Author: Trainee Reporter

India: India has made a considerable leap in its space exploration efforts by announcing a comprehensive set of ambitious space Programme backed by a groundbreaking allocation of $2.7 billion (approximately ₹227 billion). This keeps the largest financial commitment to space initiatives in the nation’s history. The funding will support critical experiences, including the next phase of India’s historic lunar mission, plans to send an orbiter to Venus, the first phase of the country’s maiden space station, and the development of a new reusable heavy-lifting rocket. Despite the impressive scale of these projects, experts emphasise that India’s approach remains concentrated on…

Serbia: At least 14 people, including a young girl, have died following the concrete canopy collapse at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia. The incident occurred around noon local time (11:00 GMT) while individuals were sitting under the outdoor overhang. President Aleksandar Vucic affirmed the death toll and expressed hope that it would not increase, noting that five victims have yet to be identified. Among the injured, three individuals were hospitalised, including two women rescued from the rubble hours after the incident. In a national address, Vucic ensured the public that those responsible for the tragedy would face consequences.…

United States: Arizona’s top prosecutor is investigating whether comments made by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump about former GOP lawmaker Liz Cheney comprise a criminal threat. Speaking at an Arizona rally, Trump called Cheney a “radical war hawk” and suggested that, “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there, with nine barrels shooting at her. Let’s see how she feels about it, you know when the guns are trained on her face.” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, reacted by launching an inquiry into whether Trump’s words qualify as a death threat under state law. Mayes stated that, “I…

Japan: Cyclists in Japan are facing strict penalties if caught using mobile phones while riding. Under a revised traffic law introduced, offenders could accept up to six months in prison or a fine of $655 (¥ 100,000; £508). The crackdown arrives in response to rising numbers of cycling-related accidents, which spiked as more people took to bicycles during the pandemic. Authorities are also handling cyclists riding under the influence of alcohol, with penalties reaching three years in prison or a fine of $3,278 (¥500,000; £2,541). Local media report that hours after the law took effect, Osaka authorities documented five violations,…

Botswana: Voters in Botswana have rejected the long-standing ruling party, marking a powerful political shift in the diamond-rich nation. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has held power since the country’s independence in 1966, faced a historic defeat in the recent parliamentary elections, winning only one seat as preliminary results emerged. In contrast, the opposition coalition known as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by renowned human rights lawyer Duma Boko, has claimed victory with 20 seats and is poised to secure a majority in parliament. Projections indicate that the UDC will surpass the critical threshold of 31 seats…

United States: The Los Angeles Dodgers has pulled off a stunning rally to secure their eighth World Series title, beating the New York Yankees 7-6 at Yankee Stadium. Down 5-0 early in the game, the Dodgers climbed a comeback that capped off a 4-1 series victory, declaring their second championship in five years. The Yankees, who had pushed a fifth game with an 11-4 victory, looked set to send the series back to Los Angeles. Home runs by Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm, and Giancarlo Stanton, along with a standout pitching performance from Gerrit Cole, kept the Dodgers scoreless through four…

China: China’s electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has reported a substantial financial milestone, surpassing Tesla in quarterly revenues for the first time. In an outstanding performance between July and September, BYD recorded revenues of over $28.2 billion (¥200 billion, £21.8 billion), marking a 24% rise from the same period in 2022. In comparison, Tesla’s revenue stood at $25.2 billion, although Tesla preserved its lead in overall EV sales for the quarter. The increase in BYD’s revenue mirrors China’s growing EV market, heavily supported by government motivations to encourage the shift away from petrol-powered vehicles. As part of a broader endeavour…

United States: Starbucks has discontinued its Oleato line of olive oil coffees in the US and Canada in early November, marking a strategic shift as the coffee giant strives to streamline its menu and appeal to cost-conscious customers. The decision pursues new CEO Brian Niccol’s commitment to facilitating Starbucks’ offerings, a move he hopes will draw back consumers packed by rising living costs. This announcement comes tumbling sales, with Starbucks noting a 7% decline in global revenue between July and September compared to last year. The Oleato range, featuring options like an iced shaken espresso and an oat milk latte…

Georgia: The Biden administration has called on Georgia’s government to address global concerns over widespread irregularities in parliamentary election. U.S. President Joe Biden criticised what he described as the country’s “democratic backsliding” and urged the Georgian Dream party to revoke recent legislation modelled after Russian policies. Georgian Dream, which claimed nearly 54% of the vote, is under growing pressure to analyse reported instances of voter intimidation, ballot-stuffing, and breaches of electronic voting protocols. Georgia’s pro-Western President, Salome Zourabichvili, has refused to recognise the election results, calling it part of a “Russian special operation” to convince Georgia back into Moscow’s influence.…

United Kingdom: HSBC has reported a 10% rise in quarterly profits, reaching $8.5 billion (£6.6 billion) pre-tax in the third quarter, looking forward global restructuring efforts. This boost in profits comes as the UK-based banking giant tackles one of the most significant shake ups in its 159-year history. The bank will undergo a strategic split, splitting operations into eastern and western markets in response to growing geopolitical tensions and the drive to reduce costs. New CEO Georges Elhedery, who took over in early September, affirmed that the restructuring efforts would “begin immediately” and remarked that further details will be shared…