FBI Urges Immediate Patching of Critical PHP Flaws as Exploit Attempts Surge Worldwide
- FBI issues warning: The FBI issued a public service announcement on Friday urging organisations to immediately patch two critical vulnerabilities in PHP core that could allow remote code execution.
- Unauthenticated attacks possible: The flaws, known as PHP2Shell, reportedly allow attackers to execute code on vulnerable servers without logging in.
- Millions of exploit attempts: Cloudflare recorded millions of attempted exploits after technical details of the vulnerabilities leaked, according to TIME.
- AI agent reportedly discovered flaw: An AI agent belonging to a researcher at cybersecurity firm Wiz identified the decade-old vulnerability, according to reports.
- Government websites disrupted: Websites in the UK, Finland and Japan experienced outages, the Associated Press reported. Broome County in New York also took its website offline on Friday as a precaution.
- Organisations urged to act: The surge in exploitation attempts has heightened concerns about exposed servers and the risk of attackers gaining control of vulnerable systems.
Nvidia CEO’s Demo Sends $399 Microduck Robot Preorders Past 20,000; Hugging Face Plans Hiring Push
- Preorders surpass 20,000: The Microduck open-source robot crossed 20,000 preorders after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang demonstrated four units during his GTC Berlin keynote, TechCrunch reported.
- Affordable robotics product: Pollen Robotics, owned by Hugging Face, developed the robot, which is priced at $399.
- Hiring plans expand: Hugging Face CEO Clément Delangue said demand means the company will need to hire across “all functions.”
- 2026 bestseller claim: Delangue suggested Microduck could become the best-selling robot of 2026, according to GIGAZINE.
- Nvidia deal in focus: The report also cited Nvidia’s September agreement to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion.
US Warns Iran Threat at Highest Level Since War Began; Strait of Hormuz Sees Record October Ship Attacks
- Threat level rises: US intelligence assesses that Iranian plots targeting Americans are at an advanced stage, with threats to US personnel in the Middle East and several other countries at their highest level since the war began in February.
- Embassy security tightened: The State Department has urged employees to increase vigilance and begun reducing staffing at some US embassies and consulates. An intelligence memo warning of risks to diplomatic personnel was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the administration confirmed.
- Potential overseas targets: Analysts reviewing recent intelligence reports say Iran may have deployed operatives in the United States and identified potential targets in Europe. Officials caution that Tehran’s ability to carry out attacks abroad appears limited relative to its suspected intentions.
- Record month for shipping attacks: A Washington-based maritime security think tank recorded 28 reported incidents involving commercial vessels in October in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters, making it the worst month since tracking began in 2017.
- 113 incidents since February: The think tank has recorded 113 incidents since February 28, when US and Israeli hostilities against Iran began. International Maritime Organization data indicates approximately 120 related incidents across the Strait and wider Middle East.
- Oil tankers damaged: IMO and MarineTraffic records identify more than 30 damaged very large crude carriers (VLCCs), including 11 in October.
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Piyush Goyal Says India Aims to Become a $30 Trillion Economy by 2047, Embraces AI and Quantum Computing
- $30 trillion economic target: Union Minister Piyush Goyal said India aims to become a developed country with a $30 trillion economy by 2047, expressing confidence that the target will be achieved.
- India’s AI ambitions: Goyal highlighted ongoing work by Indian startups in frontier technologies, including large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence.
- IT talent advantage: He described India as having one of the world’s largest pools of IT talent, which has helped the country become a global supplier of technology professionals.
- Embracing emerging technologies: Goyal said India is preparing to adopt and leverage AI, quantum computing and other new-age technologies rather than fear technological change.
- Future technology jobs: He pointed to emerging opportunities in areas such as cybersecurity and data processing, raising questions about how India’s young workforce will contribute to the evolving technology landscape.
S&P Overhauls Growth-Value Stock Classification as $375 Billion in Passive Assets Face Potential Rebalancing; Data Centre Credit Risks Rise
- Growth-value rules revised: S&P Dow Jones Indices has updated its methodology for classifying stocks as growth or value, incorporating intangible assets, expected earnings and free cash flow into valuation assessments.
- Momentum metric removed: The revised methodology eliminates 12-month price momentum from growth measurements, following a consultation on the classification framework.
- December 21 implementation: The changes will take effect during the annual index reconstitution before markets open on December 21, potentially triggering portfolio adjustments by index-tracking funds.
- At least $375 billion affected: Analyst James Seifert estimates that at least $375 billion in passive assets are linked to the affected indices, highlighting the potential scale of rebalancing.
- US data centre credit risks increase: S&P Global Ratings warned that local opposition, grid capacity constraints, environmental disputes and zoning changes are delaying or cancelling data centre projects.
- 146 projects delayed or cancelled: S&P tracked 146 affected US data centre projects, roughly three-quarters of which were linked to local opposition. New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Arizona were among the states facing project pauses.
- Potential credit downgrades: Although current rating impacts remain limited, prolonged suspensions and approval delays could force developers to offer rent reductions or face early lease terminations, weakening creditworthiness.
US Quietly Moves Diplomats and Families Out of Six Middle East Embassies Amid Rising Security Risks
- Diplomatic drawdown expands: The US State Department is quietly relocating diplomats and their families from embassies in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Lebanon, CNN reported, citing sources.
- Saudi Arabia orders departures: On Wednesday, Washington ordered non-emergency personnel to leave Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks on airports and other infrastructure, according to The Washington Post.
- Multiple diplomatic posts affected: Sources said staffing changes extend beyond Saudi Arabia, with personnel movements reported across several Middle Eastern diplomatic missions.
- Families face uncertainty: The American Foreign Service Association said some families who had recently returned following the Iran war are being sent away again, with housing assistance not yet confirmed.
- Regional security concerns intensify: The relocations come amid heightened tensions and concerns about potential attacks on US personnel and infrastructure across the region.
Iran Reportedly Draws Up Plans to Target Gulf Undersea Internet Cables if US-Israel Attacks Resume
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RBI Governor Says Forex Reserves Adequate for FCNR(B) Payouts; Warns Banks Over AI Cyber Risks
- No target for rupee: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the central bank does not target a specific rupee exchange-rate level and intervenes to curb speculative activity and excessive volatility.
- Forex reserves adequate: Malhotra said India has sufficient foreign exchange reserves to meet upcoming FCNR(B) deposit repayments. These deposits, which saw substantial inflows through an RBI swap window, mature over three to five years.
- Inflation within tolerance band: The governor said inflation remains elevated but is within the RBI’s tolerance band. He added that monetary policy could be used to support financial stability under certain circumstances.
- Banks alerted to AI cyber threats: The RBI has warned banks about emerging cybersecurity risks linked to artificial intelligence and said lenders are working to address information technology vulnerabilities.
- AI-driven attacks under scrutiny: Malhotra cited reports of AI agents in testing allegedly attacking overseas banks, following a disclosure by State Bank of India concerning possible customer data exposure.
- Data security a priority: The governor said the RBI is prioritising data protection and preventing cyberattacks that could disrupt banking services.
- Stronger oversight requirements: RBI rules introduced in 2026 mandate board-level oversight of cybersecurity and clearly defined responsibilities for chief information security officers (CISOs).
Moody’s Keeps France at Aa3 With Negative Outlook as 10-Year Bond Yield Tops 5% for First Time Since 2002
- Rating unchanged: Moody’s retained France’s sovereign credit rating at Aa3 with a negative outlook on Friday, opting not to downgrade the country.
- Budget assumptions remain critical: The agency expects France to pass a 2027 budget that reduces the deficit, despite political gridlock and protests.
- Borrowing costs surge: France’s 10-year government bond yield climbed above 5%, its highest level since 2002.
- Spread over Germany widens: The premium on French debt over German government bonds reached its widest level since 2011, reflecting heightened investor concerns.
- Political crisis deepens: ING economist Carsten Brzeski told CNBC that France was “deep into French crisis territory.”
- Contagion risks assessed: Despite France’s mounting fiscal and political challenges, analysts see a broader eurozone debt crisis as less likely.
European Natural Gas Prices Hit Highest Since December 2022 as Middle East LNG Supplies Remain Disrupted
- TTF prices surge: The Dutch TTF front-month natural gas contract rose on Friday to its highest level since December 2022, heading for a fourth consecutive weekly gain.
- LNG shipments remain depressed: Middle East LNG shipments are reportedly around 80% below year-ago levels following Houthi strikes on Saudi targets and threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- EU storage below normal: European gas storage appears to have peaked at just under 75% capacity, according to ING strategists, leaving inventories below normal levels ahead of winter.
- Geopolitical risks drive volatility: Developments in the Gulf remain a key factor influencing European gas prices, with supply disruptions heightening market sensitivity.
- Winter supply concerns grow: Limited LNG availability and relatively low storage levels are increasing concerns about Europe’s ability to meet heating demand during winter.
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Indian Government Bonds Extend Losing Streak to 10 Weeks, Longest in Three Decades, as Oil Prices Surge
- Record losing streak: Indian government bonds fell for a 10th consecutive week on Friday, marking their longest losing streak in three decades, Business Standard reported.
- Oil prices add pressure: Brent crude trading near a five-month high has intensified inflation concerns and raised expectations of further monetary tightening.
- RBI rate outlook weighs: The RBI’s repo rate was recently raised to 5.5%, with signals of further tightening adding to selling pressure in the bond market.
- Fresh debt supply: Additional government borrowing has further weighed on bond prices as investors assess the supply-demand balance.
- India-US yield gap widens: The spread between Indian and US 10-year government bond yields widened beyond 250 basis points, according to Moneycontrol.
- Foreign inflows uncertain: Higher oil prices, interest-rate expectations and the widening yield differential are complicating the outlook for foreign portfolio investment in Indian debt.
🔴 Breaking
Iran Reportedly Draws Up Plans to Target Gulf Undersea Internet Cables if US-Israel Attacks Resume
- Undersea cables could be targeted: According to Reuters, two senior Iranian security officials said Tehran has developed contingency plans to strike undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States and Israel launch another attack.
- Repairs could be obstructed: One official reportedly said Iran could also prevent damaged cables from being repaired, potentially prolonging disruptions to internet and communications services.
- ‘No more red lines’: An Iranian official warned that renewed attacks on Iran could lead to retaliation against undersea cables and military bases.
- Technology infrastructure at risk: Iranian officials have also threatened data centres and AI facilities in the Gulf linked to US interests, raising concerns about cloud computing and digital services.
- Financial services could be affected: Damage to undersea cables could disrupt regional internet connectivity, financial transactions, e-commerce and cloud infrastructure.
- Global impact may be limited: Alan Mauldin, research director at TeleGeography, said the Strait of Hormuz carries less than 1% of global international bandwidth, suggesting the wider global impact could be limited, although regional disruption could be significant.
- Red Sea risks remain uncertain: The Red Sea is another potential vulnerability for undersea cables, but Iran has not publicly announced plans to target cables there.
North Korea Hit by Suspected DDoS Cyberattack; Over 40 Government Websites Reportedly Disrupted
- Internet disruption reported: North Korea experienced intermittent internet outages this week, disrupting several state-managed websites over a period of approximately 32 hours beginning Tuesday.
- Traffic spikes detected: US network-monitoring firm Kentik identified multiple waves of unusual internet traffic originating from locations including Vietnam and the Philippines, coinciding with the outages.
- DDoS attack suspected: Doug Madory, Kentik’s director of internet analysis, told Reuters that the simultaneous traffic spikes were consistent with a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
- Government websites affected: More than 40 official websites using North Korea’s
.kpdomain were reportedly affected, including the Foreign Ministry and state news agency KCNA, according to South Korean media. - Attackers remain unidentified: Kentik’s analysis did not establish who was responsible and covered only a portion of the traffic directed at North Korea.
- Alternative explanation considered: South Korean media also cited experts who suggested North Korea’s unreliable power supply could have contributed to the outages. The disruption appeared unrelated to separate global internet issues linked to PHP vulnerabilities later in the week.
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US 10-Year Treasury Yield Stays Below 5% After Biggest Daily Drop Since March 2023 as AI Credit Risks Grow
- Yield remains below 5%: The 10-year US Treasury yield edged higher on Friday but stayed below the 5% threshold as investors sought safety in government bonds.
- Sharp Thursday decline: The yield fell below 5% for the first time since September 23, recording its biggest single-day drop since March 2023, according to MarketWatch.
- AI stock sell-off drives bond demand: Investors moved into Treasuries amid a sell-off in AI-related stocks, as concerns grew over technology companies’ borrowing and financing needs.
- Credit stress intensifies: Credit default swap spreads for AI infrastructure company CoreWeave and Oracle reportedly hit record highs earlier this month, according to Reuters.
- Debt concerns spread: Rising credit-risk indicators have heightened scrutiny of the debt financing supporting the AI infrastructure boom.
Russia–US–Ukraine Trilateral Talks Planned for Early November; Moscow Announces Humanitarian Ceasefire in Kherson
- Peace talks scheduled: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 23 that meetings involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States are planned for the first half of November following calls with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
- Abu Dhabi venue: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the trilateral talks on Russia–Ukraine security guarantees are expected to begin in Abu Dhabi. European participation has not been ruled out.
- Ceasefire from October 27: Russia’s General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov said Russian forces would halt firing in the Kherson direction from 4:00 a.m. Moscow time on October 27 to facilitate a humanitarian operation in Oleshky.
- Humanitarian convoy protection: Gerasimov said Russia would provide security for humanitarian convoys entering Oleshky, in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
- Ceasefire duration under discussion: Peskov said the military was coordinating how long the temporary ceasefire would last, with further operational details potentially announced by Russia’s Defence Ministry.
- US involvement acknowledged: Peskov credited US First Lady Melania Trump with playing a leading role in coordination efforts and thanked the United States, President Donald Trump and the first lady for their involvement in humanitarian issues.
🔴 Breaking
Trump Says Iran War Could End Soon as Report Claims Washington Warned Baghdad of Potential US Strike
- Potential US strike reported: Iraq’s Kurdistan-based Channel 8 reported that Washington had alerted Baghdad to a possible US strike on Iran in the coming days. The report has not been independently verified here.
- Iraq warns armed groups: According to the report, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi warned domestic armed groups that intervention in the conflict could carry legal consequences.
- Trump signals possible end to war: US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end “very soon,” while also claiming the United States could take control of Iran’s oil resources.
- Strait of Hormuz claim: Trump asserted that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was under his control, amid continuing tensions over the vital oil-shipping route.
- Trade negotiations: Trump also said the United States was close to reaching an agreement with Mexico and that Canada was working toward an agreement with Washington.
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SEBI Relaxes Call Recording Rules for Research Analysts Dealing With Institutional Investors From November 8
- Recording requirement removed: SEBI has exempted research analysts and research entities from maintaining call recordings of interactions with institutional investors.
- Effective date: The revised rules will come into effect on November 8, 2026, following an amendment to the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations.
- Records still required for other clients: Research analysts must continue maintaining records of interactions with clients other than institutional investors.
- Fee status does not matter: The record-keeping requirement applies to both fee-paying and non-fee-paying clients, including those receiving research services as a value-added benefit alongside other paid services.
- Digital records accepted: Separate call recordings are not required for interactions conducted through channels such as email where a digital record is available.
- Ease of doing business: The relaxation follows representations from market participants and aims to reduce compliance burdens.
US Consumer Sentiment Hits Five-Month Low at 48.0 as Inflation Expectations Rise; 10-Year Treasury Yield Nears 5%
- Consumer sentiment weakens: The University of Michigan’s final consumer sentiment index fell to 48.0 in October, from 48.1 in September, marking a five-month low. However, the reading was above the preliminary estimate and economists’ expectations.
- One-year inflation expectations rise: Consumers expect inflation to reach 4.7% over the next year, up from 4.6% in September.
- Long-term inflation outlook worsens: Five- to ten-year inflation expectations increased to 3.5%, with both short- and long-term expectations at their highest levels since May.
- Inflation outweighs unemployment concerns: Survey director Joanne Hsu said consumers across political affiliations view inflation as a greater near-term economic risk than unemployment.
- Treasury yields remain elevated: Following the release, the 10-year US Treasury yield was up 3.94 basis points at 4.992%.
- Economic concerns persist: Rising prices and higher interest rates continue to weigh on consumer confidence, while sustained inflation expectations raise concerns about inflation becoming entrenched.
Apple Overtakes Nvidia to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company as US Stocks Open Lower
- Apple reclaims top spot: Apple’s market capitalisation surpassed Nvidia’s, restoring its position as the most valuable publicly listed company in the US.
- Apple hits record high: Apple shares rose 0.9% in early trading to reach a new all-time high.
- Performance gap widens: Over the past 20 trading sessions, Apple shares gained 4.4%, while Nvidia fell 6%.
- US markets open lower: The Dow Jones declined 0.32%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.44%, and the S&P 500 dropped 0.34% at the opening.
- Major tech stocks decline: Meta Platforms fell 1.65%, Alphabet Class A dropped 0.95%, and Microsoft slipped 0.64%.
- Chinese stocks mixed: The Nasdaq China Golden Dragon Index rose 0.28%. XPeng gained 3.31%, while Alibaba fell 2.23%.
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RBI Net Buys $43.26 Billion in Forex Market in August; Reserves Fall $5.01 Billion
- Forex reserves decline: India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $5.011 billion from the previous week, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Heavy dollar purchases: The RBI reported net purchases of $43.26 billion in the foreign exchange market in August.
- Inflation becomes broader: The RBI said there are signs that CPI inflation is becoming more broad-based across various goods.
- Measures to curb speculation: The central bank is deploying regulatory measures to counter external headwinds and curb speculative activity in the foreign exchange market.
- Economic momentum remains strong: The RBI said the Indian economy continues to show strong momentum.
Infosys Cuts FY27 Growth Guidance Again to 1–2%; ADRs Fall Over 7% in Premarket as Q2 Profit Misses Estimates
- Profit misses expectations: Infosys reported Q2 FY27 net profit of ₹7,823 crore, up 6% year-on-year but below analyst estimates.
- Revenue rises modestly: Revenue increased 2.1% quarter-on-quarter to ₹49,244 crore from ₹48,211 crore in the June quarter.
- Second guidance cut: Infosys lowered its FY27 constant-currency revenue growth forecast to 1–2%, from 1.5–3%, marking its second consecutive guidance reduction.
- Margins edge lower: EBIT rose 1.6% sequentially to ₹10,330 crore, while the EBIT margin slipped to 21% from 21.1%.
- AI business gains momentum: AI revenues increased 29% sequentially. Large-deal total contract value reached $5.2 billion, with 62% coming from net-new deals.
- Sector weakness persists: Retail revenue fell 7.7% and high-tech contracted 17.3% in constant-currency terms. North America revenue declined 1.5% year-on-year, while Europe grew 4.6%.
- Dividend declared: The board announced an interim dividend of ₹26 per share. Infosys ADRs fell over 7% in premarket trading following the results and guidance cut.
Hedge Funds Suffer Broad Losses as Short Bets Surge to Five-Year Highs
- All three strategies fall: All three major hedge fund strategies tracked by Goldman Sachs lost more than 1% on October 22, the first such occurrence since the COVID-era market rout, Reuters reported.
- Meta shares tumble: Meta recorded its biggest share-price drop since July after announcing a new share class.
- Nvidia also declines: Nvidia shares fell amid broader pressure on AI-related stocks.
- Short selling accelerates: Goldman Sachs clients are shorting stocks roughly five times faster than they are buying them, with short positions approaching five-year highs.
- Potential short squeeze: Goldman warned that a market rebound could trigger a sharp short squeeze as bearish investors rush to cover their positions.
Hedge Funds’ Bearish Bets Near Five-Year High, Raising Short-Squeeze Risk
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AI Bubble Fears Spread to Credit Markets as Corporate Bond Spreads Hit 17-Month High
- Bond spreads widen: Global corporate bond spreads widened to as much as 129 basis points on Friday, the widest since May 2025, according to a Bloomberg index.
- AI stock sell-off boosts Treasuries: Thursday’s rout in AI stocks helped Treasuries record their strongest session in more than two years, with the 10-year US Treasury yield falling below 5%.
- Ken Griffin warns of a bubble: Citadel founder Ken Griffin said investors are “almost certainly” in an AI bubble.
- Blackstone sees surging demand: Blackstone President Jon Gray described AI demand as “almost parabolic,” highlighting the scale of investment flowing into the sector.
- Credit-market concerns grow: Fears over debt-funded AI spending are spreading beyond equities, raising concerns about corporate borrowing costs and the sustainability of infrastructure investment.
Nvidia’s $170 Billion Support Network Raises Questions Over AI Financing
- More than $170 billion committed: Nvidia has committed over $170 billion through guarantees, purchase agreements and investments to support neocloud providers and other major customers, The Information reported, according to TNW.
- Firmus Grid investment talks: Nvidia is reportedly discussing an investment worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Australia’s Firmus Grid, according to Bloomberg and The Information.
- IPO scrapped: Firmus Grid withdrew its IPO plans and is seeking at least $2 billion in private funding.
- Capital remains a constraint: CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC that neocloud providers lack capital, not customers, highlighting the financing challenge behind surging AI computing demand.
- Circular financing concerns: Critics warn that Nvidia’s financial support for customers buying its chips could create circular financing risks, potentially blurring the distinction between underlying demand and demand supported by vendor funding.
Nvidia Shares Slide as Jensen Huang Warns AI Cloud Providers Face Capital Shortages
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Nvidia Shares Slide as Jensen Huang Warns AI Cloud Providers Face Capital Shortages
- Shares fall sharply: Nvidia shares declined on Thursday after CEO Jensen Huang highlighted funding constraints facing AI infrastructure providers.
- Demand remains strong: Speaking at GTC Berlin, Huang said demand from “neocloud” AI providers was “off the charts.”
- Capital is scarce: Huang warned that financing remains a major challenge for these providers as they expand computing capacity to meet AI demand.
- Hardware as a financeable asset: Nvidia wants its computing hardware to be recognised as a “financeable asset” that lenders can use to support funding.
- Chip stocks under pressure: CNBC’s Investing Club linked some of Nvidia’s selling to Huang’s remarks, while supply-chain warnings from Lam Research added pressure across semiconductor stocks.
India Smartphone Shipments Plunge 20% to Decade Low as Memory Costs Push Prices Higher
- Shipments hit decade low: India’s smartphone shipments fell 20% year-on-year in the July–September quarter, reaching their lowest level in a decade, according to Counterpoint Research.
- Budget segment hit hardest: Shipments of smartphones priced below ₹20,000 plunged 47% as rising memory costs pushed device prices higher and models moved into more expensive price bands.
- Samsung reclaims top spot: Samsung returned to first place in India’s smartphone market after nine quarters.
- Further price hikes expected: Counterpoint expects smartphone manufacturers to raise prices further after the festive season as memory costs remain elevated.
- Affordability under pressure: Higher device prices are weighing on demand, particularly among budget-conscious consumers.
Global PC Shipments Forecast to Plunge 21% in Q3 2026 as Component Costs Rise
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Bomb Threat Note Found at Kolkata Airport, Security Search Underway
- Threat note discovered: A handwritten bomb threat on tissue paper was found in a women’s toilet at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Friday morning.
- Boarding Gate 30 targeted: The note warned of a bomb at boarding Gate 30, prompting authorities to clear the surrounding area.
- Extensive search launched: Bomb squad personnel and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) staff are searching the airport. No suspicious object had been found at the time of the report.
- Police investigation underway: Bidhannagar City Police are questioning the cleaning staff member who discovered the note and examining CCTV footage to identify who left it.
- Flights unaffected: Security has been tightened across the airport, but flight operations have continued without disruption.
- Previous threat recalled: The incident comes around two weeks after the airport received an emailed bomb threat on October 8. That search also found no explosives.
🔴 Breaking
Russia Says Trilateral Talks With US and Ukraine Could Begin in Early November; Diesel Supplies to US Start
- Peace talks planned: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on October 23 that Russia, the US and Ukraine could begin trilateral negotiations in Abu Dhabi during the first half of November.
- Security guarantees on agenda: The proposed discussions would focus on security guarantees between Russia and Ukraine. Peskov said the trilateral format was still under discussion.
- Europe’s participation possible: Peskov did not rule out European involvement at a later stage.
- Russian diesel shipments begin: Peskov confirmed that Russia had dispatched its first diesel tanker to the US under an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
- Exports to expand gradually: Following the leaders’ October 9 phone call, Russia partially lifted its diesel export ban on October 10, allowing up to 500,000 tonnes of diesel to reach global markets. Supplies are expected to continue in phases, with Rosneft coordinating contracts with foreign trading partners under government oversight.
Piyush Goyal Meets German Business Leaders to Boost Investment in India
- High-level meetings in Berlin: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Fresenius CEO Michael Sen and senior executives from Bayer and Knauf on Thursday.
- Manufacturing push: The meetings were part of Goyal’s Germany visit, which includes the Berlin Global Dialogue, where he is promoting India’s role in global manufacturing and supply chains.
- Healthcare investment: Discussions with Fresenius focused on India’s expanding healthcare sector and demand for affordable medical solutions.
- Pharmaceutical opportunities: Goyal also met Bayer executives to discuss potential business and investment opportunities.
- Sustainable construction: Talks with Knauf covered sustainable construction materials and infrastructure development.
Iran Claims US Suffered Strategic Defeat, Says Washington Failed to Achieve War Objectives
- Iran declares victory: Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesman Mohbi claimed the United States had suffered a major strategic defeat in the war and said Iran had emerged as a “superpower,” according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
- US security credibility questioned: Mohbi argued that the conflict had undermined Washington’s claims that its military presence in the Middle East guarantees regional security and safe energy transportation.
- Strait of Hormuz in focus: He said the US had struggled to maintain security and reopen the strategic shipping route despite its naval fleet and military bases across the region.
- War objectives allegedly unmet: Mohbi claimed the US initially sought to overthrow Iran’s government and divide the country, before breaking its goals into 13 smaller objectives, none of which he said had been achieved.
- Intelligence and reputation criticised: The spokesman also alleged that attacks on Iranian infrastructure and the killing of children had damaged US credibility and exposed vulnerabilities in its intelligence network.
Iranian Defence Official Claims Armed Forces Are at Peak Strength Amid Trump’s Threats
- Military strength claimed: The head of Iran’s Defence Ministry’s political and ideological organisation said the country’s armed forces are currently at their peak strength.
- Criticism of Trump: The Iranian official accused US President Donald Trump of pursuing dominance and hegemony through his statements and policies.
- Defiant message: The official said Iran would not be intimidated by US threats and rhetoric.
- Tensions remain elevated: The remarks come amid continued confrontation between Washington and Tehran over military pressure, sanctions and regional security.