Author: News Desk

London: The British government announced that the sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England starting June next year, aiming to address the environmental impact and rising usage rates among children. Vaping has surged in popularity in the UK over the past decade, with nearly one in ten adults reported to have purchased and used these products. While proponents argue that vapes can assist individuals in quitting smoking, health officials express concern that their vibrant designs and fruity flavours are particularly appealing to younger audiences. A 2024 survey conducted by the Health Charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)…

Manila: Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, has wreaked havoc across the Philippines, resulting in at least 26 fatalities and displacing over 150,000 individuals as it made landfall on the northeastern coast. The storm struck the main island of Luzon, unleashing heavy to torrential rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and landslides. With maximum sustained winds reaching 95 kph (59 mph), Trami is advancing westward across the mountainous northern region of Cordillera, heading towards the South China Sea, according to the latest bulletin from the state weather agency. Authorities warn of continued heavy to intense rainfall, which…

Washington: A troubling outbreak of E. coli infections tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches, with several people across the US falling ill has been reported by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raising concerns about food safety in the fast-food industry. CDC has confirmed 49 cases of E. coli across 10 states, with ten individuals hospitalised and one fatality linked to the outbreak. Most cases have been identified in western and Midwest states, with ages of affected individuals ranging from 13 to 88. The CDC is collaborating with McDonald’s and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify…

Los Angeles: A Boeing-built satellite, Intelsat 33e, has broken apart in geostationary orbit, resulting in at least 20 fragments. The satellite, which had been experiencing operational issues since its 2016 launch, faced a communication outage prior to the breakup event, though the exact cause remains unclear. The satellite’s operator, Intelsat, has confirmed the “total loss” of iS-33e, which has affected customers in Europe, Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat said that, “We are coordinating with the satellite manufacturer, Boeing, and government agencies to analyse data and observations.” Intelsat also says it has taken steps to complete “a comprehensive analysis”…

London: Britain and Germany will sign a landmark defence agreement, marking the first such bilateral pact between the two largest defence spenders of Europe. The ‘Trinity House Agreement’ aims to enhance military cooperation, with a focus on developing advanced weaponry and enhancing NATO capabilities on the eastern flank. The agreement, signed amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will strengthen both countries’ ability to conduct joint exercises and improve deterrence across Europe. A significant element of the pact is the development of next-generation deep-strike weapons, with greater range and accuracy than existing systems, such as the ‘Storm Shadow’…

New Delhi: The competition between two of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani, is intensifying as they gear up to compete in India’s satellite broadband market. The stakes rose further after the Indian government announced last week that satellite spectrum for broadband services would be allocated administratively rather than through auctions. Musk had previously criticized the auction model, which was backed by Ambani. Satellite broadband, which delivers internet access within the satellite’s coverage area, is particularly valuable for remote or rural regions where traditional services like DSL (which relies on telephone lines) or cable are unavailable. This…

Haryana, India: India’s rural landscape is undergoing a transformation as start-ups like STAGE create content tailored for local audiences. STAGE has turned farmers’ homes in Haryana into film sets, producing over 200 films since 2019. “Batta”, a high-octane drama about power and injustice, is just the latest in half-a-dozen movies under production in the area. STAGE makes content for largely under-served provincial audiences, keeping hyper-local tastes, dialectical quirks and the rural cultural syntax in mind. There are 19,500 different dialects in India, and STAGE has identified 18 that are spoken by a large enough population to merit their own film…

South Africa: A colossal meteorite, first identified in 2014, has been found to have caused a tsunami larger than any recorded in human history, boiling Earth’s oceans in the process, according to new research. The ancient space rock, named S2, was 200 times larger than the asteroid that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs, striking Earth when the planet was just three billion years old. To investigate the impact, a team of scientists, led by Professor Nadja Drabon from Harvard University, embarked on an expedition to the Eastern Barberton Greenbelt in South Africa. Equipped with sledgehammers, they chiseled off…

London: Paddington Bear – official name Paddington Brown – has been granted a British passport by the Home Office in a delightful nod to the character’s British heritage. This whimsical gesture comes just ahead of the release of his latest film, Paddington in Peru, scheduled for November 8, 2024. The passport features playful design elements that set it apart from standard UK passports, including unique fonts and humorous details. As an iconic figure in British culture, Paddington’s passport symbolizes not only his adventures but also the warmth and charm he brings to audiences worldwide. Fans are excited about his upcoming…

Kazan: As the BRICS summit convenes in Kazan, Russia seeks to emphasise the growing influence of the non-Western world, but faces mounting pressure from partners such as China, India, Brazil, and the Arab world to find a resolution to the war in Ukraine. BRICS: A Rising Global Force The BRICS bloc- representing 45 percent of the world’s population and 35 percent of global economic output (by purchasing power parity) showcases the shifting dynamics of global power, with China contributing more than half of the group’s economic strength. Russian President Vladimir Putin highlights that the group does not oppose the West…