Author: News Desk

London: In a decisive move to address the escalating water pollution crisis, the UK government has announced new measures featuring tougher penalties and stricter regulations for environmental violations. The initiative, revealed by Environment Secretary Jane Smith, aims to enhance the protection of the nation’s waterways, which have been increasingly affected by pollutants from industrial and agricultural sources. Penalties upto £10mn The new legislation introduces significantly higher fines for companies and individuals found guilty of contaminating water sources. Under the updated rules, penalties for severe breaches can now reach up to £10 million, a substantial increase from the previous maximum of…

Oslo, Norway: Hvaldimir, the beluga whale known for its unusual spy-like behavior, has been killed by gunshots. Animal rights groups have sparked outrage and calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Hvaldimir gained international attention in 2019 when he was discovered off the coast of Norway wearing a harness that appeared to be military-grade. This led to speculation that he might have been trained by the Russian military for espionage purposes. Despite his mysterious past, Hvaldimir was viewed by many as a symbol of the intersection between wildlife and geopolitical intrigue. According to reports, Hvaldimir was found…

Georgia: Four people have been killed in a mass shooting that occurred at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta. A 14-year-old student has been booked for killing two students and two teachers, and injuring nine, before surrendering to school resource officers. Students have said that they heard gunfire and barricaded themselves in classrooms, then later fled to the football field to reunite with anxious parents. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said in a news conference that the gunman, the 14-year-old student named Colt Gray, steep consequences. “He will be charged with murder, and he will…

Lake District, England: The ‘Cumbria Wildlife Trust’ is seeking public support to purchase Skiddaw Forest in the Lake District to safeguard the area’s natural, geological, and public access significance. As part of a long-term, 100-year vision, the trust aims to restore 620 acres of lost Atlantic rainforest  on the lower slopes of the forest, bringing wildlife back to the region. The land, located in the northern Lake District, covers 1,447 acres (585 hectares) and sits between the famous Skiddaw and Blencathra mountains. This area is largely treeless upland terrain, home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including rare species like…

Beijing: China has escalated its trade war with Canada by launching an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports. The latest move comes after Canada declared that it will slap a 100 percent tariff on imports of China-made electric vehicles (EV) after similar announcements by the US and European Union. Canada also announced a plan to impose 25 percent duty on Chinese steel and aluminium. Canada and its Western allies accuse China of subsidising its EV industry, giving its car makers an unfair advantage. Beijing also said that it would file a complaint on the EV “discriminatory” and “unilateral”. Canada’s minister of…

New York: The United Nations has called for a unified global approach to fully utilize the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), urging countries to collaborate on creating ethical standards and regulatory frameworks, during a special session on emerging technologies. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that AI has the power to drive significant progress in critical areas such as healthcare, climate change, and education. However, he also cautioned against the risks of AI misuse, including threats to privacy, security, and employment. Guterres stressed that the benefits of AI should be shared universally, warning that without international cooperation, the technology could widen…

Kyiv, Ukraine: Russian missile strikes targeted a Ukrainian military institute in the central town of Poltava, killing at least 51 people. The attack, which occurred early in the morning, is one of the deadliest single assaults since the war began, intensifying fears of further violence in the region. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed the strike, stating that a series of precision-guided missiles hit the Sumy Military Institute of Communications, a key training facility for the Ukrainian armed forces. The institute was reportedly housing military personnel and students at the time of the attack. Emergency services were immediately deployed to…

London: Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing increasing pressure to introduce a ‘pay-per-mile’ taxation scheme on electric vehicles (EVs) as the UK government seeks to address the growing revenue shortfall from declining fuel taxes. With the rapid adoption of EVs, traditional fuel tax revenues have plummeted, creating a significant gap in public finances that were historically bolstered by petrol and diesel taxes. Critics argue that without a new taxation model, essential services funded by these taxes, including road maintenance and public transport, could face severe budget cuts. The proposed ‘pay-per-mile’ scheme would see EV owners being charged based on the number…

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has reinforced the 100ml limit on liquid items when travelling in European airports. Coming into effect from 1st September, 2024, all liquids in cabin bags must be in bottles of 100ml or less; the same limit applies to aerosols and gels. It’s an abrupt about-face from a previous government mandate for European airports to install advanced scanners, known as Explosive Detection Systems for Cabin Baggage (EDSCB), which would allow up to two litres of liquids in carry-ons. The ‘3D’ scanners also meant passengers no longer had to take liquids out from their hand luggage. But their…

The UK immigration strategy, reflected in the government’s intensified approach to immigration enforcement, including increased raids, detentions, and deportations, is pushing more undocumented migrants into hiding and heightening their risk of exploitation, according to over 80 charities. Coordinated by Migrant Voice, the charities, including Care4Calais, City of Sanctuary UK, and Anti-Slavery International, have urged the Home Secretary to create simpler pathways for undocumented migrants to regularize their status. This change would allow them to work legally, reducing their vulnerability to exploitative employers and human trafficking gangs. On 27 August, the Home Office announced a week-long operation targeting illegal working. The…