Maldives Backs UAE’s Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General
The Foreign Ministry says it is time for a woman to lead the UN. Nusseibeh, nominated on 21 October, is one of seven candidates still in the race, five of them women.
World
Foreign affairs and the Indian Ocean neighbourhood.
Sunday 25 October 2026
Saturday 24 October 2026
US Keeps Maldives on Trafficking Watch List with One-Time Waiver from Downgrade
The State Department’s 2026 report says the government identified no victims and brought no new prosecutions. Under US law, the Maldives must move up a tier next year or fall to Tier 3.
Thursday 15 October 2026
IEA Expects World Oil Demand to Fall 2.6 Million Barrels a Day as Diesel Shortage Extends into 2027
The agency says Gulf crude exports recovered to more than three-quarters of pre-war levels in September, but renewed attacks leave supply fragile and diesel prices near double their pre-crisis level.
Singapore-Registered Container Ship Sinks after Strike in Strait of Hormuz
A second Singapore-flagged vessel was hit a day later and reached a safe anchorage, with all 43 crew members on the two ships reported safe.
Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for Work on International Law
The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited the South African jurist's role in ensuring war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted, three days before she visited the International Criminal Court.
UK Calls for New Debt Deal for Developing Countries at IMF and World Bank Meetings
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told a Bangkok audience that small island states face an existential climate threat on top of high debt-servicing costs, and backed wider use of clauses that pause repayments after disasters.
Tuesday 6 October 2026
US and China Agree Framework for Tariff Relief on US$30 Billion of Goods Each
Product lists use 2024 trade values. Any tariff reductions still require implementation through each country’s domestic legal processes.
Seven OPEC+ Countries Keep November Oil Output Targets Unchanged
The group will retain September production requirements for November, while a separate monitoring committee warns about threats to energy infrastructure and shipping.
Flávio Bolsonaro and Lula Advance to Brazil’s Presidential Runoff
Brazil’s electoral court reported Bolsonaro on 47.03% and Lula on 45.16% with 99.99% of ballot boxes counted. The second round is on 25 October.
Three Scientists Win Nobel Medicine Prize for Controlling Nerve Cells with Light
Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel are recognised for discoveries behind optogenetics, a method used to investigate brain activity.
Bank of England Sets Out Plan to Unwind QE Bonds by 2034
Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden details a £368 billion reduction, with £120 billion of other bonds retained to back banknotes.
