Lilly Larkin
- World News
Opec+ agrees extended production cuts to boost flagging oil prices
Oil-producing nations have agreed to extend production cuts in an effort to support struggling prices. Saudi Arabia announced its intention to reduce output by one million barrels per day (bpd) in July, while Opec+ stated that targets would decrease by an additional 1.4 million bpd from 2024. Opec+ represents approximately 40% of global crude oil production, and its decisions significantly…
- World News
Hong Kong police detain activists on Tiananmen Square anniversary
Hong Kong police have arrested multiple pro-democracy activists, including 67-year-old Alexandra Wong, during the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Public commemorations of the tragedy have been banned, although candlelight vigils have taken place in other cities globally. Despite the ban, several individuals were detained in Hong Kong, including the leader of a major opposition party and a former…
- World News
Desperate relatives continue search for loved ones after India train crash
Families of victims of Friday’s tragic train collision in India continue their desperate search for missing loved ones. The accident, which occurred in Odisha, is now believed to have claimed 275 lives, making it the country’s worst rail disaster in decades. A signalling fault is thought to be the cause of the tragedy. The rescue mission was declared over on…
- World News
Deadly India train collision raises fresh concerns over railway safety
A deadly train collision in India on Friday evening has left at least 261 people dead and 1,000 injured. The incident involved two high-speed passenger trains and a stationary freight train in the eastern state of Odisha. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, but it has raised concerns about railway safety in the country. India’s vast…
- World News
Russian strike injures 20 in Dnipro, children among victims
A suspected Russian strike in Ukraine’s central city of Dnipro has left 20 people injured, with concerns that more individuals may be trapped beneath the rubble. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video of rescue workers searching the remains of a collapsed two-storey building. An official reported that among the victims were five children and a man who was pulled…
- World News
Egyptian policeman kills three Israeli soldiers near border
A shooting incident near the Egypt-Israel border has resulted in the deaths of three Israeli soldiers and left others injured. Early on Saturday, a male and a female soldier were found dead at an army post after failing to respond to calls. A third Israeli soldier and the alleged attacker, identified as an Egyptian policeman, were killed during a subsequent…
- World News
India’s worst train crash this century leaves dozens dead in Odisha
A devastating train collision occurred in the eastern Odisha state of India on Friday evening, resulting in the worst railway accident the country has experienced this century. The incident involved two passenger trains and a freight train, with several carriages from the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailing in Balasore district and colliding with a stationary goods train. Consequently, a number of…
- World News
South Africa’s muddled diplomacy amid Russia-Ukraine conflict risks economy
South Africa’s diplomatic ties have been under scrutiny in recent months, with the nation’s close relationship with Russia raising concerns among Western countries. These concerns have led to speculation about South Africa’s support for Moscow in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and potential arms shipments. However, some argue that this perception is unfair and could have a negative impact on…
- World News
Mossad agent among victims in mysterious Lake Maggiore boat tragedy
A tragic boat accident on Lake Maggiore, situated south of the Swiss Alps, on May 28 resulted in the drowning of four people, including a former Mossad agent, two Italian intelligence officers, and a Russian woman. The boat, carrying 23 passengers, was caught in a fierce storm with gusts exceeding 70km per hour. The incident has sparked speculation about the…
- World News
Rome blaze kills one, injures nine, and leaves over 100 homeless
A devastating fire has claimed the life of one individual and injured nine others in an eight-storey building located in Rome’s eastern Colli Aniene district. Firefighters in Rome have successfully extinguished the blaze and are currently searching the building for any trapped occupants. The fire, which broke out around 2pm local time, was battled by six teams of firefighters. The…
- World News
Pence cleared of mishandling classified documents ahead of presidential bid
The US Justice Department has decided not to pursue criminal charges against former Vice-President Mike Pence regarding his handling of classified documents. US media reports indicate that an investigation has cleared Pence of any wrongdoing. This development comes just days before he is anticipated to announce his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. In January, Pence’s lawyers revealed that a…
- World News
Twitch streamer Puppers dies at 32, gaming community mourns loss
Renowned Twitch streamer Puppers, aged 32, has passed away after a three-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND). The American streamer gained fame through his gameplay of Dead by Daylight, where he was celebrated for his positive attitude. Following his diagnosis, the gaming community came together to establish the Light in the Fog Foundation, raising US$270,000 (£216,000) to support his…
- World News
Decorated Australian soldier loses defamation case over war crime allegations
In a historic ruling, an Australian judge has determined that decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith lost a defamation case against three newspapers that accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. The judge found the allegations against the former soldier to be “substantially true,” marking the first time an Australian court has evaluated accusations of war crimes committed by the country’s…
- World News
Florida teen wins US National Spelling Bee with ‘psammophile’
In an impressive display of linguistic prowess, 14-year-old Dev Shah from Largo, Florida, emerged as the champion of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States. Demonstrating exceptional skill, Dev correctly spelled the word “psammophile” to secure his victory in the 95th edition of the prestigious competition, along with a prize of US$50,000. The runner-up, Charlotte Walsh, also…
- World News
Brics foreign ministers demand global order rebalancing amid Putin arrest warrant
Foreign ministers from the BRICS nations gathered in South Africa, urging for a shift in the global order away from Western nations. The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, envisions providing global leadership in a world facing geopolitical tension, inequality, and global insecurity. However, the recent allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine have cast a…
- World News
French influencers face jail for flouting new ad regulations
France has recently adopted legislation that could lead to jail time for influencers who violate new promotion regulations. The laws aim to protect consumers from deceptive or counterfeit online commercial practices and impose restrictions on the promotion of lottery and betting games, as well as prohibiting the advertisement of products such as tobacco. This marks the first time the role…
- World News
Elon Musk regains world’s richest title as Tesla value soars, Arnault slips
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has once again become the world’s wealthiest individual, surpassing LMVH founder Bernard Arnault. Musk’s net worth increased by US$55.3 billion since January, reaching US$192 billion, primarily due to the rising value of his electric car company, Tesla. Meanwhile, Arnault’s fortune dropped by US$24.5 billion to US$187 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. Jeff Bezos and Bill…
- World News
Thousands jeer far-right minister at Jerusalem Gay Pride amid security fears
The Jerusalem Gay Pride march saw thousands of participants, despite security concerns due to online threats and counter-protests. This was the first march since the election of a hardline religious-nationalist government, which includes senior ministers with openly homophobic views. The event highlighted the deepening divisions within Israeli society, where secular Jews have long supported LGBTQ rights, but political and demographic…
- World News
Biden trips at Air Force graduation, reigniting age concerns
US President Joe Biden stumbled and fell during a graduation ceremony at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, where he was presenting diplomas to the graduates. At 80 years old, Biden is the oldest serving president in the nation’s history. He was assisted by Air Force officials in getting back up and continued walking to his seat without any…
- World News
Ukraine accused of Belgorod shelling as Russia reports thwarted invasion
The Belgorod region in Russia has experienced another attack from across the Ukrainian border, with at least eight individuals reportedly injured due to shelling. Russia’s defence ministry also claimed that it had prevented further attempts by Ukraine to “invade” the region. While Kyiv has not commented on these allegations, it has denied any involvement in previous cross-border attacks. This incident…
- World News
Man charged with murder over fatal Wellington hostel fire amid housing crisis
A 48-year-old man has been charged with five counts of murder in connection with a fatal fire at a hostel in Wellington, New Zealand. The man was previously detained and charged with arson following the incident at Loafers Lodge last month. The tragic event has reignited discussions about the nation’s housing crisis, as the hostel provided emergency accommodation for vulnerable…
- World News
House approves US debt ceiling raise, averting default threat
The US House of Representatives has given its approval for a deal permitting the nation to borrow more funds, mere days before the world’s largest economy is set to begin defaulting on its debt. The measure was passed in the chamber with a 314-117 vote, despite some members from both sides not supporting it. The US Senate must vote on…
- World News
Decorated soldier loses defamation case over true war crime allegations
In a landmark defamation case, highly decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been unsuccessful in his lawsuit against three newspapers that accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. The publications were sued for multiple articles that also alleged Roberts-Smith bullied his peers and assaulted a woman with whom he was involved in an extramarital affair. This is the first…
- World News
Kyiv night-time missile attack kills three, injures four
Three individuals, including two children, tragically lost their lives while four others sustained injuries in a recent nocturnal missile strike on Kyiv, according to Ukrainian authorities. The capital city has been subjected to persistent aerial assaults involving missiles and drones, which typically occur during the night. These attacks on Kyiv and other cities have escalated in anticipation of a predicted…
- World News
UN tribunal increases Serbian officials’ sentences for ethnic cleansing role
The Hague’s UN war crimes tribunal has imposed longer prison sentences on two high-ranking former Serbian security officials, Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic. Initially sentenced to 12 years in 2021, they will now serve 15 years for their involvement in training death squads accused of ethnic cleansing during the disintegration of Yugoslavia. This final verdict on the former Yugoslavia is…
- World News
Danny Masterson found guilty of rape, faces 30 years in prison
A Los Angeles jury has convicted American actor Danny Masterson on two counts of rape, with the That ’70s Show star potentially facing up to 30 years in prison. The actor was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the verdict. Three women, all former Church of Scientology members, accused Masterson of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood residence between…
- World News
Amazon pays £20m over Alexa’s breach of children’s privacy rights
Amazon has agreed to pay US$25 million (£20 million) to settle claims that it breached children’s privacy rights through its Alexa voice assistant. The tech giant reached a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after being accused of not deleting Alexa recordings when requested by parents, resulting in the retention of sensitive information for years. Additionally, Amazon’s doorbell…
- World News
Biden assault accuser Tara Reade seeks Russian citizenship, feels safe
Tara Reade, a 59-year-old American woman who accused US President Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her, has travelled to Moscow and is seeking Russian citizenship. In an interview with a state-run Russian news agency, Reade expressed feeling safe in Russia and her desire to stay in the country. Reade alleged that Biden assaulted her in 1993 while she was working…
- World News
UN begins removing million barrels of oil from decaying Yemeni supertanker
The United Nations has initiated an operation to remove over a million barrels of oil from a deteriorating supertanker, FSO Safer, anchored off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. A salvage vessel carrying a team of experts arrived at the site on Tuesday to prepare the tanker for the transfer of oil to another vessel, Nautica, which is set to sail from…
- World News
Animal fat jet fuel demand risks palm oil surge, worsening emissions
The use of animal fat as a greener alternative to traditional jet fuel is raising concerns about its impact on the environment. Animal fats, considered waste, are used to create aviation fuel with a lower carbon footprint. Demand for such fuel is expected to triple by 2030, driven by airlines. However, experts warn that scarcity in animal fat could lead…
