Author: Trainee Reporter

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…

Philippines: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has made shocking entries regarding his controversial tactics in the war on drugs, revealing that he preserved a “death squad” while performing as mayor of Davao City. In his first testimony before an official investigation, Duterte disclosed that this death squad was composed of gangsters, stating that, “kill this person, because if you do not, I will kill you now.” Duterte, who ascended to the presidency in 2016 with a pledge to replicate his fierce anti-crime measures on a national scale, faces ongoing scrutiny over the thousands of deaths resulting from police operations during…

India: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have announced severe penalties for food contamination practices, including hardy fines and potential imprisonment. Offenders in Uttarakhand could encounter fines of up to $1,190 (₹100,000; £920), while Uttar Pradesh is set to execute similar stringent food safety laws. The initiatives pursue the circulation of controversies on social media showing vendors encountering unhygienic practices, such as spitting on food. One particularly alarming video featured a domestic worker allegedly mixing urine into food preparations. The incidents flared public outrage, raising worries over food safety in these states. However, some social…

United States: McDonald’s has resumed Quarter Pounder sales across all U.S. locations after Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) testing cleared its beef patties as a source of the recent E. coli outbreak. The outbreak, which resulted in one death and multiple illnesses, led the fast-food giant to break sales last week in about 20% of its U.S. outlets as a precaution. Testing by the CDA found no evidence of E. coli in McDonald’s beef patties. McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Pina stated that, “The issue appears to be confined to a particular ingredient and geography, and we…