Lays Is Back At Surprising Snack Fans with Limited Edition Flavors for the FIFA World Cup

AFP
Indonesians drill for disaster before tsunami anniversary
Hundreds of Indonesians fled for higher ground Wednesday as they ran through disaster drills in the region worst hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami ahead of its 20th anniversary next month."We must ensure the next generation remains informed, prepared, and resilient," Ardito Kodijat, a UNESCO official and head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Information Centre, told AFP. "Ensuring community preparedness requires regular drills."
AFP
Journalist says his detention removed Guatemala's 'mask of democracy'
A prominent Guatemalan journalist and corruption critic, declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, says that his time in prison allowed him to strip away his country's "mask of democracy.""I had more impact in two years in prison than in 30 years of journalism, because we stripped away the mask of democracy," he added.
Associated Press
Japanese regulators disqualify a reactor under post-Fukushima safety standards for the first time
Japan's nuclear watchdog on Wednesday formally disqualified a reactor in the country's north-central region for a restart, the first rejection under safety standards that were reinforced after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. The decision is a setback for Japan as it seeks to accelerate reactor restarts to maximize nuclear power. The Nuclear Regulation Authority at a regular meeting Wednesday announced the Tsuruga No. 2 reactor is “unfit” as its operator failed to address safety risks stemming from possible active faults underneath it.
AFP
Triumphant Trump returns to White House to meet Biden
Donald Trump will make a triumphant return to the White House to meet President Joe Biden Wednesday, in the Republican's first visit since departing amid a cloud of scandal nearly four years ago.Then-president Barack Obama had welcomed Trump to the White House when the tycoon won the 2016 election.
Reuters
Qatar's Emir to visit Turkey on Thursday, Turkish minister says
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will visit Turkey on Thursday for high-level meetings, Turkey's trade minister said on Wednesday, after Doha said at the weekend it stalled its Gaza mediation efforts for now. Some analysts believe Turkey, despite strained ties with Israel, could play some role in mediation since it does not deem the Palestinian militant group Hamas a terrorist group, and some of its political officials regularly visit Turkey. At the weekend, Qatar said it had told Hamas and Israel it will stall efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until they show willingness and seriousness.
Associated Press
US says it intends to shore up support for Ukraine until Trump takes office
President Joe Biden intends to bolster U.S. military support to Ukraine in the final months of his administration, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, after Russia launched a sophisticated missile and drone attack on Kyiv. The U.S. will “continue to shore up everything we’re doing for Ukraine to make sure that it can effectively defend itself against this Russian aggression,” Blinken told reporters at NATO headquarters, before planned meetings with allied envoys and Ukrainian officials. Blinken warned that North Korea’s decision to send its troops into combat operations alongside Russian forces “demands and will get a firm response.”
AFP
Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report
Almost half of all warm-water species of coral are threatened with extinction -- and climate change is the chief culprit, a new report said on Wednesday.The updated assessment of the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species looked at reef-building corals, which live in warm, shallow waters in tropical areas.
AFP
Stark warning on emissions as leaders split on climate goals at COP29
Global leaders offered competing views on how to tackle climate change at UN-led talks Wednesday as a new report warned the world must reach carbon neutrality much sooner than planned.The report came as leaders gathered in Azerbaijan for COP29 climate talks aimed at reaching a deal on boosting funding to help poorer nations adapt to climate shocks and transition to cleaner energy.
Reuters
China showcases its latest military hardware, and ambitions, at Zhuhai
The Chinese military hardware on display at the country's largest air show in Zhuhai illustrates its ambitions, and in some cases may show breakthroughs in capability, experts say. Among the systems showcased were the latest variant of China's J-35A stealth fighter, its larger J-20 stealth fighter, a stealthy drone designated the CH-7 and the HQ-19 air defence system. There was also an electronic warfare variant of the J-15 naval fighter, in addition to dozens of different munitions.
AFP
Most Asian markets extend losses as Trump fears build
Asian markets fell again Wednesday as traders fret over the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the Chinese and global economies, with fears that his policies could also reignite US inflation.After an initial rally in the wake of the tycoon regaining the White House, Asian markets have pulled back this week as his cabinet begins to emerge.
AFP
Evacuations and call for aid as Typhoon Usagi approaches Philippines
The Philippines ordered evacuations Wednesday ahead of Typhoon Usagi's arrival, as the UN's disaster office sought $32.9 million in aid for the country after recent storms killed more than 150 people. About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the archipelago nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people and keeping millions in enduring poverty.
Associated Press
Russia strikes Kyiv with a combined drone and missile attack, the first in months
Russia struck Kyiv with a sophisticated missile and drone attack for the first time in 73 days on Wednesday morning and damage is still being assessed, a top official in the Ukrainian capital said. Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City military administration, said defense forces destroyed several cruise and ballistic missiles and up to a dozen drones.
AFP
China snuffs out memorials to victims of deadly car rampage
Officials in southern China ramped up security on Wednesday at the site of one of the country's deadliest mass-casualty events in years, snuffing out makeshift memorials to the 35 people killed when a man drove a car into a crowd at a sports complex.On Monday, the 62-year-old man surnamed Fan ploughed a small SUV through a gate to the complex in the city of Zhuhai and into crowds of people as they exercised on the roads inside, according to police.
Reuters
Biden officials ask EU to align methane rules with US to ease LNG flows, letter says
President Joe Biden’s administration has asked the European Union to ensure liquefied natural gas shipments that meet U.S. methane regulations automatically comply with Europe’s standards for imports, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Linking U.S. and EU methane standards would safeguard United States’ growing LNG trade with Europe while also cementing Biden’s methane rules, even if they are eventually repealed by President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
AFP
Istanbul's historic baths keep hammam tradition alive
For centuries, hammams were central to Ottoman society, and while they fell out of use in Turkey with the advent of running water, many are being restored to revive an ancient ritual bathing tradition.Since households at the time did not have running water, hammams were an essential part of life until the 19th century, with census figures from 1638 showing there were 14,536 public and private baths in Istanbul, the museum says.
CNN
Senate Republicans to choose between the McConnell way and a MAGA upstart
On the heels of the general election last week, there’s another important vote on tap this Wednesday in Washington that will greatly impact what President-elect Donald Trump can accomplish during his four years in office: Republicans in the Senate will vote by secret ballot to choose a new leader.
AFP
South Korean president dusts off the golf clubs for Trump
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is taking up golf after years away from the game to prepare for future encounters with US President-elect Donald Trump, his office said Wednesday.Yoon was a former prosecutor before taking office in 2022.
AFP
Toxic smog smothering India's capital smashes WHO limit
Residents of India's capital New Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog Wednesday as worsening air pollution surged past 50 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum.That is more than 53 times the World Health Organization recommended daily maximum of fine particulate matter -- dangerous cancer-causing microparticles known as PM2.5 pollutants that enter the bloodstream through the lungs.
Associated Press
Indonesia's volcanic eruption grounds international flights on tourist island of Bali
Several international airlines canceled flights to and from Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali on Wednesday as an ongoing volcanic eruption left travelers stranded at airports. Tourists told The Associated Press that they have been stuck at Bali’s airport since Tuesday after their flights were suddenly canceled. “The airline did not provide accommodation, leaving us stranded at this airport,” said Charlie Austin from Perth, Australia, who was on vacation in Bali with his family.
Reuters
Blinken, in Brussels, pledges to shore up Ukraine support ahead of Trump transition
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured NATO on Wednesday that the Biden administration would bolster its support for Ukraine in the few months before Donald Trump's return as president and would try to strengthen the alliance in that time. Meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, Biden also said the deployment of North Korean troops to help Russia in the Ukraine war would get a "firm response".

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