Author: News Desk

Kochi, India: MT Vasudevan Nair, a legendary writer from Kerala, India, has passed away at the age of 91. He died in a hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala, after being admitted due to breathing difficulties. Nair, affectionately known as MT, was a prominent figure in Malayalam-language literature, as well as an acclaimed film director and screenwriter. He is remembered for his exceptional contribution to literature and cinema, earning several prestigious awards, including India’s highest literary honor, the Jnanpith. Born in 1933 in Palakkad, Kerala, Nair developed a passion for reading despite his family’s discouragement. He began writing at a young age,…

New York: The United Nations General Assembly adopted a new convention aimed at preventing and combating cybercrime, bringing a five-year negotiation process to a close. The UN Convention against Cybercrime will focus on strengthening international cooperation and providing technical assistance, particularly for developing countries, to tackle cybercrime more efficiently and effectively. Philémon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly, pointed out that while information and communications technologies have immense potential for societal growth, they also amplify the threat of cybercrime. President stated that the Convention equips Member States with the tools to enhance international cooperation in fighting cybercrime and ensuring…

International Space Station: Stranded Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have sent their Christmas greetings from orbit. Sunita Williams, Barry Wilmore, Don Pettit, and Nick Hague, launched on 5 June for an eight-day test flight, have been unable to return due to technical issues with their Boeing-made Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft has suffered helium leaks and thruster failures, leaving the crew stranded in space beyond their expected return. In a video message recorded on 23 December, Nick Hague shared that, “The holiday season is about spending time with friends and family and loved ones – this year we’re going to…

Washington DC: NASA’s Parker Probe is making history with its closest-ever approach to the Sun, flying into the star’s outer atmosphere to gather crucial data. The spacecraft, launched in 2018, has already passed the Sun 21 times, but this Christmas Eve pass is record-breaking. At its closest approach, it will be just 3.8 million miles (6.2 million km) from the Sun’s surface, facing extreme temperatures of 1,400°C and intense radiation. The probe is protected by a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield but will be moving at an incredible 430,000 mph. Scientists hope this mission will solve longstanding mysteries about the Sun’s corona,…

Victoria, Australia: As bushfires continue to rage in Victoria, Australia, residents in the Grampians region have been granted a brief two-hour window to return home and collect their belongings ahead of Christmas. Emergency crews are working to contain the fires, which have already burned over 41,000 hectares (101,000 acres) of land in the past week. Although no fatalities or property damage have been reported, authorities have issued warnings that the conditions in the coming days could be the worst since the “Black Summer” fires of 2019-2020. The heatwave expected to hit on Boxing Day has raised concerns, with temperatures forecast…

Magdeburg, Germany: At least two people are dead and 68 others injured after a car crashed into a busy Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on Friday, December 20th evening. The attack, described as intentional, occurred in the central square of the Saxony-Anhalt state capital. The driver, identified as a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, was arrested at the scene. He had been living in Germany since 2006 and was previously unknown to security services. Local officials believe the suspect acted alone, and no further danger to the public is anticipated. Among the injured, 15 are in critical condition, 37 sustained medium…

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…