World Times

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

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported significant disruptions to SpaceX's Starshield satellite communications service, saying restrictions are affecting Ukrainian military operations across the front line.

In a statement on Thursday, Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had experienced problems for several days, with the service reportedly limiting the operating speed of connected equipment to approximately 161 kilometres per hour.

According to Zelensky, the restrictions have prevented some Ukrainian interceptor systems from moving fast enough to intercept Russian jet-powered attack drones.

The Ukrainian president said his government was seeking clarification from the United States about the cause of the restrictions.

Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, provides communications services used by Ukrainian forces. Similar restrictions were reported in October before normal service was restored later that month.

The latest disruptions come as US representatives hold renewed peace negotiations with Russia. It remains unclear who authorised the restrictions or whether they are connected to the diplomatic discussions.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk has previously faced criticism over the company's role in providing satellite communications during the war.

#ElonMusk #SpaceX #Ukraine #Zelensky #Russia

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Britain's economy expanded at its fastest quarterly pace in more than two years, supported by investment in artificial intelligence and stronger activity across the services sector.

Official figures released Thursday showed that gross domestic product grew 0.7% between July and September 2026, compared with 0.5% in the previous quarter. The increase was the strongest since early 2024.

The Office for National Statistics reported that computer programming, technology consultancy and related activities made a significant contribution to growth. Computer manufacturing also helped lift industrial production.

The British economy grew 1.9% compared with the same quarter last year, while September alone recorded a 0.2% increase in output, exceeding economists' expectations.

The figures offer encouragement to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government, although economists warn that high energy prices, inflation and borrowing costs could weaken economic activity in the coming months.

The stronger performance may also increase pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates again as it attempts to control inflation.

#UnitedKingdom #UKEconomy #BankOfEngland

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Prince William attended the Tusk Conservation Awards in London on Wednesday evening, recognising conservationists and wildlife rangers working to protect endangered species across Africa.

Speaking at the ceremony at Raffles London, the Prince of Wales praised the dedication of conservation workers and expressed confidence that more threatened species could be protected despite the risks involved.

William, who has supported the Tusk charity for more than a decade, presented awards recognising achievements in wildlife protection and conservation leadership.

Among those honoured was Kenyan conservationist Raabia Hawa, founder of the Ulinzi Africa Foundation, whose work focuses on protecting wildlife habitats and combating environmental crime.

William was also joined by Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, the nieces of his late mother, Princess Diana. Their appearance brought a family connection to the evening's conservation celebrations.

The awards recognise people working in some of Africa's most challenging environments, where rangers face threats from poaching and organised wildlife crime.

#PrinceWilliam #RoyalFamily #TuskAwards #UKRoyals

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US presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, continuing Washington's latest diplomatic effort to end the war in Ukraine.

The two officials were welcomed at Vnukovo International Airport by Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy, before travelling into central Moscow for the scheduled discussions.

Their arrival follows two days of US-mediated negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi. Those talks produced plans for a major prisoner exchange but failed to resolve fundamental disagreements over territory and future security arrangements.

Russia continues to demand control of the entire Donbas region, a condition Ukraine has rejected. American mediators are attempting to advance discussions on postwar security guarantees and reconstruction while territorial negotiations remain deadlocked.

The Moscow meeting will be Witkoff's tenth face-to-face encounter with Putin. Despite President Donald Trump's expressions of optimism, neither side has announced a significant compromise or a ceasefire.

#DonaldTrump #VladimirPutin #Russia #Ukraine #PeaceTalks

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At least two people have died and more than a dozen others were injured after a three-storey building collapsed in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, November 11.

The building, located in the Flatbush neighbourhood, collapsed into an adjoining construction site where excavation work was underway.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the fatalities, while Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore reported 19 people affected, including seven children. Several people were seriously injured.

Emergency crews rescued survivors from the rubble, including a pregnant woman, as firefighters and search teams continued looking for people who might remain trapped.

Authorities said the cause of the collapse had not yet been established. Building inspectors were examining nearby structures for possible damage, while emergency personnel warned that search operations could continue for several days.

#NewYork #Brooklyn #BuildingCollapse #USA

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A British police watchdog has warned that weaknesses in facial recognition technology could lead to innocent people being wrongly identified as criminal suspects.

A report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services found that some police officers were treating matches generated by retrospective facial recognition software as evidence without carrying out sufficient independent checks.

The inspection also identified concerns about algorithmic bias, particularly the risk of falsely identifying people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Investigators found that some custody photographs that should have been deleted remained available in police databases, raising additional questions about privacy and data management.

The watchdog called for clearer legal safeguards, stronger oversight and better training for officers using the technology.

Police representatives defended its potential value in criminal investigations while acknowledging the importance of maintaining public confidence and preventing misuse.

#UnitedKingdom #FacialRecognition #UKPolice

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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a group of senior advisers were publicly reprimanded by a military guard at Arlington National Cemetery following a Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday.

Video footage showed Hegseth posing for photographs with his wife and members of his staff near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As the group began to leave, laughter could be heard, prompting a sentinel guarding the memorial to demand silence and respect.

The guard reminded those present that visitors must maintain appropriate conduct at the site, which honours unidentified American service members who died in war.

It remains unclear who in the group was responsible for the laughter.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell acknowledged the incident, saying the guard had correctly reminded visitors to maintain decorum. He also defended the Defense Department's commitment to honouring fallen military personnel.

The incident occurred one day after Hegseth survived an attempt to advance impeachment proceedings against him in the House of Representatives.

#PeteHegseth #USMilitary #Arlington #USPolitics

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Democrat Scott Colom has defeated Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi, becoming the state's first Black US senator since the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War.

The Associated Press declared Colom the winner on Wednesday evening, November 11, after election officials completed additional counts of absentee and provisional ballots.

Colom, a 43-year-old district attorney, was leading by approximately 4,669 votes out of more than 962,000 counted when the race was called. Hyde-Smith subsequently conceded and congratulated him.

The result marks the first time Mississippi has elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1982, ending more than four decades of Republican victories in the state.

Colom campaigned on living costs, healthcare and economic opportunities. His victory adds to Democratic gains in the November 3 midterm elections, which saw the party secure control of both chambers of Congress.

Mississippi, which Donald Trump won comfortably in the 2024 presidential election, had been widely regarded as a Republican stronghold.

#ScottColom #Mississippi #USElections #USPolitics

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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