The upcoming council elections in the London Borough of Hounslow, particularly in the Hounslow West Ward, mark a significant and proud moment for the Goan community in the United Kingdom. Three candidates with Indian roots are set to contest the elections under the banner of the Conservative Party, led nationally by former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The candidates include Alister C. Desa, originally from Vasco, Goa; Vivek Ganachari, hailing from Colva, Goa; and Parinoor Kaur, who traces her roots to Punjab. Their participation reflects the growing representation and political engagement of the Indian diaspora, particularly the Goan community, in UK local governance.
Hounslow West is one of London’s most diverse wards, with a strong presence of South Asian communities. The entry of Goan-origin candidates into the electoral fray underscores the community’s increasing role in shaping civic leadership and local decision-making.
Community leaders and residents have welcomed the development, viewing it as a step forward in representation, inclusion, and visibility for Goans living abroad. As the elections approach, all eyes will be on Hounslow West, where local issues, community development, and public services will take centre stage.
Washington, January 15, 2026: President Donald Trump received the Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, in what both described as a symbolic gesture of mutual respect and gratitude.
Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy and a peaceful transition in Venezuela, presented the medal as a thank-you for what she termed Trump’s “unique commitment with our freedom,” referring to U.S. actions and diplomatic support against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
President Trump later acknowledged the gesture on his social media platform, describing it as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” and expressing appreciation for Machado’s leadership and resolve.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has reiterated that while a physical medal may change hands, the Nobel Peace Prize itself is non-transferable. The official laureate status and title remain solely with Machado, as per Nobel Foundation rules.
The meeting also highlighted ongoing debates surrounding Venezuela’s political future. While Trump has previously expressed doubts about Machado’s leadership prospects, the interaction underscored continued engagement between the Venezuelan opposition and U.S. political leadership.
The unusually public presentation of a Nobel medal at the White House has drawn global attention, reinforcing the symbolic — rather than official — nature of the gesture.
Spain is poised to witness a historic transition as Princess Leonor, the 20-year-old daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, prepares to become the country’s first Queen Regnant in 150 years. Her ascension will mark a significant milestone for the Spanish monarchy, with the last reigning queen being Isabella II, whose rule ended in 1868.
The Spanish crown has been held by the Bourbon dynasty since the early 18th century, following their victory in the War of the Spanish Succession. After decades under General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, the monarchy was restored in 1975 with King Juan Carlos I, who played a central role in Spain’s transition to democracy. He abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son, King Felipe VI, placing Princess Leonor next in line to the throne.
King Felipe married Queen Letizia, a former journalist, in 2004. She became queen at the age of 42 when Felipe ascended the throne. The royal couple has two daughters — Princess Leonor, born in 2005 and heir to the throne, and Infanta Sofia, born in 2007.
As part of her preparation for future leadership, Spanish law requires the heir to the throne to undergo comprehensive military training across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Princess Leonor completed her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales before beginning her military journey in August 2023 with Army training in Zaragoza, joining a cohort of over 500 cadets.
In 2024, she transitioned to naval training in Galicia and embarked on a 140-day, 17,000-mile voyage aboard the historic training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano. Serving as part of the crew, she sailed across the Atlantic, around South America and onward to New York, later spending time aboard the warship Blas de Lezo before returning to Cadiz in July.
Her training continued with the Air Force, where in December 2025 she completed her first solo flight in a Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, becoming the first female member of the Spanish royal family to achieve this milestone. During her time at the Air and Space Academy in San Javier, Murcia, she received a warm reception and is now set to be honoured with the Gold Medal of the Region of Murcia, the region’s highest civilian award.
Fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Arabic and Mandarin, Princess Leonor represents a modern, globally aware monarchy. Her journey reflects a careful balance between tradition and transformation, positioning her as a symbol of continuity and change as Spain prepares to welcome its first reigning queen in over a century and a half.
Saudi Arabia has made a major breakthrough in its mining sector with the discovery of 7.8 million ounces of gold across four different sites, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing role in the global minerals and resources landscape.
The discovery aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil by unlocking the potential of the mining and minerals sector. Authorities have identified the gold reserves at multiple locations, signalling strong prospects for expanded exploration and long-term commercial development.
Mining has emerged as a strategic pillar for Saudi Arabia, with gold playing a key role in strengthening national revenue streams and attracting foreign investment. The newly discovered reserves are expected to contribute significantly to employment generation, regional development, and industrial growth.
Officials have indicated that advanced exploration techniques and geological surveys were instrumental in identifying the reserves. Further assessments and feasibility studies are expected to determine extraction timelines and production capacity.
The discovery adds momentum to Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global mining hub, positioning the Kingdom as a key player in precious metals production while enhancing economic resilience and sustainability.
As global demand for gold remains strong amid economic uncertainty, the discovery underscores Saudi Arabia’s expanding influence in international commodity markets and marks a significant milestone in its long-term economic transformation journey.
Iran’s national currency, the Iranian rial, has plunged to historic lows amid mounting economic pressure, soaring inflation, and prolonged geopolitical challenges. The sharp depreciation has pushed the rial’s value against major global currencies to levels that are now considered among the weakest in the world.
In euro terms, one Iranian rial is now worth only a minuscule fraction, effectively nearing zero when expressed in everyday financial comparisons. While not literally worthless, the collapse in value underscores how severely inflation and currency devaluation have eroded purchasing power inside the country.
The decline has been driven by a combination of economic sanctions, reduced oil revenues, limited access to foreign exchange, and persistent inflation, which has placed immense pressure on households and businesses alike. Everyday essentials have become increasingly expensive, savings have lost value, and financial uncertainty continues to rise.
The currency collapse has also had social repercussions, triggering widespread public frustration and concern over the cost of living. Despite various government efforts, including discussions around currency reforms and structural adjustments, economic stability remains elusive.
Economists warn that without significant policy changes, improved international trade access, and inflation control, the rial’s weakened position could persist, further straining Iran’s economy and the daily lives of its citizens.
