In a significant diplomatic development, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced on Monday that Canada and India are set to expedite negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement. This move comes after two years of strained relations, marked by allegations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a Canadian Sikh activist in June 2023. The decision to revive trade talks was solidified during a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent Group of 20 summit in South Africa. Anand emphasized the urgency of the process, stating, ‘The leaders were adamant that this work proceed as quickly as possible.’ Carney is scheduled to visit India early next year to further discussions. Canada, one of the world’s most trade-dependent nations, is also seeking to diversify its trade partnerships, with a goal to double non-U.S. trade over the next decade. Anand highlighted the broader context of Canada’s new foreign policy, which responds to the increasingly protectionist global economic environment. The renewed focus on India aligns with Canada’s strategy to strengthen ties with key global players, including China, with whom Carney has also taken steps to mend relations. Despite past tensions, both Canada and India are optimistic about doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Anand also expressed Canada’s readiness to resume trade talks with the United States, acknowledging the shifting dynamics in international trade relationships.
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Rivers of salt: Life on Bangladesh’s climate frontline
In the coastal regions of Bangladesh, where the mighty rivers of the Himalayas meet the sea, life is intricately tied to water. However, the escalating impacts of climate change are transforming this vital resource into a source of hardship. Rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms are driving saltwater inland, contaminating wells and lakes, and rendering once-fertile land barren. For millions of people living in the ecologically fragile deltas of mudflats and mangrove forests, accessing clean drinking water has become a daily struggle. The 2009 Cyclone Aila marked a turning point, as breached embankments allowed saltwater to flood homes and farmland, leaving behind a legacy of salinity and displacement. Today, communities in the Khulna and Satkhira districts navigate a precarious existence. Families live in bamboo-stilted houses to escape tidal floods, while children grow up in a landscape of constant erosion and displacement. Men often migrate for work, leaving women and children to walk for hours across cracked, parched soil to fetch water from distant ponds or rely on rainwater stored in charity-supplied tanks. Each household carefully rations its limited water supply, enduring the daily ritual of collection and storage. This story is part of a photography series by Muhammad Amdad Hossain, supported by AFP’s 2025 Marai Photo Grant, which highlights the impact of climate change on daily life in South Asia. The grant honors Shah Marai, the former AFP photo chief in Kabul, who was killed in a 2018 suicide attack.
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Philippine President Marcos breaks silence after drug allegations by sister Senator Imee
The escalating tension between Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, has taken a dramatic turn following public accusations of drug use within the First Family. Senator Imee’s claims have sparked widespread concern, prompting President Marcos to address the matter publicly. Speaking to the press on November 24, 2025, Marcos expressed his disbelief, stating that the person making the accusations on television was not the sister he knew. He emphasized that this sentiment was shared by their family and friends, adding that they were deeply worried about her well-being. The president also highlighted his discomfort with discussing family matters publicly, a stance echoed by his son, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, who criticized his aunt’s actions as unbecoming of a true sibling. Senator Imee swiftly responded on social media, challenging the First Family to undergo a hair follicle drug test in exchange for her taking a DNA test to confirm her parentage. Malacañang has firmly denied the allegations, citing President Marcos’s clean drug test records and confirmation from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that he is not on any drug watchlist. This public feud underscores the deepening rift within the Marcos family, raising questions about its impact on Philippine politics.
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Kerala-UAE flight diverted due to ash clouds from Ethiopia volcano eruption
A significant volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has caused widespread disruptions to air travel across Asia and the Middle East, forcing airlines to reroute flights and authorities to monitor the situation closely. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, erupted on Sunday, November 23, 2025, for the first time in nearly 12,000 years. The eruption sent massive ash clouds soaring up to 14 kilometers into the atmosphere, which subsequently drifted over Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan. One notable incident involved an Abu Dhabi-bound Indigo flight, which was diverted to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, after departing from Kannur, Kerala. The airline confirmed that all passengers landed safely and arrangements are being made to return them to their original destination. Indian authorities and airlines, including low-cost carrier Akasa Air, are actively assessing the impact of the volcanic activity on flight operations, particularly in regions like Delhi and Jaipur. Akasa Air emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, stating that it is closely monitoring the situation and adhering to international aviation advisories. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, situated approximately 800 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, lies within the geologically active Rift Valley, where two tectonic plates converge. The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program highlighted the rarity of this eruption, as Hayli Gubbi has no recorded activity during the Holocene epoch. Meanwhile, Oman issued an advisory regarding potential air quality impacts from the volcanic emissions, though no significant rise in pollutant levels has been detected so far.
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UAE slams Sudan’s General Burhan’s repeated ceasefire refusal
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly criticized Sudan’s General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for his persistent refusal to agree to a ceasefire, labeling his actions as ‘consistently obstructive behavior.’ Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, emphasized that the Sudanese people are paying the highest price for this ongoing conflict. ‘The Sudanese people bear the heaviest cost as General Burhan refuses peace overtures once more,’ she stated. The UAE has called for an ‘unconditional and immediate ceasefire’ to halt the civil war, expressing grave concern over the escalating military actions and the obstruction of humanitarian aid by both warring factions. Al Hashimy warned that these actions are pushing Sudan closer to collapse. The UAE also commended US President Donald Trump’s initiatives to prevent Sudan from descending further into extremism and humanitarian disaster. The minister urged for a unified regional and international effort to establish a credible path toward a united Sudan, emphasizing the need to end atrocities against civilians. The United Nations has described the situation in Sudan as ‘one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in modern history,’ with aid access being weaponized and civilians deliberately starved.
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Turkey’s latest opposition media? It’s Yeni Safak, sort of
As Turkey’s Yeni Safak newspaper marked its 30th anniversary last year, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lauded its role in defending Turkish democracy. Founded in 1994 as a voice for pious right-wing voters, Yeni Safak initially served as a haven for liberal voices marginalized by the military in the late 1990s. However, its relationship with Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been complex, with the newspaper often aligning closely with the government. Recently, Yeni Safak’s editorial stance has shifted, drawing attention for its critical coverage of specific government policies, particularly those related to economic management and judicial reforms. The newspaper has been vocal in its opposition to high interest rates, a stance that has put it at odds with Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek. Yeni Safak’s recent headlines have directly challenged Simsek’s policies, claiming they have led to economic stagnation and low industrial output. The newspaper’s criticism extends to judicial reforms, with front-page articles warning of threats to private property rights. This shift has sparked speculation about internal divisions within the AKP, particularly regarding the handling of Kurdish peace talks. Yeni Safak’s stance on these issues has led to tensions within the ruling coalition, with some suggesting the newspaper has become an unofficial opposition voice. Despite this, Yeni Safak maintains its alignment with Erdogan on broader national issues, highlighting the nuanced dynamics of media-government relations in Turkey.
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2 climbers die and 2 more rescued on New Zealand’s highest peak
A tragic mountaineering incident on Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak, has claimed the lives of two climbers, while two others from the same group were successfully rescued, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The bodies of the deceased climbers were located in a challenging alpine environment, and specialized teams are working to recover them. Police Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker stated that none of the climbers have been publicly identified at this time. According to Sgt. Kevin McErlain of The Timaru Herald, the two climbers who perished were roped together when they fell near the summit of Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook. The authorities were alerted late Monday night local time about the distress of four climbers on the mountain, located on New Zealand’s South Island. A helicopter rescue operation was launched in the early hours of Tuesday morning, successfully retrieving the two survivors, who were unharmed. Search teams in two helicopters scoured the area throughout the night, eventually locating the bodies of the other two climbers hours later. Aoraki, standing at 3,724 meters (12,218 feet), is part of the Southern Alps, a majestic yet treacherous mountain range that spans the length of the South Island. The peak is a popular destination for experienced climbers, but its terrain is notoriously challenging due to crevasses, avalanche risks, unpredictable weather, and glacier movements. Since the early 20th century, more than 240 deaths have been recorded on the mountain and in the surrounding national park, with dozens of climbers never found. This incident follows the disappearance of three climbers in December 2024, including two American alpine guides, Kurt Blair and Carlos Romero, whose belongings were discovered, leading authorities to conclude they had fallen to their deaths.
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US court to rule if Trump can ban AP from Oval Office in major press freedom case
A pivotal legal battle over press freedom is set to unfold in the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit as it hears oral arguments on Monday regarding President Donald Trump’s decision to bar the Associated Press (AP) from covering presidential events. The case stems from an April ruling by US District Judge Trevor McFadden, who granted a preliminary injunction in favor of the AP, ordering the White House to reinstate the news agency’s access to the Oval Office and other key spaces. The Trump administration appealed the decision, leading to a temporary pause on the injunction in June. The dispute originated in February when Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The AP, adhering to its editorial standards, continued to use the traditional name, prompting the White House to limit its access to press gatherings, labeling the decision as divisive and misleading. The AP subsequently sued three senior Trump aides, alleging that the restrictions violated constitutional protections for free speech and due process. The administration countered by arguing that the AP is not entitled to special access to non-public areas. This case highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the press, with significant implications for media freedom and government transparency.
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As the UAE expands military footprint in Africa, Algeria draws line in the sand
The simmering tensions between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have resurfaced following pointed remarks by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. In a recent address to the nation’s top military leaders, Tebboune criticized an unnamed Gulf state for meddling in Algeria’s internal affairs, a thinly veiled reference to the UAE. This latest flare-up underscores the deepening rift between the two nations, rooted in regional rivalries, geopolitical strategies, and ideological differences.
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Hezbollah mourns top commander killed in Israeli strike
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, held a funeral on Monday for its top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, and other members killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Tabatabai, the most senior Hezbollah leader to be assassinated since a November 2024 ceasefire, was targeted as Israel intensified its attacks on Lebanon. The United States has simultaneously increased pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, further complicating the region’s fragile stability. Israel’s military confirmed the operation, stating it had “eliminated the terrorist Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of general staff.” The strike has reignited tensions, with Hezbollah supporters chanting anti-Israel and anti-American slogans during the funeral procession. The group has rejected calls to disarm, despite a government-approved plan to dismantle its military infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its power, urging Lebanon to fulfill its disarmament commitments. Analysts suggest Hezbollah’s options are limited, as direct retaliation could provoke severe Israeli counterstrikes. The assassination underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, with Lebanon’s government struggling to balance internal pressures and external demands.