Author: News Desk

Washington DC: The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved the “American Relief Act, 2025”, a budget deal to prevent the first U.S. federal government shutdown since 2019. The measure passed by a 366-34 vote just six hours before the midnight deadline and now awaits approval by the Democratic-controlled Senate before it can be signed into law by President Joe Biden. This was the House’s third attempt in a week to pass a funding bill after earlier negotiations fell apart following opposition from President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, both of whom urged Republicans to reject initial proposals. The…

Los Angeles: A union representing over 11,000 Starbucks baristas in the US has announced a five-day strike beginning Friday, December 20th morning, with workers in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle set to walk out over disputes regarding pay and working conditions. The union, Workers United, warns that if a resolution isn’t reached, the strike could spread to hundreds of stores by Christmas Eve. The strike comes after the union called for higher wages, increased staffing, and improved scheduling for workers. A Starbucks spokesperson responded, saying they are open to continuing negotiations, but emphasized that the company already offers average pay…

London / Washington DC: Peter Mandelson is set to be announced as the UK’s next ambassador to the United States, marking the first time in almost 50 years that a politician has been appointed to the role. Keir Starmer is expected to officially name Lord Mandelson, a former Labour minister and European Commissioner for Trade, to the position as Donald Trump begins his second term as president. This development comes at a time when the UK faces significant challenges regarding trade relations with the US under Trump’s leadership. The Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeny, recently travelled to Washington…

Fukushima, Japan: Known for having some of the strictest garbage disposal rules in the world, Japan is about to tighten its waste management regulations in Fukushima. Starting in March, the city will begin inspecting bags of trash that do not comply with disposal guidelines, such as improperly sorted waste or bags that exceed size limits. In some cases, the city will publicly identify the individuals or businesses responsible for the violations. The new regulations, which were passed in a municipal meeting, aim to further Japan’s ongoing efforts to enhance its waste management system. While many cities in Japan open garbage…

Mayotte: A French territory in the Indian Ocean, Mayotte, has declared a state of exceptional natural disaster after Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc on the islands. The cyclone, which struck the island on 14th of December, has claimed at least 31 lives, with thousands more reported missing. This is the first time such a declaration has been made in France. The move comes as President Emmanuel Macron was due to arrive in Mayotte. The declaration, which activates emergency measures designed for France’s overseas territories, allows authorities to bypass administrative barriers to address the crisis swiftly. The emergency has been set for…

Delhi, India: Delhi’s air pollution has soared to hazardous levels again, with experts warning that its impact on public health could surpass that of the Covid-19 pandemic. The air quality was 35 times above the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO), causing widespread complaints of breathing difficulties, and irritation in the eyes and throat. Frank Hammes, CEO of air technology company IQAir, described the alarming levels of pollution as a “public health pandemic” and emphasized that it affects everything from mortality rates to IQ levels. He stated that toxic air is far more dangerous than Covid-19 in…

Washington DC: Amazon workers in the US, backed by the Teamsters union, are threatening to strike ahead of Christmas, claiming the e-commerce giant has refused to recognize their union or meet a December 15 deadline for contract negotiations. The proposed industrial action could affect facilities in Southern California, New York, and Illinois, according to a Teamsters statement. Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said that, “The corporate elitists who run Amazon are leaving workers with no choice, if workers are forced onto the picket line, Amazon will be striking itself.” The union asserts it represents thousands of workers across 10…

Riyadh: Football fans have received disappointing news as alcohol will be strictly banned in stadiums during the 2034 World Cup. The decision follows last week’s announcement that Saudi Arabia will host the tournament in a decade. While FIFA, which granted Saudi Arabia the hosting rights, has yet to release an official statement, sources indicate that fans attending matches will have to go without a pint. Saudi Arabia has strictly prohibited alcohol since 1952, and its laws remain far more conservative than Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup. In Qatar, FIFA faced backlash when beer sales were banned just two…

Moscow: Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s military radiological, chemical, and biological defence unit, was killed in a blast early Tuesday after an explosive device planted inside a scooter detonated outside a residential building in Moscow. Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the incident, stating that, “An explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow.” The explosion also killed Kirillov’s assistant, shattered windows, and severely damaged the building’s entrance. Kirillov, who had led Russia’s chemical, biological, and radiological defence forces (RKhBZ) since…

London, UK: Prince Andrew will not join the Royal family’s traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham this year following controversy over his connections to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo. The gathering at King Charles’s private Norfolk estate is expected to host 45 members of the Royal family on Christmas Day. The allegations surfaced during a high court hearing last week, where Yang Tengbo, previously protected by an anonymity order, was named after a judge lifted the ban. Yang, who has been barred from the UK, was described as a “close” confidant of Prince Andrew, attending various events, including the duke’s birthday…