Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
Five things you need to know
1. New Zealand backtracks on cigarette ban
New Zealand has abandoned its plans to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008. The country's new government said the policy would have cost too much money due to lost tax revenues.
New Zealand's new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his government would scrap new anti-smoking laws before they came into effect. The measures, prohibiting the sales of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008, were unveiled by former PM Jacinda Ardern. https://t.co/DMRQ9PifUF
— DW News (@dwnews) November 27, 2023
2. Orphaned girl, 4, returned to Israel after being abducted in terror attack
A four-year-old girl was among 17 hostages released by terrorist group Hamas on Sunday. Avigail Idan had to celebrate her birthday alone in captivity after she was abducted – and her parents murdered – in Israel on Oct. 7.
'Filled with happiness': Three-year-old Avigail Idan freed from Hamas, returns to Israel
Avigail Idan, a three-year-old hostage singled out by US President Joe Biden, was released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip after 52 days.https://t.co/hS9WVJVKnM
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) November 26, 2023
3. Host of climate talks planned to strike oil deals during conference: report
The UAE planned to make oil and gas deals while hosting the UN COP28 climate talks, according to a report. The BBC says it has documents proving the fossil-fuel giant wanted to discuss deals with 15 nations during the talks, which are set to be held in December.
My story is pretty straightforward - the UAE planned to use the COP28 climate talks to make oil deals. https://t.co/zK7dkyN1V8
— Justin Rowlatt (@BBCJustinR) November 27, 2023
4. America's oldest dictionary announces 2023's 'Word of the Year'
Merriam-Webster has announced its favourite word of 2023. The US's oldest dictionary selected "authentic," explaining that there had been a "substantial increase" in people searching for the Latin-derived word this year, which it linked to discussions around artificial intelligence.
'Authentic' is Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year!
Genuinely.
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) November 27, 2023
5. Groom kills bride and guests on wedding day
A wedding in Thailand has ended in tragedy after the groom killed his bride and three other guests before killing himself. Reports from the country claim the 29-year-old was drunk and had expressed insecurity about the age difference between himself and his wife, who was 44.
Five dead in wedding massacre as 'drunk' groom, 29, shoots his wife, 44, mother-in-law and guests then kills himself after arguing during the ceremony in Thailand https://t.co/v2WGC4M86w pic.twitter.com/uvGjzH4SAD
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) November 27, 2023