Author: News Desk

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…

United Kingdom: The UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) will take full effect by 16th March 2025, requiring online platforms to assess whether their services expose users to illegal content or face hefty fines of up to 10 percent of their global turnover. Ofcom, the regulator overseeing the law, has published its final codes of practice, outlining how firms must manage illegal material on their platforms. New Requirements for Risk Assessments Online platforms are now required to conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential harms related to an illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), coercive behaviour, and self-harm…

London: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Norway to launch a Green Energy Deal with his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre, as part of a new Green Industrial Partnership. The visit includes a tour of a carbon capture and storage site, with both leaders planning to sign the deal in spring 2025. The partnership aims to enhance energy security, boost economic growth, and position the UK as a leader in carbon capture technology. Sir Keir highlighted its importance in reducing reliance on volatile energy markets and mitigating the influence of global events, such as the invasion of Ukraine. https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1868566790575669361…

Mayotte: Cyclone Chido, the most powerful storm to hit Mayotte in nearly a century, has left a trail of destruction and a death toll feared to reach hundreds or even thousands. French emergency teams are racing to restore basic services and deliver aid to the island, which lies between Madagascar and Mozambique. The storm struck with winds exceeding 200 kph (124 mph), devastating communities and displacing thousands. Scenes of wreckage resemble a “nuclear apocalypse,” with makeshift homes destroyed, trees crashing into buildings, and hospitals flooded. French authorities have established an air bridge between Mayotte and Reunion Island to transport relief supplies,…

San Francisco: Zakir Hussain, one of India’s most accomplished and influential classical musicians, passed away at the age of 73 on Sunday, after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. The iconic tabla virtuoso died at a hospital in San Francisco, as confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement. Hussain was the face of tabla, the hand drums central to Indian classical music, and was widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation. With a career spanning over six decades, Hussain brought the art form to global prominence, defying musical boundaries and blending Indian classical traditions…