Author: Trainee Reporter

Palau: Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. has reaffirmed his pro-US stance after securing a second term in office. The island nation’s electoral committee authorised Whipps’ re-election victory, with the incumbent winning 5,626 votes, defeating his opponent Tommy Remengesau, who garnered 4,103 votes in the November 5 election. Whipps, who has been a vocal criticiser of China, wasted no time in reiterating his troubles over Beijing’s growing presence in the Pacific. In a statement following the announcement, the president accused China of constantly violating Palau’s maritime borders, citing the presence of Chinese research vessels in the nation’s waters without permission. He…

Germany: Volkswagen Group(VW) and Rivian have announced a $5.8 billion joint venture, an expanded EV partnership that marks a critical alliance for both companies in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Volkswagen has increased its investment from an initial $5 billion, providing a vital funding boost to Rivian as it gears up to unleash its more affordable R2 SUV model next year. Shares of Rivian spiked by over 9% in after-hours trading after news of the collaboration was released. The partnership will involve both companies sharing key technologies in a bid to lessen development costs and speed up innovations, especially as…

China: A car drove into a crowd of people outside the Zhuhai Stadium in China, leaving over 20 individuals injured, police reported. The 62-year-old driver, pinpointed only by his surname Fan, was detained following the incident, which unfolded in an area currently under heavy security due to a major airshow in the city. The injured included many who were using a designated walking path around the stadium for exercise. According to an eyewitness, Mr. Chen, the incident occurred as six groups of people assembled at the stadium for their regular walk. Mr. Chen’s group had finished their third lap around…

California: The Genetic Testing Giant 23andMe is cutting 200 jobs, representing 40% of its workforce, as it embarks a massive restructuring effort to stay afloat. Once a leader in the ancestry and genetic testing space, the company has encountered financial and reputational setbacks, including a 70% drop in share value this year and a major data breach concerning millions of users. The layoffs come with additional differences, as 23andMe will also halt its development of therapies, which the company may now sell or license to other firms. One-time restructuring costs of $12 million are expected, though the company expects these…

Haiti: Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille has been dismissed by the country’s ruling council, less than six months after taking office. The decision, made by eight of the nine members of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), sees businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime replace Conille as prime minister. Conille, who was designated in June, had been charged with steering Haiti through its ongoing security crisis, worsened by gang violence, and overseeing the country’s first presidential elections since 2016. However, his removal has introduced serious concerns. Conille, described the ousting as illegal, stating that it was taken outside of Haiti’s…

India: India has expressed confidence in its power to navigate relations with a Trump’s 2nd term, as Donald Trump leads back to office following a current election victory. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar remarked that while many nations are anxious about Trump’s return, India does not share that matter, citing strong tactful ties and mutual respect built over the years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump appreciated a warm relationship during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021, despite a tariff dispute that strained trade relations. The Trump administration’s improved tariffs on Indian goods had impacted businesses on both sides…

Florida: Three NASA astronauts were hospitalised in Florida after their return from the International Space Station (ISS), assuring the public that they were in satisfactory health following their medical test. The astronauts, Michael Barrett, Matthew Dominick, and Jeanette Epps, communicated their adventures during a press conference at NASA’s headquarters in Houston. Barrett, the pilot of the crew that splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico on October 25 after spending seven months in space, acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding their return. However, Barrett refrained from providing specific details, citing medical privacy laws. Barrett stated that, “Space flight is still something…

United States: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi has remarked that Democrats could have seen more powerful results in U.S. elections if President Joe Biden had withdrawn from the race earlier. Reflecting on the recent election losses that saw Democrats renouncing the White House and potentially both chambers of Congress, Pelosi pointed out Biden’s late exit stymied the party’s chances. Nancy Pelosi stated that, “Had the president gotten out shortly, there may have been other candidates in the race,” referencing Biden’s departure in July after a tough debate against Donald Trump. With Biden’s swift endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, she debated,…

Israel: There has been optimism as many Israeli officials look forward to Donald Trump’s historic comeback. Rafael Shore, a renowned rabbi from the Old City, shared his excitement, asserting that Trump’s understanding of the Middle East would bring peace. Rafael Shore commended that, “Iran will think twice about doing anything,” contrasting Trump’s stance with that of Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he accepts would have been less of a deterrent in the region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to congratulate Trump, dubbing his return “history’s greatest comeback,” a sentiment rooted in their long-standing coalition. Trump’s first term saw significant…

Japan: Nissan has announced it will lay off 9,000 workers worldwide as it scales back production to address sales struggle in China and the US. The Japanese automaker, encountering intense competition in China and weakened demand in the US, will diminish its global output by 20% in an aggressive cost-cutting initiative aimed at sustaining profitability. This strategic change follows a downward revision in Nissan’s operating profit forecast for 2024, with expectations now declining by 70%. This is the second time this year that the company has revised its financial outlook, raising worries over Nissan’s ongoing struggles in two of its…