Author: News Desk

Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern over reports of Israeli troops storming one of the last operational Northern Gaza Hospital. Ongoing hostilities in the region are also disrupting efforts to vaccinate against polio. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X that, “Since this morning’s reports of a raid of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, we have lost touch with the personnel there. This development is deeply disturbing given the number of patients being served and people sheltering there.” Northern Gaza is experiencing intense military operations, leaving thousands of civilians without access to humanitarian aid and essential…

Rome/Washington: Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy democracies have reached a consensus to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans, funded by earnings from frozen Russian sovereign assets. The disbursements are expected to begin as early as December, signaling continued international support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The G7 statement, released during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings in Washington, emphasised that the loans would be serviced and repaid through future extraordinary revenues generated from the immobilisation of Russian assets. “Our aim is to begin disbursing the funds by the end…

Washington: A cyber attack linked to China has prompted the FBI to launch an investigation into potential hacking activities, following reports that the phones of Donald Trump and JD Vance may have been compromised. The attack reportedly targeted cell phones used by the Republican presidential candidate and his running mate and also people affiliated with the Harris-Walz campaign were also targeted. A joint statement from the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) indicated that the U.S. government is investigating unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure by entities connected to the People’s Republic of China. The Agencies said…

Washington: The World Bank Group has initiated the rollout of its Gender Strategy 2030, presenting a series of actions and specific goals designed to enhance economic opportunities for women. Announced during a key event at the 2024 World Bank Group Annual Meetings, the targets will emphasize broadband access, social protection, and capital availability. These initiatives are part of the Gender Strategy’s focus on increasing and facilitating women’s involvement in the global economy. World Bank Group aims to; Enable 300 million more women to use broadband, unlocking essential services, financial services, education, and job opportunities. Support 250 million women with social protection programs, focusing especially…

Los Angeles, California: LA District Attorney George Gascón is recommending parole for Menendez brothers convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. Citing new evidence, including allegations of sexual abuse by their father, Gascón argues that Erik and Lyle Menendez should be re-sentenced after more than 30 years in prison. The case, which has captivated the public for decades and recently inspired a Netflix series, involved the brutal shooting of Kitty and Jose Menendez in their Beverly Hills mansion. Gascón believes the Menendez brothers were victims of severe dysfunction and abuse at home, stating that while there is no excuse for…

London: The British government announced that the sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England starting June next year, aiming to address the environmental impact and rising usage rates among children. Vaping has surged in popularity in the UK over the past decade, with nearly one in ten adults reported to have purchased and used these products. While proponents argue that vapes can assist individuals in quitting smoking, health officials express concern that their vibrant designs and fruity flavours are particularly appealing to younger audiences. A 2024 survey conducted by the Health Charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)…

Manila: Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, has wreaked havoc across the Philippines, resulting in at least 26 fatalities and displacing over 150,000 individuals as it made landfall on the northeastern coast. The storm struck the main island of Luzon, unleashing heavy to torrential rainfall that triggered widespread flooding and landslides. With maximum sustained winds reaching 95 kph (59 mph), Trami is advancing westward across the mountainous northern region of Cordillera, heading towards the South China Sea, according to the latest bulletin from the state weather agency. Authorities warn of continued heavy to intense rainfall, which…

Washington: A troubling outbreak of E. coli infections tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches, with several people across the US falling ill has been reported by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raising concerns about food safety in the fast-food industry. CDC has confirmed 49 cases of E. coli across 10 states, with ten individuals hospitalised and one fatality linked to the outbreak. Most cases have been identified in western and Midwest states, with ages of affected individuals ranging from 13 to 88. The CDC is collaborating with McDonald’s and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify…

Los Angeles: A Boeing-built satellite, Intelsat 33e, has broken apart in geostationary orbit, resulting in at least 20 fragments. The satellite, which had been experiencing operational issues since its 2016 launch, faced a communication outage prior to the breakup event, though the exact cause remains unclear. The satellite’s operator, Intelsat, has confirmed the “total loss” of iS-33e, which has affected customers in Europe, Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat said that, “We are coordinating with the satellite manufacturer, Boeing, and government agencies to analyse data and observations.” Intelsat also says it has taken steps to complete “a comprehensive analysis”…

London: Britain and Germany will sign a landmark defence agreement, marking the first such bilateral pact between the two largest defence spenders of Europe. The ‘Trinity House Agreement’ aims to enhance military cooperation, with a focus on developing advanced weaponry and enhancing NATO capabilities on the eastern flank. The agreement, signed amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, will strengthen both countries’ ability to conduct joint exercises and improve deterrence across Europe. A significant element of the pact is the development of next-generation deep-strike weapons, with greater range and accuracy than existing systems, such as the ‘Storm Shadow’…