Author: Lester Holt

Lester Holt is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 25 years of experience reporting on Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from California State University, Sacramento. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as NBC News, MSNBC, and The New York Times. Known for his clear reporting and insightful storytelling, Lester delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on national and global developments.

Rescue attempt during student trip ends in tragedy on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast Alexandria, Egypt – Seven students lost their lives off the coast of Alexandria after being caught in strong waves while trying to save a fellow classmate. The accident took place west of the city, where roughly 150 students had gathered. Despite a red flag warning against swimming, one student entered the sea on Saturday and soon found herself in difficulty. Several others rushed in to help but were quickly dragged under by powerful currents. According to the Health Ministry, six young men and women aged 15 to 21…

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Ottawa will ease certain retaliatory duties but keep protections on autos, steel, and aluminium. Canada is shifting its trade stance with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Friday that the country will remove some of the tariffs it imposed on American imports, though key levies on vehicles, steel, and aluminium will stay in place. The policy will take effect on September 1. Trade move follows missed deal deadline The decision comes after Carney’s first call with President Donald Trump since both governments failed to meet their self-imposed deadline for a new trade deal. Canada had earlier retaliated against…

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White House Plans Move Into New Cities President Donald Trump said his administration will widen its law-and-order campaign to include Chicago and New York, calling Chicago “out of control” and promising New York would be next. The move continues a federal strategy focused on large Democratic-run cities led by Black mayors, a pattern that has drawn strong objections from local officials. Guard Units Authorized to Carry Weapons in Washington Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that National Guard troops deployed in Washington DC will now carry firearms, overturning earlier commitments that they would remain unarmed. Approximately 2,000 soldiers are currently stationed…

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Washington ties relief to EU action The United States will maintain steep tariffs on European cars until Brussels formally introduces legislation to lower its own trade barriers on American goods. Under a new framework deal, the US has agreed to reduce its 27.5% tariff on EU vehicles and parts to 15%—but only once the EU shows concrete legislative steps. Trade pact unveiled The agreement, announced last month by Donald Trump and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at Trump’s golf resort in Scotland, followed months of tense negotiations. Both sides pledged to open markets further: the EU promised to…

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Looming deadline for submissions Brazil has made a final appeal to world governments to submit updated climate commitments ahead of this year’s UN climate summit, Cop30. So far, only 28 countries have lodged their carbon-cutting proposals, with major emitters such as China and the EU still missing. Pressure builds before UN report The UN requires all national climate strategies, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), by 25 September to prepare a “synthesis report”. This document will assess how far the world remains from the Paris Agreement’s goal of keeping global heating below 1.5C. Brazil steps up diplomacy André Corrêa do…

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Children at Highest RiskSomalia is witnessing a rapid escalation in diphtheria infections, with children making up over 97% of reported cases. The highly contagious bacterial illness, which is preventable through vaccination, has become a major public health concern. Hospitals Overwhelmed by PatientsAccording to Dr Abdulrazaq Yusuf Ahmed, director of Demartino public hospital in Mogadishu, the number of patients has surged drastically. “In 2024 we recorded 49 cases, but in just four months of 2025 we have admitted 497,” he said. Deaths have also increased, rising from 13 last year to 42 this year, with the outbreak described as a serious…

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Scorching heat drives flames across Spain and Portugal Wildfires are tearing through Spain and Portugal as extreme heat, intensified by climate change, fuels destruction across southern Europe. One in four weather stations in Spain registered 40C on Sunday, with a peak of 45.8C in Cádiz, according to the national weather agency Aemet. Officials warned of “very high or extreme fire danger” across much of the country. Vast areas destroyed, lives lost So far this year, 348,000 hectares in Spain and 216,000 in Portugal have burned, according to Copernicus data. Four people in Spain, including a firefighter in a truck accident,…

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