Author: Rini S Akkara

Pennsylvania: The United States has reported two additional measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, bringing the total number of deaths linked to the disease to 10 this year, with a growing outbreak across the country. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed the death of an infant, while the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that its latest victim was an unvaccinated individual who had tested positive for measles. Pennsylvania has recorded seven measles-associated deaths this year, while Wisconsin has reported two. New York state also confirmed the death of a child on November 2, marking its first measles-related fatality in…

Texas: SpaceX has aborted its attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster of its massive Starship rocket during its latest test flight, diverting the returning rocket stage towards the ocean, where it burst into flames. The mission marked another significant step in the company’s efforts to develop a fully reusable launch system capable of reducing spaceflight costs and supporting future missions to the Moon and beyond. The 124-metre-tall Starship rocket successfully lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, at 4:45 p.m. local time. The company had planned to recover the Super Heavy booster approximately six and…

Chiclayo: Residents of Eten, a town in northern Peru, are hoping Pope Leo XIV’s return to the region will bring renewed attention to a centuries-old religious event that they believe deserves official recognition from the Vatican as a Eucharistic miracle. The Pope is scheduled to return to Chiclayo, where he previously served as bishop, during his first South American tour since becoming pontiff in 2025. His visit has raised hopes among residents and Catholic groups in nearby Eten that he will revive efforts to secure Vatican recognition of an alleged Eucharistic miracle dating back to 1649. According to local accounts,…

Spain: A Spanish court has ordered the suspension of the activities of far-right group Nucleo Nacional as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged hate crimes and illegal association. The ruling, announced by a court in the northern city of Gijon, includes closing the group’s office and blocking its social media content and bank accounts. The decision follows the arrest of 14 members last week on suspicion of inciting hatred against vulnerable communities and individuals with opposing political ideologies. The court action comes ahead of Spain’s general election scheduled for November 29 and a day after the country witnessed its…

Mississippi: Democrat Scott Colom has secured a historic victory in Mississippi’s US Senate election, defeating Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in a closely contested race that ended the state’s decades-long Republican winning streak. His victory marks a significant milestone, making him the first Black person from Mississippi to be elected to the US Senate in more than 140 years. Colom, 43, received 49.2 percent of the votes, narrowly defeating Hyde-Smith, who secured 48.7 percent. An independent candidate received the remaining 2.1 percent. The difference between the two leading candidates was fewer than 5,000 votes out of nearly one million ballots counted.…

Antalya: The world is on course for an average temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century if governments continue with their existing climate policies, raising concerns over increasingly severe environmental and economic consequences, according to a new analysis by Climate Action Tracker (CAT). The projected warming represents a setback from the global target of limiting temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, agreed upon by countries a decade ago. The latest estimate is also slightly higher than CAT’s previous projection of 2.6°C, highlighting the widening gap between current climate commitments and the action required to address global…

Jharkhand: Indian garment manufacturers are increasingly diversifying their export markets to reduce dependence on the United States following the impact of higher US tariffs on their businesses. Exporters are shifting their focus towards the United Kingdom, Europe, the UAE and other markets to minimise risks and maintain business stability. Orient Craft, a major Indian garment manufacturer based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, has significantly reduced its exposure to the US market. The company, which supplies clothing to British retailers Next and Marks & Spencer, previously generated 84 percent of its sales from the US. However, following tariff increases imposed by US President…

Congo: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 11,042 confirmed Ebola cases and at least 5,387 deaths, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the country’s largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak. The latest figures, released by the government, highlight the growing challenges facing healthcare teams in controlling the spread of the virus. The ongoing outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and has affected eight of the country’s 26 provinces. Several deaths have occurred outside treatment centres, making it more difficult for health authorities to track infections and prevent further transmission. The outbreak…

Poland: Thousands of people gathered in Poland’s historic city of Krakow for a silent march to honour the six people killed in a deadly shooting rampage over the weekend. The vigil brought together Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who set aside their political differences to stand in solidarity with victims and their families following the country’s deadliest attack in modern times. The march proceeded through central Krakow before reaching the historic Market Square, where a bugler played from the tower. Residents and visitors placed flowers and candles at several makeshift memorials marking the locations where victims…

Yaoundé: Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has announced that the country will hold legislative and local elections on February 7, 2027, as political tensions continue following last year’s disputed presidential election and a crackdown on opposition groups. The announcement was made through a presidential decree read on public radio, setting the date for elections that have already been postponed twice. The decision comes with growing political uncertainty, with opposition parties facing restrictions and questions continuing over the country’s political leadership. Biya, 93, has governed Cameroon since 1982 and remains the world’s oldest serving head of state. His re-election in October 2025…