Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
New Caledonia – Maxwell Winchester and his wife arrived in New Caledonia two weeks ago, ready for their first holiday without their children since becoming parents. However, violent riots broke out due to electoral changes in the French territory, leaving the Australian couple stranded. Maxwell reported to CNN that they are stuck in their hotel due to the protests. Supplies of food and medicine are running low, and evacuations have stopped due to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit for talks. Commercial flights have been cancelled and the main airport closed.
USA – The US Department of Justice (DoJ) is preparing to file a lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster. According to CBS News the federal government, along with several state attorneys-general, say Live Nation’s dominance in concerts, ticket sales, and venue ownership has ruined competition and reduced customer choices, leading to higher prices. This lawsuit follows years of investigation by the DoJ’s antitrust division, which began criticising Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2022. In November 2022, Ticketmaster’s website crashed during a presale for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, angering fans.
Mexico – Nine people were killed and a presidential candidate briefly hospitalised after a stage collapsed during strong winds at a campaign rally in Mexico on Wednesday. Candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who was not injured, held the event in San Pedro Garza García. Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel García reported that 54 people were injured. Among the dead was a minor, and while some injured are stable, others are undergoing surgery. Álvarez Máynez suspended his campaign in order to stay and support the victims.
Singapore – “All hell broke loose!” said a passenger who was onboard a Singapore Airlines flight which suffered severe turbulence on Tuesday. The Boeing aircraft, carrying 229 people, was cruising from London to Singapore when it dropped sharply and climbed many times within a minute. Passenger Andrew Davies, travelling to New Zealand for business, said the flight was smooth until the turbulence hit about nine hours in. Many passengers were having breakfast when the seat belt sign came on. Davies, who had just fastened his seat belt, described seeing shoes, devices, and other items flying through the cabin.
Pictured above: New Caledonia.
Image source: Stock
