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The Trump administration has laid off 1,107 civil service and 246 foreign Service employees from the State Department as part of its federal workforce reduction plan. Over 1,500 others had already left voluntarily earlier this year, according to BBC.

The cuts hit key areas like the refugee admissions office and the Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) team. The move comes after the Supreme Court cleared the administration’s plan to reduce the workforce by 18 percent.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the layoffs followed bureau closures, not targeted firings. But Senate Democrats criticized the move, warning it weakens national security and government effectiveness.

The layoffs follow the shutdown of USAID, with most of its programs cancelled and the rest absorbed by the State Department, BBC reported.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is visiting China for six days, covering Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, to strengthen ties with Australia’s largest trading partner. He will meet President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji, with trade and regional security high on the agenda, according to BBC.

Albanese said his government will “cooperate where we can, disagree where we must,” and act in Australia’s national interest. The trip follows his re-election and aims to reinforce economic ties—China accounts for nearly a third of Australia’s trade.

The visit includes top Australian business leaders and signals a stabilisation in relations after years of tensions and trade sanctions. Cooperation on green energy, while maintaining Australia’s commitment to Aukus despite Chinese criticism, will also be discussed.

Analysts say both countries are targeting stable connections rather than geopolitical alignment, with mature diplomacy permitting involvement in commerce, education, and culture—despite continued disagreements over China's military growth and the arrest of Australian writer Yang Hengjun, BBC reported.

A preliminary investigation into last month’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad has revealed that both of the aircraft’s fuel control switches were in the cut-off position just moments before the fatal impact, effectively shutting down the engines.

The report, which contains cockpit voice recordings, describes misunderstanding between the two pilots in the closing seconds. One pilot is heard questioning another why the fuel switches were turned off. The second pilot denies doing so. According to aviation experts, it is highly unlikely that both switches were accidentally activated at the same time, creating more doubts about the sequence of events, BBC reported.

The crash resulted in the deaths of at least 260 passengers and crew. The only survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, reportedly escaped the wreckage through a breach in the fuselage.

Air India has stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, while aircraft manufacturer Boeing expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The incident remains under active inquiry, according to BBC.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned renewed attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on civilian ships in the Red Sea. According to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, the recent sinking of two commercial vessels resulted in at least four deaths, multiple injuries, and 15 crew members reported missing.

Guterres urged the Houthis to refrain from obstructing ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. He stressed that such attacks violate international law, endanger maritime safety, and threaten severe environmental, economic, and humanitarian consequences, according to UN News.

The UN reaffirmed its commitment to de-escalation in the region and to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen through engagement with all stakeholders.