AFRICAN
Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu praises 'Modinomics' for India's economic growth at CII Summit
Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasised India's economic growth during the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam. He attributed this growth to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, coining the term 'Modinomics'. Naidu highlighted the transformation in global economic landscapes and emphasized India's potential with its young population and innovation capabilities. He mentioned the civil aviation ministry's extension of the UDAAN scheme aimed at enhancing connectivity.
Americans are already paying more for candy. Could El Niño make chocolate even costlier this Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter?
Meteorologists warn that El Niño is expected to drastically impact cocoa production in Ivory Coast, the leading cocoa producer globally. Anticipated shifts in rainfall and temperature could lead to a potential reduction in cocoa yields by up to 25%. This disruption threatens the supply chains for chocolate, likely raising prices for consumers in the U.S., particularly during festive seasons, given the crucial role cocoa plays in the Ivorian economy.
Disaster warning systems race to keep pace with galloping climate risks
Twice a day during the rainy season, Raquel Izarra climbs to the roof of her home in the eastern Lima suburb of Santa Ines Bajo and measures how much rain has fallen using a homemade gauge, before
US flags visa fraud involving sham staffing firms and fake student records, warns applicants
The US State Department has exposed multiple visa fraud schemes involving sham staffing companies, forged employment documents and fake academic records across several international jurisdictions. The cases include fraudulent recruitment of foreign workers, fabricated student exchange applications and falsified criminal records submitted by immigrant visa applicants.
Climate finance remains key friction point as COP31 opens in Turkiye's Antalya
COP31 commenced in Antalya, where climate finance was added to the agenda after negotiations. Developed countries opposed the proposal for a dedicated discussion on adaptation finance. Concerns were raised regarding the weakening trust among nations over the inclusion process. The African Group's suggestion for increased adaptation finance was notably rejected. As COP31 emphasizes implementation, delegates stressed that financial support is essential for achieving climate goals.
South Africa expands Electronic Travel Authorization to Indian travellers
South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization system now allows online visa applications for 53 countries including India. The new ETA system simplifies the visa process for eligible travellers and their families. Minors can now apply online, enhancing accessibility for younger visitors. The expansion aims to support tourism growth ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The transition from the eVisa system to ETA will be completed by December 1, 2026.

How a cancelled conference inspired Danny Manu to develop wireless earbuds that can translate speech, music in over 40 languages
A cancelled conference caused by a shortage of translators inspired Ghanaian-British inventor Danny Manu to develop wireless translation earbuds. He founded Mymanu in 2014 and launched CLIK in 2016. Its newer Orb earbuds offer real-time translation in more than 40 languages, alongside music and calling features.

‘Ocean freight rates will come down eventually, we have seen this before’: DP World COO
Global ocean freight rates are predicted to decrease after a surge due to logistical disruptions from the US-Iran conflict. DP World rerouted shipping routes through India to mitigate the impact on trade, showcasing the importance of Indian partnerships. Investment in Jebel Ali Free Zone increased significantly, with over 270 new Indian companies starting operations recently. Alternative routes were implemented for Indian cargo to bypass maritime bottlenecks, enhancing connectivity for trade.

World's largest climate summit COP31 opens as climate and geopolitical pressures mount
The UN climate talks are set to begin in Antalya, where rising temperatures create an urgent need for global cooperation. More than 100,000 attendees from nearly 200 countries are expected to discuss climate action and funding for developing nations. The ongoing geopolitical tensions complicate negotiations, especially regarding fossil fuel transitions. Additionally, developing countries are advocating for increased adaptation finance to combat climate impacts.

Deportation of wanted gangster Afridi secured after 10-month international manhunt
In a remarkable operation, Punjab Police has successfully extradited gangster Gurwinder Singh, known as Afridi, from Ethiopia after an extensive manhunt. Wanted for over 30 criminal cases, Afridi eluded capture using a fake passport. This international endeavor showcases the dedication of law enforcement agencies in uniting their efforts to dismantle organized crime, marking a significant win for public safety.

Climate finance, trade likely to be on COP31 table
COP31, scheduled to occur in Antalya from November 9-20, will address significant climate finance and trade issues. Discussions include the funding developed countries owe to developing nations for climate change adaptation. The African Group aims to formalize financial support strategies and assess funding needs for climate initiatives. Additionally, proposals regarding the impact of climate-related trade measures on developing countries have been put forward.

Asia Rice: Vietnam, Thai rice prices hit near two-year highs as India slips
Vietnam and Thailand are experiencing a dramatic rise in rice export prices, reaching their highest levels in almost two years. This surge is predominantly fueled by supply uncertainties and increasing demand, notably from the Philippines.

Middle East crude oil premiums tumble to pre-war levels amid ample supply
Middle Eastern crude exports have increased in September and October, leading to declining spot premiums. Dubai's cash premium to swaps fell to 65 cents a barrel before recovering slightly. Murban crude exports reached a record of 2.4 million barrels per day in September. Asian refiners have shown reduced purchasing interest due to cooling refining margins. Competition with West African crude is intensifying as sellers offer steeper discounts to attract buyers.

Airtel profit surges 33% to Rs 9,015 crore in Q2, outpacing Jio in ARPU growth
Bharti Airtel has reported a profit surge to ₹9,015 crore in the September quarter. Average revenue per user increased to ₹271, widening the lead over Reliance Jio. The company missed analyst profit estimates due to high network operating costs impacting margins. Bharti Airtel added 1.2 million postpaid customers during this quarter but faced subscriber growth challenges. Overall revenue rose 16.7% year-on-year, indicating strong performance despite competitive pressures.

Crazy economics gets a stop button
After the US midterm elections, stock futures show a positive reaction despite ongoing economic uncertainties. Trump's legislative agenda faces gridlock, impacting his trade and immigration policies significantly. The focus will shift to regulating AI, potentially stalling infrastructure growth in the US economy. India's position in trade negotiations may improve due to Trump's need for success overseas.

Who is Hakeem Jeffries? New York Democratic Congressman may become first Black speaker as outgoing House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson likely to start own company
House of Representative Hakeem S. Jeffries has been in the US Congress since 2013. Democratic leader is elected from New York, District 113th-119th. He has served seventh term in the United States Congress.

Coca-Cola HBC raises 2026 revenue growth forecast on strong demand
Coca-Cola HBC has upgraded its annual organic revenue growth outlook, driven by successful pricing strategies and heightened consumer demand. In the third quarter, the company achieved a notable 9% organic revenue growth, surpassing the anticipated 8%. This surge was propelled by effective promotional initiatives tied to the FIFA World Cup and increased summer demand.

Andreas Almgren: Swedish math master's graduate who quit his data scientist job, watched NYC Marathon last year and returned to win it on debut
Andreas Almgren went from watching the NYC Marathon as a spectator last year to winning it on his debut in 2026. The Swedish distance runner clocked 2:06:01, the third-fastest time in race history. A former financial analyst and data scientist, Almgren quit his job to focus on running full-time. He has studied for a master’s degree in mathematics.

In 2016, billionaire Jim Ratcliffe came up with the idea of building his own Land Rover rival at a London pub. How his love for African safaris led to a nearly $2 billion SUV project
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, founder of the chemical giant INEOS, loved the Land Rover Defender for safaris and adventures. After Land Rover ceased production, he sought to create his own off-roader. In 2016, over a beer at the Grenadier pub, he devised a plan for the INEOS Grenadier. This vehicle combines British design with German engineering and features unique safari windows.
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