2024

CA:Environment, Current Affairs

Sierra Leone student tackles toxic air pollution

In his small Freetown workshop, engineering student James Samba tinkered with batteries and electrical parts he hoped could help clean up Sierra Leone’s polluting public transport system. – ‘Good for business, environment’ – Samba first ventured into engineering when he built an electric wheelchair for his uncle, who had long struggled to access public transport.
CA:Economy

From cat litter to incontinence pads: UK shoppers on how ‘porch pirates’ got caught out

Readers say doorstep theft is a ‘nightmare’, but some thieves have not got what they expected in parcels

Doorstep parcel thieves are making off with a variety of gadgets and pricey fashion items ranging from computer monitors to Ugg footwear. However, the “lucky dip” nature of the crime means some crooks are opening their pilfered packages to discover they contain biodegradable cat litter or incontinence pads.

An increase in home shopping has fuelled a rise in doorstep thefts, with “porch pirates” making off with an estimated £376m-worth of goods in the 12 months to August.

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CA:Europe

Two killed and scores injured after car drives into German Christmas market – latest updates

Police arrest Saudi Arabian doctor as suspect for attack, according to German state premier

Germany’s deputy chancellor, Robert Habeck, has reacted to the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, saying it was “horrible news”.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones,” he wrote on X.

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CA:World, Current Affairs

Biden to provide $4.28 billion student loan relief for 55,000 borrowers

The Biden administration announced $4.28 billion in student loan forgiveness for nearly 55,000 public service workers. This adds to the $180 billion already forgiven, benefiting almost 5 million Americans through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. President Biden highlighted improvements to the program and his commitment to making higher education more accessible.
CA:Bharat

Delhi’s air quality remains in ‘severe’ category, average AQI at 429

Delhiites continued to breathe toxic air as the air quality on Friday remained in the severe category, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 429.
The predominant pollutant was PM2.5, the fine particulate matter that poses serious health risks, as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
Of the 36 monitoring stations across the city, 14 reported air quality in the ‘Severe Plus’ category, with AQI readings above 450.
The remaining stations recorded AQI levels in the ‘Severe’ range, between 401 and 450.
These levels signify a significant deterioration in air quality, which is considered life-threatening for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.
The maximum temperature on Friday was 23 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than the usual for this time of year.
The day started with a cool, misty morning and high humidity, which fluctuated between 95 per cent and 71 per cent throughout the
CA:Asia

At least 30 children die from drug shortages in Pakistan after sectarian violence

Key roads closed in Kurram, a hotbed of sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims for decades

At least 30 children have died due to drug shortages in part of north-west Pakistan after the regional government closed key roads in and out of the district in an attempt to quell an outbreak of deadly sectarian violence.

The district of Kurram, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, has been a hotbed of sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims for decades, and since July disputes over farmland have escalated.

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CA:Economy

Police warn UK shoppers over ‘porch pirates’ stealing parcels from doorsteps

Total value of parcels stolen estimated at £376m, with Black Friday and run-up to Christmas the worst periods

Police forces across the UK are warning shoppers about a rise in “porch piracy”, an emerging criminal trend involving doorstep parcel thefts that is costing businesses and consumers millions of pounds.

In one east London borough, police have put up posters in the lobbies of flats, while in other areas forces are using social media to provide tips on how to make life more difficult for thieves.

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CA:Europe

Russia-Ukraine war live: airstrike on Kyiv following warnings of ballistic missile attack

One killed in attack that reportedly used Kinzhal and Iskander missiles against the Ukrainian capital

The Russian Defence Ministry said that its forces had taken control of two more settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Uspenivka and Novopustynka, Reuters reported, citing Russian state news agency RIA.

Russia has been moving toward the strategic city of Pokrovsk, with its forces getting to within 3km (1.9 miles) of it last week. Uspenivka is about 20km of Pokrovsk and Novopustynka is about 16km away from the city.

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CA:Bharat

Winter Session of Lok Sabha sees 57.87% productivity despite disruptions

The Lok Sabha’s Winter Session, hamstrung by disruptions over issues ranging from Adani to billionaire George Soros’ “links” with the Congress leadership and Amit Shah’s Ambedkar remarks, had a productivity of 57.87 per cent, official sources said on Friday.
The Lower House met on November 25 and was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) on Friday amid protests by the opposition and the treasury benches over the alleged insult to BR Ambedkar and directions by Speaker Om Birla to members against holding demonstrations at any gate of Parliament.
Among the key bills introduced during the session were two that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections.
The two bills were on Friday referred to a joint committee of Parliament for examination and wider consultations.
The Lower House last week saw a debate on 75 years of the Constitution’s adoption, during which the treasury and the opposition benches launched a series of attacks at each other.
The Lok Sabha sat an extra day last
CA:Sports

‘To throw something different at India’: Aus chief selector defends squad changes

Australia’s selectors have drafted uncapped teenager Sam Konstas into the squad for the crucial Boxing Day Test against India. Seeking a more dynamic approach against India’s potent pace attack, selectors aim to shake up their struggling top order. Konstas’ unique batting style offers a potential solution to the slow scoring rates of Khawaja, McSweeney, and Labuschagne.
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