The Rose Field takes Philip Pullman’s ‘Dust’ to its philosophical conclusions

The Rose Field, the third and final volume in Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust trilogy is finally in the hands of his readers. This trilogy accompanies Pullman’s earlier series, His Dark Materials, and tells stories that happen both before and after those original books. Both trilogies follow Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon – […]

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President Trump and Xi Agree to Cut China Tariffs to 47% in Landmark Deal

United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have struck a deal to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports to 47%, a move aimed at easing trade tensions and stabilizing global markets after years of strained economic relations. Breakthrough in Busan The agreement was reached during a high-profile meeting in Busan, South Korea, on […]

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US Offers Humanitarian Aid to Cuba in Wake of Hurricane Melissa

The United States has announced it is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian aid to Cuba following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms to hit the Caribbean in recent decades. Hurricane’s Impact Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean earlier this week as a Category 5 storm with winds of up to […]

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Virgin Trains Wins Approval to Challenge Eurostar in Channel Tunnel Train Service

Virgin Trains has cleared a major hurdle in its bid to launch cross-Channel services, after Britain’s rail regulator approved its application to share Eurostar’s London depot — a move that could end Eurostar’s three-decade monopoly and deliver greater choice for passengers. Regulator’s Decision On 30 October 2025, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) confirmed […]

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‘Blood on the sand. Blood on the hands’: UN decries world’s failure as Sudan’s El Fasher falls

Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, the UN’s top relief official Tom Fletcher said “women and girls are being raped, people being mutilated and killed – with utter impunity,” adding: “We cannot hear the screams, but – as we sit here today – the horror is continuing.” After overrunning the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) last […]

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Cameroon Election Crisis: Tchiroma Rejects Biya’s Victory, Threatened with Legal Action

Disputed Results and Opposition Defiance Cameroon’s political crisis deepened after opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary rejected the official results of the 12 October 2025 presidential election, vowing to resist until “final victory” against President Paul Biya. The Constitutional Council declared Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, extending his rule into a 49th year, […]

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African Continental Brief: Business, Tech, Geopolitics, Security and Human Rights – October 30, 2025

Business South Africa pushes export diversificationAt a trade symposium in Midrand, South Africa announced plans to expand its export footprint beyond traditional partners. Buyers from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi engaged with South African firms in sectors ranging from agro-processing to ICT, underscoring the urgency of intra-African trade growth tralac trade law centre. Nigeria’s […]

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Ireland: Minister for Justice Allocates €4.4 Million from Crime Proceeds to 42 Community Projects

Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has announced the allocation of €4.4 million from the proceeds of crime to 42 community safety projects nationwide, marking the largest distribution yet under the Community Safety Fund. Redirecting Crime Proceeds to Communities The Community Safety Fund, established in 2022, channels assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and […]

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UK Government Confirms £55 Billion R&D Boost to Drive Innovation and Economic Growth

The UK government has confirmed a record £55 billion investment in research and development (R&D), aimed at accelerating scientific breakthroughs, driving economic growth, and strengthening the country’s global leadership in innovation. The funding, announced on 30 October 2025, will run through to 2029/30 and represents the largest-ever commitment by the Department for Science, Innovation and […]

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U.S. Stands Ready to Help the Cuban People

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation of eastern Cuba, the Trump Administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs. As in neighboring Caribbean countries, the Department is issuing a Declaration of Humanitarian Need for Cuba and is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and via local […]

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