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At least three people were killed as Cyclone Arnab battered India’s eastern state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, damaging homes, farmland and power infrastructure after authorities evacuated around 180,000 people, officials said. The cyclone made landfall early Wednesday as a very severe cyclonic storm before weakening as it moved inland, according to the India Meteorological Department. Two women died from electrocution in separate incidents in the port city of Visakhapatnam, while another person was killed by a falling tree in East Godavari district. Wind speeds reached 135 kilometres per hour, or 84 miles per hour, late Wednesday morning, state disaster management officials said. The storm was expected to weaken further as it moved inland. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said 14 coastal districts had been badly affected by strong winds and heavy rainfall, which damaged houses, roads, electricity poles and power supply infrastructure. He sought urgent assistance from the central government. The cyclone damaged crops across 79,000 acres and dozens of homes, with the fertile Konaseema district among the worst-hit areas. Banana and coconut plantations suffered extensive damage, while uprooted trees and electricity poles disrupted power supplies. The meteorological department said heavy rain and strong winds would continue in coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of neighbouring Odisha. Rainfall also flooded several low-lying areas in Visakhapatnam. Authorities had evacuated people from vulnerable coastal and flood-prone areas ahead of landfall and cancelled some train services as the storm approached. More than 12 million people live along the cyclone’s expected path, according to the state disaster management authority. Officials established more than 2,000 cyclone shelters across 20 districts and sent emergency alerts to millions of mobile phone users, Press Trust of India reported, citing state disaster management authority chief Prakhar Jain. More than 30,000 fishing boats were secured along the coast, while nearly 1,100 medical teams were deployed to provide emergency assistance, Jain said. In neighbouring Odisha, authorities planned to evacuate around 48,000 people from areas expected to be affected by the storm. Meanwhile, Nepal’s disaster agency warned of heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorms across much of the country, advising tourists to avoid high-altitude and Himalayan areas and cautioning about possible road and air travel disruptions. Nepal is still recovering from devastating flash floods in August that killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands missing. Further flooding was reported in northern Nepal earlier this month.

At least 30 people were killed on Wednesday when a high-speed train crashed into the rear of another train that had stopped in central Spain, derailing two carriages, according to local media reports. Spanish authorities initially confirmed 10 deaths, but Esther Padilla, a spokeswoman for the Castilla-La Mancha regional government, warned that the toll was likely to rise. State news agency EFE and other media outlets later reported that at least 30 people had died. The accident occurred in the province of Toledo on Wednesday morning, according to Spain’s rail infrastructure operator ADIF. Train services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia were suspended following the crash. Padilla told state broadcaster TVE that the two high-speed trains, carrying hundreds of passengers from Madrid towards Seville in southwestern Spain, were travelling in the same direction when one struck the rear of the other, which had stopped. The collision forced two carriages off the tracks. The cause of the accident remained unknown. The crash site was located on a flat stretch of land surrounded by fields between the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes. Images from the scene showed one carriage torn apart, with twisted metal and debris scattered down a gravel slope. Spanish Health Minister Mónica García told TVE that emergency teams were concentrating on rescuing survivors and recovering bodies from the two most severely damaged carriages. The injured were being transported to hospitals in the surrounding area. “Given the high-speed impact, we are expecting this to be a tragedy,” García said. The collision involved trains operated by state-owned RENFE and private rail company IRYO. Spanish media reported that the RENFE train appeared to have struck the IRYO service. Trains operated by the two companies were also involved in a deadly accident in January. Padilla said 397 passengers were aboard the RENFE train, while the IRYO train was carrying 147 passengers. IRYO, an Italian-owned railway company, said it had activated its safety protocols and was working closely with the authorities. Manuel Galán, mayor of the nearby town of Urda, told TVE that civil protection officials had asked the local administration to prepare a sports pavilion to receive and assist injured passengers. A military emergency response unit was deployed alongside firefighters, police and other emergency personnel to assist at the crash site. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled his scheduled engagements to focus on the disaster. In a post on X, he said he was deeply distressed by the serious train accident in Toledo and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. Castilla-La Mancha regional president Emiliano García-Page also announced on X that he was travelling to the scene. The latest accident is the second major train disaster in Spain this year. In January, 45 people died in southern Spain when a derailed train collided with an oncoming service. It was the country's deadliest rail accident since a 2013 crash that killed 80 people. The January disaster raised concerns about the safety of Spain's extensive high-speed railway network.     

China is deeply concerned about the sustained regional tensions in the Middle East, and opposes attacks on civilian targets such as civil aviation airports, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday. China calls on relevant parties to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation to help restore peace and tranquility in the Middle East at an early date, he added. Guo made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on new attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi group. The Houthis claimed on Tuesday that it had launched attacks on multiple targets in Saudi Arabia using ballistic missiles and drones, including the Saudi Defense Ministry and Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia.  

At least 10 people were killed when two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, Spanish media reported. The accident occurred in the morning in the province of Toledo, according to Spain’s rail infrastructure operator ADIF. Rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia have been suspended. Manuel Galán, mayor of the nearby town of Urda, told Spanish state broadcaster TVE that passengers were injured and civil protection authorities had asked the town to prepare a sports pavilion to assist those affected. TVE reported that the two trains were travelling in the same direction when one struck the rear of the other, causing two carriages to derail. Jesús Pérez, mayor of the nearby village of Los Yébenes, described the accident as apparently serious. Emiliano García-Page, president of the Castilla-La Mancha region, said on X that he was heading to the crash site. The accident comes after a train crash in southern Spain in January that killed 45 people when a train derailed and struck an oncoming train. It was the country’s deadliest rail disaster since a 2013 crash that killed 80 people and raised concerns over the safety of Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network.

Israel's national election produced no clear winner, according to exit polls, as votes continued to be counted early Wednesday, raising the prospect of weeks of negotiations to form a governing coalition. The inconclusive outcome leaves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in place as caretaker head of government while political parties attempt to secure the parliamentary majority needed to establish a new administration. Exit polls released by major Israeli television stations after voting ended on Tuesday and revised overnight indicated that neither Netanyahu's political bloc nor the alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot had secured the 61 seats required for a majority in the 120-member Knesset. Israeli voters elect political parties rather than a prime minister directly, and parties must form alliances to achieve a parliamentary majority. No single party has ever won an outright majority. The election took place amid deep divisions over Netanyahu's leadership and the continuing impact of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent wars across the Middle East. 60% of votes countedOfficial figures released by Israel's Central Elections Committee on Wednesday morning showed Netanyahu's Likud party leading with 21.4% of the vote, followed by Eisenkot's Yashar party with 16.2%, with 60% of ballots counted. The figures did not yet establish how many parliamentary seats each party would ultimately secure. Strong Arab vote raises coalition questionsThe strong performance of Arab-led parties has emerged as a significant factor in the post-election political debate, as their support could prove decisive in forming a government. An analysis published by the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper described the outcome as a test for political groups that identify themselves as democratic. It warned that excluding Arab citizens from political participation despite their efforts to engage in the democratic process could undermine the future of the bloc presenting itself as democratic. President to choose government formation candidatePresident Isaac Herzog is expected to select the politician he believes has the best chance of forming a government. Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, the role becomes significant during coalition negotiations. The leader of the party winning the most votes is usually given the opportunity to form a government, although Herzog is not legally required to appoint Netanyahu even if Likud finishes first. Given the divisions surrounding Netanyahu's government, some Israelis may favour an alternative candidate during the coalition-building process. Military turnout reaches nearly 80%Israel's military reported a voter turnout of 79.9% among its personnel, more than six percentage points higher than in the previous election. Hundreds of thousands of ballots cast by military personnel were still awaiting counting. Some polling stations had been established in combat zones. Attack outside Israeli Embassy in SerbiaSeparately, Serbian police said an unidentified attacker armed with two knives assaulted a security guard outside Israel's Embassy in Belgrade early Wednesday and was shot dead. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic described the incident as a terrorist attack. Authorities raised the terror threat to its highest level and increased security at key locations. Dacic said the attacker was a minor who shouted “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great,” during the assault. The police officer shot the assailant in self-defence and sustained minor injuries, he added. Trump says Netanyahu performed wellUS President Donald Trump rejected suggestions that Netanyahu was heading towards defeat, saying he had heard that the Israeli leader had performed well. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday after returning from campaign rallies in Texas, Trump said it was too early to draw firm conclusions. He added that he had not yet spoken with Netanyahu about the results. Trump endorsed Netanyahu late in the election campaign, while Netanyahu highlighted his close relationship with the White House in his election-night address. Netanyahu rules out government dependent on Arab partiesAddressing enthusiastic supporters in Jerusalem after 3am Wednesday, Netanyahu said exit polls suggested Likud would emerge as the largest party in the next parliament. He highlighted Israel's military achievements over the previous three years and pledged to complete the campaign against Iran's government. Netanyahu also declared that no government should be formed with the support of Arab parties. Their strong electoral performance could make them influential in coalition negotiations if the two main political blocs remain unable to secure a majority. Both camps celebrate despite uncertain outcomeSupporters at the headquarters of both Netanyahu and Eisenkot celebrated despite the inconclusive exit polls, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the next government's formation. Speaking in Tel Aviv early Wednesday, Eisenkot emphasised national unity and pledged to form a government, promising Israelis “a new era — an era of hope.” “Today, Israel went out to a referendum over the leadership that will lead Israel in the coming years,” he told cheering supporters. “The people decided in favour of change.”Editorial note: The source contains several election-specific claims and developing figures. Verify the date, party names, official vote count and attribution before publication.

Global concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide reached record levels in 2025, intensifying the risk of extreme weather and threatening economies and societies, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned. According to the agency’s latest Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the average global concentration of CO2 reached 426.8 parts per million (ppm) last year, equivalent to 153 percent of the pre-industrial level recorded in 1750. “Every additional part per million matters because it traps additional heat. In effect, we are supercharging the ocean and the atmosphere. That means that heat waves, tropical cyclones, and rainstorms are intensifying faster than our historical baselines prepared us for,” WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett told journalists in Geneva. Methane and nitrous oxide, the second and third most significant long-lived greenhouse gases generated by human activities, also recorded unprecedented concentrations in 2025. “Another year, another new record. Greenhouse gases are trapping an unprecedented amount of heat in the atmosphere, providing energy for more extreme weather and associated risks to our economies and societies,” Barrett said. She noted that the past 11 years had been the warmest on record and that the trend was expected to continue. As CO2 remains in the atmosphere for a long time, its effects on the global climate will persist for decades and even centuries. When the WMO first published the bulletin in 2004, the annual average CO2 concentration recorded by its Global Atmosphere Watch monitoring network stood at 377.5 ppm, compared with nearly 427 ppm today. El Niño accelerates the rise The rate of CO2 accumulation has tripled since the 1960s, rising from an annual average of 0.8 ppm to 2.4 ppm per year during the decade from 2011 to 2020. WMO senior scientific officer Oksana Tarasova said the exceptional 3.5 ppm increase recorded in 2023-2024 coincided with a strong El Niño event, which weakened the biosphere’s capacity to absorb carbon because of increased drought, drier vegetation and more wildfires. Although the annual rise slowed to 2.8 ppm between 2024 and 2025, Tarasova described it as a substantial addition of carbon to the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning. She warned that CO2 concentrations could rise further in 2026 because of continued fossil fuel use and the development of a powerful El Niño, which could weaken land-based carbon sinks, as happened in 2023-2024. Greenhouse gases drive greater warming The WMO bulletin measures the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rather than annual emissions. Around half of the CO2 emitted each year remains in the atmosphere, while the remainder is absorbed by land ecosystems and oceans. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Annual Greenhouse Gas Index shows that the warming effect of greenhouse gases on the climate increased by 56 percent between 1990 and 2025. CO2 accounted for about 81 percent of that increase, known as radiative forcing. Energy transition brings new concerns As countries shift towards cleaner energy systems, the WMO has called for close monitoring of two less abundant gases associated with electricity production and distribution: molecular hydrogen (H2) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). SF6, widely used to suppress electrical sparks in power distribution systems, has seen its use increase steadily over the past three decades alongside global electrification. The gas remains in the atmosphere for more than 1,000 years and has a 100-year global warming potential approximately 24,300 times that of CO2. The increase in atmospheric SF6 in 2025 was the highest on record, according to the bulletin. Meanwhile, atmospheric hydrogen concentrations rose by 5.3 percent between 2010 and 2024. Hydrogen is increasingly used for energy storage and in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise, including steelmaking and shipping. It also supports renewable energy systems, long-duration storage and transport. However, hydrogen leakage from production facilities, pipelines, storage tanks and fuel cells is emerging as a concern. Although hydrogen is not itself a greenhouse gas, it affects atmospheric chemistry and can contribute indirectly to global warming, the WMO said. The agency warned that hydrogen leakage and the long atmospheric lifetime of SF6 could undermine the climate benefits of the global energy transition. It stressed that continuous monitoring of the atmosphere is essential to identify, understand and prevent unintended consequences of changes in energy systems. The WMO publishes the bulletin to provide authoritative scientific evidence for negotiators attending the annual UN climate conference. The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, aims to translate climate commitments into concrete action.

Cyclone Arnab completed its landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday after a process lasting more than six hours, bringing heavy rainfall to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in a bulletin issued at 9:50 am, said the very severe cyclonic storm had moved completely over land along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts. At the time of the bulletin, the cyclone was located around 20 km east of Narsapur, 40 km south-southwest of Yanam, 60 km south-southwest of Kakinada and 90 km east-northeast of Machilipatnam. According to the IMD, Arnab crossed the coast with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. The system subsequently weakened into a severe cyclonic storm at 8:30 am. More Than 180,000 People EvacuatedThe cyclone brought heavy rainfall to several districts in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 180,000 people ahead of its arrival. In Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam recorded the highest rainfall, receiving 315 mm up to 8:30 am. Vizianagaram recorded 301 mm, followed by Anakapalli with 275 mm, Srikakulam with 257 mm and Krishna with 223 mm. In Odisha, Koraput received 188 mm of rainfall, while Ganjam and Gajapati recorded 161 mm and 135 mm, respectively. Airlines cancelled flights to Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada on Wednesday amid the adverse weather conditions. No casualties had been reported in either state at the time of the report. However, electricity supplies were disrupted, trees were uprooted and some schools were closed. Several train services were also cancelled. Officials forecast that heavy rainfall would continue in affected areas on Wednesday and Thursday as the cyclone's impact persisted. How Cyclone Arnab Got Its NameBangladesh proposed the name Arnab, which is part of the official list of tropical cyclone names adopted in 2020 by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones. The name is associated with the Bengali word for the ocean or sea. The regional naming list comprises 169 names contributed by 13 countries: Bangladesh, India, Iran, the Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Each country submitted 13 names. These names are used sequentially for tropical cyclones forming over the North Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Cyclone naming helps distinguish individual weather systems, improve public awareness and reduce confusion when multiple storms occur simultaneously.  Source: NDTV   

At least 20 Somali soldiers were killed in an ambush by Islamic extremist militants in southern Somalia, according to a military officer who survived the attack, while the government acknowledged damage to military vehicles but did not report any troop casualties. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group, which has been fighting Somalia's government for nearly two decades, claimed responsibility for Monday's attack near Jameeca village in the country's south. Somalia's Defence Ministry said government troops killed around 75 militants and wounded 56 others during hours of fighting. Al-Shabab, however, claimed that it had killed 321 soldiers and captured prisoners and military equipment. The casualty figures and claims about captured soldiers and equipment could not be independently verified. Abshir Abdikarim, a military officer travelling with the convoy, told The Associated Press by phone late Tuesday that he had seen at least 20 fellow soldiers dead following the attack. He said the troops had advanced from Leego to Jameeca in Burhakaba district of the Bay region, where they exchanged heavy gunfire with the militants. Some soldiers who had earlier been reported missing reached Baledogle on Tuesday, while others remained unaccounted for, he said. The Defence Ministry described the confrontation as an operation against militant positions, while al-Shabab said its fighters had ambushed a military convoy advancing into territory under its control. According to the ministry, the militants used vehicles loaded with explosives to attack army vehicles, damaging some of them. It did not specify the number of vehicles damaged or address claims that soldiers had been captured. Al-Shabab said it had seized Turkish-supplied armoured vehicles, armed pickup trucks, supply trucks, weapons and ammunition. African Union troops drove al-Shabab out of Mogadishu in 2011, but the group subsequently adapted its tactics, relying on guerrilla warfare, suicide bombings and targeted assassinations. Somali authorities have reported territorial gains in a US-backed military campaign against the militants, although restrictions on access have made it difficult to independently verify those claims. Al-Shabab has continued to operate across large areas of central and southern Somalia. The latest fighting comes amid a separate struggle for control of South West state. Government troops clashed last month near Baidoa with militias loyal to former regional President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, who resigned after federal forces seized the city in March. The Defence Ministry said government forces would continue targeting al-Shabab positions and disrupting efforts by the militants to regroup.

A US cruise ship offering a residential voyage around the world has suspended operations in Cambodia due to soaring fuel costs, leaving more than 200 passengers without their floating homes. The Odyssey began its three-year journey two years ago, offering residents the opportunity to live at sea while travelling across all seven continents. Florida-based operator Villa Vie Residences said monthly fuel costs per cabin, which historically averaged $1,800, had recently surged to an estimated $6,000 to $8,000 in parts of Asia amid the war in Iran. The company said it had attempted to control expenses by reducing the ship's speed and extending its stays in ports, but these measures failed to offset the sharp increase in fuel prices. “We have been unable to continue carrying the resulting operating losses,” the company said in a statement, adding that transferring the full increase in costs to residents was not a practical option. It said its immediate priority was to support residents, crew members and employees while working to restructure its operations. According to a statement issued last week by Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, the ship arrived on Oct. 23 for a five-day stay. Although it was scheduled to travel to Vietnam, it remained at the Cambodian port on Wednesday. The ship was carrying 203 passengers from 15 nationalities, most of them Americans, along with 156 crew members. It had accommodation for up to 650 residents. Passengers have been instructed to leave the vessel, while the status of the crew remained unclear. The Odyssey had a confirmed travel schedule extending through November 2027. Villa Vie Residences had also planned to launch a second residential cruise ship in early 2029, but its statement announcing the suspension did not clarify whether the plans for the second vessel would be affected.

Cyclone Arnab made landfall along India's Andhra Pradesh coast early Wednesday, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall after authorities evacuated nearly 89,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas. Prakhar Jain, head of the state's disaster management authority, said the cyclone had weakened slightly before landfall but continued to pack maximum winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph). Heavy to very heavy rainfall affected several coastal districts, disrupting normal life. Officials expected the storm to weaken further as it moved inland, with wind speeds forecast to drop to around 110 kph (68 mph) later in the day. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that heavy rain and strong winds would continue in coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of neighbouring southern Odisha for the next four hours. “The tip of the system has already entered the land mass and the entire process will take around four hours,” IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said. Cyclone Arnab intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm late Tuesday, bringing strong gusts and heavy rain to coastal areas as it moved across the Bay of Bengal. Authorities placed all coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on high alert and evacuated residents from low-lying and flood-prone areas. Some train services were also cancelled as adverse weather conditions began affecting the coast. According to an official statement, at least 89,000 people had been evacuated in Andhra Pradesh by Wednesday. Jain said more than 2,000 cyclone shelters had been established across 20 districts, while emergency alerts were being sent to millions of mobile phone users, the Press Trust of India reported. Authorities also secured more than 30,000 fishing boats along the coast and deployed nearly 1,100 medical teams to provide emergency assistance. More than 12 million people live along the cyclone's projected path, according to the state's disaster management authority. In neighbouring Odisha, officials planned to evacuate around 48,000 people from areas expected to be affected by the storm.