Nancy Pelosi, a towering figure in US politics and the first female speaker of the House of Representatives, announced on Thursday that she would be stepping down at the next election.

Vikram Sood, one of India’s greatest spymasters who has spent his career in the dark corridors of cloak-and-dagger, gave some cold, hard insight into the realities of today’s world and also suggested how India should play the long game.

More than 260,000 soldiers are on standby for rescue efforts as winds of up to 92mph (149km/h) hit Vietnam. 

​More than 260,000 soldiers are on standby for rescue efforts as winds of up to 92mph (149km/h) hit Vietnam.