Author: News Desk

Wellington: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has issued a formal apology to the survivors of care abuse following a major inquiry into one of the country’s most significant abuse scandals. The apology, delivered in parliament, comes after a report revealed that between 1950 and 2019, 200,000 children and vulnerable adults suffered abuse in state and faith-based care institutions. Many of the victims were from Māori and Pacific communities, or had physical or mental disabilities. The inquiry, described as the largest and most complex in New Zealand’s history, took six years to complete and included interviews with thousands of abuse…

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Several airlines have suspended flights to Haiti following an incident in which Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale was struck by gunfire while attempting to land at Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport. The flight, which was diverted to Santiago Airport in the Dominican Republic, landed safely. While a flight attendant sustained minor injuries, no passengers were harmed. This marks the second such attack in three weeks on aircraft approaching Haiti’s capital. The shooting comes amid the ongoing security crisis in Haiti, which has been plagued by armed gangs and escalating violence. In response to the situation, Alix…

Wellington: Hundreds of people began a nine-day march to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, protesting a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to reinterpret the Treaty of Waitangi, a cornerstone of the country’s race relations. The march, known as a hikoi, began at Cape Reinga in the far north with a dawn ceremony, before heading south through towns and cities, where marchers will hold rallies along the way. Eru Kapa Kingi, spokesperson for Toitu Te Tiriti, or “Honour the Treaty,” said the protest was sparked by the bill before parliament but aims to foster a broader national conversation about New Zealand’s…

New Delhi: Indian full-service carrier Vistara will operate its final flight on 11th of November after nine years of service. The airline, a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons, will merge with Tata-owned Air India, creating a single entity with a larger network and fleet. As part of the merger, Vistara’s operations, including helpdesk kiosks and ticketing offices, will be integrated into Air India, with ongoing efforts to transfer Vistara’s existing passengers and loyalty programs to Air India. While the merger has raised concerns over potential service disruptions, Tata Group has reassured customers that Vistara’s renowned in-flight experience…

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss strategies for supporting Ukraine, as concerns rise over potential reduced US assistance following the election of Donald Trump. Starmer’s visit, set to take place shortly after Trump’s victory in the US presidential race, will focus on ways to maintain strong backing for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion. The Prime Minister will also make history as the first British leader to attend French Armistice Day services since World War II. Starmer and Macron is expected to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s “barbaric” invasion…

Zhengzhou: A night-time cycling trend that began with four Chinese students riding 50km for dumplings has grown to an estimated 100,000 participants, causing major traffic disruptions, overwhelming a small tourist city, and drawing attention from authorities. The cyclists, mostly using public bike-share bikes, rode from Zhengzhou to the ancient city of Kaifeng in Henan province, taking several hours to complete the journey. However, Kaifeng quickly became overcrowded, with accommodations, restaurants, and public spaces filled to capacity. Videos online showed tens of thousands of cyclists clogging Zhengkai Avenue, the expressway connecting Zhengzhou and Kaifeng, as police used loudhailers to urge students…

London: The Keir Starmer-led government is facing criticism for failing to appoint new members to the EU-UK inter-parliamentary partnership assembly (PPA) for over four months since the July general election. The delay comes as calls grow for the UK to strengthen ties with the European Union following Donald Trump’s recent re-election to the White House. Sandro Gozi, the newly elected chair of the 70-member PPA and former Italian government minister, joined forces with Stella Creasy MP, chair of the Labour Movement for Europe, to emphasise the urgency of restoring the PPA’s function. Established in 2021, the PPA serves as a…

Valencia, Spain: A large number of people have taken to the streets in Valencia, protesting the authorities’ response to the recent deadly floods and calling for the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazón. Over 130,000 people flooded the streets of Valencia, protesting the authorities’ handling of the recent deadly floods. Demonstrators chanted, “We are stained with mud; you are stained with blood.” More than 200 people lost their lives in the flooding that struck Valencia and surrounding provinces in October, caused by torrential rains. As of now, 80 people remain missing. Protesters are accusing local authorities of issuing flood warnings…

Cape Town: Prince William has expressed his desire for the monarchy to evolve, stating he wants to fulfil his duties with a “smaller r in the royal.” During his recent visit to South Africa, where he combined both informal and traditional royal elements, the Prince of Wales explained that he was aiming to approach his role differently. While in Cape Town, Prince William met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and also participated in casual events and dressed informally. When asked about his approach to royal engagements, Prince said that, “I can only describe what I’m trying to do, which…

Doha: Qatar has decided to pause its mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, demanding that both sides demonstrate “willingness and seriousness” to resume peace talks, according to a statement from its foreign ministry on Saturday. The decision comes amid ongoing violence in Gaza, which has seen over 43,500 Palestinians killed since the war escalated in October 2023. The Gulf nation, which has been working closely with the United States and Egypt to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages, has faced challenges in advancing negotiations. Qatar’s latest move could complicate the already frail diplomatic efforts. The country had…