Author: Web Desk

Salisbury: A flood warning has been issued for Salisbury after sustained rainfall has raised groundwater levels across Wiltshire, placing about 100 homes in the city centre at risk. Authorities have warned that the flood warning applies particularly to areas near Salisbury Cathedral, where groundwater levels have continued to rise following weeks of wet weather. Wiltshire Council has said that rainfall has fallen almost daily since the start of the year, causing water levels across rivers and underground sources to increase steadily. The Environment Agency has maintained 35 flood warnings across the county, reflecting widespread concern about both river and groundwater…

Los Angeles: James Van Der Beek has died aged 48 after a diagnosis of bowel cancer, with family members confirming that the actor passed peacefully. The news has marked the passing of a prominent television figure known for roles in teen drama and film. James Van Der Beek became widely recognised for portraying Dawson Leery in the television series Dawson’s Creek, which ran from 1998 to 2003 and helped define youth programming of the era. The actor also appeared in films including Varsity Blues and later took on roles across television and streaming platforms, maintaining a steady presence in the…

New Delhi: India opener Abhishek Sharma has been admitted to hospital with a stomach infection, raising doubts about participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup group match against Namibia. The top-ranked T20 international batter has missed training and has remained under medical observation as tests continue. Officials have confirmed that Abhishek Sharma was taken to a private hospital in New Delhi after carrying stomach issues from the opening match. Medical staff have conducted examinations to determine the severity of the illness, and the timeline for discharge has remained unclear. As a result, availability for the Namibia fixture has been considered…

London: Social media promotions linked to Weight-loss jabs have come under regulatory scrutiny after the UK advertising watchdog ruled that posts by members of the public could count as unlawful advertisements. The decision has marked the first time such endorsements have been banned when shared through personal accounts on platforms including Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. The Advertising Standards Authority has determined that posts using referral links, discount codes or brand mentions to promote prescription-only injections fall within advertising rules. Weight-loss jabs in the UK require a prescription and cannot be promoted directly to the public. Regulators have warned that even…

Manila: A significant legal shift has emerged in the Philippines after the Supreme Court recognised property co-ownership rights for Same-sex couples. The decision has applied a provision of the Family Code to partners who live together but cannot legally marry, marking a first in the country’s legal history. The ruling has centred on a dispute between two women over a house and lot in suburban Manila. One partner sought to divide the property after plans to sell it were rejected, but lower courts denied the claim. The Supreme Court has reversed those decisions, finding that both individuals contributed financially to…

Washington: Revised tariffs on Bangladeshi exports have been introduced under a new trade understanding between the United States and Bangladesh. The deal has granted exemptions for selected garments and textile products produced using US-made materials, while also slightly reducing the overall tariff rate applied to Bangladeshi imports. The United States has lowered its tariff rate on Bangladesh from 20 percent to 19 percent. In addition, certain clothing and textile items manufactured with American cotton and man-made fibres have been allowed to enter the US market without tariffs. The volume of these tariff-free exports has been linked to how much textile…

Los Angeles: A landmark courtroom battle in Los Angeles has placed Social media companies at the centre of a major legal test over alleged harm to young users. Technology firms behind platforms including Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat have faced a series of lawsuits claiming that product design features have encouraged excessive use and negatively affected mental health. The case has brought together about 22 test lawsuits known as bellwether cases. These have drawn on testimony from more than 1,500 individuals as lawyers seek to determine whether the companies acted negligently when designing and refining their platforms. For the…

Tokyo: A decisive election result has given Sanae Takaichi a strong mandate after the governing Liberal Democratic Party secured a landslide victory in Japan’s lower house. Preliminary counts have shown the party winning 316 seats, comfortably exceeding the 261 required for an absolute majority in the 465-seat chamber. The outcome has marked a historic moment for the ruling party, representing its strongest performance since its founding in 1955 and surpassing a previous record set in 1986. The result has allowed Sanae Takaichi to consolidate leadership only months after taking office as Japan’s first female prime minister. The victory has provided…

Tokyo: Voting has taken place across the country in a closely watched Japan election triggered by a snap decision from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to seek a fresh mandate. The contest has been framed as a high-stakes move by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to consolidate support after a turbulent political period. The Japan election has been called just months after Takaichi was selected as prime minister by lawmakers. Opinion polls have indicated that the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, could secure up to 300 seats in the 465-member lower house. Such an outcome…

Mumbai: A tense opening match has seen Suryakumar Yadav play a decisive role in guiding India to victory after a surprising early collapse against the United States in the T20 World Cup opener in Mumbai. The defending champions have recovered from a difficult start to secure a 29-run win and begin the tournament with momentum. India has been reduced to 77-6 after being put into bat, raising the possibility of a major upset. United States bowlers have applied pressure with disciplined bowling, and several early wickets have unsettled the batting line-up. At a crucial stage, Suryakumar Yadav has remained at…