Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has warned of growing uncertainties regarding exports and downside risks to economic growth and vowed to respond with extra vigilance, his office said on Friday.

Choi made the remarks during a meeting with reporters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (U.S. time) after the Bank of Korea (BOK) data showed that the gross domestic product expanded 0.1 per cent on-quarter in the July-September period, lower than market expectations.

Eintracht Frankfurt secured their second win of the Europa League third round with a 1-0 victory over Riga, thanks to a goal from substitute Hugo Larsson.

In a quiet first half, the Eagles controlled possession but struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Riga remained well-organized defensively, keeping Frankfurt away from their goal.

The visitors had the first chance in the 15th minute when Adam Markhiyev shot wide from a promising position. Frankfurt responded quickly with a counterattack, but Omar Marmoush's shot from a tight angle was saved by Riga goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, reports.

Frankfurt continued to search for a breakthrough, coming close with long-range efforts, including Igor Matanovic's shot over the bar from 20 meters on the half-hour mark.

The Canadian federal government announced an immigration levels plan to pause population growth in the short term which will witness a population decline in 2025 and 2026.

The population of Canada has been increasing each year since 1867 thanks to endless immigration, news agency reported.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a news statement on Thursday that the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2 per cent in both 2025 and 2026 before returning to population growth of 0.8 per cent in 2027.

These forecasts account for the announcement of reduced targets across multiple immigration streams over the next two years, as well as expected temporary resident outflows resulting from the five per cent target, natural population loss, and other factors, the statement said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) congratulated the people of Punjab after the Governor approved the proposal to eliminate the requirement of an NOC (No Objection Certificate) for the registration of unauthorized colonies. AAP minister Aman Arora shared this information on behalf of the Punjab government, stating that people will no longer face difficulties with registrations.

Arora noted that residents of these colonies will now have access to all basic government services. Previously, due to their unauthorized status, they were deprived of various governmental benefits and faced challenges in registering their properties, causing them significant distress.

AAP spokesperson Adv. Bikram Jit Passi raised concern over rampant drug issues in India and involvement of opposition political leaders in drugs nexus, particularly highlighting the recent arrest of BJP leader Satkar Kaur in a drugs case. 

"Political powers are involved in the drug trade under the BJP government," said Passi. "Our government in Punjab is taking strong action against drugs, while the BJP turns a blind eye." He said that the Akali-BJP government allowed the drug mafia to put its claws into Punjab, and now the arrest of former Congress MLA and current BJP member Satkar Kaur has once again exposed all these parties.

Pawan Kumar Tinu, Senior Spokesperson of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), reacted to the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) decision not to contest the upcoming by-elections in four assembly constituencies in Punjab, stating that SAD Badal has become politically irrelevant in Punjab and is succumbing to the fear of the BJP.

Tinu said, “This decision reveals that the leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal has surrendered to the pressures of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Their failure to contest these elections demonstrates political bankruptcy driven by personal and family interests, neglecting the needs of Punjab and its farmers.”

Top seed Zheng Qinwen began her 2024 Pan Pacific Open campaign with a commanding victory over Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, winning 7-5, 6-0 in just over an hour. Zheng, the reigning Olympic gold medallist, had a slow start but regained her form in the second set, claiming the last nine games to seal a quarterfinal clash with No. 8 seed Leylah Fernandez.

Life has come full circle at the Pan Pacific Open for the Chinese star, now ranked among the elite. Back in 2022, Zheng was a promising 19-year-old when she reached her first WTA final at the same tournament, ultimately falling to Liudmila Samsonova.

Two years later, she’s coming off a deep run in Wuhan, which secured her spot in the prestigious WTA Finals Riyadh next month. After a closely contested first set, she found her rhythm and cruised to victory, dropping no games in the second set.

At least 700 kilograms of adulterated chilli powder was seized from the Hathikhana wholesale market in Gujarat's Vadodara.

The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) launched raids at four shops in the Hathikhana wholesale market, during which chilli powder was seized from one establishment.

The officials have sent chilli powder samples for laboratory testing to determine their quality.

This latest incident has again cast a shadow over the Hathikhana market, which has been scrutinised for previous cases involving questionable food products.

Nepal has permitted 1,092 climbers to summit 41 mountains in the country during the fall climbing season, the Department of Tourism announced on Thursday.

A total of 316 were allowed to climb Mount Ama Dablam, with 308 and 144 for Mount Manaslu and Mount Himlung Himal, respectively.

The mountaineers, including 251 females, are from 72 countries and regions.

"The number is encouraging. We're expecting the number of climbers to grow," Rakesh Gurung, director of the tourism department, told.

About 1,300 permits were issued by the agency during the fall climbing season in 2023.

The Indian stock market closed flat on Thursday as selling was seen in the auto and IT sectors, with Hindustan Unilever Ltd being among the top losers, after it reported a 4 per cent drop in standalone net profit for Q2 at Rs 2,612 crore.

The Sensex closed at 80,065.16 after falling 16.82 points or 0.02 per cent.

At the same time, Nifty closed at 24,399.40 after falling 36.10 points or 0.15 per cent. The Nifty Midcap 100 index closed at 56,349.75 at the end of trading after slipping 183.80 points or 0.33 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed at 18,249.15 after slipping 37.50 points or 0.20 per cent. Nifty Bank closed at 51,531.15 after climbing 292.15 points or 0.57 per cent.