Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth non-consecutive term, defeating right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro in the presidential runoff on October 25. With nearly all votes counted, Lula secured 51.75% of valid ballots against Bolsonaro’s 48.25%, according to election results reported by Reuters. The victory marked a significant comeback after Lula trailed his opponent in the first round on October 4. The result extends the 80-year-old left-wing leader’s political career and maintains his administration’s focus on social welfare, poverty reduction and en
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India for discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and advancing negotiations on a proposed trade agreement. Rubio met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Mumbai on October 20. Their discussions covered trade, energy, technology, defence and regional developments, according to reports on the visit. The talks came after months of friction over US tariffs and India’s purchases of Russian oil. Washington has urged New Delhi to diversify its energy imports, while both governments have continued negotiations on a broader trade a
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in Mumbai on October 19 to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers reviewed cooperation under the countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Their discussions covered economic relations, trade, investment, finance, culture and energy. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.&nb
India's Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately ₹4,106 crore on October 15 for a dedicated communications satellite for the Indian Air Force and heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy. The agreements cover the GSAT-7C satellite, valued at ₹2,563 crore, and Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes worth ₹1,543 crore. The satellite contract was signed with NewSpace India Limited in Bengaluru, while the torpedo agreement was awarded to Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad. GSAT-7C is designed to strengthen secure and resilient communications for Indian Air Force assets. T
Ülle Madise was sworn in as Estonia's president on October 12, formally taking over from outgoing president Alar Karis at a ceremony in the country's parliament, the Riigikogu. Madise took the constitutional oath before lawmakers and delivered an inaugural address outlining her priorities. Karis, whose five-year term had ended, placed the presidential chain of office around her neck, marking the formal transfer of power. Madise was elected president by the Riigikogu on September 2, securing 71 votes in the first round. Her appointment places her at the head of state in the Baltic natio
Sweden and Finland are participating in NATO’s annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise, which began in Italy on October 13. This year’s exercise involves 17 NATO member states and is similar in scale to previous editions. Sweden has contributed JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft and personnel from its armed forces. Finland, meanwhile, is participating through staff officers. Its Defence Ministry said this format best meets the country’s national objectives for the exercise. Steadfast Noon involves allied aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons, known as dual-capable air
India and Myanmar reviewed their defence cooperation at the third India-Myanmar Defence Cooperation Meeting in Guwahati on October 7, discussing training, capacity building and measures to strengthen mutual security. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Myanmar’s Chief of Armed Forces Training, Lieutenant General Pyae Sone Linn. Both sides assessed progress on initiatives agreed during their previous meeting in Yangon in 2025 and considered additional areas for collaboration. The discussions focused on expanding military training and institu
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in Seoul on October 6 to begin a three-country Asian tour, starting with a state visit to South Korea before travelling to Malaysia and Indonesia. While the president arrived on Tuesday evening, his formal three-day state visit runs from October 7 to 9, according to the South Korean government. In Seoul, El-Sisi is scheduled to hold talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and meet senior executives from major South Korean companies at a business roundtable. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, with economic
British Indian Conservative peer Lord Rami Ranger has won the right to seek a judicial review of the decision to revoke his CBE, allowing his challenge against the decision to move forward in the High Court. Ranger, also known as Raminder Singh Ranger, was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015 for services to business and community cohesion. King Charles signed the annulment of the honour on October 15, 2024, following a recommendation from then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer and advice from the Honours Forfeiture Committee. The annulment was officially gazetted in
Leaders of Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia reaffirmed freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and said governance of the waterway is the exclusive responsibility of littoral states at a quadrilateral summit in Egypt on October 4. The position was included in the El Alamein Joint Declaration. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hosted Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in New Alamein City. The declaration reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty, independence and territo