Moscow to ring in New Year with artificial snow

Moscow: The Moscow authorities have dumped artificial snow in the city centre for New Year festivities, as the Russian capital witnessed the warmest December since 1886. However, a light dusting of snow had fallen by Monday afternoon in Moscow, with more forecast later in the week. A strip of artificial snow now lies on one of Moscow’s main avenues — Tverskaya. IANS

Indian singer’s song part of Barack Obama’s playlist

Los Angeles: Indian singer Prateek Kuhad’s song “Cold/mess” has made it to former US President Barack Obama’s favourite music of 2019 line-up. The list was shared by Obama on Twitter on Monday. “I have no idea how ‘Cold/mess’ even reached him but thank you @barackobama, thank you universe. I didn’t think 2019 could’ve gotten better, but damn was I wrong. What an honour,” Prateek Kuhad replied on Obama’s tweet. PTI

Thousands trapped on Oz beaches encircled by fire

Sydney: Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia Tuesday, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land. Four thousand people were trapped on the foreshore of the town of Mallacoota and many others sought refuge on beaches in fire-encircled seaside towns up and down a 200-kilometre (135-mile) strip of coast. AFP

Online gambling ban in Cambodia renders many jobless

Phnom penh: More than 7,000 Cambodians have lost their jobs and dozens of casinos have been shuttered since a ban on online gambling in August, with more losses expected when the government begins inspections this week, officials said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Hun Sen said this week that he would make the online gambling ban permanent after first announcing a halt in August. AFP