Around The world

GT keeps the newswire ticking by bringing you news from around the globe

UK
Szalay bags Booker

David Szalay has been named the 2025 Booker Prize winner for his novel ‘Flesh’, which follows the rise of an emotionally detached man from a public-housing estate in Hungary to the ultra-rich world of London. Judges hailed it as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘unlike any other book’. The novel earned Szalay the £50,000 prize and marks the 10th win for publisher Jonathan Cape. Szalay, previously shortlisted in 2016, was praised for his spare prose and emotional depth. He beat Kiran Desai who was among the six finalists for ‘The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny’.

CANADA
Measles-free no more

Canada has officially lost its measles-elimination status after more than a year of continuous viral spread, according to Pan American Health Organization. The country has recorded over 5,100 measles cases in 2025 and two infant deaths, both born prematurely after prenatal exposure. Vaccination coverage has slipped below the required 95% threshold to maintain “herd immunity.” Authorities have ramped up immunisations and surveillance.

INDIA
Deadly Delhi blast

On November 10, 2025, a car exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort, killing 13 people and injuring more than 20. The blast occurred in a moving Hyundai i20 that had paused at a traffic signal outside the adjacent metro station, damaging nearby vehicles and sparking a large fire. Authorities have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, handed over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and declared it a terror incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed that the ‘conspirators’ will be brought to justice. Several suspects have been taken into the custody.

USA
Aerial bear hunt faces heat

Alaska’s wildlife agency has been sued by environmental groups over a predator-control programme that allows bears to be shot from helicopters. The programme is aimed at protecting the shrinking Mulchatna caribou herd - now below 15,000 - from bear attacks. However, activists say that the ‘unconstitutional’ measure lacks scientific basis. According to them, 180 bears have been killed since 2023.

GERMANY
OpenAI loses copyright case

A Munich court has ruled that OpenAI’s ChatGPT violated copyright law by using protected German-song lyrics to train its AI models and reproducing them verbatim. The verdict, in the case brought by a German music-rights society that represents 100,000+ creators, may set a precedent for AI regulation across Europe. OpenAI, which could appeal, has been ordered to pay damages and obtain licences in the future.

GHANA
Asante treasures reclaimed

Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has received over 130 gold and bronze artefacts from Britain and South Africa, many looted more than a century ago. The treasures – royal regalia, drums, and ceremonial gold weights – were handed to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi. The return of these goods marks a significant milestone in global efforts toward cultural restitution and the restoration of Asante heritage.

CHINA
First robot debate

Beijing witnessed the one-of-its-kind debate where robots faced off in a battle of wits that had no human intervention. The inaugural China International Robotics Debate Competition saw four robot teams debate on topics requiring complex reasoning. Xiaonuo, from Noetix Robotics, won the top prize by tactfully arguing the statement ‘robot would dominate humans’. The robots were judged on logic, language and adaptability.