Pope Leo XIV recently had surgery confirming a diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, leading to the removal of a lung lobe. The operation was deemed successful, with doctors assuring there were no complications during the procedure. His prognosis remains optimistic as further tests are pending to determine if the cancer has spread. The Pope's planned trip to South America in November may still occur, pending recovery.

Recent developments have pushed oil prices higher as traders consider the supply uncertainties stemming from the ongoing conflict in Yemen. Escalating clashes involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia raise alarms about the stability of oil supplies. Moreover, surging expectations for diesel exports from Russia are shaping the market landscape. With intensified attacks reported in crucial Saudi oil zones, analysts suggest oil prices are likely to stay within a defined range.

Taiwan has committed to purchasing 30% of the gas from a pipeline project in Alaska. This agreement was discussed during a rally by Donald Trump in Wasilla, Alaska. In a prior deal, CPC Corp of Taiwan had agreed to buy liquefied natural gas from Alaska Gasline Development Corp. Additionally, this investment is intended to bolster Taiwan's energy security.

Manjit Singh Sidhu, former Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has joined Congress. He stated that his commitment to Punjab's interests overshadowed his past affiliation with Aam Aadmi Party. Sidhu emphasized that his transition to Congress was driven by his dedication to Punjab and the country rather than personal ambitions. He clarified that he has not requested any position within the Congress party.

Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janata Party activists Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Ajinkya Shinde for trespassing. The activists were attempting to enter Jantar Mantar, which was recently de-notified as a protest location. Allegations have been made regarding the denial of legal representation for nearly 24 hours. Authorities have been accused of suppressing peaceful protests while prioritizing orders from higher government officials.

The US Treasury Department announced a $1.2 billion fine against Bank of America for violating anti-money laundering laws. This penalty marks the third-largest ever imposed by the department in its history. Alongside this fine, Bank of America settled for $11.6 million over sanctions violations related to various programs. The bank acknowledged willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, emphasizing its commitment to compliance.

Wall Street indexes S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Russell 2000 had rough trading day as several stocks fell, weighing on key sectors.

A limited fire broke out in an Aramco administrative building without injuries reported amid escalating tensions. The Saudi-led coalition conducted airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in response to missile threats. Houthi forces retaliated by claiming they would target Saudi Arabia if attacked. Fighting in Taiz resulted in casualties and food shortages, leading to civilian displacement.

Microsoft has announced the next generation of its custom AI chip and said it plans to deploy potentially more than a million of them next year to back its internal AI services.

Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery on Tuesday that confirmed that he has lung cancer, and doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said.

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A tanker and a container ship were struck by projectiles of unknown origin in the Strait of Hormuz. This incident occurred while Iran has been asserting control over the waterway, blocking transit since the onset of the war. An investigation into the attacks is underway, but there has been no information on damage or casualties. Following US and Israeli strikes against Tehran, tensions have escalated in the region significantly.

A jury ruled that the Society for Human Resource Management, or SHRM, failed to accommodate a job applicant. Plaintiff Fiona Torres claimed SHRM revoked her job offer due to her need for a medical service dog. The jury awarded Torres $400,000 in compensatory damages for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. SHRM plans to appeal the verdict while asserting their offered alternatives for Torres were adequate.

Iran's warning raises concerns about the vulnerability of Gulf data centres and digital infrastructure to potential attacks. Recent escalations have already disrupted Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE and Bahrain, highlighting the risk. The Gulf has invested significantly in emerging technologies, making security a critical focus for governments and companies. Developing alternative routes for connectivity will be essential to mitigate these threats.

The IMF's latest stress test examined how banks would cope with an AI crash, soaring government bond yields and an economic slowdown. Under this scenario, 22% of global banking assets would be held in 110 weak lenders, whose core capital ratio would fall below 7%, or a higher threshold for the world's most complex banks.

Loud booms were heard near Saudi Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran, prompting an evacuation of the area. Reports indicated that smoke was observed coming from the headquarters, raising concerns. Following this, the Saudi civil defense issued a warning about potential danger in Riyadh. Subsequently, a loud boom was also reported in the capital city. No official statements have yet been released regarding the situation or the cause of the noise.

The National Federation of Independent Business index slipped 0.8 point to 97.9, according to data released on Tuesday. Six of the 10 components that make up the gauge declined, while three rose and one held steady. The net share of owners who expect business conditions to improve declined 4 percentage points to a four-month low of 6%. Persistent price pressures continue to weigh on small businesses as conflicts in West Asia and Europe keep energy costs high.

Home sales rose 1.5% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.99 million units, the National Association of Realtors said on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast home resales would decline to a rate of 3.95 million units.

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Tarique Rahman's adviser issued a warning concerning legal repercussions for supporters of Awami League who heckled Muhammad Yunus. Yunus, recently facing criticism over a measles outbreak, was targeted by aggressive protestors while arriving in New York. Supporters yelled accusations of terrorism and questioned his presence in the US. The incident occurred after Yunus canceled his attendance at a significant WHO conference for health reasons.

Six Flags temporarily closed nine roller coasters across various parks due to a recent fatal incident. The incident at Six Flags Over Georgia resulted in one fatality and several injuries, prompting investigations. Local authorities are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has saddened the community. Similar attractions were shut down as a precaution while further assessments take place.

Apple is set to launch HomeView, a new smart hub designed to enhance personal experiences in homes. The device can recognize up to six users' faces and display tailored information accordingly. HomeView incorporates Siri AI to assist with various tasks and control smart home devices conveniently. Pre-orders will begin soon, with sales expected to start on November 13, indicating a growing focus on connected home products.

Google has introduced Gemini 4 Argon, an advanced AI model tailored for tackling intricate, real-world challenges. Developers can access this model through the API integrated within the AI Studio and Gemini platform. Various businesses have leveraged Argon to enhance productivity across areas such as coding, finance, legal affairs, and cybersecurity.

Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in defense, spending approximately $83 billion in 2025. Houthi rebels have increasingly targeted critical infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities. The complexity of defending against missiles and drones poses a significant challenge for Saudi air defenses. Recent attack patterns have raised concerns about the effectiveness of current military capabilities.

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US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Yemen's Houthi rebels regarding their recent attacks on Saudi Arabia. He accused the rebels of attempting to manipulate oil prices ahead of the upcoming US elections. Trump indicated that the Houthis had remained dormant until recently but have now become aggressive. Additionally, he suggested that Iran might be supporting their actions.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan acquired Strancally Castle in County Waterford for 51 million. The castle, built in 1830, spans approximately 16,000 square feet and was restored by previous owners. Following the purchase, they donated 150,000 to three Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in the area. Local representatives expressed hope that the high-profile ownership will benefit the community.

The SS United States, once a majestic passenger liner, is set to embark on a unique destiny as it plans to be intentionally sunk in November 2026. This transition will create the largest artificial reef off Florida's coast, providing a crucial habitat for marine life. Acquired by Okaloosa County, Florida, the ship's new ecological role follows years of ownership changes after ceasing operations in 1969.

A research team has reached Nikumaroro to investigate the Taraia Object, which may relate to Amelia Earhart's disappearance. They will employ various methods, including sonar and magnetometers, to examine the submerged object. The expedition faces challenges from changing ocean conditions and local wildlife, particularly giant coconut crabs. Previous theories suggested Earhart may have crashed near the island or survived as a castaway after her disappearance.