Author: News Desk

Washington: United States President Joe Biden has issued a full pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, ahead of his sentencing for gun and tax-related convictions. The decision marks a significant reversal of Biden’s earlier pledge not to use presidential clemency powers for his son. In a statement released by the White House, Biden said Hunter had been “singled out” and subjected to “selective and unfair” prosecution due to his family name. “In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me. Enough is enough,” Biden declared, defending his controversial decision as a necessary step against what he called a miscarriage…

Geneva: On World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Saima Wazed, has emphasised the urgent need for global commitment to combat HIV/AIDS, calling on leaders and citizens to address the inequalities that continue to hinder progress in the fight against the disease. Under this year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path,” Wazed stressed the importance of ensuring that people living with HIV have access to essential healthcare free from stigma and discrimination. “A rights-based approach is not just a strategy; it is a commitment to upholding the dignity and health of every individual, especially those…

Malaysia: Devastating flooding caused by heavy rains in Malaysia and neighbouring Thailand has claimed at least 12 lives and displaced over 135,000 people. As storm warnings remain in effect, the toll is expected to rise. In northern Malaysia, more than 122,000 people have been forced from their homes, with the worst-hit area being the northeastern state of Kelantan. In Thailand, southern provinces have also been severely affected, with around 13,000 people displaced. Disaster officials in Thailand report that nearly 534,000 households in six southern provinces have been impacted, while Malaysia has also seen widespread evacuations. The flooding, which began earlier…

London, UK: MPs in England and Wales have voted in favor of a bill to legalize assisted dying, marking a historic step toward changing the law. In the first vote on this issue in nearly ten years. The bill was approved with a majority of 55, receiving 330 votes in favor and 275 against. The proposal allows terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less to request assistance in ending their lives, provided they meet strict criteria, including approval from two doctors and a High Court judge. Following a deeply emotional debate, campaigners celebrated outside Parliament,…

Sriharikota, India: Final preparations are underway for the European Space Agency’s (£166m) Proba-3 mission, which will use satellites in close formation to create artificial solar eclipses. The mission, ESA’s first venture into precise formation flying, involves two spacecraft orbiting Earth with millimetre-level accuracy, equivalent to the thickness of a human fingernail. Scheduled to launch from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 4:08 PM IST (10:38 AM UK time) on 4th of December, the spacecraft will travel for four months to reach a highly elliptical orbit ranging from 370 miles to 37,000 miles from Earth. If the satellites function as planned,…

Vientiane: Lao authorities have prohibited the sale and consumption of Tiger vodka and Tiger whisky following the deaths of six tourists suspected to have been caused by methanol poisoning. Smartraveller, the Australian government’s travel advisory website, confirmed the ban, citing health concerns about these alcohol products. The fatalities involved two Australian teenagers, two Danish nationals, an American, and a Briton, all of whom fell ill after consuming alcohol while visiting Vang Vieng, a popular destination for backpackers. A dual-national Australian also suffered illness but survived. Police in Laos have detained the manager of a backpacker hostel and seven of its…

Dublin, Ireland: Ireland is set for a pivotal election, with voters facing a choice between the incumbent centre-right coalition and a potential left-wing government led by Sinn Féin, historically linked to the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Opinion polls indicate a three-way tie, with Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Sinn Féin each capturing around 20% of voter support. Fine Gael’s Simon Harris and Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin emphasize economic stability, housing, and the cost-of-living crisis, warning against economic risks under a Sinn Féin-led administration, particularly in light of potential U.S. trade challenges from a second Trump presidency. Sinn Féin leader Mary…

Sydney: Australia is set to lead the way with the world’s first national teen social media ban, with a significant trial beginning in January 2025. A team of software testers, led by tech contractor KJR, has been tasked with evaluating age-checking technologies for platforms like Instagram, X, TikTok, and Snapchat, which will face penalties if they fail to effectively restrict under-16 users by 2025. The trial, which will include 1,200 randomly selected Australians, is designed to determine the “reasonable steps” platforms must take to enforce the age restrictions under the new law. The testing, set to run from January to…

Madrid: The leftwing government of Spain has introduced a groundbreaking measure granting workers up to four days of “paid climate leave” to avoid traveling during severe weather emergencies. The decision comes in response to deadly floods on 29th October that claimed at least 224 lives, marking the country’s worst flooding disaster in decades. Response to Tragedy The new legislation was announced after several companies faced criticism for requiring employees to work despite a red alert from the National Weather Agency. Firms argued that late alerts and insufficient communication from authorities left them unprepared to prioritise worker safety. Labour Minister Yolanda…

Colombia: The Colombian authorities alongside law enforcement agencies from 61 other countries in a groundbreaking operation, have intercepted a record-breaking 225 tonnes of cocaine over six weeks. The operation, termed Operation Orion, led to the confiscation of a staggering 1,400 tonnes of illegal drugs, including more than 1,000 tonnes of marijuana. This marks the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in a single anti-narcotics effort. The seizure of such a substantial cocaine haul is a significant blow to Latin American cartels, which are responsible for the bulk of the world’s cocaine production. According to the United Nations, global cocaine production reaches…