Author name: Shakti Sharma

North London, Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly gearing up for two blockbuster transfer windows, with whispers suggesting the club is targeting a “statement signing” to bolster its attacking ranks. Top of the wishlist, according to multiple sources, are Real Madrid winger Rodrygo Goes and Juventus’s Turkish prodigy, Kenan Yildiz. The rumors indicate a significant shift in ambition for the North London club, with new investment from the ownership group reportedly positioning Spurs to compete for some of the biggest names in European football.   Rodrygo: The Marquee Target   The most immediate and high-profile target is the 24-year-old Brazilian international, Rodrygo. The Situation at Madrid: Despite his immense talent, Rodrygo is reportedly considering his future at the Santiago Bernabéu. Under the current regime, the winger is struggling to secure a regular starting berth, with other young stars being favored. A January Exit? Reports suggest that Rodrygo is open to a move as early as the January transfer window to secure the regular game time he needs to cement his place in the Brazil squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Price Tag: Real Madrid is unlikely to let the talented forward leave cheaply, with his value rumored to be around £70 million. Tottenham and their North London rivals, Arsenal, are both understood to be monitoring the situation closely, ready to compete for his signature should Real Madrid decide to sell. For Spurs, acquiring a “world-class superstar” like Rodrygo would undoubtedly be the “statement signing” the club is looking for.   Yildiz: The Young Turk on the Radar   Alongside the pursuit of Rodrygo, Tottenham is also throwing its hat into the ring for Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz. Rising Star: The 19-year-old Turkish international has rapidly risen through the ranks in Turin, earning a reputation for dazzling dribbles and versatile attacking play. Premier League Battle: Spurs have reportedly joined a host of Premier League heavyweights—including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool—who are closely monitoring Yildiz’s development. Contract Standoff: Yildiz’s future hinges on contract negotiations with Juventus. The Italian giants are keen to secure him on a new, long-term deal to ward off interest. However, if those talks stall, a window of opportunity could open for the interested English clubs to swoop in.   What This Means for Tottenham   Tottenham’s pursuit of both Rodrygo and Yildiz suggests a clear mandate to significantly upgrade the quality and depth of the squad’s attacking options, particularly on the flanks. With a mandate for further investment, the club appears ready to break its transfer record to secure players who can immediately lift the team’s quality and help their quest for major silverware. The coming transfer windows promise to be exciting and potentially historic for the Lilywhites, as they plot a course for global football’s elite.

World– The world’s climate crisis shows no sign of abating, with 2025 on track to be either the second or third warmest year ever recorded, according to the latest State of the Global Climate Update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This finding extends an alarming and unprecedented streak of heat, making the 11-year period from 2015 to 2025 the warmest decade since records began 176 years ago. The report, released ahead of the annual UN climate summit (COP30), underscores the relentless human-driven heating of the planet and the immense challenge in keeping the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit alive.   The Three Hottest Years on Record   The WMO confirmed that the years 2023, 2024 (the current warmest year), and 2025 will collectively stand as the three hottest years in observational history. Despite the fact that the powerful El Niño weather pattern—which significantly boosted global temperatures in 2024—has since faded, the year 2025 continues the high-temperature trend. Between January and August 2025, the global mean near-surface temperature was measured at 1.42°C above the pre-industrial average (1850–1900).   Key Indicators Confirm Accelerating Crisis   The persistence of extreme heat is driven by record-high concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases (GHGs)—carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide—which continued to rise throughout 2025. This trapped heat is rapidly transforming the Earth system: Ocean Heat: Ocean heat content reached and surpassed the record values set in 2024, absorbing over 90% of the surplus energy caused by GHG emissions. This is leading to severe marine heatwaves, coral bleaching, and a weakening of the ocean’s ability to act as a carbon sink. Sea Ice at Record Lows: The Arctic sea-ice extent after the winter freeze was the lowest on record, while the Antarctic sea ice remained well below average throughout the year. Accelerating Sea-Level Rise: The long-term rate of sea-level rise has nearly doubled since the 1990s, driven by the combined effect of thermal expansion from warming oceans and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.   The 1.5°C Target: A Temporary Overshoot Now ‘Virtually Impossible’   WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo warned that this “unprecedented streak of high temperatures” makes it “virtually impossible to limit global warming to 1.5°C in the next few years without temporarily overshooting this target.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed the urgency, stating that every year above the 1.5°C mark will “hammer economies, deepen inequalities and inflict irreversible damage.” Both leaders stressed the absolute necessity of rapid and deep emissions cuts now to ensure temperatures can be brought back down below the 1.5°C threshold by the end of the century. As world leaders convene to discuss climate action, the science is clear: the exceptional warming trend is no longer an anomaly but the new normal, demanding immediate, large-scale, and transformative global action.

Geneva,  – The intricate, often opaque system of determining a product’s “economic nationality” is back in the spotlight, as trade members intensify discussions on improving the transparency and application of non-preferential Rules of Origin (RoO). These rules, essential for everything from imposing anti-dumping duties to compiling trade statistics, are being scrutinized by international bodies like the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ensure they do not become subtle barriers to global trade.   The Core Issue: Non-Preferential vs. Preferential   Discussions frequently center on two distinct categories of RoO: Preferential Rules of Origin: These are the rules negotiated within Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or other preferential trade pacts (like the Generalized System of Preferences, or GSP). Their sole purpose is to determine if a good qualifies for reduced or zero tariffs between partner countries. Non-Preferential Rules of Origin (The Focus): These apply to all other trade and are not about granting tariff breaks. Instead, they are the foundation for a country’s wider commercial policy. Their application is crucial for: Implementing Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties. Applying Safeguard Measures (emergency restrictions on imports). Determining Tariff Quotas and Quantitative Restrictions. Enforcing Origin Marking and labeling requirements. Compiling accurate Trade Statistics.   The Call for Transparency and Harmonization   Under the WTO’s Agreement on Rules of Origin, members are mandated to ensure their non-preferential rules are applied in an impartial, consistent, and transparent manner. Despite a long-standing goal since the Uruguay Round (1995), a complete set of harmonized, non-preferential RoO has yet to be finalized. The renewed focus on transparency and the application of these rules stems from several critical challenges: Complexity of Global Supply Chains: As manufacturing processes are fractured across multiple countries, determining the “last substantial transformation” that confers origin is becoming increasingly difficult and subjective. Risk of Protectionism: Unclear or arbitrarily applied rules can be misused to pursue protectionist trade objectives, effectively restricting trade without imposing overt tariffs. Preventing Origin Fraud: Ensuring accurate origin helps customs authorities prevent misdeclaration intended to evade trade remedial duties or other restrictions.   Moving Forward: Digital Solutions and Due Diligence   To address these concerns, member countries are exploring practical solutions: Digitalization: Countries like Vietnam have recently been recognized for their efforts in maintaining transparency and preventing origin fraud, including the adoption of QR codes and other digital solutions in the issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO). Stricter Documentation: Importing jurisdictions, such as the European Union, are increasingly strengthening their non-preferential rules by prescribing tighter norms and demanding comprehensive documentation from exporters to detail the entire production process. For businesses engaged in international trade, the shifting landscape means that thorough due diligence in determining and documenting origin is more important than ever. The ongoing talks signal a global push for greater clarity, predictability, and fairness in the one area of international commerce that defines a product’s most basic identity: its origin.

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A powerful blast shook a mosque located inside a school complex in North Jakarta during Friday prayers, injuring at least 54 people, according to police officials. The incident, which occurred around midday in the Kelapa Gading area, has prompted a major security and forensic investigation as authorities work to determine the cause. City police chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed the casualty figures, stating that the injured have been admitted to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious, including burns and wounds from glass fragments. No fatalities have been reported so far.   The Incident   The explosion occurred within the mosque situated on the grounds of a naval compound school complex. Witnesses reported hearing multiple loud blasts just as the Friday sermon was commencing, causing panic among the dozens of worshippers, many of whom are believed to be students and personnel associated with the compound. Images from the scene show armed police and military personnel quickly cordoning off the area. While initial reports suggest the mosque building did not sustain extensive structural damage, the shockwave and debris caused injuries to those inside.   Cause Remains Unknown   The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have deployed bomb disposal and anti-terror units, including the elite Special Detachment (Densus 88), to the site to conduct a thorough investigation. Police chief Suheri stated that the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and authorities are not yet ruling out any possibilities. Early, unofficial speculation suggests the blast may have been caused by an electrical short circuit or a malfunctioning electronic device, potentially a loudspeaker near the rear section of the main hall. However, forensic experts are meticulously examining all evidence, which reportedly includes the discovery of suspicious objects like toy rifles and a toy gun found near the mosque, though their connection to the blast remains unconfirmed. The police have urged the public to refrain from speculation until the official investigation is concluded. Authorities have set up information posts at nearby hospitals to assist relatives of the injured. The incident is a stark reminder of Indonesia’s security challenges, though the focus is currently on determining whether the cause was technical, accidental, or linked to a malicious act.

Washington D.C., – United States President Donald Trump on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and claimed that India has “largely stopped” buying oil from Russia. His remarks came amid ongoing, high-stakes trade negotiations between the two countries, which are complicated by a US-imposed tariff linked directly to India’s energy imports from Moscow.1 In a brief interaction with reporters at the White House, President Trump expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship and the trade talks, while dropping a significant hint about a potential diplomatic visit.2   The Russian Oil Claim When asked about the status of trade discussions with India, President Trump commented: “They are going good; he [PM Modi] stopped buying oil from Russia largely.3 He is a friend of mine, and we speak.” When asked directly if he planned to travel to India next year (2026), he replied: “It could be, yes.” This is not the first time President Trump has made this claim. He had previously stated that PM Modi had assured him India would significantly reduce its Russian oil purchases by the end of the year.4   India’s Stance and Trade Tensions   The US President’s repeated assertion about the reduction in Russian oil imports remains a point of diplomatic ambiguity. India’s Official Position: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has consistently maintained that its energy policy is guided solely by its national interest, specifically the need to ensure secure and affordable energy supplies for its large consumer base in a volatile global market.5 While India has diversified its energy sourcing, it has not officially confirmed a commitment to halt or substantially curb Russian oil imports based on a bilateral assurance to the US.6 Tariff Pressure: The topic is central to the current trade friction.7 The United States has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain Indian goods.8 This duty includes a 25 per cent base tariff and an additional 25 per cent duty explicitly linked by the US administration to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.9 President Trump views the tariffs as a tool to leverage diplomatic outcomes and push India towards supporting the global isolation of Russia.10 Building Up to a 2026 Visit   The possibility of a presidential visit in 2026 underscores the strategic importance of the India-US partnership, despite current trade disputes. Trade Deal Momentum: Negotiators from both sides are intensely working to finalize a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), a deal aimed at scaling up bilateral trade volumes from the current $191 billion to an ambitious $500 billion by 2030.11 A presidential visit is often viewed as the final political impetus needed to seal major agreements. Praise for PM Modi: President Trump referred to PM Modi as a “great man” and a “friend,” highlighting the strong personal rapport that defines the relationship between the two leaders.12 The speculated 2026 visit—potentially marking a major diplomatic engagement—will likely depend on progress made in both resolving the contentious tariff issues and aligning the two nations’ approaches to energy security and global geopolitics.