Author: News Desk

London: Britain appointed Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair, as its new national security adviser. In this critical role, Powell will address global security threats and work to strengthen ties with the incoming US administration under President-elect Donald Trump. Powell, who served as a diplomat in the UK Foreign Office for a decade, is best known for his pivotal role in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which helped end decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. His extensive experience in global conflict resolution has earned him praise as “uniquely qualified” to tackle national security…

Washington: President Joe Biden will make history as the first sitting US president to visit the Brazilian Amazon, a move symbolising his administration’s climate priorities amid an impending shift under President-elect Donald Trump. Biden will travel to Manaus, a major city in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, as part of his South American tour of Brazil and Peru from November 14 to 19. The White House confirmed Biden’s visit to Manaus, where he will meet with local and indigenous leaders dedicated to preserving the Amazon, a crucial ecosystem in the fight against climate change. The vast Amazon forests absorb…

Buenos Aires: According to the Argentine prosecutor’s office, three individuals have been charged in connection with the death of One Direction singer Liam Payne. Argentinian authorities have been investigating Payne’s final days at the hotel and they reported that Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his death. They had reviewed over 800 hours of security footage from the hotel and surrounding public areas and gathered numerous testimonies from hotel staff, family members, friends, and medical professionals. The individuals charged include someone close to Payne, a hotel staff member, and an…

California: Thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate parts of California as a devastating wildfire continues to spread. The blaze, which was first reported near Moorpark—about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles—has been fueled by strong winds. Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that over 10,000 evacuation orders have been issued, with 3,500 homes and other structures at risk. Federal funds have been allocated to assist in firefighting efforts. The National Weather Service forecasts a significant drop in wind speeds by Thursday night, but cautioned that conditions for heightened fire risk will remain in effect. Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner…

Sydney: Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, has decided to retire from competition after the backlash surrounding her performance at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite not scoring in any of her three rounds, Gunn’s routine, which featured unconventional moves like the sprinkler and kangaroo hop, gained international attention but also sparked ridicule and conspiracy theories about her qualification. The 37-year-old university lecturer at Macquarie University, who initially planned to continue competing, cited the upsetting response as the reason for her retirement decision. Gunn faced a flood of violent messages after the Olympics and was the target of an…

Brussels: The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) of the European Union has announced that 2024 is “virtually certain” to surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record. The data release comes ahead of the UN COP29 climate summit next week in Azerbaijan, where nations will aim to negotiate a significant increase in funding to combat climate change. However, expectations for the summit have been tempered following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election. From January to October, global temperatures have been so elevated that 2024 is guaranteed to be the hottest year ever recorded unless the temperature anomaly drops…

Washington DC: As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, he has outlined a series of ambitious actions aimed at reshaping the nation’s path. Backed by a Republican-controlled Senate, Trump is set to tackle issues from immigration and economic reform to foreign policy and energy independence. Trump confidently declared his commitment to “Promises made, promises kept.” Trump has put forth seven bold moves that signal his intentions, though questions remain about how he will achieve these aims. Here are seven major actions Trump says he will prioritize as president; Mass Deportations and Border Wall Completion  Trump has pledged…

Berlin: Political turmoil erupted in Germany as Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leading to the collapse of the coalition government and setting the stage for snap elections. The upheaval, coming just hours after Donald Trump won the US presidential election, has thrown Europe’s largest economy into uncertainty. With the coalition between Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), the Free Democrats (FDP), and the Greens dissolved, Scholz now faces governing with a minority government. Relying on ad-hoc parliamentary support to pass legislation, Scholz announced plans for a parliamentary confidence vote on January 15, a decision that could trigger elections by…

Washington DC: Donald Trump is on track to win the 2024 U.S. election after securing victories in key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. Trump’s Electoral College count is projected to reach 296 votes, well above the 270 needed to win, while Vice President Kamala Harris has 219 votes so far. Trump declared his victory to ecstatic supporters in Florida, calling it a “magnificent victory” and pledging to lead the U.S. into a “golden age” of prosperity. In an emotional speech to supporters in Florida, Trump said that, “Success is going to bring us together and we are…

Edinburgh: On Bonfire Night, Edinburgh experienced significant disorder, with youths engaging in violent activities that included launching fireworks and petrol bombs at police and emergency responders. Around 100 young people gathered in areas like Sighthill, Niddrie, Gracemount and Gilmerton areas, throwing pyrotechnics at police, forcing officers in riot gear to take defensive positions. Scotland Police reported multiple injuries among officers, and firefighters also faced assaults with fireworks and bricks during their shifts. This chaotic evening is part of a recurring issue that Scottish authorities have tried to mitigate with initiatives like Operation Moonbeam, aimed at controlling firework-related violence. Police were…