Author: News Desk

Beirut, Lebanon: In response to a recent explosion linked to unauthorized communications, Lebanese authorities have implemented a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies on all flights. Lebanon’s Director General of Civil Aviation has issued a new directive prohibiting passengers from bringing pagers and walkie-talkies on any aircraft. This comes after a series of coordinated attacks involving communication devices resulted in at least 20 fatalities and over 450 injuries, just a day after simultaneous pager explosions killed 12 people and injured thousands. Lebanon’s Foreign Minister cautioned that this “blatant assault on Lebanon’s sovereignty and security” represents a troubling development that could indicate…

Beijing: China has unveiled the world’s first multi-modal large language model (LLM) specifically tailored for advancement in geographic sciences. This innovative model combines various data types, including text, images, and geographical information, to enhance analysis and understanding of complex geographic phenomena. The model, named Sigma Geography, was developed by a team of researchers from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research and the Institute of Automation, all under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other organisations. The multi-modal LLM is designed to support researchers, policymakers, and professionals across a range of…

Washington DC: Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a major American labour union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has announced it will not endorse either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump for the first time since 1996. The decision highlights a deep division within the labour movement, reflecting dissatisfaction with both candidates on issues critical to workers, such as job security, wages, and labour rights. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, who has been vocal about holding both candidates accountable on key labour issues, said the union’s decision reflects a commitment to putting workers’ priorities first. O’Brien emphasized…

Guangzhou, China: A remarkable new plant species with a unique goblet-shaped structure has been discovered in southern China. Researchers identified the species and named it “Thismia jinzun,” (Thismiaceae) which resembles a golden goblet mentioned in a masterpiece of renowned poet Li Bai (701-762) according to a study published in Phytotaxa. The rare plant was discovered in Jianfengling national nature reserve, south China’s Hainan Province, and belongs to the Thismia genus. The newly found species is distinguished by its distinct goblet-shaped flowers, which are unlike any previously documented in the region. This unusual morphology suggests that the plant may have evolved…

Tver, Russia: The governor of Russia’s Tver region has ordered an emergency evacuation following a drone attack believed to be orchestrated by Ukraine. The attack targeted key infrastructure in the region, causing significant disruption and prompting immediate action from local authorities. The Tver region, situated northwest of Moscow and far from the conflict’s central areas, was caught off guard by this escalation. The drone strike resulted in considerable damage and raised alarms about the potential for increased hostilities. Governor Igor Rudenya issued a statement emphasizing the need for residents to ‘localise’ to ensure their safety and minimize risks. Igor Rudenya…

London: A rare supermoon partial eclipse was witnessed across the world, captivating stargazers from around the world. The celestial event, combined the spectacle of a supermoon with a partial lunar eclipse, a rare occurrence that thrilled astronomers and enthusiasts alike. A supermoon happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. During the eclipse, Earth cast a shadow on the top right corner of the moon, creating a striking partial eclipse. This unique combination of a supermoon and a lunar eclipse made the event particularly special. This celestial event is…

Berlin: Germany has implemented expanded border controls, aimed at curbing illegal immigration and crime, with temporary checks reinstated along its western and northern borders. These controls are in effect at crossings shared with Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, and are expected to last for six months, with the possibility of extension. Germany had already been enforcing border checks along its eastern and southern frontiers, but the expanded measures have drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the Socialist Left Party. Party leaders argue that the new border controls will not resolve the issue of illegal migration but instead create new…

New Delhi, India: Atishi Marlena Singh is poised to become the new Chief Minister of Delhi, India’s capital territory. The announcement follows a series of high-profile negotiations and party endorsements, marking a major shift in Delhi’s political landscape. The announcement was made by Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting with his party’s legislators in New Delhi. Atishi Marlena, a prominent leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has garnered widespread support for her leadership and policy vision. Her appointment reflects the party’s strategic move to consolidate its position and address pressing issues facing the capital, including governance,…

Seattle, Washington: Amazon has reinforced its return-to-office (RTO) policy, instructing corporate staff to spend 5 days a week in the office, as part of its ongoing effort to shift away from remote work. The company, which initially introduced a flexible hybrid model in 2021, is now pushing for more in-person collaboration, citing the importance of office culture and teamwork. The change will come into force from January. In an internal memo, Amazon’s HR chief noted that while remote work had been effective during the pandemic, it was crucial for employees to reconnect in physical office spaces to foster innovation, communication,…

Menlo Park, California: Meta has announced a ban on Russian state media outlets across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, due to concerns over ‘foreign interference activity’. The decision comes as part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to combat disinformation and propaganda campaigns, particularly those tied to government actors. The move is seen as a direct response to Russian state-backed operations aiming to influence public opinion during the ongoing geopolitical tensions related to the war in Ukraine. The company said in a written statement that, “After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT…