Author: News Desk

New York: Kraft Heinz has pulled its popular Lunchables product line from US schools participating in the federal free and reduced-price meal programme, citing lower-than-expected demand. The setback affects one of Kraft Heinz’s most recognisable brands as the company continues to seek ways to revitalise its legacy products. The Chicago-based food manufacturer had announced early in 2023 its plans to enter the $25 billion educational food market, with hopes of providing ready-to-eat meal kits for students nationwide. However, demand for Lunchables in schools fell short of projections, Kraft Heinz disclosed. Kraft Heinz viewed the initiative as an opportunity to expand…

Washington DC: United States President-elect Donald Trump names Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) upon return to the White House. Trump said in a statement that, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Trump added that, under his plan, Musk and Ramaswamy would conclude their work by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence. The proposed department appears to have been inspired by a conversation Trump had…

London: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation, expressing deep sorrow and acknowledging his failure to ensure proper investigation into decades-old abuse allegations tied to Christian summer camps. The decision comes in the wake of a report revealing systemic abuse by a Church volunteer, marking what has been described as one of the most prolific cases of abuse in the Church of England’s history. As the senior bishop of the Church of England and the spiritual leader for 85 million Anglicans worldwide, Welby faced calls to resign after the Makin Report last week criticised his handling of abuse…

China: The 2024 Zhuhai Air Show kicked off with a stunning display of China’s growing aerospace capabilities. The industry giants made groundbreaking announcements and a series of breathtaking aerial performances highlighted the nation’s advances in both commercial aviation and space exploration. From new aircraft orders to the unveiling of cutting-edge space technology, China showcased its ambitions to establish itself as a global leader in aerospace innovation. One of the most anticipated announcements came from the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), which revealed Air China as the first customer for its long-awaited C929 widebody jet. The C929 is part…

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…