World News

Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri answered whether Bangladesh was becoming "Pakistan 2.0". "Islamist footholds, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, have become deeply entrenched in the past two years...[PM] Tarique Rahman should realise that he's playing with fire...letting these Islamists run riot," she said. "I don't believe...people of Bangladesh want an Islamic state," she added.

US and China reached an eight-point understanding which includes a reciprocal tariff reduction worth about $30 billion and the setup of a trade council after Chinese President Xi Jinping's US visit. The two would also launch a dialogue on AI to hold regular discussions on opportunities and risks linked to it. Beijing welcomed Washington's use of the term "super intelligence".

Just a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump's meeting, China slammed the US at the UN General Assembly. Without directly naming US, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said sovereignty of countries in the Gulf should be respected and urged the "relevant country" to stop threatening Cuba and lift its blockade on it.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng addressed the UN General Assembly on Saturday and said, "[China] is the largest contributor to peacekeepers among the permanent members of the UN Security Council." "Over the past 55 years, China has been a stabilising force," he added. He further called for multilateralism, rejection of the "cold war" mindset and safeguarding trade security.

In a post on X, Iran's Embassy in South Africa mocked US President Donald Trump after he received Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the airport. Trump was seen wincing as two B1 bombers flew over the leaders at Joint Base Andrews. "Mission: scare China. Result: diapers required," the embassy wrote in the post.

In his UN General Assembly address, Portuguese PM Luís Montenegro called for a permanent UN Security Council seat for India. "We must strive to make the Security Council more representative, which requires permanent seats...for Africa, Brazil, and India, thereby reflecting the changing world," he said. Portugal will serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC starting in January.

Videos showing heavy flooding in parts of Bangkok have surfaced online as the city was declared a disaster zone. Cars were seen partly submerged and people were forced to wade through waist-height water after nearly 300 mm of rain fell within 48 hours. Bangkok Governor Chadchart ​Sittipunt said the crisis "poses a risk to people's lives".

US President Trump urged Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to travel to Moscow for peace talks with Putin, Bloomberg reports. Zelenskyy rejected the idea, which reportedly upset him. Russia confirmed it is ready to welcome Zelenskyy and offer security guarantees. Meanwhile, Ukraine and 51 allies demanded an immediate ceasefire before any negotiations begin.

A snake in the US sparked a rescue effort after reportedly swallowing three golf balls. Veterinarians intervened to remove the objects and help the reptile recover. The hospital called it “a memorable case” and said treating exotic animals can bring in “some very strange patients.” A video of the unusual case has also gone viral online.