Author: Amanda Martinez

China’s space program achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of Shenzhou 19. The spacecraft, carrying three taikonauts, including China’s first female space engineer, Wang Haoze, docked at the homegrown space station after a six-hour journey. This mission aims to conduct experiments and spacewalks over six months, gathering crucial experience for China’s ultimate goal: landing on the Moon by 2030. Beijing declared the launch a “complete success,” showcasing its determination to become a space power. With 100 launches planned this year, China is aggressively pursuing its space program, sparking concerns in Washington. NASA Chief Bill Nelson expressed fears that…

The Israeli parliament has recently passed two controversial bills aimed at prohibiting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and its controlled areas. This Israeli ban on UNRWA operations, set to take effect in 90 days, threatens to disrupt the already tricky aid distribution system, especially as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies. The new laws could result in the closure of UNRWA facilities in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, limiting the agency’s mandate to fulfill its duties.  UNRWA has been critical in providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza, which has…

JPMorgan Chase has filed lawsuits against numerous US customers accused of fraudulently withdrawing large sums of money by exploiting a technical glitch in the bank’s ATM. The JPMorgan ATM glitch went viral on TikTok as the “infinite money glitch” allowed users to withdraw funds by depositing fake checks before they bounced. JPMorgan has filed lawsuits in Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami, collectively seeking $660,000 (£509,000) from individuals alleged to have exploited this glitch. The lawsuit did not mention the TikTok trend that gained traction in the summer. Still, the withdrawals mentioned in the lawsuit described the method viral on TikTok,…

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces allegations of seeking personal flight upgrades from Qantas’ former CEO Alan Joyce, sparking a Qantas upgrade controversy. A new book by journalist Joe Aston claims Albanese made multiple calls to Joyce, securing upgrades on 22 flights between 2009 and 2019. Albanese, formerly Australia’s federal transport minister, denies any wrongdoing. In a press conference, he refused to confirm whether he discussed personal upgrades with Joyce but emphasized following the rules and transparency. Albanese criticized Aston, saying he’s “trying to sell a book.” Aston’s book, “The Chairman’s Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us…

Iran has executed German-Iranian dissident Jamshid Sharmahd, sparking international outrage over Iran’s human rights abuse. Sharmahd was convicted of “leading terror operations” and sentenced to death last year for “corruption on Earth”. However, his family and human rights organizations claim he was only a spokesman for the US-based pro-monarchist group, Tondar. Sharmahd’s execution follows a lengthy imprisonment marred by allegations of torture and denial of adequate healthcare. His daughter, Gazelle, had voiced concerns about her father’s treatment, stating, “They’re killing him softly in solitary confinement in this death cell.” She believed Iran sought to make an example of her father…

A water battery created by Chinese researchers performs safer and uses less energy than conventional lithium-ion batteries. According to the team’s Nature Energy research, this battery outlasts its predecessors considerably, lasting more than 1,000 charge-discharge cycles. The energy density of a battery, which evaluates its energy capacity to its size and weight, is a critical factor. Although lithium-ion batteries are popular due to their high energy density, their electrolytes often include organic compounds, which increases the risk of fire and explosion. On the other hand, water batteries are a safer option, but they have a lower energy density due to…

Japan’s ruling coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its ally Komeito, just lost their legislative majority. With 215 MPs, the alliance now falls short of the 233-seat threshold required for effective governance. Shigeru Ishiba, the recently minted prime minister and leader of the LDP, who called the election just before taking office, has pledged to remain in power despite the defeat. In a Monday speech, Ishiba recognized the electorate’s unhappiness, describing the outcome as a “harsh verdict” and promising to restore public confidence. The LDP has suffered record-low popularity ratings, with people dissatisfied with political financing scandals that prompted…

Vietnamese migrant smuggling has become a lucrative business, with thousands risking their lives to cross the Channel to the UK. Thanh, a confessed people smuggler, shared his story with the BBC. He entered the UK illegally this year in a small boat and is now claiming asylum. Thanh has spent nearly 20 years in the smuggling industry, helping over 1,000 people cross the Channel. Thanh’s operation involves forging visa documents for Vietnamese migrants seeking to enter Europe. He charges between $15,000 and $20,000 per person. Many Vietnamese migrants cite failing businesses and debts as reasons for seeking work in the…

As toxic Delhi air worsens, the city’s air quality has severely deteriorated, reaching “inferior” and “severe” categories. This decline will worsen due to upcoming weather patterns, Diwali fireworks, and crop burning in neighboring states. The city’s particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels exceed 350 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. Consequently, residents face serious health risks. Delhi and surrounding cities experience extreme air pollution annually from October to January. This disrupts businesses, schools, and daily life. Smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicle emissions, and crop stubble burning are the main causes. Farmers in Punjab and…

After six agonizing days, Lovisa Sjoberg, a 48-year-old avid photographer, was found “dazed and injured” in the Snowy Mountains. The massive search and rescue operation finally paid off on local Sunday afternoon. Sjoberg had ventured into Kosciuszko National Park to capture stunning images, but her trip took a dire turn. Sjoberg’s hire car company reported her car missing, sparking a frantic search. New South Wales Police launched an appeal on October 21, urging the public to help locate her. Rescue teams scoured the rugged terrain using sniffer dogs, firefighters, park rangers, and a helicopter equipped with infrared technology. As Australian…

Maria Elena Cárdenas, 76, resides in a municipal shelter on Amargura Street in Havana’s old town, which once held elegance. After her home collapsed, she cooked with sticks collected from the street. “We Cubans manage the best we can,” she remarked about her situation. The Cuban government recently battled to repair the island’s national grid following the Cuba power crisis that impacted daily life. Without electricity, the scorching heat makes it difficult to sleep, food degrades, and access to clean water is limited. While the municipality provided some food aid to Cárdenas, the power situation worsened after a week-long blackout.…

Beyoncé supported Kamala Harris in Houston during a rare political appearance at a rally for the Vice President. Thousands gathered in her hometown to support Harris’ abortion rights campaign. Instead of performing, Beyoncé joined fellow Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland on stage to speak directly to a crowd of 30,000. This event marked her first public political appearance in the current election cycle, adding to her history of supporting Democratic candidates. She previously endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020. With 314 million followers on Instagram, Beyoncé wields significant influence over her audience. Her…