Wednesday, October 14Global edition

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Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal but indirect talks go on

Tehran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart nuclear talks within a week if Washington lifted its naval blockade. Trump said he offered Iran "nothing" — but his team is also weighing a return to large-scale military operations.

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Takaichi meets Trump as China's export curbs push Japan relations to new low

Japan's prime minister used the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to press ahead on AI and semiconductor cooperation with Washington. The talks came as Beijing's controls on rare earths and critical minerals — imposed after Takaichi warned a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival — have driven Sino-Japanese relations to their lowest point in decades.

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WHO says no to obesity drugs and surgery for children under 10

New global guidelines recommend diet, exercise and behavioural support as the only first-line care for younger children. The WHO cited doubts about the safety and long-term effectiveness of medicines and surgery — even as drug companies test obesity treatments in children as young as six.

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China halts fuel exports as diesel hits $75 a barrel above crude

Chinese refiners stopped all exports except to Hong Kong and Macau after domestic stocks fell to multi-year lows. The move pushed oil up 4%, adding to pressure from Russia's ongoing diesel export ban and US distillate stocks running 14% below their five-year average.

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EU looks to broaden its company levy to pull in more from US tech giants

The European Commission is reworking its CORE proposal — a fixed annual charge on large companies — to capture more revenue from Apple, Meta and Google without triggering US tariff retaliation. Most of the 27 member states currently oppose it, and any revised version needs their unanimous approval.

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Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia up 333% as strikes reach Riyadh

At least 37 Saudi sites were hit between July and September, with drones temporarily disrupting a pipeline carrying 4–5% of global crude supply. The Houthis have also declared a maritime embargo, striking ten ships and tightening their grip on the Red Sea coast.

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Vance says Iran must cut uranium enrichment to end the war

The US vice president said Tehran must take meaningful action on enrichment — not just give assurances — before Washington will accept any deal. Trump has already rejected Iran's latest offer and warned military operations could intensify after the midterms.

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EU opens €35 million tender to detect rogue attempts to block out the sun

The EU's Horizon Europe research arm wants to build a framework that can identify and attribute unauthorised attempts to alter the atmosphere by reflecting sunlight back into space. The move comes as private companies and governments step up work on solar geoengineering, with few international rules in place to govern it.

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EU would strip new members of voting rights for up to 15 years under Commission plan

The European Commission wants incoming members to give up the power to block some Council decisions for as long as 15 years, with voting rights removable if they breach EU values. The rules would not apply to existing member states, making backsliding by older members harder to punish. EU leaders debate the plan at a Brussels summit on 15-16 October.

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