2024
Year-ender 2024: A year of political shifts and incumbent struggles across the globe
Sierra Leone student tackles toxic air pollution
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.
For Syria’s Economy, the Way Forward Starts With Sanctions Relief
MoD inks ₹7629 crore contract with L&T for K9 VAJRA-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns for Indian Army
India steel imports from China hit record high, data shows
Cyclone’s Death Toll in Mayotte Is Still Unclear
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.
Biden to provide $4.28 billion student loan relief for 55,000 borrowers
Russia Bombards Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles
Delhi’s air quality remains in ‘severe’ category, average AQI at 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
Govt approves ₹11,582 MSP for milling copra to boost farmers’ income, financial implication estimated at ₹855 crore
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.
SC removes 30% interest cap per annum on late credit card bill payments
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.
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.
Banca cap may impact banks’ net profit by 1-2%, says IIFL Securities
Winter Session of Lok Sabha sees 57.87% productivity despite disruptions
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