Friday, October 31, 2025

BIG Wrap

China and Russia conduct joint military drills in Sea of Japan

(Al Jazeera Media Network) China and Russia have begun joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan as they seek to reinforce their partnership and counterbalance what they see as a United States-led global order. The Chinese and Russian governments have deepended their ties in recent years, with China providing an economic lifeline to Russia in the face of western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The Joint Sea-2025 exercises began in waters near the Russian port...

Why is Trump moving nuclear submarines after spat with Medvedev?

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Donald Trump has ordered the repositioning of two United States nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions” relative to Russia, as the US president grows frustrated over stalling peace talks aimed at bringing an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. On Friday, Trump exchanged heated words with Dmitry Medvedev, Moscow’s military leader and former president. The day before, Trump had issued an ultimatum to Russia: If it does not agree to a ceasefire by next Friday, August 8,...

U.S. officials open investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith

(BBC News) US federal officials say they have opened an investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two federal criminal cases against President Donald Trump before resigning from his post earlier this year. The Office of the Special Counsel (OSC) confirmed to the BBC that an investigation into Smith is underway, but declined to add further details. Smith was appointed as special counsel in 2022 to investigate Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents and...

What has triggered deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan?

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Fighting between the armies of Uganda and neighbouring South Sudan, which are longtime allies, erupted this week over demarcations in disputed border regions, leading to the death of at least four soldiers, according to official reports from both sides. Thousands of civilians have since been displaced in affected areas as people fled to safety amid the outbreak of violence. A gunfight began on Monday and comes as South Sudan, one of the world’s youngest...

Trump hits Brazil with 50% tariffs and sanctions judge in Bolsonaro case

(BBC News) US officials said on Wednesday that they will sanction Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of authorising "arbitrary pre-trial detentions" and suppressing "freedom of expression". Judge Moraes has been leading the investigation into allegations that Brazil's former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies plotted a coup after he lost the 2022 election. Bolsonaro has denied those allegations and has called Judge Moraes a "dictator". Shortly after the sanctions were announced, US...

At least 22 killed at Angola fuel price hike protests, authorities say

(Al Jazeera Media Network) At least 22 people were killed and 197 others were injured in violence that erupted during protests against a fuel price hike this week, Angola’s government has said. The unrest broke out on Monday when minibus taxi associations launched a three-day strike against a government decision to increase the price of diesel by one-third, part of efforts to curb costly subsidies and shore up public finances. Looting, vandalism and clashes with police started...

India and U.S. launch ‘first-of-its-kind’ satellite

(BBC News) Indian and US space agencies have launched a new satellite that will keep a hawk's eye on Earth, detecting and reporting even the smallest changes in land, sea, and ice sheets. Data from the joint mission by Indian Space agency ISRO and NASA will help not just the two countries but the world in preparing and dealing with disasters. The 2,392-kg NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) was launched at 17:40 India time (12:10 GMT)...

Trump gives Russia ’10 or 12 days’ to end war in Ukraine

(Al Jazeera Media Network) United States President Donald Trump has set a new deadline of “10 or 12 days” for Russia to reach a peace deal in its war on Ukraine or face tough new sanctions, underscoring his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for prolonging the conflict. Speaking in Scotland, where he is holding meetings with European leaders and playing golf, Trump on Monday said he was disappointed in Putin and shortened a 50-day...

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ‘immediate ceasefire’

(BBC News) Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" after five days of fighting at their border killed at least 33 people and displaced tens of thousands. "This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security," said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, flanked by his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, as he announced that hostilities would end at midnight. Thailand initially rebuffed his offer to mediate...

EU and U.S. agree on trade deal, with 15% tariffs for European exports to America

(BBC News) The United States and European Union have reached a trade deal framework, ending a months-long standoff between two of the world's biggest economic partners. After make-or-break negotiations between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in Scotland, the pair agreed to a US tariff on all EU goods of 15%. That is half the 30% import tax rate Trump had threatened to implement starting on Friday. He said the 27-member...