Author: Web Desk

New Delhi: Delhi air pollution has intensified at the start of the week, leaving India’s capital shrouded in thick smog and forcing urgent restrictions aimed at limiting health risks. On December 15 morning, dense haze has covered large parts of the city, disrupting daily life and delaying both flights and train services. According to government data, Delhi’s air quality index has climbed to 471 on the national scale, placing it firmly in the ‘severe’ category. The index measures harmful pollutants such as PM2.5, fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Health experts warn that exposure at…

Paris, France: Trade unions at the Louvre museum in Paris have announced a strike starting Monday, demanding urgent renovations, increased staffing, and protesting a rise in ticket prices for most non-EU visitors, including British and American tourists. The museum, one of the world’s most visited, could face partial or full closures during one of its busiest periods if its 2,100-strong workforce votes to continue striking. The Louvre Museum has faced a tumultuous few months, including a high-profile jewel heist, a water leak, and safety concerns over a gallery ceiling. On 19 October, a gang of four raided the museum during…

Covid-19 caused serious damage across the world. Years have passed, but one question is still being asked. Are countries really ready for the next pandemic? Many governments say they are better prepared, but experts are not fully convinced. After Covid-19, several countries looked again at their health systems. Some improved hospitals and emergency plans. More money was put into disease tracking and vaccine research. Laws were also changed in some places so governments could react faster during health emergencies. However, not all countries were able to make these changes. One clear improvement is in early warning systems. Health agencies now…

Kolkata: Messi has been at the centre of controversy following a chaotic event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where frustrated fans threw chairs and bottles after being disappointed by the football star’s short and restricted appearance. Thousands of supporters had gathered at the venue after purchasing tickets priced as high as ₹12,000 (£100), expecting a longer interaction or exhibition match. The Argentina and Inter Miami forward entered the stadium amid heavy security and was surrounded by officials, celebrities and political figures, which prevented much of the crowd from seeing him clearly. After walking around the pitch briefly and waving to…

Los Angeles: The Johnson & Johnson talc cancer verdict has delivered a significant legal setback for the healthcare giant after a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court ruled in favour of two California women who developed ovarian cancer following decades of baby powder use. The jury awarded $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband, concluding that the company knew its talc-based products posed risks but failed to adequately warn consumers. Court records have shown that Kent was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, while Schultz received the diagnosis in 2018. Both women testified…

Washington: Air Force One delay has deepened after the US Air Force has confirmed that the delivery of the first of two new presidential aircraft built by Boeing has been pushed back by another year, with the earliest arrival now expected in mid-2028. The revised timeline has increased uncertainty around whether the aircraft will be available for use before President Donald Trump’s term ends in January 2029. The Air Force has said the program has faced persistent technical, supply-chain, and staffing challenges, marking the latest setback in a project that has already experienced multiple delays. The two replacement jets, based…

Oslo: Venezuela opposition leader and Nobel peace prize winner María Corina Machado has made a public appearance in Norway after spending the past 11 months concealed in Caracas. The return to public view has followed a covert escape by boat, reportedly hindered by adverse weather conditions near the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Machado stepped on to the balcony of Oslo’s Grand Hotel in the early hours, where supporters gathered to chant and sing the Venezuelan national anthem. The appearance marked the first time Machado has been seen publicly since 2024, after allegations that Maduro had stolen the presidential election from…

Amsterdam: McDonald’s has faced strong public criticism after an AI-generated advert titled ‘the most terrible time of the year’ has circulated in the Netherlands, prompting the company to withdraw the campaign. The advert has depicted chaotic festive-season moments, including Santa stuck in traffic and a cyclist falling in the snow, suggesting that viewers escape to a McDonald’s restaurant until January. Online users have voiced frustration, saying that the advert undermined the joyful nature of Christmas. Some comments have described the work as damaging to festive spirit, while others have labelled it an example of low-quality AI-generated content. In a statement,…

Seattle: Pride celebrations planned around a World Cup 2026 group stage match between Egypt and Iran have led to official objections from both nations, with appeals submitted to football’s governing body, Fifa. The fixture, scheduled for 26 June in Seattle, has been designated by local organisers as a “Pride Match” to coincide with the city’s annual Pride weekend. Egypt’s Football Association has confirmed that a formal letter has been sent to Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, urging intervention to stop any Pride-related events during the match. The association has argued that such activities would conflict with the cultural and religious…

Paris: French political stability has received a temporary boost after the National Assembly has voted in favour of the 2026 social security budget, a bill central to managing hospital funding, pensions, and welfare spending. The measure has passed by 247 votes to 234, allowing the government to push the legislation back to the Senate before a final reading in the Assembly. The result has marked a crucial moment for Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who has been navigating a fragmented lower house since snap elections in June 2024 produced three evenly balanced blocs comprising centrist, left-wing, and far-right lawmakers. None of…