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25 stories off the wire

Vape importer pleads guilty over attempts to retrieve S$6.6 million stash seized by HSA, other

26m ago

Lead story

Vape importer pleads guilty over attempts to retrieve S$6.6 million stash seized by HSA, other

A Singapore vape importer pleaded guilty to attempting to retrieve 6.6 million dollars worth of seized products. Health Sciences Authority officers left the large stash in his rented warehouse. He faced charges for trying to access the confiscated e-vaporisers and tobacco items. The seized e-vaporisers and tobacco-related products were kept in custody at the warehouse the offender had rented because the quantity was so large that HSA officers were unable to transport all the stash to their headquarters.

1h ago

Germany To Start Nord Stream 'War Crime' Trial With Prosecutors Blaming Ukrainian 'State

German prosecutors will begin a war crime trial regarding the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. The case marks the first public, sworn testimony on the incident after years of speculation. Prosecutors are blaming Ukrainian state actors for the sabotage. After four years of speculation, leaks, and briefings by anonymous sources, the world is finally about to hear evidence given publicly under oath in a German courtroom about how the Nord Stream gas pipelines were blown up -- in a case that could prove politically explosive.

1h ago

Latin American organised crime ‘may operate in 16 European countries’

Latin American organised crime groups may now operate in sixteen European countries. A Guardian investigation links the fivefold rise in cocaine seizures to these expanding networks. Cartels have established deep roots across the continent over the last decade. Cocaine seizures in Europe are up more than fivefold in 10 years as a host of cartels take root. A four-month Guardian investigation reveals the true scale of a continent-wide shiftA four-month investigation by the Guardian has revealed that the surge in cocaine trafficking to Europe is directly linked to the expanding presence of Latin American criminal networks in Europe, where they have forged.

2h ago

India youth protest leaders detained after entering barricaded Delhi protest site

Indian police detained youth protest leaders after they entered Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The site had been removed from the list of designated protest venues the previous day. The Cockroach Janta Party leaders were detained on Tuesday. The detentions on Tuesday (Oct 13) came after Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders entered Jantar Mantar, an iconic site for demonstrations that police had removed from New Delhi's list of designated protest venues a day earlier.

2h ago

IMF says developing countries must cut spending despite war shock

The International Monetary Fund advised developing countries to reduce spending despite ongoing war shocks. Rising debt levels and persistent inflation have constrained fiscal space. The IMF research deputy director noted the cumulative impact of recent global economic disruptions. "Unfortunately, after years of the global economy being hit by shock after shock, debt levels have increased quite a lot, and at the same time, inflation has become a problem," says IMF deputy director of research.

3h ago

Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani’s feud over Starlink

Elon Musk argues India's mobile market unfairly favors Mukesh Ambani, demanding fair access for Starlink. Critics counter that the service raises significant sovereignty and security concerns for the nation. The dispute highlights a clash between commercial expansion and national security priorities. Elon Musk believes that India’s mobile internet market is skewed to favour the Ambani family and that his Starlink service deserves a fair chance in the country.

4h ago

US turning B-52 bomber into long-range China ship killer

The US Navy plans to equip B-52 bombers with AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles to counter China's navy. Lockheed Martin will integrate the weapons under a sole-source contract. However, severe munition shortages and operational vulnerabilities may limit the strategic impact of this upgrade. While the US is arming its long-serving B-52 with potent ship-killing missiles to take on China’s expanding navy, severe munition constraints and operational vulnerabilities could undermine its strategic impact.

5h ago

Argentina temporarily closes Iguazu Falls after El Niño-fuelled surge in water levels

Argentinian authorities temporarily closed Iguazu Falls after heavy El Niño rains caused the river to flow at six times its normal rate. Officials restricted tourist access to prevent the river from bursting its banks. The precautionary measure addresses immediate safety risks from rapidly rising water levels. National park officials took the precautionary measure to limit tourist access after heavy rain caused the Iguazu River to flow at six times the normal rateHeavy rainfall fuelled by a supersized El Niño weather pattern briefly forced Argentinian authorities to close tourist access to the famed Iguazu Falls, amid fears that rapidly rising water levels would cause the river to burst its banks. Nation.

8h ago

Trump Defends Russian Diesel Deal Despite Backlash

Trump defended allowing Russian diesel exports despite criticism from Ukraine, Europe, and Republicans. He claimed an energy cease-fire exists between Kyiv and Moscow. Neither side has confirmed the arrangement. The move drew sharp backlash from allied governments and domestic opponents. US President Donald Trump, in the face of sharp criticism from officials in Ukraine, Europe, and even his Republican party, defended his decision to allow Russian diesel exports and insisted an energy cease-fire between Kyiv and Moscow is in place despite a lack of confirmation from either side.

10h ago

Pulling Ethiopia and Eritrea Back from War

Ethiopia and Eritrea are edging closer to direct conflict, threatening stability in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea basin. Diplomatic efforts remain active to avert disaster. The situation risks escalating regional mayhem if tensions between Addis Ababa and Asmara continue to intensify. Addis Ababa and Asmara are edging closer to a direct conflict, which would cause further mayhem in the troubled Horn of Africa and the Red Sea basin.

10h ago

Bolivia investigates ex-president Evo Morales over alleged ties to 2009 killings

Bolivia's attorney general opened an investigation into former president Evo Morales. He faces allegations of involvement in the 2009 murder of three Europeans in Santa Cruz. Two others were allegedly tortured during the same police raid. The case spans seventeen years of legal scrutiny. Leftist former leader accused of involvement in shooting of three Europeans in Santa Cruz and torture of two othersBolivia’s attorney general has announced an investigation into leftist former president Evo Morales, alleging his involvement in the murder and torture of European citizens in 2009. Seventeen years ago, police raided a hotel in the city of Santa Cruz, shooting dead Eduardo Rózsa Flores.

20h ago

Zelenskyy Says Yandex Strikes Crippled Pro-Kremlin Bots But Tech Experts Question Evidence

Zelenskyy claimed Ukraine’s strikes on Yandex data centers reduced pro-Kremlin bots. He said the attacks crippled the network. Tech experts dispute this assessment. They question the evidence linking the strikes to a drop in bot activity. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine's recent attacks on Russian tech giant Yandex’s data centers have resulted in fewer Internet bots promoting pro-Kremlin hate, a claim that has been disputed by many technology researchers.

20h ago

Colombia peace deal must endure as insecurity grows, Security Council hears

The UN representative in Colombia stated the peace deal must endure despite growing insecurity. The agreement ended a decades-long insurgency nearly ten years ago. Rising violence threatens the stability of the accord. The official emphasized the need to prevent the deal from faltering. Nearly 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace agreement to end a decades-long insurgency, the deal is under strain from growing insecurity – and the UN’s top official in the country says it cannot be allowed to falter.

20h ago

Drought and war push Darfur and Kordofan towards famine

The UN hunger monitor warned famine risk is rising in Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan. A severe El Niño drought compounds the impact of ongoing war in Sudan. Food security has deteriorated significantly in these conflict-affected regions. The situation remains critical for local populations. The risk of famine is growing in parts of Sudan already torn apart by war, as a severe El Niño drought makes life even harder in Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, the UN-backed global hunger monitor warned on Monday.

20h ago

UNHCR chief warns refugee protection is buckling under cuts

UNHCR chief Barham Salih warned refugee protection is failing. The agency received only three billion dollars of its eight billion dollar need. One hundred seventeen million people are currently displaced. Funding gaps threaten the global asylum support system. The money is running out faster than needs are growing: with 117 million men, women and children now forced from their homes, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has received just $3 billion of the $8.5 billion it needs this year – and its chief, Barham Salih, warns that the global support system for asylum-seekers risks buckling.

22h ago

One freed American doesn’t equal US policy shift on Myanmar

The United States opened direct talks with Myanmar’s military junta. This follows the release of an American citizen. The move reverses years of diplomatic isolation. It does not signal a victory for the generals or a defeat for the revolution. The recent Reuters headline, “US opens direct talks with Myanmar’s generals, reversing years of isolation,” describes a consequential diplomatic change.

1d ago

Houthi Riyadh airport hit shows Saudi air defenses full of holes

Houthi forces struck Riyadh airport using suicide drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The attack lasted about 45 minutes starting at 3 PM local time. The mixed-speed weapons overwhelmed Saudi air defenses. The strike exposed significant gaps in the kingdom's defensive network. The Houthi attack mixed together suicide drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Because these weapons travel at significantly different speeds, the drones were launched first, followed by the cruise missiles and lastly by the ballistic missiles.

1d ago

When AI takes control of weapons systems

Artificial intelligence is expanding into national defense systems. Machine learning now handles reconnaissance, early warning, and target detection. These tools promise faster analysis and decision-making. However, AI exacerbates existing security problems that cannot be solved technically. Artificial intelligence is rapidly making its way into national defense. Reconnaissance, early warning, target detection, mission planning. everywhere, machine-learning systems promise faster analysis, faster responses, and faster decision-making.

1d ago

China fast on Ukraine lessons, slow on command reform

China is rapidly modernizing its defenses using lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war. However, its centralized command structure struggles with decentralized modern combat demands. A CSIS report highlights this friction. The war serves as a real-time laboratory for Chinese military adaptation. The Russia-Ukraine War has become a real-time laboratory for the Chinese military, spurring rapid defensive modernization while exposing deep friction between its centralized command hierarchy and the decentralized demands of modern combat.

1d ago

Trump Announces Energy Cease-Fire Between Ukraine, Russia As Countries Trade Strikes

Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an energy cease-fire. This follows his decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports. He also called for a change in leadership in Kyiv. The two countries continued trading strikes during this period. US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy cease-fire, following his earlier decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and his subsequent call for a change in leadership in Kyiv.

2d ago

As Russian Arms Exports Slide, Central Asia Shops Elsewhere

Central Asian states are shifting military procurement away from Russia toward India, China, Turkey, and Europe. This diversification grants them greater political flexibility in negotiations with Moscow. Analysts warn that mixing equipment from multiple suppliers creates long-term logistical and operational challenges. The shift reflects a strategic move to reduce reliance on a single arms supplier. Central Asian nations are increasingly turning to India, China, Turkey, and Europe for military equipment to reduce their dependence on Russia.

2d ago

House Republicans Move To Block Trump's Russia Diesel Deal

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick is forcing a House vote on legislation to block Russian oil purchases. This move directly challenges President Donald Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports. Lawmakers warn the policy shift could help finance Moscow's war against Ukraine. The procedural maneuver tests the limits of congressional authority over executive trade decisions. Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick plans to force a House vote on legislation blocking Russian oil purchases, challenging President Donald Trump's decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports as lawmakers warn the move could help finance Moscow's war against Ukraine.

2d ago

Cultivating peace in Côte d’Ivoire

Adam Ouattara and Makongo Traoré live on the edge of Torla village in Côte d’Ivoire. He herds cattle while she grows vegetables nearby. For years, the dry season pitted their two livelihoods against each other over scarce water resources. Adam Ouattara and Makongo Traoré have four children and a home on the edge of Torla village in Côte d’Ivoire. She grows vegetables on a small plot nearby.

2d ago

UN rights office urges release of ‘arbitrarily detained’ protesters

The UN human rights office expressed concern over mass detentions in India. Authorities arrested demonstrators, protest leaders, lawyers, and journalists before and during large-scale protests in Delhi on Saturday. The organization urged the immediate release of these arbitrarily detained individuals. The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has voiced concern over reports of mass detentions in India of demonstrators, protest leaders, civil society members, lawyers and journalists, before and during large-scale protests in Delhi on Saturday.

2d ago

In the Mekong Delta, a push to grow food with saltwater

Farming in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta has traditionally relied on seasonal river floods. These floods carried freshwater and sediment across flat fields, supporting the country’s status as a top rice exporter. Farmers are now adapting to saltwater intrusion to maintain food production. For generations, farming in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta has depended on a delicate bargain. The river flooded, retreated and flooded again, carrying freshwater and sediment across a flat landscape whose vast fields helped turn the country into one of the world’s leading rice exporters.