CYPRUS
Trump holds call with mediator Qatar about Iran de-escalation
Qatar is acting as the chief mediator between Washington and Tehran amid intense diplomatic efforts to end the war, which is now in its ninth month. Qatari officials have been shuttling between Doha and the Iranian capital to firm up a potential deal ahead of Tuesday's US midterm elections, in which the Democrats secured a sweeping victory over Trump's Republican Party and took control of Congress.
High freight rates narrow Indian refiners’ crude oil choices, squeeze margins
With freight rates reaching unprecedented levels, Indian refiners are facing escalating crude oil expenses that are eroding their margins. Notably, oil in the physical market is trading at a considerable premium over Brent futures, making Middle Eastern imports more desirable. The Iran conflict has led to congestion and trade shifts, aggravating delivery challenges. As a result, Indian refiners are increasingly turning to Gulf crude to meet their needs.
India woos South Korea, Cyprus to boost shipbuilding and maritime sector
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal engaged South Korean and Cypriot maritime leaders to enhance India's shipbuilding capabilities. Discussions focused on marine equipment manufacturing, shipbuilding investment, and sustainable technology initiatives. The Indian government is working to create a robust maritime ecosystem supporting green shipping and innovation. Partnerships with international companies are being explored to facilitate growth in maritime infrastructure and services.
India woos South Korean marine equipment makers as shipbuilding grows
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the need for ambitious and universal maritime standards during the World Maritime Day roundtable. He stressed the importance of partnerships that facilitate the implementation of these standards among countries. Sonowal's discussions with the Korea Marine Equipment Association outlined collaborative opportunities in India's shipbuilding sector. Korea's involvement will focus on technology transfer and local manufacturing of marine equipment.
India became third-largest exporter of arms to Europe: Defence Secretary RK Singh
Defence Secretary said, our exports have reached an all-time high of 38,424 crores, which is about 3.6 billion euros, and I was reading a Bloomberg report yesterday, which said that suddenly over the last year, India became the third largest exporter of arms to Europe, mainly because of the Rearm Europe initiative.
Stephen Hubbard released by Russia: How have Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff secured freedom of retired school teacher, ex-US Air Force, National Guard from Moscow?
President Donald Trump has stated that Stephen Hubbard has secured his freedom and is currently returning to the United States. Putin reportedly indicated that Hubbard was at Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg, adding that Witkoff expressed gratitude towards the Russian leader for the liberation.
Who is Stephen Hubbard? The 74-year-old American released from Russian detention
Vladimir Putin announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American detained in Russia for nearly three years. Hubbard was convicted of being a mercenary and had been imprisoned since 2022. His capture raised questions, particularly regarding his age and alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The US State Department designated him as wrongfully detained, complicating diplomatic relations. Further details about the circumstances of his release remain unclear at this time.
Indian refiners' fuel exports to the West jump 43% as they keep processing Russian crude
In September, Indian and other refineries exported 1 billion euros' worth of oil products made from Russian crude. This marked a 43 percent increase from August, highlighting growing trade. Refineries in India, Turkiye, and Brunei facilitated these exports, with India being a leading buyer of Russian fossil fuels. Notably, India's imports of Russian crude fell by 13 percent during the same month.
US military says Hormuz remains open, 97% of ships cross safely despite Iran attacks
The US military claims that 97% of vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz safely. This follows recent incidents where Iranian projectiles targeted commercial vessels in the area. CENTCOM reported that US forces and regional partners are enhancing maritime security to ensure uninterrupted commerce. Additionally, Iran's economy is reportedly under strain due to US actions. Both the US and Iran assert their control over this strategic shipping route.
India’s digital public infrastructure among world’s 10 most effective reforms: Report
India's Digital Public Infrastructure has been recognized as one of the top ten effective reforms globally. This infrastructure, particularly Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface, supports financial inclusion and reduces transaction costs. It facilitates greater integration of micro, small, and medium enterprises into the formal economy. Institutional coordination and interoperability have played crucial roles in its success and development.
VFS Global opens its first Visa Application Centre in Guwahati
VFS Global has inaugurated a Visa Application Centre in Guwahati to improve access to visa services. This facility will handle applications for visas from 14 different countries, including France and Italy. The centre aims to serve applicants from various Northeastern states for education and tourism opportunities. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted its significance for regional development and connectivity.
VFS Global inaugurates its first visa application centre in Guwahati for 14 countries
VFS Global has inaugurated its first visa application centre in Guwahati, Assam, catering to multiple countries. The facility aims to serve applicants from several Northeastern states, improving accessibility for visa services. Various officials, including Assam's Chief Minister, attended the inauguration event. The centre will facilitate visa applications for countries including the UK, France, and Italy among others. This opening coincides with VFS Global's 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone.
OpenAI flags AI adoption gap in Europe despite 8-fold surge in agent use among small businesses
OpenAI has highlighted a widening opportunity for European businesses to turn growing artificial intelligence (AI) adoption into higher productivity, as AI agents now account for more than half of the output generated through its enterprise and business platforms in the European Union (EU).
Stripchat loses legal fight against EU tech label
Adult content platform Stripchat has lost its legal case against EU regulators over online content rules. The European Commission had designated Stripchat as a very large online platform under the Digital Services Act. The court found that adequate reasons were provided for their decision on user calculation. Stripchat may still appeal the ruling at the EU Court of Justice if it chooses to do so.
World's strongest passports: UAE leads, US ranks 10th; where does India stand?
The United Arab Emirates leads the 2026 Passport Index with a Mobility Score of 182 and access to 182 destinations. India stands at the 72nd position with a Mobility Score of 70, highlighting limited travel access. The rankings reflect significant disparities in international mobility for different nationalities.
Five Gulf nations pursue Schengen visa waiver: What travellers should know
Millions of Indians live and work in the Gulf, but a Gulf residence permit does not open Europe's doors visa-free. That distinction is central to a proposal in which Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar seek easier access to the Schengen area for their citizens. With the EU-GCC summit scheduled in Riyadh on October 24, 2026, the initiative could reshape short-term travel between the regions. But who would actually benefit, why is the UAE already ahead, and would Indian expatriates see any change in their own visa requirements?
Need to have multiple routes under IMEC: French Special envoy
Gérard Mestrallet emphasized the significance of developing diverse routes for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, especially in light of the ongoing tensions in Iran, which have led to a reassessment of connectivity strategies. There is growing interest from Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Greece, and Cyprus in contributing to the project’s expansion.
A truck driver leaves his job, sells house to tour the world with wife and daughters; he still earns £1,000 a week
After the pandemic, former HGV driver Lee Bodell made a life-changing decision to travel globally with his family. Moving from a career-focused routine to embracing remote work and family adventures, they sold their house for £330,000. With an online business funding their travels, they've explored several European countries and aim to journey into Southeast Asia, hoping to settle abroad after their expeditious travels.
Betting syndicate seeks to ride AI wave, ED suspects over ₹2,000 crore funnelled abroad as ‘AI investments’
ED’s Parimatch probe first unearthed betting syndicate’s ‘AI investment’ modus. The Enforcement Directorate suspects illegal betting networks may have moved more than Rs 2,000 crore out of India by disguising proceeds as overseas investments in technology and AI companies. The probe, including into Parimatch, is examining layered transactions, inflated valuations and offshore entities allegedly used to route funds to ultimate beneficiaries.
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