insert_link Business / Economics U.S. Government shutdown as funding bill fails (Photo: ABC News) The U.S. government has officially shut down as Congress failed to pass a last-minute funding bill, marking the first such closure in nearly seven years. Al Jazeera reports that senators rejected competing proposals, and the funding lapse took effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The shutdown has forced furloughs for an estimated 750,000 federal employees and threatens a daily economic loss of roughly US$400 million. Essential services, such […] today1 October, 2025
insert_link World Paris investigates South African ambassador’s death French authorities have opened an investigation into the death of South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa. Mthethwa was found dead outside the Hyatt Hotel in Paris yesterday, after being reported missing on Monday. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that the ambassador’s room on the 22nd floor had been forcibly opened, with scissors left at the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. today1 October, 2025
insert_link Environment America’s Trump calls climate change a hoax U.S. President Donald Trump has caused controversy at the United Nations by declaring that climate change is a hoax. His remarks come as countries worldwide face worsening droughts, floods, and wildfires. Professor Morgan Hauptfleisch, Associate Professor at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, says leadership divisions are slowing urgent action needed to address environmental challenges effectively. Observers warn that climate denial from a global leader of Trump’s stature raises […] today24 September, 2025
insert_link World UN chief calls on world leaders to “deliver” at the 80th General Assembly UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe UN Secretary-General António Guterres speaking at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York. World leaders are arriving in New York for the start of the 80th United Nations General Assembly — a milestone year for the global body. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged leaders to “get serious – and deliver,” warning that global divisions and crises have pushed international cooperation to its most fragile […] today18 September, 2025
insert_link World Royal treatment? Donald Trump is in the UK for his second state visit U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in the United Kingdom on a state visit. He's accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Radburn) U.S. President Donald Trump has started his second state visit to the United Kingdom, marked by royal ceremonies at Windsor Castle. King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the royal family welcomed Trump and First Lady Melania with a carriage procession, gun salutes, a military flypast, and a formal […] today17 September, 2025
insert_link World Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, UN report Photo: Reuters Residents of Gaza City reported heavy overnight strikes as Israeli ground forces entered the city, marking the first phase of the military’s takeover plan. The escalation comes as a United Nations inquiry has concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide, a landmark finding after nearly two years of conflict. Navi Pillay, chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, announced the […] today16 September, 2025
insert_link World UK Prime Minister fires Washington ambassador UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Washington ambassador Peter Mendelson (Photo: The Guardian) United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed his ambassador to Washington just days before U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Britain. Peter Mandelson, the outgoing ambassador, was previously friends with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The decision has drawn attention amid growing scrutiny over the ambassador’s past connections. Stuart Smith reports from London. today11 September, 2025
insert_link World Australia approves world-first chlamydia vaccine for koala Koala (Photo: mihtiander / Getty Images) A vaccine to treat chlamydia in Australia’s koala population has been approved, marking a world-first. According to Sky News, researchers developed the vaccine to protect the marsupial, as chlamydia accounts for half of koala deaths in the country’s wild populations. Koalas are also vulnerable to habitat loss, attacks from animals, and vehicle collisions. The species was declared critically endangered in 2022. today11 September, 2025
insert_link Entertainment King Charles and Prince Harry meet for first time in over a year Britain’s King Charles and Prince Harry (Photo: Radar Online) Britain’s King Charles and Prince Harry met for the first time in more than a year and a half, sharing tea at Clarence House in London. Harry had recently expressed a desire to repair his relationship with his father following a series of family rifts. Prince William did not meet with Harry during his visit to the UK from the United […] today11 September, 2025
