Author: News Desk

London, UK: The government of England has stated that single-use products like plastic cutlery, plates, and trays will be outlawed in an effort to cut down on pollution. Statistics show that barely 10 percent of the 4.25 billion pieces of single-use cutlery and the 1.1 billion single-use plates used in England each year get recycled. According to research, plastic cutlery and food containers used for takeaway make up the largest portion of litter in the world’s oceans. As per reports from last month, Ms. Thérèse Coffey, the environment secretary, is now planning to outlaw a number of single-use plastic items. The action…

Brazil: The president of Brazil Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has vowed to punish supporters of the former president Mr. Jair Bolsonaro after they invaded the country’s presidential palace, congress, supreme court, and ministries’ buildings. Mr. Lula described the protests as “barbarism” and added that “everyone involved in the riots will be found and punished.” Thousands of people, many draped in the yellow and green of the Brazilian flag, streamed up the steps of the National Congress building in the capital city. Police regained control of the buildings in the capital, Brasilia, after hours of clashes. The president arrived…

United States: The US president Mr. Joe Biden has visited the US-Mexico border for the first time since taking office. The visit followed a recently announced policy initiative by the Biden administration, which was meant to address a rise in undocumented border crossings. Earlier, Mr. Biden stated that his administration would tighten immigration enforcement by blocking Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan migrants at the border, expanding the nationalities of those who could be expelled back to Mexico. The Democratic president has been dealing with the politically charged issue since taking office, with Republican critics charging the administration has been too lenient…

Australia: The Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka has confirmed that she will not play at the Australian Open, adding her name to a growing list of notable withdrawals. The organisers of the tournament tweeted that the Open champion in 2019 and 2021 will not be playing in Melbourne. “Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” the tweet stated. In 2022, the former No.1 advanced to the third round in the championship, where she bowed out to Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5). The Japanese player was knocked out of the US Open last year…

United Kingdom: The UK prime minister Mr. Rishi Sunak has held a meeting with health leaders to tackle the pressures in the National Health System (NHS). The prime minister, health secretary, and treasury ministers met with health experts from across England to address issues including improving emergency treatment and speeding up social-care discharge. Mr. Sunak told health and social care leaders that he recognised the “tough time” they had experienced over the last couple of years. The prime minister further stressed the “boldness and radicalism” employed by medical professionals during the pandemic, adding that “we need that same bold and…

United States: One of the best-known Cold War spies, Ms. Ana Montes, who was caught by the US, has been released from prison after more than 20 years in custody. The 65-year-old spent two decades spying for Cuba while working as an analyst at the US Defence Intelligence Agency. During her time as an analyst, Ms. Montes admitted revealing the identities of four American undercover agents to Cuban authorities and disclosed some secrets so sensitive they could not be described publicly. After her arrest in 2001, officials remarked that she was among “the most damaging spies” caught by the US.…

United States: Mr. Kevin McCarthy has been chosen as the new Speaker of the US House of Representatives following contentious arguments that nearly resulted in violent confrontations between Republicans. It took Mr. McCarthy 15 rounds of voting to gain the position despite his party having a majority in the parliament. The dramatic pressure campaign to get party rebel Mr. Matt Gaetz to vote for Mr. McCarthy took place live on the House floor before it happened. https://twitter.com/SpeakerMcCarthy/status/1611602522078154752?s=20&t=4KwWpZN7OcOsbhn0zmSf2w The House was finally allowed to swear in freshly elected legislators who had been waiting all week for the chamber to officially open and…

Australia: Despite two US Senators warning that the agreement might bring America’s industrial foundation to a “breaking point,” Australian Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese has brushed down worries about the AUKUS nuclear power submarine program. In a letter that was leaked to the US website Breaking Defence Indo-Pacific on 21st December 2022, Democratic Senator Mr. Jack Reed and Republican Senator Mr. James Inhofe expressed their concern that the pact would endanger the country’s own fleet of submarines. The senators cautioned President Mr. Joe Biden not to export any submarines until Australia develops its own, claiming that the AUKUS deal had become a  “zero-sum…

United States: English singer-songwriter Morrissey responded after Miley Cyrus backed out of a guest spot on his upcoming album, disputing that the singer did so because of his political views, which he claimed are “most certainly not far right.” The former Smiths vocalist denounced “cancel vultures” in a lengthy statement and claimed there was an effort to “put out of circulation.” 63-year-old Morrissey revealed Cyrus had wanted to be taken off his next album Bonfire of Teenagers last month. The song I Am Veronica was supposed to have Cyrus’ backup vocals on it. Morrissey claimed that Cyrus’s choice was made…

Italy: The former Italy and Chelsea striker Mr. Gianluca Vialli has died aged 58 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Vialli began his career at Cremonese, his hometown club, before going on to star in Serie A for Sampdoria as well as at Juventus and joining Chelsea in 1996. The footballer scored 16 goals in 59 appearances for Italy and featured in the Azzurri’s 1986 and 1990 World Cup squads. In 1998, Mr. Vialli became player-manager of the Blues following the departure of Mr. Ruud Gullit, and that year he led the club to glory in the League…