Lowe's

The White House excluded journalists from the dinner with China's President Xi Jinping, then President Donald Trump complained publicly that the event received little media coverage. The decision to bar reporters, followed by frustration at the resulting lack of reporting, has drawn criticism and mockery, with commentators calling the sequence self-inflicted and highlighting tensions over media access to Trump's meetings with Xi.

China's top diplomat has suggested that relations between Beijing and Tokyo have deteriorated to their worst point in decades. The blunt assessment signals a sharp cooling in bilateral ties, and observers in China and abroad are closely watching for how Japan responds and whether the diplomatic rift deepens further in coming weeks.

Climate change is redrawing the world's coastlines, with rising sea levels posing a growing threat to cities built along the shore. Low-lying urban areas face increasing flood risk, land loss and pressure on infrastructure as oceans creep inland. The warning is drawing wide attention as communities and governments weigh how to adapt or retreat from vulnerable coastlines.

Bangkok has declared all 50 of its districts disaster zones following severe flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains. The move allows city authorities to unlock emergency funds and resources for relief operations across the Thai capital. Residents have reported waterlogged streets and disrupted transport, and officials are urging people in low-lying areas to take precautions as more rain is forecast.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran no longer trusts negotiations with Washington, signalling a hardening of Tehran's stance toward the United States. The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, comes amid heightened regional tensions and suggests diplomatic channels between the two countries have reached a new low, raising concerns about the prospects for renewed nuclear or de-escalation talks.

India is burning through its coal reserves to keep the power supply stable after weak monsoon rains reduced hydropower output and fading solar generation left evening gaps uncovered. Night-time shortfalls reached 7.7 gigawatts this month, worse than during the summer heat wave, while grid coal inventories have more than halved year-on-year to their lowest level in nearly three years, according to figures cited in New Delhi.

A ceasefire that took effect on October 10 has halted the heaviest fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but Israeli strikes have continued. The military says these are responses to threats or attacks. Commenters are debating whether the truce is real, with terms like 'low-intensity warfare' and accusations that the ceasefire is a 'defensive lie' circulating alongside discussion of genocide in Gaza.

Thailand's government has declared Bangkok a disaster zone after heavy flooding, forcing thousands of residents into temporary shelters. Rain is easing in the capital, but water continues to inundate several low-lying areas, and at least eight deaths have been reported. Authorities are working to move people out of the worst-affected neighbourhoods as conditions remain difficult.

Iran's currency, the rial, has fallen to another record low against the US dollar, according to Iran International. The collapse comes as the country faces combined pressure from international economic sanctions and military tensions in the region. The sliding rial drives up import costs and deepens hardship for ordinary Iranians, and analysts point to shrinking confidence in the economy as the currency continues to lose value.

Bond yields in major advanced economies, including the United States, Japan, and Europe, have surged at the same time, drawing attention to the heavy national debts built up during the low-interest-rate era. Observers warn that higher borrowing costs could strain government budgets and raise questions about fiscal sustainability across these economies.

Ukraine's electricity consumption has dropped 9% year-on-year to an all-time low of 5.6 TWh, according to the Centre for Economic Strategy. The decline is attributed to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, widespread destruction, and the shutdown of businesses across the country. The figures underline the mounting economic toll of the war on Ukraine's power system and industrial activity.

The University of Michigan's monthly consumer sentiment survey showed a sharp drop in September, coming close to the lowest reading in the 78-year-old index's history, according to data released Friday. Analysts attribute the slump to persistent inflation squeezing household budgets and an oil supply shock weighing on expectations.

Indian stock markets fell to their lowest levels in nearly six months as a deadlock between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher. Rising crude is a particular concern for India, a major oil importer, with investors worried about the impact of costlier energy on inflation, corporate profits and the wider economy.

Indian stock markets fell to their lowest levels in nearly six months as a standoff between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher. Rising crude is a particular concern for India, a major oil importer, since costlier energy weighs on companies' costs and inflation. Traders are watching for any signals of de-escalation that could calm both oil markets and equities.

Gold prices dropped to their lowest level in seven weeks as markets increasingly bet that central banks will raise interest rates further. Higher rates typically weigh on gold, which pays no yield, prompting investors to shift toward interest-bearing assets. Traders are watching upcoming economic data and central bank signals for clues on the pace of further tightening and what it means for bullion's outlook.

Hobbyist aerial craft are being repurposed as weapons in Myanmar's ongoing civil war, according to a New York Times report. Opposition forces fighting the military junta have reportedly adapted cheap recreational drones to drop bombs on targets, turning consumer technology into a low-cost tool of asymmetric warfare and highlighting the conflict's growing intensity.

Average U.S. mortgage rates have climbed past 7% after a surge in Treasury bond yields, worsening the housing market's affordability crisis. Higher borrowing costs are keeping prospective buyers on the sidelines and locking in existing homeowners with low fixed rates, deepening the standoff between sellers and buyers and leaving home sales and construction activity under renewed pressure.

Chinese stock markets have fallen to their lowest level in 13 months, with technology shares leading the decline. Reports point to investor concerns over rising oil prices and interest rate pressures as key drivers of the selloff. Traders are watching whether regulators step in to steady sentiment as the market drop deepens.

A powerful nor'easter has swept through the US Northeast, flooding low-lying areas of New Jersey and New York City and causing widespread power outages. It marks another round of flooding for the region, with residents contending with submerged streets and utility crews working to restore electricity as the storm continues to batter coastal communities.

Chinese equities dropped to their lowest level in a year, with semiconductor and optical technology companies leading the decline. The slide reflects mounting pressure on China's tech sector, particularly firms tied to chipmaking and optical components, which have been hit by weak demand and ongoing US export restrictions. Investors are watching closely for signs of further deterioration or policy support from Beijing to stabilise the market.