Shackled Maduro defies judge, calls US torture charges ‘false accusations’
SCMP •

Shackled Maduro defies judge, calls US torture charges ‘false accusations’

Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro insisted in court on Thursday that newly unsealed torture allegations against him and his wife were “false accusations”. Maduro and Cilia Flores, both shackled at the ankles, were brought to court to face a rewritten indictment that expands from an initial set of drug trafficking charges to accuse them of leading a state-sponsored repression campaign that...

Venezuela’s Maduro says new US torture allegations are ‘false’
SCMP •

Venezuela’s Maduro says new US torture allegations are ‘false’

Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro insisted on Thursday during an appearance in a New York court that torture allegations in a rewritten drug-trafficking indictment against him and his wife were “false accusations”. Maduro, shackled at the ankles, was brought to court to face the new charges accusing the couple of leading a state-sponsored campaign of repression that tortured scores of vic...

China, Pakistan hold high-altitude army drills with Beijing-supplied arms

China, Pakistan hold high-altitude army drills with Beijing-supplied arms

Times of India •

In a landmark move, China and Pakistan have kicked off their inaugural joint military exercise, dubbed Karakoram 2026, in the high-altitude region of Xinjiang. This operation emphasizes counter-terrorism strategies, utilizing advanced Chinese military technology. The participating forces aim to refine their skills in mountainous terrains, thus fortifying the strategic partnership between the two n...

‘Big items are done’: Envoy Gor hints major boost in India-US trade negotiations

‘Big items are done’: Envoy Gor hints major boost in India-US trade negotiations

Times of India •

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed that negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement are advancing rapidly. Both sides have resolved major issues and are close to finalizing the agreement. Gor emphasized that the pace of negotiations is unusually swift compared to previous trade deals. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also indicated that progress ensures a positive outcome is immine...

Election delay 'a terrible disappointment', Palestinian activist Samer Sinijlawi says

Election delay 'a terrible disappointment', Palestinian activist Samer Sinijlawi says

France 24 •

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Palestinian activist Samer Sinijlawi called the postponement of the first legislative elections in 20 years to September 2027 "a terrible disappointment" for a generation that has never had a chance to vote. He also dismissed the citing of Israeli restrictions as an excuse, pointing instead to a "rejection" of change among ageing Palestinian leaders.

Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority appeals for liver donor for boy, 13

Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority appeals for liver donor for boy, 13

SCMP •

Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority has appealed to the public for a liver donation for a 13-year-old boy suffering from severe liver failure who urgently needs a transplant. The authority, which is also seeking help from mainland China, said on Thursday evening that the boy, being treated at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam, was now in a serious condition. “The patient has been experiencing severe he...

Thames Water asks for £2.4bn more to avoid going bust this year or early 2027

Thames Water asks for £2.4bn more to avoid going bust this year or early 2027

The Guardian •

Water company tells creditors it will not survive long enough to agree refinancing deal without more moneyThames Water has asked its creditors for another £2.4bn as the embattled water company comes close to running out of cash.The UK’s largest water company said on Thursday it needed another short-term cash injection because it would be unable to reach a longer-term deal to sort out its giant deb...

'We're done': Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries as 'only leverage' for peace talks

'We're done': Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries as 'only leverage' for peace talks

France 24 •

Delano D'Souza is pleased to welcome Peter Zalmayev, Founder and Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative, LIVE from Kyiv. As Zelensky declares Ukraine "done" with Trump's self-declared energy ceasefire and resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries, Zalmayev warns: "When you talk about the energy ceasefire, it presupposes two to be able to tango and to dance this dance." He challenges the legi...

Will Trump’s economy sink Republicans in the US midterm elections? Our reporters take your questions live

Will Trump’s economy sink Republicans in the US midterm elections? Our reporters take your questions live

The Guardian •

The high cost of living has Americans angrier than ever. Guardian reporters answer your questions now about the economy before voters head to the pollsSign up or sign in to ask your questionAshleigh Ewald from Georgia asks in a callout question: President Trump made a lot of promises about lowering costs for Americans, especially energy prices. But how much have things actually changed since he to...

Pensioner pleads guilty to raping woman drugged by husband

Pensioner pleads guilty to raping woman drugged by husband

The Guardian •

Graham Brougham, 74, was one of the men invited to sexually assault victim while she was unconsciousA pensioner from Cheshire has pleaded guilty to the rape of a woman whose husband drugged her and invited other men to sexually assault her while she was unconscious.Graham Brougham, 74, pleaded guilty to rape at a hearing at Manchester Minshull Street crown court on Thursday afternoon. Continue rea...

After 50 years of fighting, Austin may secure Muny’s 141 acres while UT develops 190 acres nearby

After 50 years of fighting, Austin may secure Muny’s 141 acres while UT develops 190 acres nearby

Times of India •

Austin residents have passionately defended the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course for years, opposing potential developers. A new proposal seeks to officially hand over ownership of the golf course to the city, safeguarding its future. In return, the University of Texas would gain revised development regulations for neighboring properties on Lake Austin Boulevard. Officials assert that this arr...

Hegseth church allies backed plan for ‘public’ execution of Fort Hood shooter

Hegseth church allies backed plan for ‘public’ execution of Fort Hood shooter

The Guardian •

Leader of CREC church – whose pastors have advocated death penalty – says he ‘prefers public executions to private’Donald Trump announced Thursday he was cancelling Pete Hegseth’s recently announced plans to livestream a military execution – because “many very good and well-meaning people would rather not watch him die”. But there were some fans of Hegseth’s now-scotched idea: the rightwing religi...

John Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budget

John Healey poised to raise taxes on banks in budget

The Guardian •

Exclusive: Chancellor to target sector in his first budget to help offset damage caused by Iran war on public financesJohn Healey is poised to tax Britain’s banks in his 28 October budget, to help offset the damage inflicted on the public finances by war in the Middle East, the Guardian understands.The chancellor is in Bangkok, where the International Monetary Fund has praised the UK’s progress to...

Two 1960s London housing estates saved from demolition after decade-long battle

Two 1960s London housing estates saved from demolition after decade-long battle

The Guardian •

Change of council leadership hands reprieve to residents of architecturally celebrated developments in LambethTwo architecturally celebrated council estates in south London that have been under threat of demolition for more than a decade have been saved.Residents of Cressingham Gardens and the Central Hill estate have campaigned tirelessly for their homes to be saved, saying the low-density 1960s ...

Singapore weighs legal action against companies over worsening transboundary haze

Singapore weighs legal action against companies over worsening transboundary haze

SCMP •

Singapore is looking into which companies may be responsible for the forest and peatland fires in Indonesia that have caused the worsening haze, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday. “Where warranted, we will take action under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, and explore joint action with other countries,” he said in a social media post. The haze situation was worsened by the...