Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has embarked on a significant five-day visit to Brazil, blending royal diplomacy with environmental advocacy. The visit, which began on Monday, has already seen the future king engage in a series of high-profile activities, from receiving an honor from Rio de Janeiro’s mayor to participating in training drills with children at the iconic Maracana Stadium. However, the heart of his mission lies in his environmental initiatives, particularly the presentation of the Earthshot Prize and his upcoming speech at the COP30 climate summit. On Tuesday, Prince William took a 50-minute ferry ride to Paqueta, a car-free island where bicycles are the primary mode of transport. There, he interacted with locals, cuddled a baby, and planted new trees in the mangrove area, highlighting the island’s commitment to environmental protection. The visit was declared a ‘Day of the Prince,’ with children given time off school to meet him, armed with colorful drawings as gifts. The prince’s engagement with the community was warmly received, with residents expressing their admiration for his humility and dedication to environmental causes. Eugenia Maria Dos Santos, one of the ‘Guardians of the Mangroves,’ praised the prince for his hands-on approach, stating, ‘The most important thing for me is his humility.’ Prince William’s visit to Brazil marks a pivotal moment in his environmental advocacy, as he prepares to conclude his trip with a significant appearance at COP30 in the Amazon rainforest. This visit not only underscores his commitment to the Earthshot Prize but also positions him as a key figure in the global fight against climate change.
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Day 35: Millions of Americans to get reduced food aid during shutdown
The ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its 35th day, is causing widespread hardship as millions of Americans face reduced food assistance. The White House has announced that only partial payments will be made to the 42 million individuals reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. This decision comes as the shutdown nears a record length, crippling essential public services. Federal courts recently ruled that the Trump administration must allocate $4.65 billion from an emergency fund to cover part of November’s SNAP costs, estimated at $9 billion. However, officials from the Agriculture Department confirmed they would not bridge the funding gap, leaving 50% of eligible households with reduced benefits. The shutdown has also jeopardized other critical programs, including WIC, which supports pregnant women and infants, and Head Start, which provides nutrition and family support to thousands of children. At the core of the political impasse is the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, set to lapse at year’s end unless Congress intervenes. Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked, with Democrats demanding a deal to extend health care subsidies and Republicans refusing to negotiate until the government reopens. President Trump has instructed government lawyers to explore legal avenues to fund SNAP, but delays are expected. Critics, including top Senate Democrat Patty Murray, have condemned the administration for failing to fully fund SNAP payments, calling the partial funding ‘not acceptable.’
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Head of UK’s richest family dies aged 85
Gopichand Hinduja, the patriarch of Britain’s richest family, has passed away at the age of 85. Known affectionately as GP, Mr. Hinduja was a pivotal figure in transforming his father’s modest textile and trading enterprises into the Hinduja Group, a global conglomerate operating across 11 sectors, including finance, media, entertainment, and oil. The group employs approximately 200,000 people worldwide. The Hinduja family, in a heartfelt statement, expressed that his passing “will leave a deep hole at the heart of our family,” and highlighted his “formidable work” as his enduring legacy. Mr. Hinduja and his family recently topped the Sunday Times Rich List with a staggering net worth of £35.3 billion and ranked 11th on Forbes’ list of India’s 100 richest businesspeople in 2024. He was the second eldest of four brothers who collectively steered the conglomerate for decades. His eldest brother, Srichand, passed away in 2023 at the age of 87. The leadership succession of the conglomerate remains uncertain, with the youngest brother, Ashok, currently overseeing operations in India, including the renowned truck manufacturer Ashok Leyland. The Hinduja family also boasts significant real estate holdings in London, including properties near St. James’s Park and the recently refurbished Old War Office in Whitehall, now housing a luxury hotel. Despite his low public profile, Mr. Hinduja was embroiled in the controversial “Hinduja affair” in 2001, which led to the resignation of Lord Peter Mandelson as an MP. The controversy arose after Mr. Hinduja wrote to Mr. Mandelson regarding his brother Prakash’s British citizenship application, following a £1 million donation by the family’s charity to the Millennium Dome project, overseen by Mr. Mandelson. Although Mr. Mandelson was later exonerated, the incident remains a notable chapter in Mr. Hinduja’s life. In a separate legal matter, Prakash Hinduja, his wife, and their son were convicted by a Swiss court last year for exploiting domestic staff at their Geneva residence.
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Back in form, Australia’s Labuschagne relishes Ashes challenge
Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne has rediscovered his form just in time for the upcoming Ashes series, marking a remarkable turnaround after a challenging period in his career. The 31-year-old batsman, who was dropped from the Test side during the West Indies tour earlier this year, has since scored his fifth century of the domestic season, solidifying his place in the Australia squad. Labuschagne’s resurgence comes after a technical slump that saw him manage only one century in 53 innings prior to his exclusion. Despite a lackluster performance in the 50-overs series against South Africa in August, he has since hit three centuries in one-dayers and two more in the Sheffield Shield for Queensland. Speaking to reporters after his latest century, Labuschagne emphasized the importance of rhythm and confidence in batting, stating, ‘You protect it like it’s gold.’ Reflecting on his journey, he credited his time in English county cricket with Glamorgan in 2019 as a pivotal period in his career. Labuschagne also acknowledged the benefits of being dropped from the Test side, noting that it provided clarity and motivation to refine his game. He expressed optimism for teammate Sam Konstas, who is currently struggling with form, encouraging him to learn from the experience. The England squad arrived in Australia on Monday, with the first Ashes Test set to begin in Perth on November 21.
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US fugitive Nicholas Rossi to serve at least 10 years in jail
Nicholas Rossi, a 38-year-old American fugitive who notoriously faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade extradition from Scotland, has been sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison for raping two women in Utah in 2008. His elaborate attempts to escape justice captivated global attention after he was identified in a Glasgow hospital’s COVID ward in 2021. Despite claiming to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, hospital staff recognized him from an Interpol notice due to his distinctive tattoos. Rossi’s charade continued through court hearings, where he appeared in an electric wheelchair, wearing an oxygen mask, and maintained his innocence. However, his claims were debunked, and he was extradited to the U.S. in January 2024. Following separate trials in August and September 2024, Rossi was convicted of both rapes. Utah’s indeterminate sentencing system means he could face life imprisonment, with the state’s parole board determining his final release date. During the trials, Rossi’s victims delivered emotional impact statements, describing the lifelong trauma he inflicted. Rossi, however, denied the allegations and vowed to appeal. His defense argued for concurrent sentences, but prosecutors highlighted his manipulative behavior, including thousands of unauthorized prison calls. Judge Derek Pullan labeled Rossi a serial sex offender and a danger to society. Born Nicholas Alahverdian in Rhode Island, Rossi had a troubled past, including time in foster care and a brief stint as a child welfare advocate. Reports of his death in 2020 were later revealed as a ruse to escape FBI investigations into alleged credit card fraud. His eventual capture and conviction mark the end of a long and bizarre saga of evasion and deception.
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Australia mushroom murderer to appeal verdict, says media
Erin Patterson, the Australian woman convicted of murdering three family members with a poisonous mushroom-laced meal, has filed an appeal to overturn her guilty verdict, according to local media reports. Patterson, 51, was sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 33 years for serving a toxic beef Wellington dish to her estranged husband’s parents, aunt, and uncle during a lunch at her home in 2023. The meal resulted in the deaths of three victims, while one survived. The case, which garnered global attention, saw Patterson maintain her innocence, claiming the mushrooms were accidentally included in the dish. However, a jury found her guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in July. Patterson’s legal team has not disclosed the grounds for the appeal, but they previously argued that the notoriety of the case would lead to her prolonged isolation in prison. Meanwhile, the prosecution has challenged the sentence as ‘manifestly inadequate.’ The tragic incident unfolded amid a strained relationship between Patterson and her husband, Simon, who had declined the invitation to the fatal meal. Survivor Ian Wilkinson, whose wife was among the victims, described the profound grief and silence left in the wake of the crime. Death cap mushrooms, the lethal fungi used in the poisoning, are known for their deceptive sweetness and resemblance to edible varieties.
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UAE authority warns against illegal trading apps: 5 red flags explained
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in the United Arab Emirates has issued a stern warning to investors regarding the use of unauthorized trading applications. These apps, often operated by unlicensed entities, pose significant legal risks, including potential violations of anti-money laundering (AML) laws. The SCA emphasized that investors must exercise caution to avoid legal liabilities associated with such platforms. The authority highlighted five critical red flags to identify illegitimate trading apps: absence from official regulatory websites, promises of high returns with minimal risk, lack of transparent company details, operation without proper UAE licensing, and requests for funds to personal accounts instead of corporate ones. Investors are advised to use only verified platforms, confirm licensing, and report suspicious activities promptly to safeguard their investments and comply with UAE regulations.
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Finnish ex-PM Marin says her female cabinet faced torrent of sexism
Sanna Marin, Finland’s former Prime Minister, has revealed the pervasive sexism and misogyny she and her female-dominated cabinet faced during her tenure in her newly published memoir, *Hope in Action: A Memoir About the Courage to Lead*. Marin, who became the world’s youngest elected head of government at 34 in 2019, led a coalition of five women party leaders, four of whom were under 35. Despite her groundbreaking leadership, she and her team were subjected to relentless online harassment, including threats of rape and sexual assault. Marin recounts how their competence was frequently undermined, with their government dismissively labeled the “lipstick government” and “girl government.” She also highlights the outdated moralizing of her behavior, particularly after a leaked video of her dancing at a private party sparked global controversy in 2022. Marin’s memoir underscores the challenges of being a young, female leader in a society that often clings to traditional expectations of political figures. After her party’s defeat in the 2023 elections, Marin stepped away from politics, taking on a role as a strategic counsellor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
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Inner Mongolia’s outbound UHV power transmission surpasses 800b kWh
Inner Mongolia has achieved a significant milestone in its ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power transmission, with outbound electricity surpassing 801.54 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) as of October 31, according to the State Grid Inner Mongolia Eastern Electric Power Co. This monumental achievement, facilitated through eight UHV transmission channels, could supply annual electricity to approximately 280 million households, while reducing coal consumption by 270 million metric tons and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 700 million tons. As a pivotal national energy and resource base, Inner Mongolia’s UHV grid development is integral to China’s broader energy strategy. Leveraging its abundant coal, wind, and solar resources, the region has established a robust network connecting major eastern load centers such as Shandong, Tianjin, Shanxi, Jiangsu, and Hebei. Annual power transmission has surged from 7.37 billion kWh in 2017 to 170.6 billion kWh in 2024, marking seven consecutive years of growth and solidifying Inner Mongolia’s role as a critical hub for interregional energy distribution. To ensure the safe and stable operation of UHV systems, the grid operator has implemented a comprehensive strategy encompassing smart control, multi-dimensional inspection, and precise maintenance. Customized maintenance plans tailored to geographic and climatic conditions, coupled with a two-hour emergency repair response network, have been established. Additionally, nine local monitoring teams, comprising herders and collaboration mechanisms with local power and wind energy companies, have enhanced joint risk management. The efficient operation of UHV channels is also accelerating the region’s green energy transition, with over 102 billion kWh of clean energy delivered to areas including Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, fostering cleaner and more sustainable energy structures across northern China.
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Watch: Sharjah announces discovery of additional gas reservoirs
In a significant development for the energy sector, the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) has announced the discovery of additional gas reservoirs in the Hadebah Field, located north of the Sajaa Field. The discovery was made through the successful drilling and testing of the ‘Hadebah-02’ well, which reached a depth of 13,200 feet. This marks a new milestone in Sharjah’s ongoing exploration efforts. The well is part of the corporation’s evaluation and development work in the onshore Hadebah gas field. In the coming months, the well will be connected to the production line, and further drilling programs will continue to assess the full potential of the field’s reservoirs. The Hadebah Field is the fifth onshore gas and condensate field in Sharjah and the second discovery in the past five years, highlighting the emirate’s commitment to expanding its energy resources. The Sharjah Media Office emphasized that this achievement builds on the success of the ‘Hadebah-01’ well, discovered in 2024, which confirmed the presence of gas and associated liquids in the Thamama geological formations. This discovery is expected to bolster Sharjah’s energy production capabilities and contribute to the UAE’s broader energy strategy.