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Scotland aims to become a European launch hub and a leader in space data, with new government support and infrastructure developments. Meanwhile, South Korea successfully launched its domestically assembled Nuri rocket, marking a milestone in its space independence and technological capability. Both stories highlight growing national ambitions amid global competition.
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Europe's 2025 wildfire season, the worst on record, saw over 1 million hectares burned across Spain, Portugal, and the Mediterranean. Research from World Weather Attribution shows climate change made extreme heat and dry conditions 30-40 times more likely, intensifying fires by up to 30%, causing fatalities, mass evacuations, and damage to protected habitats.
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As of mid-September 2025, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers face mixed fortunes. Tesla's sales in China have declined for six consecutive months, losing market share to domestic rivals like Xpeng and Xiaomi, which offer more affordable, feature-rich models. BYD, the largest Chinese EV maker, is expanding aggressively in Europe with new showrooms and local production to offset slowing domestic growth. Meanwhile, startups like AeroHT are pioneering flying cars, signaling innovation beyond traditional EVs. However, intense price wars and overcapacity continue to pressure profitability across the sector.
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As of September 19, 2025, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call discussing a TikTok ownership deal amid ongoing trade talks in Madrid. While Trump described progress on TikTok and other issues, details remain unclear and the transfer of TikTok to US control is not finalized. A face-to-face summit is expected at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in late October.
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Russian forces launched a series of aerial strikes on Ukraine, killing at least 24 civilians in Yarova, Donetsk, and damaging infrastructure. The attacks coincided with pension disbursements and come amid stalled peace negotiations and increased NATO defenses. Ukraine calls for stronger international sanctions and responses.
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US technology companies, including OpenAI, Nvidia, and CoreWeave, plan to announce billions of dollars in UK investments during President Trump's visit. The focus is on expanding AI infrastructure and data centres amid regulatory pressures and government initiatives to support AI growth zones.
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Recent studies show Europe’s summer heatwaves caused over 24,000 deaths in 2024, with 68% linked to climate change. Elderly populations are most affected, and wildfires intensified by rising temperatures have worsened health impacts. Experts warn urgent action is needed to adapt infrastructure and reduce risks.
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U.S. retirement plans are increasingly exploring private equity and alternative assets, driven by policy shifts and investor interest. Challenges remain in performance measurement, with metrics like IRR and PME being complex and opaque. New regulations and market developments could expand access but also pose risks for average investors. As private assets become more mainstream, understanding their metrics and risks is crucial.
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Researchers in Japan and Japan-based farmers have won an Ig Nobel Prize for a humorous study showing that painting cows with zebra-like stripes reduces fly landings and stress. The research, inspired by zebra evolution, involved painting Japanese Black cattle and observing fly behavior, with promising results for small-scale, chemical-free pest control.
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President Trump will attend the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, marking the first sitting U.S. president to do so in nearly 100 years. The event features intense competition between the U.S. and Europe, with notable team preparations and course challenges. The Ryder Cup runs from September 26-28, 2025.
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On September 29, 2025, Donald Trump delivered a speech at the UN, criticizing the organization’s effectiveness and global policies. His speech was marked by technical issues, including a broken escalator and malfunctioning teleprompter, which he used to highlight perceived shortcomings of the UN. He also addressed international conflicts, NATO, and Russia’s energy trade, urging Europe to increase pressure on Moscow.
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Viktor Åberg and Viktor Hovland, key players in the Ryder Cup, discuss their friendship, golf performance, and Hovland's interest in UFOs. The event is set against heightened security due to President Trump's attendance, with preparations underway at Bethpage Black in New York.
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The Ryder Cup's second day sees Europe extending its lead over the US, with key matchups including Rahm and Hatton, and McIlroy and Fleetwood. The event continues to showcase Europe's strong performance, with lineups mirroring past successful pairings. The competition remains intense as the US fights to close the gap.
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Europe secured a 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black, ending a decade-long drought on U.S. soil. Shane Lowry's clutch putt in singles clinched the win, marking Europe's fifth on U.S. turf since 1979. The event was marked by intense fan hostility and remarkable comebacks.
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As of October 8, 2025, the US under President Trump is deepening support for Ukraine by sharing intelligence to target Russian energy infrastructure and considering supplying long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. These missiles, with ranges up to 1,550 miles, would enable Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, including Moscow, marking a significant shift amid stalled peace talks and escalating conflict.
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On October 7, 2025, the first of three supermoons this year, known as the Harvest Moon, appeared. It was the largest and brightest full moon of 2025 so far, appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter due to its close orbit to Earth. Meanwhile, two comets, Lemmon and SWAN, are making close passes to Earth this month, visible with binoculars or the naked eye under dark skies. Comet Lemmon will be closest on October 21, and both comets may be seen through the end of October. The UAE and other regions are hosting viewing events for these celestial phenomena.
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European leaders are responding to increased Russian military activity, including drone incursions and aerial violations, amid warnings from Kyiv that Russia aims to destabilize the continent. Moscow promises a significant response to what it calls European militarization, while EU discussions focus on defense measures and funding Ukraine’s war effort.
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Russia’s use of a clandestine fleet of ageing tankers, linked to its sanctions-busting efforts, is intensifying tensions in Europe. France detained a Russian-linked tanker, Boracay, amid concerns over sanctions evasion and drone activity. Russia and China deny involvement, while European leaders push for stronger sanctions and maritime enforcement.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning of a 'significant' response to Europe's increasing militarization amid ongoing incursions into NATO airspace. He accused Western countries of escalating the conflict and dismissed fears of an attack on NATO, emphasizing Russia's readiness to respond forcefully. The story highlights rising tensions and NATO's defensive measures.
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Vancouver's TransLink has recovered about 90% of pre-pandemic ridership, driven by strategic policies like frequent service and dense land use. Experts highlight Vancouver's approach as a model for North American cities, contrasting with slower recoveries elsewhere.
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Global electricity demand is set to double by 2050, driven by AI data centers in the US, China, and Europe. US data centers could account for over 14% of power demand by 2030, raising concerns over infrastructure costs and reliance on fossil fuels amid ongoing energy security challenges.
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Ming Yang, a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, announced plans to invest up to £1.5 billion in a new offshore wind factory in Scotland, with the first phase starting by late 2028. UK approval is pending amid security concerns, but the project aims to boost Scotland's floating wind industry and create 1,500 jobs.
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On October 13, 2025, Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their research explaining innovation-driven economic growth. Mokyr received half the prize for historical analysis of technological progress, while Aghion and Howitt shared the other half for their mathematical model of creative destruction, highlighting innovation's role in sustained prosperity.
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A fire at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport destroyed cargo storage, including raw materials and samples vital to Bangladesh's $47bn garment industry. The incident, the third major fire this week, has caused losses estimated at up to $1 billion, disrupting exports and raising safety concerns amid ongoing investigations.
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Daylight saving time ends this weekend in many regions, with clocks set back an hour. New Stanford research supports adopting permanent standard time, citing health benefits linked to circadian rhythm alignment. The change impacts sleep, health, and international coordination, especially between Europe, North America, and Israel.
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European governments are increasingly restricting Chinese investments in strategic sectors amid US-led tensions with Beijing. The Netherlands seized a Chinese-owned chipmaker, Nexperia, citing national security concerns, reflecting broader efforts to safeguard critical assets amid rising geopolitical rivalry and recent US and Chinese export restrictions.
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European tensions over Chinese-controlled Nexperia have escalated, disrupting auto supply chains and exposing Europe's dependency on Chinese technology amid US-China trade conflicts. Diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the crisis, but risks of ongoing instability remain. (Tue, 18 Nov 2025 12:45:09 +0000)
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As of late November 2025, the US, UK, Canada, and Japan face an early, severe flu season driven by the H3N2 subclade K variant, which has mutated beyond current vaccine strains. Hospital admissions and flu cases, especially among children and vulnerable groups, are rising. Concurrently, norovirus infections are doubling nationwide, with health officials urging hygiene and vaccination to mitigate risks.
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Recent data shows a 17% drop in first-time international students entering US colleges this fall, the sharpest decline since COVID-19. Overall enrollment fell slightly, but many universities face revenue shortfalls. Visa processing delays and restrictive policies are key factors, raising concerns about future international education trends.
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A new 28-point framework, developed through US-Russia talks, proposes security guarantees for Ukraine, territorial recognitions, and economic reintegration of Russia. The plan favors Russia, with Ukraine expected to cede territory and abandon NATO ambitions. Ongoing negotiations are leaning towards Russian interests, with initial impressions showing a heavily Russia-favorable stance.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin accused European nations of obstructing peace efforts in Ukraine, claiming they lack a peace agenda and are 'on the side of war.' US negotiators are in Moscow discussing a draft plan to end the conflict, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions and military developments.
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U.S. negotiators Kushner and Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow amid ongoing Ukraine conflict. Russia warns Europe of swift defeat if war erupts, while the U.S. presents a revised peace plan. Ukraine insists on full peace, not just a ceasefire. The talks highlight tensions over concessions and territorial demands.
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On December 5, 2025, the Trump administration released its 2025 National Security Strategy, marking a sharp shift toward an 'America First' doctrine. It emphasizes restoring U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, criticizes Europe’s trajectory as facing 'civilizational erasure,' downplays Middle East and Africa priorities, and calls for deterring China over Taiwan with allied military buildup.