Author: News Desk

Vienna, Austria: Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer has announced that he will resign from both his position as chancellor and as the leader of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) after coalition talks with the Social Democrats and the liberal Neos party collapsed. Nehammer explained that his party and the Social Democrats could not agree on key issues, and the Neos party also withdrew from the discussions. The breakdown in talks follows the far-right Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) unexpected victory in the September general election. However, other parties have ruled out forming a coalition with the FPÖ and its leader Herbert Kickl. Analysts…

Washington DC: A massive winter storm is set to impact tens of millions of Americans, bringing the heaviest snowfall and coldest temperatures in over a decade. National Weather Service (NWS) said that, The storm, which began in the central US, is expected to move eastward in the coming days, causing treacherous conditions across parts of the country, including Mississippi and Florida—areas not typically exposed to severe cold. Forecasters attribute the extreme weather to the Polar Vortex, which has led to temperatures well below historical averages and could result in the coldest January in the US since 2011. In the central…

Washington DC: Mike Johnson, the Louisiana Republican, narrowly survived a highly anticipated, razor-thin vote to remain as House Speaker, marking the beginning of the complete Republican control of Washington. Johnson, who could afford to lose only two votes due to the Republican Party’s tight margin in the House, came close to losing re-election but managed to secure victory after a round of intense lobbying. President-elect Donald Trump had endorsed Johnson for the role, calling it a “big win for the Republican Party.” Johnson’s re-election was anything but guaranteed, as he faced significant opposition from within his own party. The Speaker…

London: In a remarkable display of skill and composure, 17-year-old Luke Littler made history by defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner. Littler raced into a commanding 4-0 lead, and despite Van Gerwen managing to win three sets, he was never able to mount a serious comeback, with Littler consistently staying ahead. Littler said that, “Everyone dreams of lifting this trophy. You’ve got to get through a tough field. I can’t believe it.” Van Gerwen, who secured his third world title in 2019, has now lost three finals since then. The 35-year-old Dutchman,…

Beijing: Shoppers in China are seeing rare discounts on iPhones as Apple faces growing competition from local brands. A four-day promotion, starting on January 4, will offer discounts of up to 500 yuan ($68.50, £55.30) on some of Apple’s newest models, including the flagship iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, which are priced at 7,999 yuan ($1,103.86 / £911.89) and 9,999 yuan ($1,379.86 / £1,139.89), respectively. The offer will also extend to older handsets and other devices. This move comes as Chinese consumers remain hesitant to spend due to the country’s ongoing economic challenges. At the same time,…

California: The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has revealed her new Netflix series, ‘With Love, Meghan’, described as a lifestyle show blending “practical how-to’s and candid conversation.” The series will premiere on January 15, with eight 30-minute episodes featuring celebrity guests like actress Mindy Kaling, former Suits star Abigail Spencer, chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters, and a brief appearance by Prince Harry. In the trailer, Meghan is seen in California, where she lives with her husband Prince Harry and their two children. She is shown garnishing a cake with raspberries, harvesting honey, shopping for flowers, and cooking in her…

Tasmania, Australia: Tasmania’s coastline has been dazzled by a massive bioluminescent bloom of noctiluca scintillans, also known as “sea sparkles” or “red tide,” in what experts are calling the largest display in years. The phenomenon, visible in Storm Bay, southeast of Hobart, has drawn attention for its breathtaking beauty, with waves lighting up a luminous blue after dark. Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin, a scientist and writer who offers tours of Tasmania’s glowing flora and fauna, described the Sea sparkle as a “truly epic” light show, offering a “mesmerizing sparkle” that looked like a “pink slick” by day. This bioluminescence is due…

New York: The World Ushered in New Year 2025 with Stunning Celebrations, beginning in the South Pacific and Culminating in the Americas. New Zealand led the festivities, with thousands gathering in Auckland to witness spectacular fireworks displays from volcanic peaks. Meanwhile, American Samoa prepared to be among the last to greet the new year, a full 24 hours after New Zealand. In New York, the Times Square ball drop, a tradition spanning nearly 120 years and interrupted only in 1942 and 1943 due to World War II nighttime dimouts, marked the arrival of 2025. A Waterford crystal-encrusted, five-tonne ball, illuminated by…

Edinburgh: The outdoor celebrations of Edinburgh, Hogmanay Festival have been canceled due to UK weather, with severe conditions including wind, rain, and snow expected across the country. The Met Office has issued eight weather warnings for the coming days, forecasting stormy conditions with wind gusts reaching up to 70mph (112km/h) in some areas. An amber warning for rain is in place for parts of Scotland, along with flood alerts and even a rare severe  across the nation. Due to the weather, Edinburgh’s street party, fireworks display, and outdoor concert headlined by Texas were canceled on public safety grounds after the…

Washington: A Chinese state-sponsored hacking group infiltrated the US Treasury Department’s systems in early December, accessing employee workstations and certain unclassified documents, officials confirmed in a letter to lawmakers. The breach has been classified as a “major incident” by the Treasury, which is collaborating with the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and third-party forensic investigators to assess the impact. The intrusion was facilitated through BeyondTrust, a third-party service provider offering remote technical support. Hackers exploited a security key to bypass safeguards, gaining remote access to several user workstations. Suspicious activity was first detected on December 2, and BeyondTrust…