WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that some furloughed federal employees may not receive back pay once the government reopens, following earlier threats to lay off federal workers during shutdown.

"I would say it depends on who we're talking about. I can tell you this, the Democrats have put a lot of people in great risk and jeopardy, but it really depends on who you're talking about," Trump said at the White House Oval Office. (US-Trump-Furloughed Workers)

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GENEVA -- The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday raised its forecast for global merchandise trade growth in 2025 to 2.4 percent, up from its previous projection of 0.9 percent made in August. Meanwhile, the forecast for 2026 was revised downward to 0.5 percent from 1.8 percent.

According to the WTO's latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, global GDP is projected to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025 and 2.6 percent in 2026. (WTO-Trade Forecast)

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ANKARA -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a U.S.-backed proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the conflict in Ukraine during a phone call on Tuesday, the Turkish presidency said.

In a statement, Erdogan's office said the two leaders covered bilateral relations between Türkiye and Russia, as well as pressing regional and global issues. (Türkiye-Russia-Ties)

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NEW DELHI -- At least 15 persons died and several others were injured in India's northern hilly state of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, when a landslide hit a moving bus, as a result of which the bus fell into a deep gorge, confirmed the local police.

The mishap reportedly occurred in the state's Bilaspur district. Among the dead were a few women and children. (India-Bus Accident) Enditem