Author: News Desk

Washington DC: The US has placed several Chinese technology companies, including gaming and social media giant Tencent and battery maker CATL, on its list of firms it claims have connections to China’s military. The list serves as a caution to American businesses about the potential risks of engaging with these Chinese companies. While inclusion does not automatically result in a ban, it puts pressure on the US Treasury Department to impose sanctions on the firms. Tencent and CATL have denied any involvement with the Chinese military, with Tencent labelling its inclusion on the list as “clearly a mistake.” Tencent, which owns…

New York: The first congestion charge scheme in New York City has officially launched, imposing fees of up to $9 per day for car drivers, with higher rates for trucks and buses. The charge applies to an area south of Central Park, including major landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Wall Street. Janno Lieber, CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) said that, ‘The system in operation since midnight,” and that covers 400 lanes and utilizes over 1,400 cameras, 110 detection points, and 800 signs to monitor traffic. The scheme is intended to alleviate the city’s chronic…

London: The new year in politics began with billionaire Elon Musk dominating headlines with strong criticisms of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Musk accused Starmer of being “complicit in the rape of Britain” for his failure to address the child sexual exploitation scandal when he was the Director of Public Prosecutions. While Starmer has chosen not to engage in a public feud, he is firmly defending his record and stressing that political debates must be grounded in verifiable facts. The ongoing debate centres around the government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry into the abuse cases involving vulnerable young…

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…