International - The Purbottar

18 Oct

NASA to Launch First Crewed Mission to Mars by 2035

Mohini BarmanInternational

NASA has announced its ambitious plan to send the first humans to Mars by 2035, marking a major milestone in human space exploration. The project, under the “Artemis to Mars” program, aims to build on the success of lunar missions and establish a permanent human presence on the Red Planet. According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, the agency is working closely with international partners such as the European Space Agency and private companies like SpaceX. The upcoming Artemis IV mission will play a key role in testing long-duration space travel systems. Scientists believe the Mars mission will unlock answers about…

17 Oct

IMF Warns Debt Levels Will Return to Post-War Peaks

Mohini BarmanInternational

The IMF has warned that global government debt is on track to reach 100% of global GDP by 2029—the highest level seen since the aftermath of World War II. In its latest Fiscal Monitor Report, the IMF cites long-term spending pressures—climate response, healthcare, aging populations, and infrastructure—compounded by reluctance to raise taxes in politically sensitive environments. Many advanced economies including the U.S., UK, France, Japan, and Canada are forecast to exceed or approach this 100% threshold. Meanwhile, emerging and low-income countries face fiscal stress even with comparatively lower debt ratios. The IMF criticized the sluggishness of debt restructuring mechanisms such…

17 Oct

MI5 Reveals Surge in Espionage and Terror Activity from Russia, Iran, China

Mohini BarmanInternational

MI5 Director General Ken McCallum delivered a stark warning during a 2025 address, stating that the UK is facing a rapidly increasing threat from hostile states including Russia, Iran, and China, as well as from organized terror groups. McCallum revealed that state threat investigations have risen by 35% over recent years. He accused these nations of employing covert tactics such as surveillance, cyber espionage, and political influence operations. The United Kingdom has attributed several operations to Russia’s Wagner Group and espionage by China targeting academia and dissidents abroad. He also flagged 20+ Iran-linked plots that were disrupted, along with multiple…

14 Oct

IATA Projects Massive Cost Surge Across Global Aviation Industry

Mohini BarmanInternational

Global airlines are bracing for a colossal supply-chain cost burden in 2025—estimated at over US$11 billion—according to a joint report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and consultants Oliver Wyman. The additional costs are driven by a confluence of factors: persistent disruptions in the supply chain, rising fuel expenses, parts shortages, maintenance delays, and the need to stockpile spare inventory. Of the $11 billion total, about $4.2 billion is attributed to extra fuel usage because many older aircraft must remain in service longer than planned. Some $3.1 billion comes from increased maintenance costs, $2.6 billion from leased engines to…

13 Oct

Beijing Hosts High-Level Meeting to Mark 30 Years Since 1995 Conference

Mohini BarmanInternational

China and UN Women will co-host the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women, bringing together heads of state, ministers, and senior representatives to reflect on 30 years since the 1995 Beijing Declaration. The summit aims to galvanize renewed global commitment toward gender equality, address structural challenges, and set an agenda for the coming decade. Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a keynote address. Agenda topics include women’s economic empowerment, gender-based violence, political representation, health access, and intersectional justice. The event emphasizes that while progress has been made, many goals remain unmet or backsliding under rising secular and authoritarian trends. For Chinese…

11 Oct

Historic Near-Earth Passage Observed Over South Pole

Mohini BarmanInternational

October 2025, the meter-sized asteroid 2025 TF passed just 428±7 km above the surface of Antarctica — one of the closest near-Earth flybys ever recorded. Though it posed no danger, the event offers scientists a rare opportunity to study asteroid dynamics at close range. Observatories and radar stations in the Southern Hemisphere mobilized to collect data. The event was part of ongoing research into near-Earth objects (NEOs) and planetary defense. It underscores how even small space objects can come astonishingly close to Earth. For science media worldwide, the story is a compelling space event. For South Asian science outlets (Nepal,…

10 Oct

UK Signs £350 Million Missile Deal with India

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Kingdom has inked a £350 million (≈ $468 million) contract to supply India with lightweight multirole missiles manufactured by Thales in Northern Ireland. The deal was announced during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to India and is seen as a cornerstone of an expanded defense-industrial partnership. It is expected to secure around 700 jobs in the Thales factory and underpin further arms cooperation between the two nations. In addition, the UK and India advanced a naval collaboration, signing a follow-on agreement for electric-powered ship engines, reflecting deepening military ties in the Indo-Pacific. Indian officials described the arrangement…

09 Oct

G20’s Cross-Border Payments Goals Likely to Miss 2027 Target

Mohini BarmanInternational

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) stated that the G20’s goal to make cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and more transparent by 2027 is likely to be missed. When first set in 2021, the targets included bringing average retail payment costs to 1% and ensuring 75% of payments are settled within an hour. But infrastructure complexity, regulatory differences, and coordination hurdles are hampering progress. Some improvements in settlement speed have occurred, but many users are still charged high fees and face opaque processes. The FSB report suggests the G20 may need to extend its deadline or set new benchmarks. Meanwhile, innovations like…

09 Oct

UN Cuts 25% of Peacekeeping Force Amid U.S. Budget Cuts

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Nations has announced a dramatic 25 % reduction in its global peacekeeping presence, which will see 13,000–14,000 troops pulled from missions across more than 50 countries. This decision follows sharp cuts in U.S. funding—from $1 billion down to $680 million—as part of the Trump administration’s broader “America First” budget retrenchment. UN Secretary-General António Guterres defended the move, noting that peacekeeping has historically been one of the most cost-effective mechanisms for conflict prevention. However, several missions in Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, and Somalia will be impacted, and over 60 UN offices are slated for staffing cuts up to 20…

08 Oct

WTO Warns U.S. Tariffs Could Cut Goods Trade Expansion

Mohini BarmanInternational

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a stark warning that global goods trade growth will decelerate significantly in 2026, falling to just 0.5%, largely due to escalating tariffs imposed by the U.S. under the Trump administration. The jump in U.S. tariff rates—now nearing 17%, the highest since the 1930s—has created broad policy uncertainty. Many countries have refrained from retaliatory measures thus far, helping cushion the immediate blow. Still, the WTO projects that 2025 trade growth in goods will fare better at 2.4%, boosted by pre-tariff stockpiling in the U.S., robust AI-sector demand, and increased trade among emerging markets. While…