Author: News Desk

Kyoto: Japanese researchers have successfully launched the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at exploring the potential of timber in lunar and Martian exploration. The satellite was sent into space as part of a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station, from where it will later be released into orbit approximately 400 kilometres (250 miles) above Earth. Developed by Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat is designed to test the viability of wood as a renewable material for future space habitats. The satellite, named after the Latin word for “wood,” measures just a palm-sized…

London: According to figures from the College of Policing, a record 593 police officers were dismissed in England and Wales, with bans on returning to duty. Covering 43 police forces, this total marked an over 50% increase from the prior year. Among those dismissed, 74 officers were let go due to sexual misconduct or related offenses, while 18 faced dismissals over possession of child exploitation material. The most frequent causes for termination included dishonesty and discriminatory behaviour, with 125 and 71 cases, respectively. This rise in dismissals follows efforts by UK police chiefs to restore public confidence after the 2021…

Washington DC: Elon Musk’s political organization, America PAC, can continue its practice of awarding $1 million (£722,000) to voters in swing states ruled a Pennsylvania Judge. The giveaway is scheduled to conclude on November 5th, with the final recipient already identified, according to a lawyer representing Musk. In an unexpected revelation during a court hearing, the lawyer disclosed that the recipients of the funds were not selected randomly through a lottery, as previously thought, but rather chosen by the group itself. Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner had sued to stop what he called an “an illegal lottery” after Musk announced…

Seattle: Boeing workers have voted to accept the company’s latest pay offer, effectively ending a damaging seven-week strike that began on September 13. The decision allows striking workers to return to their jobs as early as Wednesday, with the latest possible return date set for November 12, according to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union. The newly ratified contract grants workers a significant 38 percent pay increase over the next four years, along with a one-time bonus of $12,000 (£9,300) and modifications to retirement plans. The IAM union reported that 59 percent of the striking workers…

Flores Island, Indonesia: At least 10 individuals have died following a series of volcanic eruptions in eastern Indonesia, which unleashed fireballs and ash on nearby villages, resulting in the destruction of several homes. The eruptions occurred at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin volcano that rises 1,703 meters (5,587 feet) on the popular tourist island of Flores, just after midnight. In response to the increasing activity, authorities evacuated multiple villages and raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level, expanding the exclusion zone to a radius of 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) due to the frequency of the eruptions. Abdul Muhari,…

London: The UK has launched its first official pilot program for a four-day work week, involving 1,000 employees from different industries. This initiative, part of the ongoing efforts by the 4 Day Week Campaign, is being carried out under the Labour government. Its purpose is to assess the effects of shorter working hours while maintaining the same level of pay. Trial Objectives The UK’s inaugural pilot program for a four-day work week includes businesses like the British Society for Immunology and Crate Brewery, located in Hackney, East London. Launched on Monday, the pilot aims to collect data and insights for…

Jerusalem: In a significant move, Israel has officially informed the United Nations of its decision to cancel the agreement that has governed its relationship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since 1967. As announced by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the decision follows recent legislation passed by the Israeli parliament, which prohibits UNRWA from operating within Israel and halts cooperation between Israeli authorities and the agency. UNRWA plays a crucial role in providing aid and educational services to millions of Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Israel has…

Cali/ Colombia: The wealthy nations appear to have reached a limit on their contributions to global nature conservation, shifting the focus of discussions toward private funding solutions to fill significant financing gaps at the UN biodiversity summit (COP16). During the negotiations, countries struggled to agree on how to mobilise the targeted $200 billion annually for conservation efforts by 2030, including a commitment of $30 billion from developed nations. The funding was pledged two years ago as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement, intended to support initiatives like sustainable agriculture and wildlife reserve management. Human activities such as farming,…

Chisinau, Moldova: Moldovans are heading to the polls for the second-round run-off of a presidential election viewed as a pivotal choice between a European future and a resurgence of Russian influence. Pro-European President Maia Sandu is facing off against Alexandr Stoianoglo, whom she dismissed as chief prosecutor. Stoianoglo has pledged to balance foreign policy between the West and Russia, and he is supported by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists. Sandu and Moldova’s government have raised concerns about a fugitive oligarch currently residing in Russia who is allegedly attempting to sway the election in favor of Moscow. In the first round…

Valencia, Spain: Amid the shock and trauma in Valencia, solidarity continues to grow each day, as residents come together to support one another in the wake of the devastating floods. At the City of Arts and Sciences centre, large numbers of volunteers lined up to collect supplies—buckets, mops, food, and water—before boarding buses headed to the areas hardest hit by the catastrophic floods that overwhelmed the region earlier this week, claiming over 200 lives, with many still unaccounted for. Organizers estimate that 15,000 people participated in the first coordinated clean-up effort this morning, filling what many see as a void…