World Times

Covering International affairs, Politics, Global Technology, Sports, Showbiz, Trends and Authentic news around the globe.

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Approximately 1,500 migrants are travelling north through southern Mexico, hoping that Democratic victories in the US midterm elections could eventually lead to changes in American immigration policy.

The group departed from Tapachula, near Mexico's border with Guatemala, on Tuesday and continued its journey on Wednesday. Many participants are families from Central America, including parents travelling with young children.

Some migrants told Reuters they had been stranded in southern Mexico because of US border restrictions and deportation policies. They described difficulties accessing employment, healthcare and education.

Several said the election results had renewed their hopes of seeking asylum or finding opportunities in the United States.

However, Democratic control of Congress does not immediately change US immigration policy. President Donald Trump remains in office, and his administration continues enforcing border restrictions and deportation measures.

The caravan initially plans to travel toward Mexico City to seek assistance before continuing its journey.

#UnitedStates #Immigration #Mexico #USElections

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, ahead of a possible meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping next week.

China's state news agency Xinhua described the telephone conversation as positive and constructive. Beijing said it was willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Washington.

The conversation comes ahead of the APEC leaders' meeting in Shenzhen, China, where Trump and Xi are expected to meet.

Rubio has also said discussions are underway about arranging a three-way meeting involving Trump, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The proposed discussions could include nuclear arms control and international security. China has previously expressed reservations about joining trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations, arguing that its nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of the United States and Russia.

The US State Department had not immediately issued its own account of Wednesday's call.

#MarcoRubio #DonaldTrump #China #XiJinping #USForeignPolicy

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday, ahead of a possible meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping next week.

China's state news agency Xinhua described the telephone conversation as positive and constructive. Beijing said it was willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Washington.

The conversation comes ahead of the APEC leaders' meeting in Shenzhen, China, where Trump and Xi are expected to meet.

Rubio has also said discussions are underway about arranging a three-way meeting involving Trump, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The proposed discussions could include nuclear arms control and international security. China has previously expressed reservations about joining trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations, arguing that its nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of the United States and Russia.

The US State Department had not immediately issued its own account of Wednesday's call.

#MarcoRubio #DonaldTrump #China #XiJinping #USForeignPolicy

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, was photographed sharing playful moments with babies during a visit to Chase Community Hospital in Bordon, Hampshire, on Wednesday, November 11.

The princess sat on a play mat with six-month-old Enid, smiling and holding the baby's finger as she met families receiving additional support for their children's early development. She also interacted with six-month-old Ruby and spoke with parents and healthcare professionals.

The visit highlighted a programme supported by Catherine's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood that helps health visitors identify early signs of social and emotional difficulties in infants.

The programme uses the Alarm Distress Baby Scale, an observational tool that examines babies' facial expressions, eye contact and social responses during routine health assessments.

Catherine spoke with families about their experiences and observed how the assessments can help professionals identify children who may need additional support.

Photographs shared following the visit showed the princess engaging with the babies and healthcare workers, drawing attention to her continuing work in early childhood development.

@KensingtonRoyal
#PrincessKate #RoyalFamily #PrincessOfWales #UnitedKingdom

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President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery could be dedicated to American military veterans.

Speaking during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington, Trump said the structure would honour members of the US Armed Forces. He has previously promoted the project as a monument inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The proposal has drawn legal opposition from veterans and other groups concerned about its location near the national cemetery. A federal judge has temporarily halted construction while legal challenges continue.

The White House has promoted the project under the name United States Military Triumphal Arch, but questions remain about its cost, funding and required approvals.

#DonaldTrump #VeteransDay #WhiteHouse #USA

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Lawyers representing former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan met him at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, November 11, following directions from the Islamabad High Court.

Sardar Latif Khosa and Barrister Salman Safdar held discussions with Khan in the presence of his wife, Bushra Bibi. The meeting focused on pending legal cases, appeals, health matters and the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.

According to jail sources, the discussions lasted more than two hours, while the lawyers spent approximately four hours at the facility.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Khosa said Khan was experiencing fluctuations in blood pressure and an eye-related medical issue. He described the blood pressure concerns as alarming but said Khan appeared alert during their meeting.

Separately, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) confirmed that Khan had undergone a medical examination and follow-up eye treatment. The hospital reported that his vital signs were normal and that he was clinically stable at the time of examination.

Khosa declined to disclose details of the discussion concerning the proposed constitutional amendment. He said further information about the meeting would be shared later.

#ImranKhan #Pakistan #AdialaJail #PakistanPolitics

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At least 10 police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police and a sub-inspector, were killed in a militant attack in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday, November 11.

The attack occurred in the Darbokach Jalandhar Banda area of Kohat's Gumbat tehsil, near the border with Karak district, as a police team was travelling to conduct an operation against illegal gold mining.

According to Kohat police spokesperson Muhammad Nauman Zeb, armed attackers opened fire on the police contingent from nearby hilltops, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire.

DSP Gumbat Haider Zaman and Sub-Inspector Mukhtiar were among the officers reported killed. Local reports citing Rescue 1122 placed the death toll at 11, with another 12 police personnel injured.

The attackers also set several police vehicles on fire. Additional police and security personnel were dispatched to the area, while an emergency was declared at the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the assault and expressed condolences to the families of the fallen officers.

The attack comes amid continuing violence against police and security forces across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

#Kohat #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #PakistanPolice #Pakistan #Terrorism

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British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that his government will publish a comprehensive ten-year plan for the country's future before Christmas, amid growing criticism from the Conservative opposition over its economic and social policies.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Burnham confirmed that the proposals would be presented before Parliament begins its Christmas recess.

The plan is expected to include measures addressing social care, living costs, energy security and Britain's longer-term economic development.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned the government's direction and challenged reports that an American management consultancy had been involved in preparing the strategy.

Burnham defended the initiative, arguing that Britain needed long-term political stability rather than repeated short-term policy changes.

He also reiterated his government's commitment to developing a national care service and reducing household energy costs.

The announcement follows reports of disagreement among Labour MPs over elements of the government's economic strategy. Further details of the plan are expected next month.

#AndyBurnham #UKPolitics #LabourParty #UnitedKingdom

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Russia and Ukraine have agreed in principle to a large-scale prisoner exchange following two days of US-mediated peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi, although the discussions ended without a breakthrough on ending the war.

US presidential envoy Jared Kushner announced the development on Wednesday, saying negotiators had agreed to a significant humanitarian release. The number of prisoners involved is expected to be finalised on Thursday.

Russian and Ukrainian representatives confirmed the agreement, but territorial disputes and future security arrangements remain unresolved.

Kushner acknowledged that the negotiations had been difficult, particularly over territory, while describing progress on discussions about postwar security.

He and fellow US envoy Steve Witkoff are scheduled to travel to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They then plan to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin.

European representatives were present in Abu Dhabi but did not participate directly in the trilateral talks. Kyiv continues to insist that European governments must have a role in negotiations affecting the continent's security.

No ceasefire or comprehensive peace agreement has been announced.

#Russia #Ukraine #DonaldTrump #PeaceTalks

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The White House has warned congressional Democrats that their planned investigations into President Donald Trump's administration could cross into criminal conduct, escalating tensions before the party takes control of Congress in January.

In a letter to Representative Robert Garcia, the senior Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, White House counsel Will Scharf warned that investigations intended to intimidate government officials or abuse the congressional subpoena process could amount to criminal wrongdoing.

Garcia rejected the warning, saying Congress has constitutional authority to investigate the executive branch without seeking permission from the White House.

Democrats have signalled plans to examine several aspects of Trump's administration, including its immigration enforcement policies, handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records, financial dealings and potential conflicts of interest.

Attorney General Todd Blanche separately acknowledged that congressional oversight is an established constitutional responsibility and said the Justice Department would continue cooperating with lawmakers.

The dispute comes after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, setting the stage for extensive investigations into the administration.

#DonaldTrump #WhiteHouse #Democrats #USCongress

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Britain's competition regulator has warned that the proposed $65 billion merger between Unilever's food business and American spice maker McCormick could weaken competition in the United Kingdom.

The Competition and Markets Authority announced on Wednesday that the companies must offer acceptable remedies by November 18 or face an in-depth investigation.

The agreement would combine major consumer food brands, including Hellmann's, Knorr, French's and Frank's RedHot, under one business.

Regulators raised particular concerns about competition involving dry ingredient mixes and sauces, where consumers could face fewer alternatives following the merger.

Unilever said it was working with the regulator and had already decided to sell its Colman's business. McCormick also said it would cooperate with the review.

The regulator has not blocked the transaction. The companies now have an opportunity to address its concerns before a further investigation is launched.

#Unilever #McCormick #UnitedKingdom

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Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been returned to federal custody in Florida after a judge found that he violated the conditions of his pretrial release by removing an electronic ankle monitor.

Markle, 82, had been arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material last week. He was initially released under house detention and ordered to wear the monitoring device.

Federal prosecutors said he removed the bracelet early Monday morning, prompting authorities to seek the revocation of his release conditions.

US Magistrate Judge Lindsay Griffin ordered Markle to remain in custody without bond pending further proceedings. The judge also directed that he receive a medical evaluation.

Markle has denied the allegations against him. The criminal case remains unresolved.

The development came as Meghan accompanied Prince Harry to the European Parliament in Brussels, where the Duke of Sussex addressed online child safety. Meghan attended the event but withdrew from her planned speech.

#MeghanMarkle #ThomasMarkle #PrinceHarry #RoyalFamily

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Plans by Prince William's Duchy of Cornwall estate to sell a significant portion of its agricultural property have raised concerns among tenant farmers who may face the choice of purchasing their farms or relocating.

The estate is considering disposals affecting up to 40 farm holdings across Devon, Cornwall, Herefordshire and the Midlands, according to the Tenant Farmers Association.

The programme forms part of a ten-year strategy to raise approximately £500 million through property and land sales, with the money intended for affordable housing, environmental improvements and community investment.

Some tenants say they fear they will be unable to afford the properties they have farmed for generations. Representatives of the Tenant Farmers Association have criticised uncertainty surrounding valuations, deadlines and alternative arrangements.

Duchy officials say tenants are being supported individually and that preventing homelessness remains a priority. Rural director Matthew Morris said the estate hopes existing farmers will be able to purchase their holdings wherever possible.

The Duchy of Cornwall is controlled by Prince William in his role as Duke of Cornwall and helps fund his official and charitable activities.

#PrinceWilliam #DuchyOfCornwall #RoyalFamily #UnitedKingdom

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Nine members of the Kennedy family have filed legal action seeking to block President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The family argues that the towering structure would obstruct views of the graves and memorials of former President John F. Kennedy and other family members buried at the cemetery.

According to their court filing, the proposed monument could cast shadows over the gravesites, including Kennedy's memorial and eternal flame, changing the experience of visitors to one of America's most significant national cemeteries.

The legal action follows an earlier federal court order temporarily preventing construction of the arch. The Kennedy family is seeking to intervene in existing challenges to the project.

Trump has promoted the arch as a monumental addition to the capital's landscape. The latest filing raises further questions about its location and its potential effect on historic memorials.

#DonaldTrump #KennedyFamily #WashingtonDC #USNews

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A federal judge in Florida has ruled that President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC can proceed, rejecting the broadcaster's request to dismiss the central allegation.

The lawsuit concerns a BBC Panorama documentary that edited together separate portions of Trump's January 6, 2021, speech, making it appear that he directly encouraged supporters to march on the US Capitol and fight.

US District Judge Jeffrey Kuntz concluded that Trump's complaint contained sufficient allegations of reputational damage to proceed. However, the judge dismissed a separate claim involving unfair trade practices.

The BBC previously acknowledged that the editing was misleading and apologised to Trump, but it continues to deny legal liability for defamation.

The decision does not establish that the BBC defamed Trump. It allows the case to continue through the legal process, where the president must still prove his claims.

#DonaldTrump #BBC #USPolitics #UnitedKingdom #USA

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The US House of Representatives has blocked an attempt to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, voting 211–204 to send the impeachment resolution to committee rather than proceeding with a full impeachment vote.

The resolution, introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, contained eight articles accusing Hegseth of misconduct related to the war with Iran, military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels and other actions taken during his leadership of the Pentagon.

Massie was the only Republican to oppose the procedural motion, joining Democrats who supported moving forward with the impeachment effort.

President Donald Trump welcomed the outcome, praising Hegseth and describing the failed impeachment attempt as a political defeat for his opponents.

The decision effectively halts the effort for now, although Democrats could pursue impeachment again when they take control of the House in January.

#PeteHegseth #DonaldTrump #USCongress #IranWar

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Prince Harry delivered a keynote speech at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, calling for stronger protections for children online and greater accountability from major technology companies.

The Duke of Sussex spoke at an event organised by the European Parliament's Intergroup on Children's Rights, marking the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial, an exhibition honouring children whose deaths have been linked to harmful experiences on social media.

"I'm not here as an expert or a politician. I'm here as a father," Harry told the gathering, emphasising that he and Meghan were standing alongside families who had lost children to online harm.

During his approximately 20-minute address, Harry criticised technology companies for failing to adequately protect young users despite years of warnings from parents, researchers and campaigners.

He called for online platforms to introduce stronger safety measures before harmful content reaches children, rather than responding only after serious incidents occur.

The prince also raised concerns about grieving parents being denied access to their children's digital accounts and devices because of technology companies' privacy policies. He said some families had waited years to obtain information that could help them understand the circumstances surrounding their children's deaths.

Harry welcomed discussions surrounding the proposed EU Kids Act, which aims to strengthen online protections for minors. He argued that responsibility for children's digital safety should rest more heavily on technology companies rather than parents alone.

The event also brought Harry and Meghan together with families affected by online abuse. Among them was Sandra Spitaels, whose 15-year-old son Glenn died by suicide in 2017 after an intimate image of him was shared online. Meghan was photographed comforting Spitaels during the exhibition.

The Duchess of Sussex accompanied her husband to Brussels but withdrew from her previously scheduled speech. Reports indicated that she did not feel emotionally ready to address the gathering following the arrest of her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., in the United States on charges involving child sexual abuse material. Markle has denied the allegations.

Meghan attended the ceremony and joined Harry in meetings with European Parliament representatives, including President Roberta Metsola. Harry did not directly address his father-in-law's legal case during his speech.

Later, during a panel discussion, Harry also warned about emerging risks involving artificial intelligence, arguing that governments and technology companies should apply lessons learned from social media before new technologies expose more children to potential harm.

The visit forms part of the couple's continuing campaign for children's online safety through their charitable work and support for families affected by digital abuse.

#PrinceHarry #MeghanMarkle #EuropeanParliament #RoyalFamily #OnlineSafety

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The British government has launched an investigation into the possible disclosure of confidential budget measures before their official announcement, amid concerns that sensitive information may have influenced financial markets.

Treasury Permanent Secretary James Bowler confirmed that the Government Security Group is leading the investigation, with support from the Treasury.

The inquiry follows reports that details of changes affecting taxes on banks appeared in the media before the Chancellor delivered the Autumn Budget to Parliament.

Bowler said he had received assurances that banks and industry representatives were not privately briefed on the measures before their announcement.

Treasury Committee chair Dame Meg Hillier has called for greater accountability over the handling of market-sensitive information and questioned whether previous investigations have produced meaningful results.

The matter is expected to be discussed when Chancellor John Healey appears before the Treasury Committee on Wednesday.

#UnitedKingdom #UKBudget #UKPolitics

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A new Reuters/Ipsos poll has found that 71% of American adults want the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress to pass legislation ending the US war with Iran.

The survey, released Tuesday, found support for ending the conflict across party lines, including 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans.

The poll also revealed widespread opposition to President Donald Trump's trade policies, with 62% of respondents supporting the repeal of tariffs imposed by his administration.

The findings come one week after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections. Rising living costs and the war with Iran were prominent issues during the campaign.

The four-day survey questioned 1,705 US adults nationwide and had a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.

#DonaldTrump #IranWar #USA #USPolitics

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Prince William held a meeting with British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, November 10, to discuss global security challenges and the welfare of personnel serving in the UK's Armed Forces.

Streeting confirmed the meeting in a social media post, describing it as an honour to have an audience with the Prince of Wales. He said their discussions included the experiences of women serving in the military.

The meeting comes as William publicly calls for improvements in military culture, particularly the treatment and safety of female personnel. The prince has spent the past year speaking privately and publicly with servicewomen about harassment, discrimination and working conditions.

Streeting praised William's military background and his commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces.

#PrinceWilliam #WesStreeting #RoyalFamily #UKDefence #WindsorCastle