Author: Web Desk

Washington: Donald Trump has called on Microsoft to terminate Lisa Monaco, who serves as the company’s global affairs president, citing concerns about US national security. Monaco, who worked in the administrations of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, began the role at Microsoft in July to oversee the firm’s global government engagements. Monaco had coordinated the Justice Department’s response to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Security clearances were revoked in February, and Trump stated that the US government has also banned Monaco from federal properties due to ‘Monaco’s many wrongful acts.’ The demand comes one day…

London: A potential Starmer leadership challenge has been played down after speculation emerged from within the Labour Party. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that maintaining economic stability remains the government’s top priority, despite suggestions from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that encouragement has been given to contest the leadership. Burnham has argued that Starmer lacks a comprehensive plan to address Britain’s current difficulties. The mayor has set out an alternative agenda centred on higher taxes for the wealthy and significant nationalisations, stressing that Britain should not be reliant on bond markets. The vision outlined presents a more left-leaning alternative…

London: The introduction of a compulsory digital ID has been confirmed as part of Britain’s efforts to deter illegal immigration. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the move will make it more difficult to work unlawfully in the country while enhancing border security. Polling has shown that immigration remains a top concern for voters, increasing pressure on the government to prevent migrants from entering Britain illegally, particularly via small boat crossings from France. Critics of the plan, however, argue that it may fail to deter illegal employment and could infringe on civil liberties. The compulsory digital ID is intended…

Sydney: Australia teen social media ban has gained praise at the United Nations, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the law’s significance at an event in New York. Governments and technology firms are closely monitoring Australia’s effort to block social media access for users under 16, starting from December. Under the new law, social media companies are expected to use artificial intelligence and behavioral data to estimate users’ ages rather than relying on blanket age-verification processes. Albanese said that while the approach is not foolproof, the social media ban represents a crucial step in safeguarding children online. European Commission President…

Jakarta: Indonesia school meal food poisoning has struck over 1,000 students in West Java province, authorities have said, marking another challenge for the government’s large-scale free meals programme. The outbreaks have been reported in four areas, with West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi telling that mass illnesses from food poisoning have strained local hospitals and health facilities. The latest cases follow last week’s food poisoning incident, where around 800 students in West Java and Central Sulawesi became sick after consuming the school lunches. The free nutritious meals programme, introduced by President Prabowo Subianto, has expanded rapidly to reach over 20 million…

London: Eli Lilly chief executive Dave Ricks has said that the UK is ‘probably the worst country in Europe’ for drug prices, criticising the country’s strict regime that allows it to pay less for medicines than other developed nations. Ricks has argued that unless changes are made, Britain could face a shortage of new medicines and reduced investment from global pharmaceutical firms. The warning comes as the UK pharmaceutical sector has faced setbacks this year. Large companies have scrapped or paused projects worth more than $2.2 billion (£1.8 billion), citing the unattractive pricing environment. The voluntary scheme for branded medicines…

Kolkata: Kolkata heavy rain has brought the eastern Indian city and surrounding areas to a standstill, with at least 12 people reported dead. Most rain fell in a 24-hour period, measuring up to 251.6 mm (9.9 inches), the heaviest since 1988, said HR Biswas, regional head of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Kolkata. Police reported nine fatalities within Kolkata, primarily due to electrocution, while two people drowned. The intense rainfall has disrupted preparations for Durga Puja, the largest annual festival in West Bengal. Temporary festival structures, or pandals, and clay idols have suffered significant damage across the city. Roads…

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to maintain the limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons under the New START Treaty for one year beyond its February 2026 expiry if the United States agrees to the same. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Putin’s proposal sounded ‘pretty good,’ adding that US President Donald Trump would address the offer himself. The 2010 New START Treaty caps the size of the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals, restricting deployed strategic warheads to 1,550 and delivery vehicles to 700 on each side. The treaty could originally only be extended once by five…

Karachi: Pakistan floods have battered both agricultural regions and industrial hubs for the first time in decades, inflicting billions of dollars in damage and straining food supplies, exports and economic growth. The disaster has arrived just as the government had projected 4.2 percent growth for 2026, based on a recovery in farming and manufacturing supported by an International Monetary Fund bailout. Record monsoon rains since late June, amplified by dam releases from India, have inundated vast areas of Punjab and Sindh, the country’s two most vital provinces. Officials and analysts have warned that the blow could exceed the devastation of…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has indicated that the TikTok US deal is expected to be approved through an executive order later this week. The announcement has followed months of negotiations between the United States and China, highlighting broader trade discussions and efforts to safeguard national security. The proposed TikTok US deal would require the transfer of TikTok’s American assets from China’s ByteDance to US -based investors. Under the agreement, the app’s algorithm would be secured, retrained, and operated within the United States outside ByteDance’s control, ensuring greater oversight of data and operations. Trump has confirmed that media mogul Lachlan…