Author: News Desk

Flores Island, Indonesia: At least 10 individuals have died following a series of volcanic eruptions in eastern Indonesia, which unleashed fireballs and ash on nearby villages, resulting in the destruction of several homes. The eruptions occurred at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin volcano that rises 1,703 meters (5,587 feet) on the popular tourist island of Flores, just after midnight. In response to the increasing activity, authorities evacuated multiple villages and raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level, expanding the exclusion zone to a radius of 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) due to the frequency of the eruptions. Abdul Muhari,…

London: The UK has launched its first official pilot program for a four-day work week, involving 1,000 employees from different industries. This initiative, part of the ongoing efforts by the 4 Day Week Campaign, is being carried out under the Labour government. Its purpose is to assess the effects of shorter working hours while maintaining the same level of pay. Trial Objectives The UK’s inaugural pilot program for a four-day work week includes businesses like the British Society for Immunology and Crate Brewery, located in Hackney, East London. Launched on Monday, the pilot aims to collect data and insights for…

Jerusalem: In a significant move, Israel has officially informed the United Nations of its decision to cancel the agreement that has governed its relationship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since 1967. As announced by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the decision follows recent legislation passed by the Israeli parliament, which prohibits UNRWA from operating within Israel and halts cooperation between Israeli authorities and the agency. UNRWA plays a crucial role in providing aid and educational services to millions of Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Israel has…

Cali/ Colombia: The wealthy nations appear to have reached a limit on their contributions to global nature conservation, shifting the focus of discussions toward private funding solutions to fill significant financing gaps at the UN biodiversity summit (COP16). During the negotiations, countries struggled to agree on how to mobilise the targeted $200 billion annually for conservation efforts by 2030, including a commitment of $30 billion from developed nations. The funding was pledged two years ago as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement, intended to support initiatives like sustainable agriculture and wildlife reserve management. Human activities such as farming,…

Chisinau, Moldova: Moldovans are heading to the polls for the second-round run-off of a presidential election viewed as a pivotal choice between a European future and a resurgence of Russian influence. Pro-European President Maia Sandu is facing off against Alexandr Stoianoglo, whom she dismissed as chief prosecutor. Stoianoglo has pledged to balance foreign policy between the West and Russia, and he is supported by the pro-Russian Party of Socialists. Sandu and Moldova’s government have raised concerns about a fugitive oligarch currently residing in Russia who is allegedly attempting to sway the election in favor of Moscow. In the first round…

Valencia, Spain: Amid the shock and trauma in Valencia, solidarity continues to grow each day, as residents come together to support one another in the wake of the devastating floods. At the City of Arts and Sciences centre, large numbers of volunteers lined up to collect supplies—buckets, mops, food, and water—before boarding buses headed to the areas hardest hit by the catastrophic floods that overwhelmed the region earlier this week, claiming over 200 lives, with many still unaccounted for. Organizers estimate that 15,000 people participated in the first coordinated clean-up effort this morning, filling what many see as a void…

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced that his government plans to reduce student loans for approximately three million Australians by 20 percent, effectively eliminating around A$16 billion (USD 10 billion) in debt. The significant initiative builds on measures introduced in the May budget aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures in Australia. The budget included provisions for student debt relief, increased investments to lower medication costs, and enhancements to a rent assistance programme. “This will help everyone with student debt right now, while we work hard to deliver a better deal for every student in the years ahead,” Albanese stated…

North Carolina: With just two days remaining until Election Day, United States presidential candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are ramping up their efforts in southern swing states, seeking to galvanise support among voters. On Saturday, both candidates converged on North Carolina, marking the fourth consecutive day they have campaigned in the same state. Previously, they held events in Nevada and Wisconsin, highlighting the intense competition for crucial votes in battleground states projected to be tightly contested. During his speech in Gastonia, Trump emphasised the significance of North Carolina, asserting that, “We win this state, we’re…

Sydney: Cassius, the world’s largest captive saltwater crocodile, measuring 5.48 meters (18 feet), has passed away at an estimated age of over 110 years, according to Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat in Australia. Weighing more than a ton, Cassius had resided at the sanctuary on Green Island, near Cairns in Queensland, since 1987. The sanctuary announced on their Facebook page that his health had been deteriorating since October 15, attributing his death to his advanced age. In a heartfelt tribute, the sanctuary stated that, “He was very old and believed to have lived beyond the typical lifespan of a wild crocodile.…

Spain: Emergency teams in Spain are continuing their search for dozens of people still unaccounted for in what has become the country’s most severe flooding disaster in decades. More than 200 fatalities have been reported, mostly in the Valencia region, and the death toll is likely to increase. Around 1,700 soldiers are already working on search and rescue operations in the Valencia region, although hope of finding more survivors is dwindling. The floods have destroyed bridges, buried towns in mud, and left many isolated communities without essential supplies like water, food, or electricity. Some locals believe that more lives could…