Author: Amanda Martinez

Storm Darragh hits Wales. It brings strong winds and heavy rain, leaving over 35,000 homes and businesses without power. A red weather warning, the highest level, predicts dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions for 13 countries in Wales. The storm has caused significant disruptions. Multiple roads are closed, and train routes are disrupted. The M4 motorway has several sections closed. Transport for Wales advises rail passengers to check before traveling. The Prince of Wales Bridge and M48 Severn Bridge are closed due to high winds. The Met Office records wind gusts of up to 94 mph in Capel Curig, Conwy country.…

The first round of Romania’s presidential elections was declared invalid by the country’s Constitutional court, forcing a new voting procedure. This followed the declassification of intelligence data indicating that Russia tampered with the vote to support Calin Georgescu. Georgescu, a far-right Nato-sceptic, unexpectedly won the first round with 23% of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Elena Lasconi and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. Intelligence reports claim Georgescu benefited from a foreign influence operation that distorted election results, prompting the court to act. Prime Minister Ciolacu called the annulment “the only correct solution” to safeguard democracy and counter alleged Russian interference. President…

A federal court has denied TikTok’s attempt to overturn a law stating the app’s sale or ban by early 2025. TikTok’s appeal was rejected after the court’s decision was a significant blow to the app, which argued that the law violated constitutional protection for its 170 million US users. Lawyers representing TikTok had previously claimed the ban would significantly restrict free speech and harm millions of users. The US Court of Appeals District of Columbia upheld the law by rejecting the appeal. The ruling emphasized that the law targets foreign advisories and is part of broader efforts against China’s influence. …

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor struck down Boeing’s plea deal, which would have allowed the company to admit guilt for deceiving regulators. The agreement was related to the 737 Max jetliner crash, which involved 346 people and included a $243 million fine and independent monitoring.  The rejected deal would have resolved Boeing’s criminal fraud charges for misleading the Federal Aviation Administration about the 737 Max’s flight control system. According to prosecutors, there is insufficient evidence to directly connect Boeing’s actions to the 2018 and 2019 crashes. Judge O’Connor, however, took issue with the terms of the agreement, especially those that…

South Korea’s president faced an impeachment vote as the fallout of martial law intensified in the ongoing South Korean crisis. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ruling party is holding emergency talks amid reports of a possible impeachment vote. The main opposition, the Democratic Party, says the vote could take place soon. Yoon’s attempt to declare martial law on Tuesday night sparked outrage. The order was abruptly reversed after 190 MPs voted it down. Han Doong-hoon, chief of the People Power Party (PPP), expressed concerns about Yoon’s actions. Meanwhile, the opposition has 192 seats and needs at least eight ruling party MPs…

Syrian rebels captured their second major city, Hama. They seized control of the city after the military withdrew its troops. This development comes just a week after rebels captured Aleppo. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed Al-Jawlani declared victory in Hama. He vowed there would be no revenge. The rebels released hundreds of inmates from Hama’s central prison. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports over 820 people lost their lives in the past eight days. This includes 111 civilians. The UN says the escalation displaced over 280,000 people in north-western Syria. President Assad vows to crush the rebels. But with Russia…

Jersey is bracing for Storm Darragh, expected to bring winds up to 75 mph on Saturday. This storm system will likely cause disruptions. First, winds will pick up on Friday evening. Then, they will continue through Saturday. Jersey met forecasts the strongest winds are expected to hit on Saturday afternoon. Next, boat owners must secure their vessels. They should double-check covers and hatches, ensure mooring lines are correctly rigged, and test bilge pumps. Guernsey Harbours issued this warning. Meanwhile, the Government of Jersey is monitoring the situation. People are urged to avoid coastal areas and travel unless necessary.  An amber…

Amid the Prime Minister Michel Barnier controversy, President Emmanuel Macron met urgently with leaders before the scheduled address on Thursday to lay out his intentions for political stability. Barnier gave his resignation to Macron after his minority coalition lost a no-confidence vote on Wednesday. In addition to confirming Barnier’s resignation, Elysée Palace stated that his government would manage daily operations until a new administration was established. In the midst of a divided parliament, Macron met with François Bayrou over lunch to discuss replacements for Barnier. The question arose whether Macron would choose Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu or a centrist like…

The state of Assam in northeastern India has outlawed eating beef in public places such as restaurants and gatherings, which has sparked contentious discussions. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that this ban on beef in India is an extension of the 2021 Assam Cattle Preservation Act. The Assam Cattle Preservation Act forbade the selling of beef close to temples and in places where Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs prevail. Under the revised law, residents can still purchase beef from shops for consumption within their homes. However, beef consumption in restaurants, hotels, and public areas is banned. Sarma argued that the…

The nation faces political upheaval as lawmakers prepare to vote for South Korea’s president’s impeachment. The motion is led by the opposition party because of Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law earlier this week, which he later backtracked on due to public and political pressure. The impeachment motion requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, with the opposition party needing at least eight lawmakers from the ruling People Power party to support it. According to Yoon, the declaration of martial law, the first since 1979, was intended to counter “anti-state forces” but sparked widespread criticism. Amidst the…

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is set to resign after a historic no-confidence vote in parliament. This marks a significant development in French politics, following the French Government collapse. Barnier’s government fell after MPs voted overwhelmingly to support the motion against him on Wednesday. Barnier’s resignation comes just three months after President Emmanuel Macron appointed him. The prime minister is expected to stay on as caretaker while Macron chooses a successor, a process that could take weeks. The crisis began when Barnier used special powers to force through his budget without a vote. Consequently, opposition from Marine Le Pen’s far-right…

Georgian police dragged opposition leader Nika Gvaramia from his party offices. This incident sparked widespread concern about the government’s increasingly authoritarian tactics. Consequently, it is the latest development in the ongoing Pro-EU protests. Gvaramia, a leader of the Coalition for Change, was carried away by police officers. This happened at his party HQ in Tbilisi. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze vowed to take action against protest organizers. He accused them of spreading “liberal fascism”. Furthermore, over 330 protestors have been arrested. Many have been beaten in detention. The protests began after the ruling party, Georgian Dream, announced it was halting…