Author: News Desk

London: King Charles of Britain will celebrate his 76th birthday on Thursday, officially opening two food distribution hubs as part of his ongoing initiative to reduce food waste and aid hunger relief efforts. The hubs are a key element of the “Coronation Food Project,” a campaign launched by the King last year aimed at addressing the issue of food waste and bridging the gap between surplus food and those in need. The monarch, a passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, will visit one of the hubs in south London, where a “surplus food festival” will be held, showcasing meals made from…

Solomon Islands, Southwest Pacific Ocean: Scientists have discovered the largest known coral in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Unlike a coral reef, this massive coral structure is a single organism formed by countless tiny, interconnected creatures. Estimated to be over 300 years old, it surpasses the size of a blue whale, according to the research team. The coral was found by Manu San Felix, a videographer on a National Geographic expedition exploring the effects of climate change on remote Pacific regions. San Felix initially mistook the location for a shipwreck but, upon closer inspection with his son and diving partner, Inigo,…

Bali: Three major Australian airlines- Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights to and from Bali due to a volcanic eruption that has created hazardous ash clouds over the region. The cancellations, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, have left numerous passengers stranded. The disruption follows the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Sunday, which sent an ash plume soaring 9 kilometres into the atmosphere. The eruption occurred in East Nusa Tenggara province, approximately 500 kilometres from Bali, resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives and forcing the evacuation of over 15,000 residents from the vicinity…

London, UK: British author Samantha Harvey has won the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel ‘Orbital’, the first space-themed book to claim the prestigious award. Set aboard the International Space Station, ‘Orbital’ offers a unique perspective on the world. It has become the biggest-selling book on the shortlist in the UK, even surpassing the sales of the past three Booker-winning books combined before the announcement. Harvey, who became the first woman to win the prize since 2019, was awarded £50,000 at the ceremony held at London’s Old Billingsgate. Harvey dedicated her win to those who advocate for the Earth and…

New York: Kraft Heinz has pulled its popular Lunchables product line from US schools participating in the federal free and reduced-price meal programme, citing lower-than-expected demand. The setback affects one of Kraft Heinz’s most recognisable brands as the company continues to seek ways to revitalise its legacy products. The Chicago-based food manufacturer had announced early in 2023 its plans to enter the $25 billion educational food market, with hopes of providing ready-to-eat meal kits for students nationwide. However, demand for Lunchables in schools fell short of projections, Kraft Heinz disclosed. Kraft Heinz viewed the initiative as an opportunity to expand…

Washington DC: United States President-elect Donald Trump names Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) upon return to the White House. Trump said in a statement that, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Trump added that, under his plan, Musk and Ramaswamy would conclude their work by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence. The proposed department appears to have been inspired by a conversation Trump had…

London: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation, expressing deep sorrow and acknowledging his failure to ensure proper investigation into decades-old abuse allegations tied to Christian summer camps. The decision comes in the wake of a report revealing systemic abuse by a Church volunteer, marking what has been described as one of the most prolific cases of abuse in the Church of England’s history. As the senior bishop of the Church of England and the spiritual leader for 85 million Anglicans worldwide, Welby faced calls to resign after the Makin Report last week criticised his handling of abuse…

China: The 2024 Zhuhai Air Show kicked off with a stunning display of China’s growing aerospace capabilities. The industry giants made groundbreaking announcements and a series of breathtaking aerial performances highlighted the nation’s advances in both commercial aviation and space exploration. From new aircraft orders to the unveiling of cutting-edge space technology, China showcased its ambitions to establish itself as a global leader in aerospace innovation. One of the most anticipated announcements came from the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), which revealed Air China as the first customer for its long-awaited C929 widebody jet. The C929 is part…

Wellington: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has issued a formal apology to the survivors of care abuse following a major inquiry into one of the country’s most significant abuse scandals. The apology, delivered in parliament, comes after a report revealed that between 1950 and 2019, 200,000 children and vulnerable adults suffered abuse in state and faith-based care institutions. Many of the victims were from Māori and Pacific communities, or had physical or mental disabilities. The inquiry, described as the largest and most complex in New Zealand’s history, took six years to complete and included interviews with thousands of abuse…

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Several airlines have suspended flights to Haiti following an incident in which Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale was struck by gunfire while attempting to land at Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport. The flight, which was diverted to Santiago Airport in the Dominican Republic, landed safely. While a flight attendant sustained minor injuries, no passengers were harmed. This marks the second such attack in three weeks on aircraft approaching Haiti’s capital. The shooting comes amid the ongoing security crisis in Haiti, which has been plagued by armed gangs and escalating violence. In response to the situation, Alix…