Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire during talks, mediator Qatar says

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced early Sunday (October 19, 2025) on X. “During the negotiations, the two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries,” the Qatari Ministry said in a statement.

Rain fury causes massive damage in Kerala’s Idukki

The high-range villages of the hill district of Idukki witnessed extremely heavy rainfall on Friday night and Saturday morning, causing widespread damage. Rain that began on Friday night in Kumily, Chakupallom, Vandanmedu, Karunapuram, and Nedumkandam panchayats, as well as Kattappana municipality, caused flash floods, landslips, and mudslides. Heavy rain flooded many shops and houses in the district, including at Cumbummettu, Balagram, Thookupalam, Kumily, Balanpilla City, and Kootar. A reported landslip at Puttady, near Puliyanmala, disrupted traffic on the Kumily-Munnar route.

India-E.U. trade talks: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to visit Brussels October end

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels later this month to give an impetus to the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the European Union, an official said.