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US eyes troop ‘flexibility’, increased defence spending in South Korea

By in News, World News
by news organizations

South Korea and the United States’ military alliance have been discussed by the defense secretary of the United States.

Pete Hegseth, who is also on a trip that included a trip to North Korea’s demilitarized zone, praised Seoul’s plans to increase defense spending on Tuesday and confirmed that US troops stationed in South Korea could face regional threats.

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Hegseth claimed that the 28,500 US soldiers stationed in South Korea could be used in international conflicts, including those involving China, but the alliance’s main objective is to avoid nuclear-armed North Korea.

Hegseth remarked while addressing his South Korean counterpart, Ahn Gyu-back, that “there’s no doubt that flexibility for regional contingency is something we would look at.”

In response to a wide range of issues, including defending Taiwan or expanding China’s military presence, US officials have indicated plans to expand US forces.

South Korea, which has 450 000 soldiers, opposes the idea that US troops might play a different role. In order to take on a combined US-South Korean force’s command during a war, it has also worked to expand its defense capabilities.

increased budget

Hegseth noted that South Korea had been discussing increasing military investments and that the two nations were still working on a joint statement to address defense costs.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced significant increases in defense and AI spending in a Tuesday parliamentary address.

Lee predicted that the defense budget for the upcoming year will increase by 8.2% to 66.3 trillion won ($46 billion), the largest increase in six years.

With a funding of 10.1 trillion won ($7 billion) to support “a major transformation aimed at propelling South Korea into the top three AI powers,” along with the US and China, the nation will also triple its spending on artificial intelligence.

The budget plan totals 728 trillion won ($510 billion), an 8% increase over the previous year’s total.

According to Hegseth, the pair has also agreed to have South Korea maintain and repair US ships, allowing them to remain in the area and be prepared if necessary.

The US official, who declined to provide more information, also suggested that President Donald Trump would support South Korea’s plans to build nuclear submarines.

Prince William Plays Football, Volleyball In Rio On Climate Trip

By in News, sport-news

Prince William, who is currently in Rio de Janeiro, enjoyed the charms of Rio de Janeiro while participating in the COP30 climate summit this week, playing football with Brazil’s Cafu and volleyball with Cafu.

The future king’s first trip to Brazil&nbsp is centered on his annual Earthshot Prize, which awards one million pounds ($1.3 million) to five ground-breaking initiatives that address environmental threats.

The 43-year-old heir has long advocated for climate change and natural resources, and he will address world leaders this week at the UN climate talks on behalf of his father King Charles III.

Also read: Youre Kidding! &nbsp! Aston Villa Superstitions Revealed by Prince William

After Andrew, the king’s younger brother, was stripped of his title and sent to his home because of his connections to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his trip to Rio distances him from the scandal embroiling the royal family.

The futuristic king traveled by cable car up the renowned Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain), where Mayor Eduardo Paes gave him the city’s keys, against a stunning backdrop of lush green hills and beaches.

On November 3, 2025, Prince William, Prince of Wales, and children from social projects at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, play football together. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO/AFP)

The prince and Paes spoke about Rio’s dramatic landscapes, which include favelas clunging to forested hilltops that plunge into the ocean, and that the prince was “amazed by the beauty of the city.”

We discussed politics,” he said. He inquired a lot about the favelas and the more prosperous areas, and we discussed the landscape of Rio.

Rio de Janeiro’s infamous police raid on a powerful criminal group left 121 people dead last week, exposing the city’s ongoing security issues, and William’s visit comes as Rio de Janeiro is still reeling from its bloodiest-ever visit.

“I made an effort to explain the city’s security problems to him.” It’s obvious that it’s much deeper than something you can explain in a five-minute sentence. But it gave me a good reason to explain,” Paes remarked.

“I hope you guys,” I say.

After that, Cafu, the 2002 World Cup winner, took William to Rio’s iconic Maracana Stadium, Brazil’s “temple of football,” to give him the Brazil jersey.

The prince referred to Brazil’s five World Cup victories as “there’s a lot of stars here.”

Prince William (C), the Prince of Wales, gets ready to film the “Community Football” event with kids from social projects at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium on November 3, 2025. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO/AFP)

After he and Cafu worked together later to play on the field against one another, William conducted drills with the kids and successfully converted a penalty kick.

In addition, William discussed climate leadership through his Generation Earthshot program with young people from Brazil, South Africa, and Asia who are gathered in Rio to train skills to lead the way.

We require a little more grit. You guys must keep that fire going, guys. We will wait a long time if we don’t find good leaders. After questioning young people about the issues their communities face and the initiatives they are engaged in to save the planet, William said, “You guys are my hope.”

Brazilian popstar Anitta, Kylie Minogue, Shawn Mendes, and three-time Grammy winner Seu Jorge will take the stage before the ceremony’s “green carpet,” which will be held on Wednesday.

On November 3, 2025, the British Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Brazilian first responder lifeguards meet at Copacabana Beach. (Photo by Daniel RAMALHO/AFP)

William made a memorable trip to Rio de la Frontera Beach, where he met lifeguards who showed him how to perform rescues on one of the world’s most popular beaches, which is prone to dangerous currents, using helicopters and jet skis.

In a volleyball match, he then removed his shoes and swung around the sand.

NYC mayoral election: Candidates, polls, results and what’s at stake

By in News, World News

In a race that has sparked national debate and sparked interest from around the world, New Yorkers, the largest city in the country, will elect a new mayor on Tuesday.

Former governor Andrew Cuomo, a 34-year-old state assembly democratic socialist who surprised many with his victory in the Democratic Party’s primary in June, is running as an independent after losing the Democratic nomination. Other candidates for the election are republican Curtis Sliwa.

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What we know is as follows:

What’s going on Tuesday?

Voters on both US coasts will cast ballots in a number of elections, including those for the New York City mayor’s race and the California redistricting measure.

The New York mayoral election, however, has attracted the most attention among these electoral debates.

Who are the NYC candidates?

Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa are the three front-runners.

Zohran Mamdani

The Democratic nominee’s campaign promises to support affordability, which includes a $30 raise for the hourly minimum wage, universal childcare, and affordable transportation. With nearly 370, 000 early ballots already cast, and he is an immigrant, a Muslim, and a democratic socialist, his popularity has increased significantly in the election. He is also appealing to young voters.

Mamdani was born in Uganda, having Indian parents. He will be the first mayor of South Asian descent, the first to be elected, and the first to be of Muslim descent.

Andrew Cuomo

Cuomo served as governor of New York state from 2011 to 2021, and resigned after a state investigation found that 13 women had committed sexual harassment. He won the Democratic primary against Mamdani (56% to 44%), but he continued to run as an independent.

Curtis Sliwa

Sliwa, a 71-year-old, has resisted being pressured to drop out of the race because he fears he could splinter the anti-Mamdani vote. He became well-known for his signature red beret and led the volunteer crime-fighting organization, the Guardian Angels, which was well known for its thorough surveillance of the New York subway system.

Who is the pollsters’ leader?

Democratic nominee Mamdani holds the most popular lead in the mayoral race with a 46.1 percent lead, giving him a 29.8-point lead over Sliwa and a 14.3-point advantage over Cuomo (31.8%).

Late on Monday, Elon Musk and Donald Trump, the US president, backed Cuomo. It’s uncertain whether that significant, last-minute support will affect voter sentiment.

INTERACTIVE New York City mayor poll Mamdani Cuomo-1762244224

What time does New York’s election season begin and end?

Voting will start at 6 a.m. local time (11:00 GMT) on November 4 and continue until 9 p.m. (02:00 GMT on November 5).

From October 25 to November 2, early voting took place.

When will the results be available?

Mayoral races in New York typically start out quickly.

The outcome may take longer because two candidates are competing for the support of the city’s largely Democratic electorates this time.

The 2021 mayoral election quickly came to an end, with Democrat Eric Adams being declared the winner shortly after the polls closed.

Interactive_NYC_Mayor_Oct30_2025-VOTING

What are the main concerns and threats?

Picking a new mayor is a particularly crucial decision because the US city is the most diverse city in the country and is known for its culture and business.

The country’s future has been the subject of more significant national debates in the US, including those in New York’s election campaigns.

Among the important points are:

Living expenses: One of the city’s most difficult housing markets in a long time. Only 14 out of every 1, 000 housing units in the city were unoccupied in 2023, and the city’s vacancy rate was 1.41 percent, which means that only 9.2% of all rental housing was deemed “overcrowded” by the city’s authorities. In 2024, fewer housing permits were issued than in 2023.

Due to this, affordability and cost of housing are in high demand. New York is the most expensive urban hub in the US to live in after the slate of California cities.

Most of us are employed multiple jobs and are unable to pay rent, according to city voter Tom Grabher.

Law and order: In 2023, serious crimes committed in the city, including murder, decreased from their 17-year high. Lower-level crimes like shoplifting, which are still higher than those committed before the COVID-19 pandemic, raise public concerns about safety and disorder.

Migration: From its long history as a gateway for immigrants to the recent influx of asylum seekers, critics claim that this has put new strains on the city’s resources.

Israel and Gaza: A major factor in this race is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza and the city’s large Jewish and Muslim populations.

What has Trump said about the race?

Trump, a former New Yorker, has threatened to arrest Mamdani, deport him, and take control of the city if he wins the mayoral election. He has been a campaign aide.

Trump urged the city’s voters to support Cuomo on his Truth Social platform on Monday, saying they had “no choice” but to support the former governor.

Trump put roughly $ 18 billion in federal funds on hold after the government’s shutdown in October, despite recovering $ 187 million in security funding from New York. If Mamdani wins, Trump has threatened to withhold more federal funding for the city.

What other elections are taking place?

Governor of Virginia

Virginia, a state next to Washington, DC, has been the subject of Trump’s recent government shutdown and spending cuts.

Republican Lieutenant-Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger square off.

Governor of New Jersey

The governor’s race in New Jersey has been centered on affordability-related issues. Republicans are hopeful that Trump’s gaining state support will result in a surprise victory even though Democrats have a majority of the vote. Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman, and Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill are in a fight.

California

Doha declaration ‘booster shot for development’ amid global uncertainty: UN

By in News, World News
Doha, Qatar: The UN’s head claims that a declaration of intent to combat growing global inequality is a “booster shot for development.”

The Doha Political Declaration was announced by the UN General Assembly’s Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar.

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According to her, “strong societies require social development and inclusion, and the declaration must place a priority on people-first principles” and put “end social injustice and guarantee dignity for everyone.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged world leaders to unite behind the “bold people’s plan” in a keynote address.

He told the delegations, “It’s unconscionable that nearly 700 million people still live in extreme poverty while the richest 1% of the world’s wealth is almost a tonne.”

“Almost four billion people do not have any form of social protection at all,” writes the statement.

The Second World Summit for Social Development is attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.

The summit in Doha, the capital of Qatar, was set up to advance the development objectives set by the Copenhagen Summit of the previous 30 years.

Around 40 heads of state, 170 ministerial-level representatives, NGOs’ heads, and 14, 000 delegates from different countries were scheduled to show up, according to the UN.

The declaration calls for commitments in a number of fields, including climate action, access to “decent work,” social integration, gender equality, and poverty eradication.

Guterres praised the advancements made over the past three decades.

“Over one billion people have fled extreme poverty. Unemployment is at a nearly unprecedented level. The scope of social protection, education, and healthcare has dramatically increased. Children and maternal mortality are declining, and people live longer. Additionally, he claimed that more girls are enrolling in schools and that all students’ graduation rates are rising.

He argued that more difficulties must be overcome, citing the Second World Summit’s “emerging at a time of high global uncertainty, divisions, conflicts, and widespread human suffering.”

He warned that “developing countries are not receiving the support they need.” We aren’t moving quickly enough to stop the volatility and total destruction caused by warming the planet.

stability and peace

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, opened the event by urging continued support for the Palestinians in the wake of Israel’s two-year occupation of Gaza.

Without peace and stability, he said, adding that only “constant peace, not temporary settlements, is just peace.”

He demanded that more money be given to rebuilding, adding that “it goes without saying that the Palestinian people need all forms of aid to be able to recover from the devastation” caused by “the apartheid system in Palestine.”

According to the UN, Gaza reconstruction will require more than $70 billion.

Later, Guterres addressed reporters on the sidelines and stated that the enclave’s continued violations of the ceasefire were “deeply concerning.”

He rebuffed the demands of “their actions must stop, and all parties must adhere to the terms of the peace agreement’s initial phase.”

The emir also denounced Sudan’s war crimes.

Alcaraz and Anisimova to return to Queen’s in 2026

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty

Next year, Amanda Anisimova and six-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz will compete against each other at Queen’s.

Alcaraz, the second-ranked Spaniard, has won two of the previous three tournaments.

Meanwhile, world number four Anisimova made history playing grass tennis for the first time since 1973 when she made her debut at Queen’s.

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, both of whom lost to Alcaraz and American Anisimova, both lost to each other in the Wimbledon singles final this year.

The men’s tournament will take place from June 13 to June 21, while the women’s tournament will take place from June 6 through June 14.

Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and US Open champion, said, “Queen’s is a very special tournament for me and one I look forward to every year.”

I couldn’t have asked for a better week, and it was incredible to win the title again in front of the incredible crowds in London.

It will be difficult to come back as the defending champion in front of these elite players, but I’m eager to go out there and fight for the title once more.

In the men’s final, Alcaraz defeated Jiri Lehecka in three sets, which was watched by a whopping 1,715,000 viewers on the BBC.

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David Beckham knighthood LIVE: Victoria name change to brutal family snub

By in Entertainment News, News
Sir David Beckham, arise. After a number of near misses, former England captain and legend of Manchester United, David Beckham will receive his long-awaited knighthood today.

After being chosen in the King’s Birthday Honours list, the 50-year-old sports icon will be honored at Windsor Castle for his contributions to sport and charity.

11: 17Jamie Roberts

Becks’ tax evasion nightmare

The infamous “tax evasion” scandal, which rocked him and other celebrities in 2007 when they invested in a film company that was raised by HMRC as a tax evasion scheme, may have hindered his knighthood dream in the past.

More than 1, 000 people who had invested in the Ingenious scheme also lost out in a legal fight ten years later, including Beckham and Wayne Rooney, in an effort to overturn a £700m tax bill. Ingenious contributed to the creation of films like Avatar and was also eligible for tax breaks that would support the UK film industry.

HMRC claimed Ingenious sought tax relief from its films after claiming it would provide tax haven to those who made investments in their schemes. 1,400 people were left with significant bills as a result of the tax tribunal’s decision to recoup the avoided tax from 2016 on top of its 2016 decision.

10: 57Jamie Roberts

Becks will receive a knighthood where?

After being summoned, David Beckham will take over Windsor Castle as a sir.

This summer, he will receive recognition for his contributions to sport and charity.

10: 36KEY EVENT

Victoria’s special gift to David prior to becoming a knight

Apparently, proud wife Victoria gave her main man a unique present in advance of his lavish celebrations.

Posh, a fashion icon, is said to have designed the outfit for the father of four, and he is said to be “extremely happy” with the result.

Victoria’s first garment for her husband is a tuxedo.

A couple’s friend once said, “David teases Victoria by never wearing any clothes.” So, Victoria made the decision to schedule David’s big day at Windsor in the spring when they learned that the day would come to an end in Windsor.

She knew it would take time, but Victoria knew the timing of the investiture would be a long shot because she had never done anything similar before.

(WireImage/Samir Hussein)
10: 14Jamie Roberts

Victoria’s response to David following the knighthood

Victoria Beckham, the ex-Spice Girls singer, has expressed her “could not be prouder” of her husband David Beckham’s knighthood.

Lady Beckham wrote, “You’ve always been my knight in shining armor, but now it’s official,” in a post posted on Instagram on Saturday. Dear David Beckham, !

“What a honor, I’m not more proud of you,” I said. Your commitment to the things that matter most, including your family, your job, your passions, and most importantly, your country, has never faltered.

You have touched so many lives with kindness and humility over the years, which speaks volumes about the character of the man you are and continues to inspire us every day.

09: 56Jamie Roberts

Why did Beck lose his chance to become a knight?

After several contentious emails were leaked years prior, Manchester United legend David Beckham reportedly lost out on a chance to receive the knighthood.

Without a flurry of contentious emails allegedly sent from the star to his long-standing PR Simon Oliveira, the Inter Miami co-owner would have had his sir’ moniker far earlier.

According to reports, the star was given the all-clear to be knighted in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. However, it wasn’t due to the emails that were sent in 2017.

(Getty Images)
09: 56Jamie Roberts

Victoria in changing names, but kids are missing out.

The name of David will change as well. A new title will also be given to his wife Victoria.

Lady Beckham replaces the former Spice Girl, who already holds an OBE of her own.

However, Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal commentator and former editor of The International Who’s Who, claims that their children won’t be affected.

Richard cautions against this: “A knighthood is not hereditary, so his children will not gain any direct benefit from it, but they will or should be proud of him nonetheless.”

(Getty Images)
09: 56KEY EVENT

Becks is being knighted, but why?

Becks has been anticipating this for more than ten years. He is now finally prepared to be crowned Sir David.

But why does the former sports star receive such a commendation? Following the official release of the King’s Birthday Honours List, the 50-year-old’s fate was finally revealed.

Becks’ knighthood is also recognized for his charitable and athletic contributions.

(Getty Images)