Author: Web Desk

San Francisco: Apple has posted a better-than-expected revenue forecast for the quarter ending in September, lifting its share price in after-hours trading. Despite facing a projected cost of $1.1 billion (£829 million) due to US tariffs, the company expects revenue growth in the ‘mid to high single digits’, which would outpace analysts’ projected 3.27 percent increase to $98.04 billion (£73.9 billion), according to LSEG. For its fiscal third quarter, which ended on June 28, Apple reported revenue of $94.04 billion (£70.8 billion), marking a 10 percent year-on-year increase and exceeding analyst estimates of $89.54 billion (£67.4 billion). Earnings per share…

Ohio: A groundbreaking medical milestone has occurred in Ohio, United States, where the oldest baby born from frozen embryo has been delivered after the embryo was preserved for over 30 years. Thaddeus Daniel Pierce was born on July 26, 2025, following the transfer of a cryopreserved embryo that had been stored since 1994. The embryo originally belonged to Linda Archerd, now 62, who underwent in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in the early 1990s. Of the four embryos created, one led to the birth of her daughter, while the remaining three were frozen embryos and cryopreserved. Years later, following her divorce, Archerd…

Beijing: Extreme rainfall in China has caused devastating floods across the northern regions, leading to widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life. Torrential downpours over the past several days have overwhelmed drainage systems, submerged roads, and triggered landslides, especially in provinces like Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia. According to local authorities, dozens of people have lost their lives due to the intense rainfall in China, while many others remain missing. Emergency services have been working around the clock to rescue stranded residents and deliver essential supplies to flood-hit areas. Thousands have been evacuated from low-lying regions, and temporary shelters have…

Sydney: Australia has passed a new law that slashes student loans by 20 percent, easing financial pressure on millions of citizens. The legislation is part of the Labour government’s efforts to address the rising cost of living and support younger generations. It also underscores a commitment to making education more accessible and reducing the financial barriers faced by students. The new law, passed on July 31, eliminates over $10.05 billion (£7.8 billion) in student debt, impacting nearly 3 million Australians. The move fulfills a key campaign promise by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labour Party and marks the first legislative success…

Seattle: Starbucks has announced it will phase out its Starbucks pickup‑only stores, citing a lack of warmth and human engagement that defines the brand. These compact, mobile order–only outlets, about 90 in the US, were introduced to offer a quick, transactional experience. However, CEO Brian Niccol has stressed that this model does not deliver the welcoming atmosphere Starbucks customers expect. The US pickup‑only format accounted for nearly one-third of transactions via mobile ordering, which the company will continue to support through its traditional cafes. The operational model contributed to a 2 percent decline in same-store sales in the US during the…

Petropavlosk: A powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East has shaken the Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings and coastal evacuations across the Pacific. The magnitude 8.8 quake struck offshore near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with waves of up to 4 metres reported in affected areas. Authorities confirmed several injuries in Kamchatka, where buildings sustained structural damage. Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov stated that it was the strongest earthquake the region has experienced in decades. Russia’s emergency response teams have urged residents to avoid low-lying coastal areas due to the tsunami risk. The earthquake in Russia, recorded at a shallow depth of 19.3 kilometres, was followed…

Wellington: New Zealand’s government has taken a controversial step toward overhauling its electoral system, passing the first reading of a bill that eliminates same-day voter enrolment and revokes voting rights for all prisoners. The proposed legislation would require citizens to register at least 13 days before election day, ending the current practice of enrolling and voting simultaneously during the advance voting period. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stated the bill aims to reduce the administrative burden of ‘special votes’, which include those from voters who registered late, cast ballots from overseas, or voted outside their electorate. These special votes accounted for…

New York: A tragic mass shooting at a Manhattan skyscraper has claimed the lives of 5 individuals, including the attacker, and left one more critically wounded. The building, located at 345 Park Avenue, houses major corporate offices including the headquarters of the National Football League (NFL), Blackstone, and KPMG. According to New York City officials, the gunman, identified as 27-year-old Shane Tamura from Las Vegas, was armed with an assault-style rifle. Tamura opened fire in the skyscraper’s lobby during the evening rush hour before moving to the 33rd floor, where he continued shooting. Authorities stated that Tamura ended the incident…

London: England’s Lionesses have won the Women’s Euros again, beating Spain in a nail-biting penalty shootout and becoming back-to-back European champions. The victory has sparked national celebrations and calls for a special bank holiday. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the team’s ‘stunning achievement’ deserves an extra day off as a tribute. But government officials say a bank holiday isn’t likely, since it could cost the economy around £3.22 billion. Fans all over the country celebrated the win. Alessia Russo scored a key equaliser in the second half, and Chloe Kelly secured a 3-1 win in the penalty shootout.…

Beijing: China has voiced opposition after Czech President Petr Pavel met with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, during his visit to India on July 27. The Chinese government has urged the Czech Republic to honour its one-China political commitment and avoid actions that could damage bilateral ties. China’s embassy in Prague issued a strongly worded statement late on July 27, stating that China ‘resolutely opposes any form of contact’ between foreign officials and the Dalai Lama, whom it labels part of a separatist ‘clique.’ The embassy said that such meetings send the wrong signal to Tibetan independence…